Lancetilla Botanical Garden

Lancetilla is one of the largest tropical botanical gardens in the world — over 1,600 hectares — and a short bus or taxi ride inland from Tela. The classic walk takes a couple of hours through the original arboretum, where giant bamboo, an avenue of royal palms, and a thicket of fruit trees from across the tropics still stand from the 1920s plantings.

Beyond the arboretum, primary rainforest stretches up the hills with longer hiking trails, a swimming hole, and good birding (over 350 species recorded). Bring water, sturdy shoes, and insect repellent. Hire a guide at the gate if you want the trees and history explained — the visit is much richer with one.

things to do sight
A story
Lancetilla was founded in 1926 by American botanist William Popenoe as an experimental station for the United Fruit Company, testing which tropical species — rubber, oil palm, mangosteen, durian — could be grown commercially in Honduras. The Standard Fruit experiments here helped shape Central America's agricultural economy through the twentieth century.