Hiking in Honduras: Our Four Favorite National Parks

In this article, we look at four national parks and protected areas for anyone interested in hiking in Honduras. 

When people think of traveling in Honduras, they think about the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, with their diving resorts and beaches. But did you know Honduras is also a fantastic place to go hiking?

Covered in dense tropical rainforest, tall peaks, and crystal-clear rivers, Honduras is a perfect hiking destination with some amazing national parks.

If you’re thinking about hiking in Honduras, this post will give you everything you need to know to plan your trip. From planning your itinerary to the best hikes Honduras has to offer, we have you covered.

Honduras is covered in forests and mountains, so there’s a wide range of hiking trails for all different abilities. Whether you want a peaceful walk in a tropical rainforest or are looking for a hard scramble up a mountain, you’ll get it in Honduras.

From Mayan ruins to untouched wildlife, the views are breathtaking in Honduras. Every corner has a hidden gem to explore, and you’ll never get bored taking pictures hiking the hills.

Preparing to travel to Honduras

But before you get on a plane, it’s worth knowing about the specific regulations in place for Honduras, which are unique in Central America.

As of May 2022, there are still Covid restrictions in place for Honduras. All travelers must complete a pre-clearance form that you’ll need to carry with you at all times once approved. You should also get a lateral flow travel test before you go.

Local protocols (including isolation) are in place if you exhibit Covid symptoms while traveling.

For non-vaccinated people, there is a daily curfew from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, and you can be detained by local authorities if you’re caught breaking it. Honduras is the only country in Central America with this type of curfew.

That said, the rest of the region is easing up fast on its Covid regulations. We can only hope that Honduras follows suit very soon. In the meantime, let’s take a look some of our favorite hikes in Honduras.

Costa Rica’s announcement it was dropping vaccine and mask mandates is a relief. Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua are now the least-restricted countries in Central America. Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras the most. https://t.co/lcbH7Ev7eG

— Central America Living (@VidaAmerica) May 10, 2022

The best hikes in Honduras:

There are at least four hikes in Honduras that every traveler should check out during their visit.

Pico Bonito National Park

Established in 1987, Pico Bonito National Park is in northern Honduras, close to the city of La Ceiba. The park is part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor and is the most popular park in the country.

The hiking trails in the park range from moderate to hard scrambles, and you can hire local guides if you’re unsure of the terrain. As well as hiking, people visit the park for bird watching, horseback riding, and kayaking, so there is plenty to do on your visit.

Rafting the Rio Cangrejal is another popular pass-time in the reserve, so if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take on the rapids through the rainforest during your hike. Pico Blanco offers some of the best and most scenic whitewater rafting in Central America, so we strongly recommend this.

Cusuco National Park

The cloud forests and mountains of the Cusuco National Park are home to several species of endangered amphibians and a diverse range of other wildlife.

Located in northeastern Honduras, Cusuco is easily accessed from the city of San Pedro Sula in a day trip. The trails in the park range from moderate to difficult, some of which include waterfalls.

Montaña de Celaque National Park

This national park is home to Honduras’s highest peak, Cerro Las Minas. Located in western Honduras, the Montaña de Celaque National Park was established to protect the local cloud forest.

You can expect to get wet in this area because of the amount of rainfall. But if you’re not put off by the weather, there are several one-day and two-day hikes that have breathtaking views of the mountainous region.

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

Our final Honduras hike is one for the super adventurous only – not for the faint of heart. The Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve is in the “Wild East” of Honduras, the Mosquito Coast, a remote and lawless part of the country little visited by tourists.

A hike through this UNESCO World Heritage Site can take days, depending on how much time you want to spend exploring. You will need a guide with you when visiting this part of Honduras.

What you will find in this reserve is mile upon mile of dense rainforests, crisscrossed by rivers and occasional indigenous and Miskito communities.

Again, you should be an experienced traveler/outdoorsperson to even think about exploring the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve.

That wraps up our four favorite reserves and national parks for hiking in Honduras.

There are, of course, other places to explore while in this beautiful country. If you’re in the Bay Islands, there are great hiking opportunities on both Roatán and Guanaja, where you can hit the highest peaks of both islands for amazing Caribbean views.

Elsewhere, the capital city of Tegucigalpa offers some great day trips in the pine-clad mountains that surround it, and then there’s Copan Ruinas with its Mayan ruins surrounded by natural beauty.

Wherever you are in Honduras, if you have your hiking shoes on standby, you’re going to have a wonderful time.