National park · Honduras
Pico Bonito National ParkParque Nacional Pico Bonito
Enter Pico Bonito National Park (fee check), hike El Bejuco Falls (moderate) in the morning, stay at a nearby lodge; avoid the rainy season (June‑Oct).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Feb–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Honduras ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Honduras's migration authority or a Honduran consulate; the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua can make your permitted stay count across all four.
- Honduras ↗Transit San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa by day and with pre-arranged transport; do not use public buses between cities.
- Honduras ↗Do not travel to Gracias a Dios (La Mosquitia) except with a specialist operator; several governments advise against all travel there.
- Caribbean Honduras ↗Ferries to Roatán and Utila leave La Ceiba in the morning and mid-afternoon only; the last boat is not a late one.
- Caribbean Honduras ↗Carry cash on the islands and the east coast; card readers fail and ATMs are few outside Roatán's west side.
At a glance
- Country
- Honduras
- Area
- 300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
- Approximate; official boundaries vary between sources.
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Feb–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Pico Bonito National Park, near La Ceiba in Caribbean Honduras, protects a humid rainforest with abundant birdlife, waterfalls and access to the Cangrejal River for rafting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²) · national park since 1987
Approximate; official boundaries vary between sources.
Why go
- Birdwatching hotspot with toucans, cotingas and many other species.
- Waterfall hikes to El Bejuco and Unbelievable Falls.
- Access to white‑water rafting on the Cangrejal River.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; good hiking
- FebDry and clear; best hiking
- MarDry, warm; bird activity high
- AprDry, hot; start hikes early
- MayTransition month; some rain
- JunRainy season begins; trails muddy
- JulHeavy rain; river may flood
- AugWet; leeches on trails
- SepRain continues; slippery
- OctWet; check weather before rafting
- NovDrying out; trails improve
- DecDry, cool; good hiking
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toucans, cotingas, hummingbirdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From La Ceiba
Bus or taxi from La Ceiba to the park entrance (about 15 km (9.3 mi)).Bus or taxi from La Ceiba to the park entrance (about 9.3 mi (15 km)).
20–30 min
From San Pedro Sula
Bus to La Ceiba (3 h), then taxi or bus to the park.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
From Tegucigalpa
Bus to La Ceiba (5 h), then taxi or bus to the park.
5.5–6 h
Open the page →
From Roatán
Ferry to La Ceiba (1 h), then taxi or bus to the park.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance area | Visitor centre, trailheads for El Bejuco and Unbelievable Falls. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cangrejal River zone | Rafting launch points and river trails. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; entrance location approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | HNL 10–25 | person | Ticket at the park gate near La Ceiba (check). |
| Guide for birdwatching tour | HNL 300–600 | group | Half-day; arranged at lodges or the entrance. |
| Rafting trip (Cangrejal River) | HNL 800–1,500 | person | Includes guide and safety gear; book through a licensed operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- HNL 10–25
- HNL 300–600
- HNL 800–1,500
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no dumping in streams.
- Swimming
- Allowed only at El Bejuco Falls; prohibited at Cascada Zacate (drinking water source).
- Guides
- Required for river rafting and any off‑trail activity.
Where to stay
Near the park
Lodges near Pico Bonito
Eco‑lodges offering rooms and meals; 15‑30 min from park entrance.
Near the park
La Ceiba town
Hotels, hostels and restaurants; 30 min drive.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
River flooding high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trailheads reachable by car; paths are steep and uneven, not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Choose lodges that use renewable energy and support local communities.
- Use guided birdwatching tours that follow low‑impact practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pico Bonito National Park?
Entry is about 10‑25 HNL per person (≈$0.40‑$1); buy the ticket at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Pico Bonito National Park?
El Bejuco Falls (moderate, 2 km) and Unbelievable Falls (moderate, 1.5 km) are the most popular; both lead to swimming spots.
When is the best time to visit Pico Bonito National Park?
The dry season from February to May offers the best hiking conditions; avoid June‑October when heavy rain makes trails slippery.
Can I do rafting in the park without a guide?
No. Rafting on the Cangrejal River requires a licensed guide.
Is swimming allowed at Cascada Zacate?
No. The waterfall supplies drinking water for the local community.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pico Bonito National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?