Villas Pico Bonito — Hotel in La Ceiba

Villas Pico Bonito is a gem. We stayed here for a week in spring 2025 and highly recommend it to anyone who travels to this part of Honduras.|We knew the area from trips to the Rio Cangrejal in the 1990s when we chased whitewater everywhere we could. So we knew to expect a superb rainforest nature experience, hiking, mountain biking, and all that. (We’ve aged out of whitewater kayaking). We didn’t expect such a great resort. Richard put together a magical place here. Paths made of smooth river rock and concrete wind through trees and flowers; a creek tumbles over waterfalls, into pools, and over more waterfalls made of the same river rock. It feels like an English garden with rainforest flora.|The resort has guides who can take you on all sorts of trips — hikes through the rainforest, paddling in coastal lagoons, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and more. But we’d recommend setting some time aside for just strolling around. There are trails on the hillside downstream of the cabanas that wind through the forest, and get you up high enough to look into the canopy of the trees around your cabana. There are benches throughout the network of trails where you can just sit and enjoy the atmosphere. There is even a trail of the resort’s across the road and up the hill. We wish we spent more time just soaking in the magic of the rainforest.|The food is excellent and priced fairly. We got in the habit of stopping by the kitchen mid-afternoon, ordering our dinner and reserving a time, and then sitting down just as the food came out of the kitchen. The cabanas have kitchens and refrigerators — and, of course, porches looking out over the river and the Pico Bonito national park.|We felt safe the entire time we were here, by the way. We came from Utila Island on the ferry and a driver from the resort picked us up, stopped at a supermarket so we could buy food, and took us to the resort. The resort itself has locked gates, but we found nothing but friendly people when we went mountain biking up the river...

I just completed my 12th (at least) stay at VPB since 2012. As a longtime resident of La Ceiba, it is the #1 best place to get out of the city and relax. Richard and the staff are helpful and kind.

The typical Honduran wood/stone villas are well constructed with hot water, kitchenettes and plenty of fans. Overnight guests are welcome to bring their own food and cook in their villas while day guests (11am-5pm) may not enter with food but rather enjoy the poolside restaurant for the midday meal.

The river and waterfall views from the infinity pool, restaurant and most of the villas is incredible. The villas are nestled in the jungle so be prepared for a rustic stay (especially in the Ceiba Tree villa which is open air without screens) and you’ll need bug spray.

Over the years, Richard has improved (updated/remodeled) different villas and areas of the property. You may notice new roofing, hammocks or countertops… or some needed improvements in other places such as broken tiles or leaking thatch.

I recommend El Bejuco for couples, El Tucano for families with children, and the Ceiba Tree for big (6-8 people) adult groups (open railing, steps without handrails, bar style seating, close to pool without child safety fences).

Flowers and wildlife are incredible and can’t be beat in the La Ceiba area with toucans, howler monkeys, badgers, armadillos, hummingbirds, butterflies, raccoons and so many other wild animals visible from the porches of the villas.

Villas Pico Bonito has been my happy place these past 10 years and I highly recommend you stay 3+ nights to gain the full experience. Day trips are nice but only scratch the surface of all VPB...

I visited this place a year ago and I have to say it is one of the most amazing and beautiful places I have ever visited. Richard the owner and his staff were over the top accommodating. The food was fantastic. The drinks were just killer tropical bliss. The bar was beautiful yet natural and rustic - but in the very best way. The rooms were like a fantasy - the best way to describe them would be Gilligan's island meets total comfort and luxury. The pool is clean and refreshing with a view of the river that is fantastic. We were talking among the boys and I said, "the only thing this place is lacking that could make this place heaven would be a game of cornhole, but no one in Honduras has ever heard of it" as we laughed. Richard the owner heard us. In 5 minutes he showed up with 2 full sized cornhole boards with built-in LED lights marking the holes and 8 regulation bean bags. We were blown the heck away!!! What??? Really??? Heck yes - really. Not just cornhole but the best cornhole boards and bags I have ever seen and with the LED lights marking the holes, we could play well into the night and drink...which we did! I cannot say enough good things about this place. It's just amazingly gorgeous. One of the nicest places on the...