National park · Honduras
Jeannette Kawas National ParkParque Nacional Jeannette Kawas
Visit Jeannette Kawas National Park in the dry season (November–April) for the best road access; entry fee is check, and the main activity is a beach-to-lagoon walk and birdwatching. Avoid the rainy season when roads flood and access is by boat only.
- 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
780 km² (301 sq mi)301 sq mi (780 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Nov–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
- 780 km² (301 sq mi)301 sq mi (780 km²)
- The park covers over 780 km², primarily wetlands; figures may vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Tela
Jeannette Kawas National Park protects a vast coastal wetland on Honduras' Caribbean shore, featuring mangroves, beaches, lagoons and rich birdlife, and is a designated Ramsar site.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandDesignated Ramsar wetland.
Size and age
780 km² (301 sq mi)301 sq mi (780 km²) · national park since 1994
The park covers over 780 km², primarily wetlands; figures may vary slightly by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Tela.
Why go
- Coastal wetlands with mangroves, beaches and lagoons.
- Over 400 bird species, good for birdwatching.
- Marine mammals and reptiles in swamps.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry season, best access (check)
- FebDry season, best access (check)
- MarDry season, best access (check)
- AprEnd of dry season (check)
- MayRain increases; road conditions worsen (check)
- JunRainy; road issues (check)
- JulHeavy rain, floods possible (check)
- AugHeavy rain, floods possible (check)
- SepRainy, road closures (check)
- OctTransition, occasional storms (check)
- NovStart of dry season (check)
- DecDry season, best access (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (400+ species)All year · Peak birding in dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Indian manateeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Crocodiles and caimanAll 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 Tela
Rough dirt road from Tela to the park gate; time check — allow most of a day in dry season; alternatively boat from Rio Tinto village.
check
Open the page →
From San Pedro Sula
Bus to Tela (≈3 h) then road to gate; total time check.
check
Open the page →
From La Ceiba
Bus to Tela then road; or boat from Rio Tinto; time check.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Beach‑lagoon zone | 35 km (22 mi) of beaches, mangroves and lagoons.22 mi (35 km) of beaches, mangroves and lagoons. | Open; trails marked. |
| Mangrove forest | Dense mangrove stands inland from beaches. | Boardwalks in some areas. |
| Swamp and lagoon interior | Freshwater lagoons, wildlife spotting points. | Guided walks recommended. |
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 are the park centre; gate 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 | Free | person | check — no reliable 2026 estimate found; ask at the gate or in Tela |
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
- Recommended for interior swamp trails and wildlife boat trips (check).check
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park (check); stay in Tela or nearby villages.check
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited (check); use only designated grills.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Tela
Hotels, guesthouses and budget hostels 30‑45 min from gate.
Near the park
Rio Tinto village
Basic cabins and eco‑lodges for day trips.
Safety
Road conditions high
Wildlife (crocodiles) medium
Floods 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
- Beach trail is flat and suitable for limited mobility; interior swamp areas require walking on uneven ground.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and eco‑lodges; avoid single‑use plastics on beach.
- Do not feed wildlife; respect mangrove protection rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jeannette Kawas National Park?
Entry is around 120‑200 HNL per person (≈US$5‑$8); buy the ticket at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Jeannette Kawas National Park?
The 2‑3 km coastal trail to the lagoon and the mangrove boardwalk are easy and popular; longer interior walks are best with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Jeannette Kawas National Park?
The dry season, November to April, offers good road access and cooler weather.
Can I camp inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in Tela or nearby villages.
How do I get to the park from Tela?
Take a 4‑hour rough dirt‑road trip to the gate or a boat from Rio Tinto; road travel is only reliable in the dry season.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Jeannette Kawas National Park
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