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La Ceiba is the third largest city in Honduras, and is probably the country's most vibrant A relatively young city, it got its name from a huge Ceiba tree that was next to the beach and provided shade to the workers at the dock and locals during the afternoon It is the capital of the department of Atlantida, one of the 18 departments of Honduras La Ceiba has long been the operation hub of the Standard Fruit Company, producers of bananas, pineapples, grapefruits and many other agricultural goods that Honduras exports Although La Ceiba is not their port for major shipping activities, it is their administrative hub The main port for their exports is Puerto Castilla, opposite of Trujillo in the beautiful Bay of Trujillo, 100 miles east of La Ceiba

La Ceiba is a lot more that a port city with lots of hospitality and charm In my personal opinion, it has the potential to develop into the Ecotourism Capital in Central America Its proximity to the Pico Bonito National Park, Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, Cayos Cochinos Marine Reserve are but a few of the many nature attractions available at just a short distance from the city In addition, infrastructure to host tourists is slowly, but surely on the upswing Just recently, The Palma Real Beach Resort opened its doors with 160 rooms and suites at the village of Roma, 20 km east of the City Offering outstanding installations, spectacular views of Cayos Cochinos and access to all of the attractions in the city, this is by far the best beach hotel in the country offering thet first all inclusive program in Honduras In addition, the new Pico Bonito Lodge is the first true Eco lodge in the country and offers an outstanding experience for the nature lover The city itself is pretty easy to get around in There are two parallel main avenues that run perpendicular to the coast line: The Avenida San Isidro and the 14 de Julio Most streets are numbered, with first street being the one running adjacent to the coast The zona viva, where most of the restaurants and night life is to be found is on this street

The central park is a pleasant shaded area with many of the hotels and restaurants nearby, and is only a few blocks from 1a Calle on the beach Most banks are located either on the main square or on the Avenida San Isidro

Credit card holders can get cash at the following places: Credomatic, located on Avenida San Isidro, opposite from the Hotel Iberia, honors Visa Master card and American Express They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:30 to 7:00 PM Saturdays from 8:00 to 2:00 PM Also Visa card holders can go to Honducard, on Avenida San Isidro next to the Farmacia Aurora

Money exchange can be arranged at all banks, as well as at Master Cambia, across from the Hotel Iberia on Av San Isidro, open from 8:30 am to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday Another alternative for money exchange is the Supermercado Los Almendros, located at the Hotel Principe in downtown La Ceiba Normally they offer the same exchange as you will get at the banks

Getting around La Ceiba is easy You can walk around town, and there are plenty of taxis that charge a very low fare, making it a preferred mode of transportation

Taking buses from La Ceiba is the much easier than San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa, as they have a central bus terminal from where most of the busses arrive and leave from (The only exceptions are the two first class services to San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Hedman Alas and Viana Express Hedman Alas departs from their own terminal in Supermercados Pueblo and Viana does so from the Esso Miramar service station) In addition, there is a new dock, located a few miles out of town towards the east, from where regular ferry service between La Ceiba and the Bay Islands of Utila and Roatan operates There is daily regular ferry service from La Ceiba to the Bay islands of Roatan and Utila For schedules please check our transportation table and itineraries in the front section of our magazine
Just outside of La Ceiba, on the highway to Jutiapa and Trujillo, (25 km east of La Ceiba) lies the Usha and the Fig Tree medical center Operated by the famous Dr Sebi, this rehabilitation / rejuvenation center is becoming famous for its treatment of diseases, such as cancer and diabetes Based on a complex vegetarian diet and medication, combined with the natural hot springs in the area, several different clients have reputedly been cured of these diseases The center has no telephone on site, you can call 440 0041 in La Ceiba, where more information is available, or you can visit the center, which is easily reached by taking the highway leading towards Trujillo Just past Km 225, there is sign on the right hand side of the road, with a narrow paved road leading to the center, located about 900 feet from the highway Access to the hot springs is available for a fee of Lps 3000 per person for 15 minutes

La Ceiba is perhaps the best communicated city in Honduras The three domestic air carriers, Aerolineas Sosa and Atlantic Airlines Isleña Airlines have their operations hub here, and from here you can fly to Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Roatan, Utila, Guanaja, Trujillo, as well as the Miskito Coast

La Ceiba is famous for its Carnival week, which takes place during the Month of May to celebrate the patron saint, San Isidro Although the word carnival should not be interpreted in the same sense as the Carnivals in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, but more as a large party, this is without doubt the largest and most important celebration held regularly in Central America During the week of Carnival, different sectors of town organize night long parties with live bands, plenty of food and drinks is available and there is a very festive atmosphere For those of you interested in learning Spanish as a second language, there are three schools in the city: the Centro Internacional de Idiomas, as well as the Central American School offer courses that include house stays with local families

The Municipality of La Ceiba has a visitors information center in the heart of town, located on the first floor fo the Banco de Occidente building right on Central Park They are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am till 4:00 pm and Saturday till noon Staff is friendly and very helpful