Overview
This tour is designed for nature lovers seeking for an unforgettable journey, this itinerary highlights the extraordinary natural heritage of Honduras. The principal objective of this trip is an immersive exploration of the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge and Pico Bonito National Park, two premier eco-tourism destinations situated along the northern coast in the department of Atlántida.
What is included?
- Round-trip transportation (Car / Ferry)
- Snacks & Drinks
- Lunch
- Local guides fees
- Cuero y Salado fees
- Pico Bonito fees
How should I dress?
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Long-pants
- Hat / Cap
- Hiking shooes
- Rain coat
- Neck Gaiter
What should I bring?
- Backpack with medicines / personal things
- Sunglasses / sunblock
- Bug repellent
- Passport
- Camera with extra cards / batteries
- Cash for tips
CHECKLIST
Potoos
- Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
- Northern Potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis)
Hummingbirds
- White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
- Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris)
- Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis)
- Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti)
- Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii)
- Canivet’s Emerald (Cynanthus canivetii)
- Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
- Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica)
- Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila)
- Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
- White-bellied Emerald (Chlorestes candida)
Pigeons and Doves
- Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)
- Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis)
- Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris)
- Short-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas nigrirostris)
- Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
- Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
- Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)
- Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
- White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)
- Gray-chested Dove (Leptotila cassinii)
- Gray-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps)
- White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
Waterfowl
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
- Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)
- Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
- Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
Rails, Gallinules, and Allies
- Russet-naped Wood-Rail (Aramides albiventris)
- Sora Porzana (carolina)
- Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
- American Coot (Fulica americana)
- Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)
- Ruddy Crake (Laterallus ruber)
Cuckoos
- Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
- Common Squirrel-Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
Shorebirds
- Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
- Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
- Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
- Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
- Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa)
- Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus)
- Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)
- Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
- Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)
- Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)
- Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
- Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)
- Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
- Sanderling (Calidris alba)
- Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
- Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
- Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
- Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
- Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
- Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Storks
- Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria)
- Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
Frigatebirds, Boobies, and Gannets
- Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
- Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
Cormorants and Anhingas
- Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
- Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)
- Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum)
Herons, Ibis, and Allies
- White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
- Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
- Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
- Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)
- Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)
- Agami Heron (Agamia agami)
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
- Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
- Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
- Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)
- Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)
- Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
- Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
- Western Cattle-Egret (Ardea ibis)
- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
- Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Pelicans
- American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Vultures, Hawks, and Allies
- King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)
- Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
- Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
- Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus)
- Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)
- Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
- Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
- Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
- Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus)
- Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
- Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
- Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris)
- White-tailed Hawk (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
- White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)
- Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
Owls
- American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata)
- Middle American Screech-Owl (Megascops guatemalae)
- Central American Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium griseiceps)
- Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
- Mottled Owl (Strix virgata)
- Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata)
Trogons and Quetzals
- Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus)
- Gartered Violaceous (Trogon Trogon caligatus)
- Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris)
Motmots
- Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii)
- Keel-billed (Motmot Electron carinatum)
Kingfishers
- Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)
- Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
- Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona)
- American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea)
- Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)
Puffbirds and Jacamars
- White-necked Puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus)
- White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis)
- Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda)
Barbets and Toucans
