My wife and I are thinking of doing the hike to El Bejuco waterfall with Omega Tours while in the La Ceiba area, and was I wondering if anyone could tell me what the difficulty level is like. For example, is it a very vertical hike, mostly flat, etc?

We are also planning on hiking with Omega tours to El Bejuco. They told me it was very steep... not sure if that's just in the beginning though. Are you doing any other tours with them? We are going in the beginning of Feb. When is your trip?

Thanks for the info. We're going to be there mid-March, so maybe we'll get to hear about your tours before we go!

We're most likely going to do the Cacao Lagoon kayak tour, and possibly the waterfall hike, and hopefully we'll stay at the creek cabin for two nights. After that we're off to Roatan for a few days of sun and snorkels. I'd like to do more, but time is limited this trip, so well have to return someday...our Central American "to do" list is pretty long.

We also have a short trip. Only six nights but I am always amazed at how much we accomplish in such a short time. We are going to Roatan first staying at the West Lodge Bay for three nights and then off to Omega Lodge for three nights. We are staying in one of their cabins as we are a group of four. We are also planning on the kayak tour and I am trying to decide between the bike trip or the horseback. I would have liked to visited Cieba first as you are and saved the sun for last but because of connections on the way home it just wasn't possible. I went to Nicaragua in Nov. and that was just wonderful.I have a pretty long wish list myself. Enjoy. I will let you know how the hike is when I get back.

We were planning on going to Nicaragua in March but then I found a great flight deal to Honduras and booked that at the last second - $400 flying from Chicago into San Pedro Sula and out of Roatan back to Chicago - it was too good to pass up at the time!

This year seems to be just about booked up as the plan is to head back to Guatemala in the fall on a sailing trip...the price is right on that as well and it sounds like a blast!

Nicaragua will probably be next year, and I'm sure I'll be asking you all about it.

Have a great trip!

That's a great airfare. We paid a bit more from Newark but still under 500 so no complaints. Would love to hear just a bit about your sailing trip. It sounds very interesting. Are you going with a group?

Sure...there are two different sailing tours, and we may do them back to back:

The first is 4 Days, 3 nights sailing the Rio Dulce. The price is only $180 per person and that includes all meals on the boat. Here's the agenda straight from the sailboat operators:

<b>Friday sail by the Old Spanish Fort, then across Lago Izabal for a sunset dinner. Saturday morning you take a 30min. walk threw a productive ranch &amp; lush jungle to the hot mineral water falls where you relax in natural steam caves, hot &amp; cold whirlpools within a surrounding jungle atmosphere. Noon hoist the sails and sail across the lake at speeds up to 15 knots on a windy day. Palafitos for the night. Sunday you will sail down into the spectacular Canyon of the Rio Dulce, visit the Caribbean Village of Livingston, next the Tatin River for a cool spring water swim, then back to the Rio Dulce for a hot spring bath, after you will sail threw the Manatee Park area. In the afternoon you will cross the Golfete then moor for the night. Monday morning after breakfast you will arrive back to Fronteras before noon. This four-day trip is the most beautiful way to explore this area. This spacious 46' Catamaran has plenty of space to relax and be adventures sailors. Come sail away on Las Sirenas.</b>


The second sailing trip is a seven day, six night trip up the Rio Dulce, out past Livingston and on to the Belize Islands then back. It's only $400 per person also including all meals. Here's the info on that straight from the sailboat operators:

<b>Boarding Time: 1:30 PM in Fronteras at Rest. (Rio Bravo) on the Rio Dulce. We set sail at 3 PM.
Agenda: Friday night sunset dinner. Saturday morning you sail into the spectacular Canyon of the Rio Dulce &amp; onto the Caribbean Village of Livingston. Visit Livingston 1-2 hours while our licensed Captain prepares departure papers for Belize. We then sail out of Livingston for the Belize Islands, arriving at the Worlds 2nd Largest Barrier Reef to check into Belize Hunting Caye, (Visas not required). Enjoying the snorkeling while viewing tropical fish day and night, swimming &amp; kayaking near Islands with white sandy beaches &amp; coconut trees, sun bathing &amp; relaxing while the crew work hard to make your sailing vacation an enjoyable one. Our Chef will prepare fresh seafood meals while in Belize. We have ample supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for those who do not eat seafood. We offer the most adventures way to see the Belize Barrier Reef.</b>

Anyway, both sound like great times and the price is definitely right...we also got recommendations about this tour when we were in Guatemala last May. Here's the website for more info:

www.sailing-diving-guatemala.com

I can forward you the price breakdown I received from them as well...just let me know.

-Ryan

I did the El Bejuco hike with a guide from my Spanish school a week or 2 after our stay at Omega, but I think it's the same path. It was not the kind of hike where you pushed and pushed, sweating and cursing, but there were quite a few steep parts, even areas where we were yarding ourselves up using trees and vines. Going down was a bit tricky in spots where the trail was steep and muddy at the same time. I don't remember being exhausted at the end of it but it was fairly steep. Hope that helps. Happy trails!

Thanks for the information about the sailing. Sounds like a fun trip.

Thanks hopefulist...sounds like fun!

Hi, I am going to Honduras (Roatan &amp; La Ceiba) in June. I was researching Honduras and came across the reference to the sailing trip mentioned on Las Sirenas. We did the 4 day sailing trip in Jan.'07 on Las Sirenas- it was the highlight of our trip to Guatemala. It is a simple boat but great deck space, good meals, neat swimming coves and a lot of fun. enjoy the sailing- the Rio Dulce is a beautiful shade of green and the surrounding landscape is so lush.

Thanks...good to know. I still plan on making that sailing trip later in the fall. Just got back from Roatan a few weeks ago and had a great time there as well.