Located just off the Río Cangrejal is the Omega Jungle Lodge (tel. 504/440-0334, www.omegatours.info), a relaxed lodge run by a German rafting outfit. Accommodations include a plain guesthouse, with shared bathroom and communal lounge (US$10 s or US$14 d), one simple but attractive cabin (sans bathroom) built over a gurgling creek (US$40.50 for 2–3 people), and a couple of two-story luxury cabins that can sleep up to five with high-end amenities and decor (US$116 d).

All guests are welcome to use the beautiful outdoor shower in a stone cabana, whose water runs warm by the end of a sunny day. Penny-pinchers can rent a tent for US$5 per person.

A very good option for a low-priced day of rafting is their one-day package for US$49, including a room in the guesthouse, lunch, and a day of rafting. Omega offers a wide variety of day trips and longer expeditions, including white-water swimming, jungle hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking, a jungle survival course, and multiday trips near La Ceiba and in the Mosquitia.

The grounds are lovely, with a small pool, three easy trails, and a thatch-roof restaurant serving very good international cuisine. There are several vegetarian options, and creative dishes such as kasspatzle and ginger chicken, all generously portioned (US$5–10).

Omega is highly eco-conscious, with an earth-friendly septic system, among other features.

Getting to Omega Jungle Lodge

Omega Jungle Lodge is roughly 10 kilometers up the well-maintained dirt road from the highway. The lodge offers a shuttle service from La Ceiba, the ferry dock, and the airport (US$15, US$18, and US$25, respectively; price is per car, up to four passengers).