- Northern Emerald-Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
- Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
- Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Woodpeckers
- Olivaceous Piculet (Picumnus olivaceus)
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
- Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons)
- Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis)
- Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
- Chestnut-colored Woodpecker (Celeus castaneus)
Falcons and Caracaras
- Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
- Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)
- American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
- Merlin (Falco columbarius)
- Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
- Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Parrots, Parakeets, and Allies
- White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis)
- Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis)
- Yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona auropalliata)
- White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons)
- Olive-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana)
Woodcreepers
- Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
- Strong-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus)
- Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
- Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster)
- Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
Manakins
- White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei)
- Red-capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis)
Cotingas
- Lovely Cotinga (Cotinga amabilis)
- Rufous Piha (Lipaugus unirufus)
Becards, Tityras, and Allies
- Black-crowned Tityra (Tityra inquisitor)
- Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata)
- Northern Schiffornis (Schiffornis veraepacis)
- Speckled Mourner (Laniocera rufescens)
- Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus)
- Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
Sharpbill, Royal Flycatchers, and Allies
- Tropical Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus coronatus)
- Gray-headed Piprites (Piprites griseiceps)
- Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum)
- Yellow-olive Flatbill (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
- Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet (Ornithion semiflavum)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)
- Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)
- Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)
- Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)
- Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens)
- Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)
- Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus)
- Rufous Mourner (Rhytipterna holerythra)
- Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
- Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
- Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
- Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
- Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua)
- Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
- Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris)
- Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius)
- Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
- Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
- Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis)
- Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus)
- Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana)
Vireos
- Lesser Greenlet (Pachysylvia decurtata)
- White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)
- Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons)
- Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus)
- Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Jays, Magpies, Crows, and Ravens
- Brown Jay (Cyanocorax morio)
Martins and Swallows
- Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
- Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)
- Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)
- Purple Martin (Progne subis)
- Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea)
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
- Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis)
- Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla)
- White-vented Euphonia (Euphonia minuta)
- Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea)
- Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi)
Blackbirds
- Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus)
- Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri)
- Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma)
- Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius)
- Yellow-backed Oriole (Icterus chrysater)
- Spot-breasted Oriole (Icterus pectoralis)
- Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis)
- Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)
- Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
- Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus)
- Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus)
- Melodious (Blackbird Dives dives)
- Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
Tanagers and Allies
- Yellow-winged Tanager (Thraupis abbas)
- Golden-hooded Tanager (Stilpnia larvata)
- Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus)
- Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
- Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza)
- Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
- Morelet’s Seedeater (Sporophila morelleti)
- Slate-colored Seedeater (Sporophila schistacea)
- Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola)
- Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus)
- Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps)
- Cinnamon-bellied Saltator (Saltator grandis)
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
Pico Bonito Lodge
Trip Schedule
05:30AM
Pick-Up [30 minutes]
The adventure will begin the moment we pick you up at your hotel or Airbnb. Let’s introduce ourselves.
06:30AM
Ferry-trip to Mainland [1.5 hours]
A first-class trip with Dream Ferries, offering exclusive opportunities for seabird observation.
08:30AM
Road-trip to La Unión [1 hour]
We will be able to appreciate the beauty of La Ceiba and some of its urban birds.
09:30AM
Railroad-trip to Salado [45 minutes]
Hold on tight and get ready for a unique experience; we’ll see a lot of birds in the flooded areas.
10:30AM
Boat-trip at Cuero y Salado [1.5 hours]
We will travel along the Cuero and Salado rivers across the mangrove fores in search of amazing birds; keep your eyes open for monkeys and manatees.
12:00M
Railroad-trip to La Union [45 minutes]
A second chance to look for birds in the flooded areas, you could get more lifer.
12:45PM
Road-trip to Pico Bonito Lodge [30 minutes]
This will be a short road-trip; keep your eyes open on the lodge access road.
01:30PM
Lunch at Pico Bonito Lodge [30 minutes]
Enjoy delicious food while surrounded by many species of hummingbirds.
02:00PM
Walking around Pico Bonito Lodge [30 minutes]
We will walk through the gardens and along the trails in search of tropical rainforest birds.
02:30PM
Road-trip to Ferry station [1 hour]
A second chance to look for urban birds across the city, you could get more lifer.
04:00PM
Ferry-trip to Roatán [1.5 hours]
A first-class trip with Galaxy Wave, a second chance to look for seabirds.
06:30PM
Drop-off [30 minutes]
What was your favorite bird of the day? Don’t forget to leave a review of your experience.
