7 Best Hotels in La Ceiba, Honduras' Caribbean Coast

Cool stone cabins with stylish interiors are spread across the garden nestled in the heart of the Cangrejal watershed. The property encompasses natural swimming holes, a weight room, a fire pit for backyard barbeques and a game room. The bed-and-breakfast affords a tranquil forest getaway but with all the frills of an upscale hotel. Rafting and canopy tour operators are right down the street.

Facing Parque Central, this hotel is a favorite among business travelers. The building's gritty exterior is misleading, as the inside is well kept and comfortable. Rooms are airy, with cool ceramic floors. The pool is a true oasis after a dusty day exploring the coast. The poolside bar is a good spot for an evening drink.

Tucked in a quiet corner of the otherwise rowdy Zona Viva, this four-story complex with peach walls and undulating banisters is a cozy place to stay. Regal touches like tapestry-inspired comforters and tassled curtains join wood finishings and marble floors. A fourth-floor bar has just been added and has a game room and wide outdoor deck. The restaurant serves typical cuisine and seafood dishes.

This impressive resort is set in the most spectacular surroundings, with waterfalls, tropical gardens, and views of the river below. Swim in the rivers, swimming pool, or waterfall pools, or take a hike on one of the marked trails. Private cabins are luxurious and smartly decorated. Airport transfers are included in the price, and homecooked gourmet meals cost $10 at lunch and $15 at dinner. The hosts will be able to arrange tours and activities in the area, such as rafting, hiking, bicycling, and canopy tours.

Set between two mountain-fed rivers, this breathtaking resort brings you unrivaled luxury amid a verdant tropical forest. Upon arrival you'll be greeted with a frothy cocktail served in a coconut shell, then asked when you would like your massage. All cabins, trimmed in rich mahogany, have private balconies and a handmade hammock. One of the English-speaking biologists can lead you on an early morning tour along the neighboring jungle paths to lookout towers and cascading waterfalls. You probably won't spot the jaguars whose howls punctuate the night, but you might see the semidomesticated ocelot that occasionally visits the lodge.

The first all-inclusive resort on the mainland, Palma Real is set on a pristine stretch of beach. There are cabanas and hotel-style accommodations, a large pool, and even a small water park that is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday. Splashy colors and intriguing artwork decorate the hotel interiors.There is a tour service on site (TURASER), which can arrange rafting, hiking, and canopy tours.

The first luxury hotel on the beach in Ceiba, Quinta Real is located in the heart of the Zona Viva. The decor is lavish, with a fine sampling of Honduran and international artwork on the walls. There are thatched tables on the beach or by the charming pool, and Maxim's, the restaurant on the premises, offers fine dining daily from 6:30 am to 10 pm.