Chachahuate village
Thatched houses on the sand.
Dennis García — CC BY 3.0 · Garcia.dennis — CC BY 3.0 · Garcia.dennis — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Krimo18 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Elmer Claros — Public domain · Hector Abouid from Tripoli, Libanon — CC BY 2.0
Cayos Cochinos are two small islands and 13 smaller coral cays off the north coast of Honduras. They cover about 2 square km and form a marine reserve within the great barrier reef, with no roads or cars, among the quietest and cleanest places in the Caribbean. They were declared a marine reserve in 1994 with help from the Smithsonian Institution, covering 460 square km. Commercial fishing is banned, and local Garifuna people may fish with hand lines. The Honduras Coral Reef Fund manages the reserve and collects an entrance fee. There is a research station on Cayo Menor, and the population was 108 at the 2001 census. You see white sand, clear turquoise water and palms, with thatched houses in the village of Chachahuate. On Cayo Grande a trail links homes and beaches and climbs through jungle to a lighthouse on the highest point, and sources call it home to the pink boa. Pelicans perch on old boats, and the coast and mountains show in the distance. The islands are 40.7 km in a straight line north-east of La Ceiba, reached by boat from La Ceiba, Sambo Creek and Nueva Armenia. The sea can be rough in a small boat, so check the weather and wear a life jacket. Do not take coral or touch the reef or snakes, and bring enough water. Respect the Garifuna villages and ask before taking photos.
Thatched houses on the sand.
A trail through jungle.
Protected reef around the islands.
North-east of La Ceiba, Caribbean Sea, Honduras
Yes from La Ceiba, and you can stay in Garifuna villages.
The reserve collects one, so ask the amount when booking.