Cacao Lagoon

Approximately 24 kilometers east from La Ceiba [1] is the small, oceanside Cacao Lagoon. Mangroves surround the water and provide shelter to tropical birds and howler and white-faced monkeys. The lagoon is named for the nearby tropical cacao plants, once used as money in pre-Columbian times, now used in the manufacturing of chocolate, of course. The neighboring village makes a living from its cacao and sugarcane plantations, and is interesting in and of itself.

A tour is the easiest way to see the lagoon (both Moskitia Eco-Aventuras and Tourist Options [2] run tours, the latter much cheaper), but those who can arrange their own transportation to the town can likely also negotiate a boat tour with a local guide, on a dugout canoe. From the beach it’s possible to see the Cayos Cochinos [3], just 15 kilometers out to sea.