Reaching La Moskitia and the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve by air is by far the easiest and fastest way to get there.  Flights to the Reserve are relatively limited, so if you are planning your visit to the region, be sure to make you flight reservations as far in advance as possible.

Finally, because there are no roads in La Moskitia, visitors and locals alike travel around the Reserve in small motorized dugout canoes, also known as “pipantes”.  Traveling by boat through La Moskitia’s maze of rivers & lagoons is a great way to get closer to wildlife and is part of the charm of visiting this truly unique region.

By Air:

Although the destinations along La Ruta Moskitia are always available to welcome you into their communities, limited flights into La Moskitia means that arranging your arrival by air takes a bit more advanced planning.  With this in mind, once you have decided to visit this stunning part of Honduras, the first thing you should do is make your airline reservation.  Two airlines currently service the region:

Currently, SOSA Airlines has a flight from La Ceiba to/from Brus Laguna three times a week…on MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, & FRIDAYS.  Although this schedule is limited, it does allow you to take advantage of any one of our 3, 4, or 8-day packages.  Flights typically leave La Ceiba around 10 AM, arriving in Brus Laguna approximately 45 minutes later.  The same plane then departs Brus Laguna around 11 AM, returning directly to La Ceiba.  The SOSA flight is typically a 19-seat dual prop plane.  SOSA also offers flights Puerto Lempira from La Ceiba.

Contact Information: SOSA Airlines can be reached in La Ceiba at (+504.443-1399) or online at Aerolineas Sosa

SAMI Airlines also offers flights to/from the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve, servicing both Brus Laguna as well as the community of Belen.  SAMI is a smaller company with a less predictable flight schedule, but in general they offers flights from La Ceiba to/from Brus Laguna and Belen MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, & FRIDAYS.  These flight typically depart La Ceiba mid-morning, but the schedules vary and it is essential that you contact SAMI directly to confirm flight times.  The SAMI flight is a 9-seat dual prop plane.  SAMI also has connecting flights to other destinations in the region, including Puerto Lempira, Ahuas, and Wampusirpi.

Contact Information: SAMI Airlines can be reached in La Ceiba at the Hotel Tropical (+504.442.2565), ask for Sonia or Jardel.

By Land:

Overland Travel Information: La Ceiba to La Moskitia

The overland route from La Ceiba to La Moskitia is done through a series of bus and open pick up truck connections via the town of Tocoa. This route can be done in a single day from La Ceiba, but is a route only for travelers who are looking for a true adventure! The day can be long, the road is rough and dusty, but if you are looking to save a few bucks to get to the largest rainforest north of the Amazon...then read on!

IMPORTANT : The overland route described below becomes MUCH MORE DIFFICULT during the rainy season, typically from October to December/January. Roads flood, rivers run over, and winter storms make boat travel challenging. Also keep in mind that buses/boats rarely keep to any set schedule, so flexibility is key - and an ability to converse in Spanish with local transportation providers is obviously helpful. The following prices and timetables are subject to change.

1. La Ceiba to Tocoa

Catch the early morning bus (4-5 AM) with either Cotuc or Contraibal bus lines to the town of Tocoa (2 hours, Lps. 70.00). In La Ceiba the Cotuc/Contraibal bus stations are not in the main bus terminal, but rather are located near the entrance to La Ceiba (coming from Tela) across from the "Santa Marta" gas station. The buses leave every 45 minutes. Once you arrive to Tocoa, the bus stops at either a gas station or in the bus terminal (depending upon which bus line you are on). If you arrive to the gas station, you need to catch a taxi for the short ride to the main Tocoa bus terminal.

2. Tocoa to Batalla

In the Tocoa bus terminal ask for the “paila” or pick up trucks to the town of Batalla. Batalla is located on the western edge of the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, and is your gateway into La Moskitia. The trucks from Tocoa depart every hour between 7AM-12 PM but it is best to try and arrive to Tocoa by 7 AM for the early trucks. The trip takes approximately four to five hours, and costs Lps. 400.00. If you get hungry along the way, the trucks do a stop for food at a “comedor” or small restaurant along the way, and food with a soft drink will cost you about Lps. 50.00.

