LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDEN

Founded in 1926 by biologist Dr. Wilson Popenoe on behalf of the Tela Railroad Company. It is described as the second largest botanical garden in the world, which is certainly not the case, unless you count the primary and secondary rainforest on the slopes of the Cordillera. The park is home to native species from all over the world, including the African palm (Elaeis guineensis), which is now one of the spearheads of the Honduran agricultural economy.

The park's name comes from a small endemic thorny palm (Astrocaryum standleyanum). A pathway offers a close-up view of the flora and fauna of the 78 ha (arboretum comprising 636 species from 105 families). A one-hour stroll is all it takes. You can also soak up the special atmosphere of the bamboos and royal palms and contemplate the beautiful snake specimens in the small museum in the visitor center. Last but not least, you can swim in the not-so-warm Río Lancetilla. Botanists and lovers of beautiful natural areas will appreciate this. Don't forget to apply mosquito repellent - they're voracious!

To get there , use the services of a travel agency or rent a bike from Tela, which is just a stone's throw away (5 km from the center, in fact). You can also take a bus to El Progreso and get off at the entrance: it's a 45-minute walk to the visitor center.