National park · Honduras
Congolón, Piedra Parada and Coyocutena National ParkParque Nacional Congolón, Coyocutena y Piedra Parada
Enter Congolón, Piedra Parada and Coyocutena National Park: pay about 150 HNL per person, drive ~2 h from Comayagua, hike Cerro Congolón (≈1 h) in the dry season; avoid the rainy months May‑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
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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
136 km² (53 sq mi)53 sq mi (136 km²)
approximate
Established
2010
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.
- 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
- 136 km² (53 sq mi)53 sq mi (136 km²)
- Park area is about 13,600 ha (≈136 km²) per local sources.
- Established
- 2010
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Comayagua
Parque Nacional Congolón, Coyocutena y Piedra Parada (locally PANACON) protects 13,600 ha of forested highland terrain in the Honduran Highlands. Established in 2010, it includes three peaks—Cerro Congolón (890 m), Piedra Parada and Coyocutena—offering marked hikes, and hosts over 200 bird species plus mammals such as howler monkeys, jaguars and ocelots.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2010.
Size and age
136 km² (53 sq mi)53 sq mi (136 km²) · national park since 2010
Park area is about 13,600 ha (≈136 km²) per local sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Comayagua.
Why go
- Three prominent peaks (Congolón, Piedra Parada, Coyocutena) with forest trails.
- High bird diversity – over 200 species including keel‑billed toucan.
- Potential sightings of jaguar, ocelot and howler monkeys.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool.
- FebDry, mild.
- MarDry, warm.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains.
- JunRainy, trails muddy.
- JulRainy, higher humidity.
- AugRainy, possible storms.
- SepRainy, occasional dry spells.
- OctTransition to dry.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, pleasant.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (200+ species)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Jaguar and smaller catsAll 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, information desk, trailheads for the three peaks. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cerro Congolón trail | Marked path to the 890 m summit. | Open to hikers; no guide required. |
| Piedra Parada & Coyocutena trails | Longer routes to the other two peaks. | Open; guide recommended in rainy season. |
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 approximate, based on central highlands location.
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 | Ticket sold at the park 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
- Guides
- Not required for short summit hikes, but recommended for longer routes in rainy season.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in nearby towns.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves.
Where to stay
Near the park
Comayagua town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, ~15 km (9.3 mi) from the gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses, ~9.3 mi (15 km) from the gate.
In the park
Local homestays
Simple rooms near trailheads, book locally.
Safety
Steep sections on Congolón medium
Rain‑induced mud on longer trails 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 gate area reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Summit trails involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodation.
- Carry out all litter.
- Avoid off‑trail shortcuts to protect forest.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Congolón, Piedra Parada and Coyocutena National Park?
Entry is about 150 HNL per person, paid at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Congolón, Piedra Parada and Coyocutena National Park?
Cerro Congolón (short moderate climb), Piedra Parada (2–3 h ridge hike), and Coyocutena (longer forest trek).
When is the best time to visit Congolón, Piedra Parada and Coyocutena National Park?
The dry season November‑April offers the best conditions; May‑October can be rainy and muddy.
Are guides required for any trails?
Guides are not required for the short Congolón summit but are recommended for longer routes during the rainy months.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds; otherwise stay in nearby towns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Congolón, Piedra Parada and Coyocutena National Park
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