Most inexpensive hotels in La Ceiba are found between the square and the ocean, on or between Avenidas San Isidro, Atlántida, and 14 de Julio.

The best backpacker digs in town are Las Guacamayas (Av. Colon no. 252 between 11 and 12 Calles, tel. 504/406-8198, www.hostallasguacamayas.com, US$9 pp with fan, US$11 pp with a/c), just around the corner from Super Baleadas. Two co-ed dorm rooms with six beds each share a bath in the hall, while a third room has its bath inside (these beds cost US$1 more). There is a great common sitting area with a TV and board games, and a small terrace for relaxing outside. There is also one private room with two twin beds and a bath (US$16 s, US$21 d with fan, US$8 more with a/c). The kitchen and bathrooms are all very clean. Thirty minutes of free Internet is included with the room.

The most convenient choice for those arriving late or departing early by bus is the Hotel Molina (tel. 504/441-1958, fax 504/441-5175, US$15 s, US$18 d), facing the central terminal. It’s a tidy hotel, with some spacious rooms. Air-conditioning is available (US$6–8 more), and oddly enough, free legal and dental consultations are as well.

A popular hostel in town is the Banana Republic Guesthouse (Av. República between 12 and 13 Calles, shared baths, cold water), run by the controversial Jungle River tour company but popular with backpackers for its US$6 per person dorm. The dorm is a bit run down, with Formica flooring, but the bathroom is clean, and 30 minutes of free Internet is tossed in. Cheap private rooms are also available: US$13 with shared bath, US$15 with private bath (and hot water!).

With rooms above a rumbling bakery and busy comedor, Hotel San Carlos (Av. San Isidro between 5 and 6 Calles, tel. 504/443-0330, US$8 s, US$10.50 d, cold water only), in the middle of town is an acceptable choice. Rooms aren’t great, with mismatched linens and worn towels, but they’re clean, and you can enjoy the scent of freshly baked bread most of the day.

Hotel Álvarez (Av. San Isidro between 4 and 5 Calles, tel. 504/443-0181, US$15 s, US$17 d, cold water only) is a good value, with a pleasant lobby, cheery yellow and orange hallway, decent rooms, and good security. Air-conditioning is available for US$3 more.

Down a block toward the market on the opposite side of the street is the Hotel Granada (Av. Atlántida, between 5 and 6 Calles, tel. 504/443-2451, US$8–18 s, US$14–19.50 d, all cold water only), with relatively clean rooms with private baths around an interior courtyard. Price varies according to amenities: All have private bath and a fan, some TVs and air-conditioning. The inner rooms are quiet and a bit dark, a plus for late sleepers.

A favorite among backpackers for its location on the beach near the discos is the two-story Hotel Rotterdam (tel. 504/440-0321, US$13 d, US$18.50 t, cold water only). We visited during low season, when it had a somewhat depressed feel, compounded by the worn paint and Formica flooring, but it’s right next to the beach and a good price. Trips with La Moskitia Eco-Aventuras can be booked here, and there is other tourist information available as well.

Next door is Hotel Amsterdam 2001 (tel. 504/443-2311, US$5.25 in the communal room and US$12 d, cold water only), a ramshackle little hostel run by an old Dutch sailor. The nearby Dutch Café is open 7 a.m.–11 p.m. daily.

Another acceptable option downtown at 5 Calle and Avenida 14 de Julio (with bargain private rooms for solo travelers) is Hotel Florencia (tel. 504/443-0679, US$8 s with fan and bath; US$13 s/d with fan, TV, and bath; US$18 s, US$21 d with a/c, TV, and bath; all cold water only), with 15 functional, tile-floored rooms on the second floor of a corner building, near the market on Avenida 14 de Julio. Unfortunately, sometimes the smell of rotting veggies wafts in from across the street.