The Ultimate Guide to Río Cangrejal - The Hidden Gem in Honduras You Don’t Want to Leave

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In this travel guide to Rio Cangrejal I will help you plan your trip with everything you need to know about getting there and all the best things to do!

What Is Río Cangrejal and Where Is It?

So first some practical info! Río Cangrejal is a jungle-covered river valley located just outside the city of La Ceiba on Honduras’ northern Caribbean coast. The river cuts through the mountains at the base of Pico Bonito National Park, creating a paradise for hikers, rafters, and nature lovers. You’ll find rugged jungle trails, stunning waterfalls, and some of the clearest river water you’ve ever seen.

Despite being so close to La Ceiba (and just a short hop from the Bay Islands), Río Cangrejal still feels gloriously off the grid. It’s the kind of place where the loudest sound at night is the river rushing past your lodge. After exploring Honduras for almost six weeks, I actually think this might’ve been my favorite place.

The Top Things to Do in Río Cangrejal

I’m going to jump straight into all the fun stuff you can do here. If you also want more practical tips about how to get to Río Cangrejal and the best places to base yourselves, you can just scroll down and you will find everything you need.

Go Whitewater Rafting on the Río Cangrejal

This is why most people come to the area. It’s one of the top whitewater rafting spots in all of Central America. The river offers Class II to IV rapids, with sections suitable for both beginners and more experienced paddlers. I had never rafted before so I was a bit unsure if I should visit or not, but I’m so glad I did. I didn’t just fall in love with the area, I also found a new activity I thought was so much fun!

We booked our rafting straight from our lodge and they took care of everything! Most lodges in the area offers organized rafting so just book where you decide to stay, they will also provide you with all the gear and transport you need.

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White Water Rafting on Río Cangrejal: What It’s Really Like If You’ve Never Rafted Before

Hike Through Pico Bonito National Park

Pico Bonito National Park is pretty huge and you cans pend countless days exploring and camping around in the park. However, there are two pretty popular trails to walk here if you don’t want to spend the night. The El Mapache trail or the La Roca trail.

The entrance to the national park is located at the iconic hanging bridge not far from where all the lodges are located. If you want to hike on your own this is where you start. Parts of the trail is marked, but we decided to go with a guide and I’m very happy we did.

In retrospect I don’t think I would have loved doing this hike without a guide. First of all, even though the trails are supposed to be marked there were some areas the trail was pretty hard to find. There had also been a landslide and huge rocks had fallen out so there were areas we needed to move around quickly and there really wasn’t any trail there. Had I done it on my own I would have turned back.

Secondly, there is so much to see and learn about in this area. Our guide showed us so many interesting plants and trees that we could smell and taste. It was really fun! We also saw two pretty poisonous snakes in the middle of the trail. That’s a first for me.

Our guide took us to two different waterfalls, one you could swim in and a bigger and more famous one where you can’t swim. They are funnily enough both called El Bejuco waterfall because they come from the same river. If you google the name you will most likely get pictures of the bigger and more famous waterfall, this is also the one you can see from the road.

If you just want to see the big waterfall, it’s not that hard to hike there on your own. You just enter the national park from the hanging bridge and follow the path, after about 1 hour you will end up there. Instead of doing this and going back the same way, we did a loop with two waterfalls and ended up at the top of the big one. This was kind of a mix of the two popular hikes i mentioned in the beginning. I highly recommend this alternative, but I would not do it without a guide.

Our guide also told us that he sometimes brings people further up in the park for camping and longer hikes, so if that’s your thing you can just reach out to the lodge and arrange something before you arrive.

Swim in Jungle Pools

One of my favorite things to do in Río Cangrejal was definitely swimming in the stunning natural pools. The river is full of calm pools between the rapids, and many lodges are within walking distance of small waterfalls or riverside swimming spots. I thought the water would be cold, but it’s not. It’s the perfect swimming temperature and such a great way to relax after a day of hiking. Our lodge had some really nice areas around it for swimming, so we spent a lot of time there. You can also do cliffjumping from the rocks if you like that.

If you don’t stay at the same lodge as we did I still recommend coming here for a swim. They offer day passes to their natural pools. This also means that there are more locals here during the weekend who come to swim, so if you have the flexibility I would choose to stay here or use a day pass during the week days for maximum relaxation.

Birdwatching and Wildlife Spotting

Bring binoculars if you have them, this place is a birder’s dream. You can spot colorful tropical birds like toucans, parrots, and trogons, plus howler monkeys, butterflies, and all kinds of jungle critters. I’m not that big on bird watching, but was pretty surprised when a parrot landed next to my hammock one morning. Another great reason to love Río Cangrejal!

