Why Pico Bonito is my Favorite National Park in Honduras

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You will probably say that I am biased, and you may be right. Living next to Pico Bonito National Park, I have a magnificent view of it every morning.  I hear the sounds of the forest, and the rushing waters of the Cangrejal River flowing past my home. I am fortunate enough to live in the most beautiful area in Central America: The Cangrejal River Valley. My home and business is a lovely eco-lodge bed and breakfast called La Villa de Soledad.  And yes it faces Pico Bonito National Park. Regardless of what you say, I do have many valid reasons for Pico Bonito to be my favorite National Park in Honduras.

6 reasons why Pico Bonito is my Favorite National Park in Honduras

1.- Accessibility.

When you think of going to a National Park, it usually is a hard to get to destination. Travel for a long time, then take a lousy dirt road for many kilometers. Lets face it, you are bushed before you get to the bush! Getting to Pico Bonito National Park is easy because it is close to La Ceiba, and getting to La Ceiba is easy.  Spend less time getting there and enjoy yourself once you are there!

  1. Visual Attraction.

Pico Bonito, the peak that gives the park its name is like a beacon. It is a triangular shaped peak that reaches above 2,500 meters (8000 ft) into the sky. You can see if from miles away. If you are in the Bay Islands, it is clearly visible from the islands of Utila and Roatan. If you are traveling from San Pedro Sula or Tela, you can see if from afar, as you close in on La Ceiba. When you are in La Ceiba, you can see if from just about anywhere.

Why Pico Bonito is my favorite national park in Honduras
The many tones of green and yellow you can find in Pico Bonito National Park

Then there is the colors. If I had to describe Pico Bonito with a color, it would be GREEN. But wait, if you look close, you will be amazed at the different tones of green that you can see here. And then, depending on the time of the year, you will find some trees with bright flowers. Yellow, orange, white and red are but some of the colors that blend into the green. Top it off with the blue sky and a touch of white from the clouds and you have a picture perfect setting! Yes, Pico Bonito is my favorite National Park in Honduras![themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

  1. Lodging Facilities

Cangrejal River Valley
Aerial View of La Villa de Soledad at Pico Bonito National Park. Photo by Luis Aguero

Let’s face it, you get to paradise and want to stay there. Nothing worse than not finding an adequate lodge to stay in! As a park, Pico Bonito National Park offers the largest selection of lodges and inns to choose from. The Cangrejal River Valley offers several different hotels, each with its own charm and character. Here you can find award winning hotels, such as La Villa de Soledad B&B. You can also find dorms and camping facilities if you are looking for budget or outdoor options.  In total, there are 10 different Cangrejal River hotels to choose from.  Other areas within the park offer outstanding alternatives. One of them is the area around the village of El Pino. In this area, you can find the World famous Lodge and Spa at Pico Bonito.[themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

  1. Multitude of Activities

Most National Parks offer few activities offer only a few activities. As a general rule, you can expect hiking trails and bird-watching. Pico Bonito National Park offers a wide range of activities. This is one of the main reasons why Pico Bonito is my Favorite National Park in Honduras! In addition to outstanding trails, and World Class bird-watching, you have many other things to do in Pico Bonito!

Cangrejal River things to do
Rafting the beautiful Cangrejal River.

Some of the best white water rafting in Central America can be enjoyed in Pico Bonito! If you are into getting a birds-eye view of the forest, you can do so from a zip line canopy tour. Ever dreamt of rappelling down a pristine waterfall in the middle of the jungle? Well, you can do this also! Last, but not least, you can do some mountain bicycle tours, ride a horse or simply enjoy the cool waters in the Cangrejal River. I challenge you to find a National Park in Central America with so many options![themify_hr border_width=”1″ width=”1″ color=”light-gray”]

5.- Lots to See.

Natural scenery has a profound relaxing effect on the soul. The sheer beauty of the Cangrejal River Valley and the thousands of creeks and waterfalls that are hidden within Pico Bonito National Park make it a unique paradise. You may never see them, but the same trails that you hike during the day are visited at night be mighty jaguars and elusive ocelots. They are shy to humans, but the camera traps on the trails catch them regularly after dark. The bird life is abundant, with Pico Bonito National Park being the best spot in Honduras to see a keel billed toucan. The area around the Lodge at Pico Bonito is the best spot in Central America to see the beautiful lovely cotinga. You will be amazed at how much can see at Pico Bonito National Park.

  1. Safety

One thing you need not worry about in Pico Bonito is your personal safety. At least not as far as crime is concerned. Yes, you could slip in the trail and hurt your leg. You can also get stung by a bee when ruffling up some leaves in the forest. Nothing serious, but just in case, there are great hospitals and medical facilities in La Ceiba that are nearby.