Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Barbara
This cloud-forest park on the western side of Lago de Yojoa is dominated by the second-highest peak in the country, Santa Bárbara, which is sometimes called El Maroncho. The mountain is as pristine as they come, and visitors here are rewarded with some of the biggest biodiversity in the country. Orchids; more than 400 species of such birds as trogons, toucans, and woodpeckers; and butterflies, fungi, spider monkeys, anteaters, and jaguars can all be spotted. There is no infrastructure in the park whatsoever, but a few unmarked trails will take you to the 2,744m (9,003-ft.) summit, over about a 2- or 3-day walk. You can ask around for a guide in the villages of El Playón, Los Andes, or San Luis Planes, which border the park, for approximately L200 per day. You can get here by catching a bus from Peña Blanca to any of the towns that border the park, though it's most easily seen on a 2-night guided hike or bird-watching tour with Malcolm at D&D Brewery.
This cloud-forest park on the western side of Lago de Yojoa is dominated by the second-highest peak in the country, Santa Bárbara, which is sometimes called El Maroncho. The mountain is as pristine as they come, and visitors here are rewarded with some of the biggest biodiversity in the country. Orchids; more than 400 species of such birds as trogons, toucans, and woodpeckers; and butterflies, fungi, spider monkeys, anteaters, and jaguars can all be spotted. There is no infrastructure in the park whatsoever, but a few unmarked trails will take you to the 2,744m (9,003-ft.) summit, over about a 2- or 3-day walk. You can ask around for a guide in the villages of El Playón, Los Andes, or San Luis Planes, which border the park, for approximately L200 per day. You can get here by catching a bus from Peña Blanca to any of the towns that border the park, though it's most easily seen on a 2-night guided hike or bird-watching tour with Malcolm at D&D Brewery.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
