The Butterfly Farm

On the northern flanks of the Pico Bonito [1] range, right next to the Lodge at Pico Bonito [2], is the Tropical Butterfly Farm and Gardens (tel. 504/440-0388, http://hondurasbutterflyfar.tripod.com [3]), a private butterfly farm run by former Peace Corps volunteer Robert Gallardo, who both exports butterfly larvae to the United States and organizes tours for interested visitors at US$6 per person. On the grounds is also a snake vivarium.

Access is via a three-kilometer dirt road south from the village of El Pino [4], on the La Ceiba–Tela road just a few minutes west of La Ceiba [5]. To get there without a car, take any of the frequent buses from the La Ceiba terminal to Tela [6], San Francisco, or La Masica, and get off at El Pino.

From the highway, it’s a relaxed 20-minute walk. The trees around the farm are alive with birds and the occasional white-faced or spider monkey. The farm charges a US$2 entrance fee and is usually open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, but call the Lodge at Pico Bonito [2] (just past the farm, tel. 504/440-1902) to confirm.