National park · Honduras
Sierra de Agalta National ParkParque Nacional Sierra de Agalta
Enter Sierra de Agalta for a day hike to La Picucha (3‑5 h) or a multi‑day trek to La Cascada waterfalls; budget entry fee and guide cost, and visit in the dry season (Nov–Apr) to avoid rain.
- 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
738 km² (285 sq mi)285 sq mi (738 km²)
approximate
Established
1987
Best months
Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
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
- 738 km² (285 sq mi)285 sq mi (738 km²)
- Official area after 2011 expansion: 738 km² (source: Wikivoyage).
- Established
- 1987
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Permits
- For some areas
Sierra de Agalta National Park protects Honduras' largest cloud forest, offering remote mountain terrain, waterfalls, caves and abundant wildlife, including jaguar and over 200 bird species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1987.
Size and age
738 km² (285 sq mi)285 sq mi (738 km²) · national park since 1987
Official area after 2011 expansion: 738 km² (source: Wikivoyage).
Why go
- One of Honduras' largest cloud forests with 400 km² (154 sq mi) of old‑growth forest.One of Honduras' largest cloud forests with 154 sq mi (400 km²) of old‑growth forest.
- Home to jaguar, puma, howler monkeys and over 200 bird species.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar, puma, howler monkeys, collared peccaryAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 200+ bird species (resident and migratory)Mar–Dec | no | no | 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 and trailheads. | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 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 approximate; park spans a large mountainous area.
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 | Free | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for cave, mountaineering and any off‑trail trekking.
- Camping
- Backcountry camping allowed; camp only in designated areas.
- Fires and litter
- No open fires; carry out all rubbish.
- Pets
- Pets not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Backcountry camping
Camp sites in the forest; bring own gear.
Near the park
Gualaco town
Small hotels and guesthouses with basic supplies.
Safety
Remote terrain high
Weather medium
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; trails are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides to support community livelihoods.
- Leave no trace; use established campsites.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sierra de Agalta National Park?
The official entry fee is not published; visitors usually pay a small ticket at the gate (check local sources).
What are the best hikes in Sierra de Agalta National Park?
La Picucha summit (3‑5 days, guide required), Susmay Caves (2‑3 h, guide required) and the La Cascada waterfall trek (overnight).
When is the best time to visit Sierra de Agalta National Park?
The dry season, November to April, offers clearer trails and less rain; the rainy season (May–Oct) can make trails muddy.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
Guides are mandatory for cave exploration, mountaineering and any off‑trail trekking; day hikes near the entrance can be done independently.
Is backcountry camping allowed?
Yes, camping is permitted in designated areas; bring your own gear and follow leave‑no‑trace rules.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sierra de Agalta National Park
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