Chocolate factory

Unfortunately I didn’t learn about this place until our last day and then they were closed, so I didn’t get to go there. However, I heard great things from the people I met while traveling and some locals who loved the chocolate here. They have a factory just walking distance from the lodge we stayed at and they sell chocolate all over Honduras. So if you have the time, I would check it out.

I was told there is no need to make any reservations, just show up during their opening hours and they will show you around and let your try some chocolate for a decent price.

Relax at an Eco-Lodge

Río Cangrejal is the kind of place where you can spend the whole day doing nothing and not feel guilty about it. Most lodges have hammocks with river views, open-air decks, jungle trails on site, and plenty of space to unplug. Some offer yoga and massage as well. I truly felt so at peace and relaxed here and absolutely loved just chilling in my hammock while watching the river run through the jungle. Most of the people I met here just came for one or maximum two nights to do river rafting, but I would advice to stay at least one more night and just relax for a bit! I promise you will love it here!

How to Get to Río Cangrejal

From La Ceiba

Río Cangrejal is super easy to get to from La Ceiba. It’s just 20–30 minutes up the mountain. You can take a taxi (around $15–20 USD) or arrange a pickup with your lodge. The road is bumpy but doable even in a regular car during dry season. Some parts are unpaved, so plan accordingly in rainy months if you’re driving yourself.

There are also local buses leaving from La Ceiba a couple of times per day. However I would advice you to check with your lodge about the latest updates. One of the girls I met had planned everything based on something she read online and it was all changed after that and she didn’t make the latest bus. The busses are definitely a budget friendly option if you plan accordingly, just make sure to have the latest info.

From elsewhere in Honduras:

• From Utila or Roatán: Take the ferry to La Ceiba, then a taxi or transfer.
• From San Pedro Sula or Tela: Buses run regularly to La Ceiba. From the bus terminal, catch a taxi to Río Cangrejal.
• From Copán Ruinas or Lago de Yojoa: You’ll need a full travel day via La Ceiba. Book a shuttle or bus from Copán Ruinas or Lago de Youjoa and transfer in La Ceiba.

Where to Eat in Río Cangrejal

You won’t find restaurants or shops up in the valley, so plan to eat where you stay, and honestly, the food is amazing. Think hearty local meals, tropical fruit smoothies, and homemade bread served on open-air terraces surrounded by jungle. Many lodges also have a family style dinner, so you can choose between a vegetarian or meat-based dish and everyone sits together enjoying a delicious meal! Our lodge offered this and It’s very cozy And a great way to meet fellow travelers!

Best Lodges in Río Cangrejal:

We stayed at the Jungle River Lodge and absolutely loved our time there. It’s right on the river, with great natural pools, good food and offer amazing tours. You can read my full and honest review here with everything you need to know. Some other great options that I also considered are the following.

Omega Tours Eco Jungle Lodge

They are known for having great food, charming rooms, rafting tours, and a social vibe. There’s a bar, a yoga deck, and an on-site restaurant with a daily-changing menu.

La Villa De Soledad

This is a peaceful B&B with lovely hosts, cozy rooms, and excellent birdwatching right from the garden.

The Lodge & Spa at Pico Bonito

A more luxurious option with charming cabins with a private porch and hammocks

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Jungle River Lodge Review – My Honest Experience Staying in the Heart of Río Cangrejal

What to Pack for Río Cangrejal

This of course depends on the ctivities you choose to do, but if you want to go hiking and rafting like we did, I think the items below are a necessity for your visit to Río Cangrejal.

• Close-toed shoes. I just hiked in my running shoes and it was fine.
• Swimsuit and quick-dry clothes
• Waterproof daypack or dry bag
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Headlamp (some lodges have limited lighting)
• Cash (no ATMs in the valley)
• Binoculars or a good zoom lens for wildlife shots

Tips for Visiting Río Cangrejal

• Stay minimum two nights, one full day isn’t enough to fully enjoy it.
• Lodges fill up in high season, so book ahead.
• Don’t expect strong Wi-Fi or cell signal, so unplug and enjoy instead. Most lodges only have WiFi in the common areas, not in the rooms.

Final Thoughts: Why Río Cangrejal Belongs on Your Honduras Itinerary

Río Cangrejal is that perfect mix of adventure and peace. Whether you’re rafting through rapids, swimming in the river, birdwatching from a hammock, or hiking through misty jungle trails, this place offers something rare: nature that’s wild and accessible, without the crowds.

It’s close enough to La Ceiba and the Bay Islands to be convenient, but far enough off the radar to still feel special. I honestly think this is a must visit when you come to Honduras!

I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions about Rio Cangrejal or traveling in Honduras in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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