National park · Honduras
Pico Pijol National ParkParque Nacional Pico Pijol
Enter Pico Pijol National Park: pay about 150 HNL at the gate, drive 5½ h from Tegucigalpa, hike the main summit trail in 2–3 h; go Apr–Oct to avoid rains.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Apr, Oct
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.
- Honduran Highlands ↗Move between towns by day only; night driving on highland roads is not worth it.
- Honduran Highlands ↗Carry lempiras in cash outside Copán Ruinas and Tegucigalpa; cards work in hotels, not at roadside stops.
At a glance
- Country
- Honduras
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- The park covers over 12,000 ha (≈120 km²) of highland rainforest (check).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Apr, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Tegucigalpa
Pico Pijol National Park protects more than 12,000 ha of cloud‑forest in the Honduran Highlands, featuring a prominent summit with panoramic views, diverse birdlife and a landscape threatened by coffee‑farm expansion.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 1987
The park covers over 12,000 ha (≈120 km²) of highland rainforest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tegucigalpa.
Why go
- A highland rainforest with a prominent summit offering views of the Honduran interior.
- Birdwatching and chance to see cloud forest species.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry season, cooler temps
- FebDry and pleasant
- MarDry, good trail conditions
- AprStart of short rains, still good hiking
- MayIncreasing rain, trails may be slick
- JunRainy season, mud
- JulRainy, possible road issues
- AugRainy, limited visibility
- SepRainy, but decreasing
- OctRain tapering, good hiking
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, pleasant
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud‑forest birds (e.g., toucans, trogons)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Small mammals and amphibiansAll 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Gate, visitor information, parking. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Summit trailhead | Start of the main hike to Pico Pijol summit. | Open; trail marked. |
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; park gate location approximated.
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 | HNL 150 | person | Check at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no dumping in the forest.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited.
- Guides
- Not required for summit hike, but recommended for off‑trail exploration.
Where to stay
Near the park
La Ceiba
Hotels and hostels 30 km (19 mi) south of the park; good base for night stays.Hotels and hostels 19 mi (30 km) south of the park; good base for night stays.
Near the park
Local villages
Basic guesthouses near the park entrance.
Safety
Steep sections on summit trail medium
Road conditions low
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
- Park entrance reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Summit trail includes steep and uneven sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guesthouses and buy food locally.
- Avoid buying souvenirs that encourage illegal wildlife trade.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pico Pijol National Park?
Entry is about 150 HNL per person at the gate (check for current rate).
What are the best hikes in Pico Pijol National Park?
The main summit trail (2–3 h, moderate) offers the best views; shorter loops near the entrance are also available.
When is the best time to visit Pico Pijol National Park?
April to October gives the most reliable trail conditions, with the dry season (Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec) also suitable.
How do I get to the park from Tegucigalpa?
Drive north 220 km via RN‑43 (≈5½ h) or take a chicken bus to La Ceiba (≈7 h, $15) then a taxi.
Are guides required?
Not for the summit hike, but recommended for off‑trail or longer treks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pico Pijol National Park
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