Taia

Am at the early stages of planning a 1 week trip to Honduras, in March. I’m getting a great deal to a resort in La Ceiba, but don’t want to stay on the resort for the whole week, and need some help/advice on the surrounding activities and away from La Ceiba too.

I’m going to Honduras because I like getting away from it all --- and going off the beaten path. I don’t need 5* accommodation, but because I’m a woman travelling solo, safety is important to me.
1. I’m keen on doing a canopy ride, go horseback riding and dip in some hot springs. Are these all within La Ceiba, or should I be going elsewhere?
2. A trek in the forest would be ideal --- is this feasible?
3. Want to visit Roatan for possibly one day by ferry – is this possible, or would I need to allocate a night there?
4. How far is Copan (the ruins) from La Cebia by bus (if at all possible)? If I can’t make it to Copan, what other places in and around La Ceiba should I must see??

And finally, dumb question, but are mosquito’s a nightmare in Honduras in March, or would some quality insect repellent do the job?
Thanks

hopefulist

Hi, there! With only a week I wouldn't attempt a bus to Copan which would take 6 or 7 hours each way. You could fly between La Ceiba and San Pedro Sula and cut the bus time in half. We really enjoyed our stay at Omega Lodge outside of La Ceiba; read all about it and see my photos at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
The travelogue for that area is linked with the photos and has live links to the places we stayed.

Traveling by ferry to Roatan doesn't make much sense to me, either, but if you could muster a night or 2 (at least) it would be an interesting contrast.

In addition to my travelogue, you might want to spend some time reading the Moon Handbook to Honduras. We're heading back for our 3rd visit to Honduras this summer. Have a wonderful trip and be sure to tell us all about it. Happy trails!

chaucerquest

I was in Honduras last April and we had no problems with mosquitos or other insects. However, the weather was very hot, hotter than I expected (close to 100 degrees some days). Our time in Honduras was concentrated at Copan, so it might be a different story out at La Ceiba.

hopefulist

Sometimes Copán get unseasonably hot but it has stayed in the mid eighties in our summer visits. La Ceiba is typically much hotter - not too bad for a visit but staying even just 1 week there with a host family was too hot for me!

shaytravels

I really enjoyed Roatan. I went with a group, and a lot of people complained that it was just a little backwater island in the middle of nowhere. I dissagree. While I was there, I went snorkeling at Gumbalimba, which was fun, and went through the park there. They have an area with a rope bridge where you can see parrots, monkeys, and lizzards running around. I believe there is a zip line, which I didn't do, and there is a pirate cave called Coxen's cave. The locals say the pirate used it a long time ago.It's kinda touristy, but still a fun afternoon.Also, try to go on a day when the cruise ships arn't there or it will be really crowded!