National park · Honduras
Celaque National ParkParque Nacional Montaña de Celaque
Base in Gracias and give Celaque one full day: tuk-tuk 9 km to the visitor centre at 07:00, walk to Celaque Falls or push to the summit camp if you are fit, and skip it entirely in the wettest weeks of September–October.Base in Gracias and give Celaque one full day: tuk-tuk 9 km to the visitor centre at 7:00 AM, walk to Celaque Falls or push to the summit camp if you are fit, and skip it entirely in the wettest weeks of September–October.Base in Gracias and give Celaque one full day: tuk-tuk 5.6 mi to the visitor centre at 07:00, walk to Celaque Falls or push to the summit camp if you are fit, and skip it entirely in the wettest weeks of September–October.Base in Gracias and give Celaque one full day: tuk-tuk 5.6 mi to the visitor centre at 7:00 AM, walk to Celaque Falls or push to the summit camp if you are fit, and skip it entirely in the wettest weeks of September–October.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
266 km²103 sq mi
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Feb–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Honduras
- Area
- 266 km²103 sq mi
- Sources give over 260 km²; boundary figures vary (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Feb–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Celaque National Park protects the steep, wet mountain massif above the colonial town of Gracias in western Honduras, and it holds Cerro Las Minas, at 2,870 m the highest ground in the country. Most of it is cloud forest and rainforest that takes around 2,400 mm of rain a year, feeding nine rivers and a set of waterfalls, of which Celaque Falls is the one you can reach on foot in under an hour from the visitor centre. The park was declared in 1987 and since 2015 forms part of the Cacique Lempira, Señor de las Montañas UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Over 300 bird species are recorded, and the lungless salamander Bolitoglossa celaque lives nowhere else. There is no village inside the park and no transport beyond the gate, so almost everyone sleeps in Gracias, 9 km away, and treats Celaque as a day out or a two-day climb.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2015Cacique Lempira, Señor de las Montañas Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
266 km²103 sq mi · national park since 1987
Sources give over 260 km²; boundary figures vary (check).
Why go
- Cerro Las Minas, at 2,870 m the highest point in Honduras, sits inside the park.
- Cloud forest and rainforest with over 300 bird species, from parrots to the chance of a quetzal.
- Celaque Falls is a short walk from the visitor centre, so a half day is enough for a taste.
- The endemic lungless salamander Bolitoglossa celaque lives only in these mountains.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry-ish, cool nights, clear ridge views
- FebDriest and clearest of the year
- MarDry, warm days, firm trails
- AprWarm; haze builds before the rains
- MayFirst heavy showers; mud starts
- JunWet; leeches and slick rock
- JulWet, brief dry spells
- AugWet; rivers high
- SepPeak rain; trails and crossings unsafe
- OctStill very wet; storms
- NovRains ease late in the month
- DecCool, often clear, busy with locals
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident and migrant birds (parrots, toucans, chance of a quetzal)Nov–Apr · Dry-season mornings give the clearest sightings. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Pumas, monkeys and ocelotsAll year · Present year-round but rarely seen. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bolitoglossa celaque salamanderAll year · Endemic and endangered; do not handle. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches and mosquitoesMay–Oct · Worst in the wet season; cover up and use repellent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Gracias
Moto-taxi or taxi 9 km to the visitor centre; the last stretch is rough dirt.Moto-taxi or taxi 5.6 mi to the visitor centre; the last stretch is rough dirt.
20–30 min
From Santa Rosa de Copán
Bus or shuttle to Gracias, then moto-taxi; shared combis run when full.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Tegucigalpa
Transportes Congolón bus to Santa Rosa de Copán, then onward to Gracias.
3.5 h to Santa Rosa, plus 1.5–2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and Celaque Falls | Gate, water, camping, the short walk to the falls. | Open with a ticket; easiest zone. |
| Mid-mountain forest | Steep trails through cloud forest to camps and waterfalls such as San Juan and El Estado. | Open; guide advised. |
| Cerro Las Minas summit | The 2,870 m ridge and the highest ground in Honduras. | Guided; long day or overnight. |
| Caves | Cueva de los Murciélagos, Cueva de los Indios and Cueva del Tigres. | Local guide only; some are risky. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (visitor centre) | HNL 100–200 | person | 2026 estimate; confirm at the gate (check). |
| Camping per night | HNL 100–200 | person | 2026 estimate; three designated sites (check). |
| Local guide, day walk | HNL 500–1,200 | group | 2026 estimate; arrange in Gracias (check). |
| Moto-taxi from Gracias to the visitor centre | HNL 100–150 | vehicle | About 9 km each way; agree the return (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Summit route (Cerro Las Minas) permit or guide
Park rules
- No shops or restaurants
- Bring all food and water; pack out every wrapper.
- Camping
- Only at the three designated sites, each with water, shelter and toilets.
- Guides
- Required for the summit route and for cave visits.
- Water
- Available at the entrance and camps; treat or filter it before drinking.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; monkeys will take loose items.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gracias
Hotels and guesthouses about 9 km from the gate; the practical base.Hotels and guesthouses about 5.6 mi from the gate; the practical base.
In the park
Villa de Ada
Lodge rooms and cabanas inside the park (check availability).
In the park
Park campsites
Three designated sites with water, shelters and toilets.
Safety
Slick, muddy trails high
Snakes and insect bites medium
Getting lost in cloud high
Cold, wet nights at altitude medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre and the first stretch toward Celaque Falls are the most manageable, but the ground is uneven dirt.
- The summit route and most other trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire guides from Gracias so the park's neighbours earn from conservation.
- Carry out all rubbish; there is no collection inside the park.
- Keep to marked trails to protect the endemic salamander's habitat.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Celaque National Park?
Entry is a small local fee, roughly 100–200 lempira per person as a 2026 estimate; camping is charged separately and a guide costs more. Confirm current rates at the visitor centre gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Celaque National Park?
The short walk to Celaque Falls suits most visitors. The Cerro Las Minas summit is the serious option: two days, steep and muddy, with a guide and a camp. Waterfall routes such as San Juan and El Estado sit in between.
When is the best time to visit Celaque National Park?
February to March is driest and clearest. September and October are the wettest and worst for trails and river crossings. November to January is a good second window.
Do I need a guide in Celaque?
For the summit route and the caves, yes. Short walks from the visitor centre can be done on your own.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, at three designated sites with water, shelters and toilets. Bring everything you need and take all rubbish out.
How do I get to Celaque from Gracias?
A moto-taxi or taxi covers the 9 km to the visitor centre in about 20–30 minutes; agree the return trip with the driver.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go