3. Batalla to destinations in La Moskitia/Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve

Once you arrive to Batalla you will enter La Moskitia by “collectivo” or shared boat service. The collectivo boats will be waiting in Batalla for the arrival of the trucks, and you simply need to let the driver know where you would like to go. Typically, visitors travel to the sister communities of Raista/Belen that same day of your arrival. From Batalla the boat ride to Raista/Belen takes one to two hours, and costs Lps. 150.00. If you depart Tocoa by 7 AM, you typically arrive in Raista/Belen by early afternoon.

If traveling to Las Marias, keep in mind that you will need to overnight in Raista or Belen before you depart the next day for Las Marias.

Overland Travel Information: La Moskitia to La Ceiba

1. La Moskitia to Batalla

You have two options to begin your return trip to La Ceiba. The first is to overnight in Batalla, from which the trucks depart early morning for Tocoa. Batalla has extremely limited and rustic lodging options (small, concrete rooms) but is a pleasant Garifuna community. The second and recommended option is to overnight in Raista or Belen and catch an early morning (4 AM) collectivo boat to Batalla for Lps. 150.00.

IMPORTANT: WE STRONGLY DISCOURAGE VISITORS FROM SPENDING THE NIGHT IN PALACIOS. It has been our experience that Palacios can be a very loud and unfortunately sometimes dangerous place, especially at night.

2. Batalla to Tocoa

You will depart Batalla for Tocoa on the same trucks you originally came in on around 6 AM. Once again, the price for the trip from Batalla to Tocoa is Lps. 400.00

3. Tocoa to La Ceiba

You will arrive back in Tocoa around 11 AM, and from Tocoa you can take either the Cotuc and Contraibal buses to La Ceiba, which leave every 45 minutes. The cost of the bus is Lps. 70.00.

Getting Around:

Two forms of boat travel in the Reserve: “expreso” or direct service, or “collectivo” service in which you share the boat with other passengers.

“Expreso” or direct boat service can be found in every community in La Moskitia. This service is by far the fastest boat option in the Reserve, and is more expensive as you are hiring the boat exclusively. All communities that are part of La Ruta Moskitia (Brus Laguna, Belen, Raista, Las Marias, Plaplaya, and Batalla) offer excellent and dependable expreso boats.

The reason for the high cost of boat travel in La Moskitia is because currently, gas cost approximately $5 USD per gallon, and has been steadily increasing over the last few years. The good news is that the rates below are PER BOAT, and as you add more friends to your trip, the cost of sharing the direct boat goes down.

On average, the larger boats along the coast can hold up to 8-10 people. The smaller boats used to go up to Las Marias can only hold 4-5 people. There is always room for your bags/cargo, and good local boat drivers usually have both chairs to sit on, as well as plastic tarp to keep your belonging from getting wet. IMPORTANT: Local boats are uncovered (no overhead awning), and the direct sunlight can get hot – so be sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat, light long sleeved shirts and pants, and even better an umbrella if possible.

The following are approximate prices for DIRECT boat service to/from the following destinations.

These prices include the costs of the boat driver spending at least two nights with you in Las Marias, which will give you at least one full day to explore the hiking and other natural aspects of Las Marias.

IMPORTANT: The trip to Las Marias should only be made with qualified boat drivers, as navigating the river (especially after a heavy rain) takes a lot of skill and experience.  These boat drivers include the Bodden family in Raista, Mario Miller in Belen, and Juan Membreno and “El Chele” in Brus Laguna.  In Palacios, Dona Anna Marmol can help arrange a qualified boat/driver to Las Marias if necessary.

Collectivo boat service can also be found for those travelers who are a little more patient, or have more time in the Reserve.  Think of collectivo boats as buses on the water, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way.  The best way to get a collectivo boat in any community is to go to the nearest dock/landing, and ask if a collectivo boat is leaving and/or passing by soon.  The managers of the La Ruta Moskitia destinations can also help in finding this service for you.  The prices for collectivo boats are fixed/non-negotiable,

The following are suggestions for who to ask about local collectivo boat service:

• Palacios: Dona Anna Marmol
• Plaplaya: Dona Sedy
• Raista: The Bodden Family
• Belen: Mario Miller
• Brus Laguna: Macoy Wood, Juan Membreno or “El Chele”