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29-683: La Ceiba ( Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈsejβa] ) is a municipality, the capital of the Honduran department of Atlántida and a port city on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America. It is located on the southern edge of the Caribbean , forming part of the south eastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras . With an estimated population of 209,000 living in approximately 170 residential areas (called colonias or barrios ), it

58-487: A US-accredited High School diploma as well. These schools usually offer grades 1 – 11/12, with some offering pre-school education. The first university in the city was the Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico (often called CURLA). It is a Public university run by the larger Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras ( UNAH ). The first private university to open in the city

87-546: A total surface area of 4,251 km². The department was formed in 1902 from territory previously parts of the departments of Colón , Cortés , and Yoro . In 1910 it had a population of about 11,370 people. Medical care is available at the Jungle Hospital, which is located in the village of Rio Viejo, 20.1 road kilometers south of La Ceiba in the valley of the Rio Cangrejal. From La Ceiba, one should take

116-400: Is about 3,200 millimetres (130 in), making it one of the wettest cities in Central America, second only to Colón, Panama among urbanised areas with more than 100,000 people. Among Honduran cities, La Ceiba is the second most important port town after Puerto Cortés . Its economy is made up of mostly commerce and agriculture. Pineapple is the city's major export. Its largest producer is

145-445: Is the fourth most populous and third most important city in the country. La Ceiba was officially founded on 23 August 1877. The city was named after a giant ceiba tree that grew near the old dock. The city has been officially proclaimed the "Eco-Tourism Capital of Honduras," as well as the "Entertainment Capital of Honduras". Every year, on the third or fourth Saturday of May, the city holds its famous carnival to commemorate Isidore

174-489: Is the week leading up to the internationally renowned " Gran Carnaval Internacional de La Ceiba " which is a citywide celebration in honour of the city's patron saint , St. Isidore (San Isidro). During the week leading up to the third Saturday in May, many neighborhoods have smaller celebrations in one or a couple of their streets. On Saturday afternoon the big parade with elaborate floats takes place along Avenida San Isidro,

203-637: The Standard Fruit Company , a subsidiary of the Dole Food Company , which operates throughout northern Honduras and is based in La Ceiba. Tourism also plays a large role in the city's economy (see below). Since its development in the late 20th century, the La Ceiba seaport has played an ever-increasing role in the economy of the city. This port represents a vital economic artery to La Ceiba's growing tourist industry. Additionally,

232-621: The Carretera a La Cuenca (V200) to Rio Viejo. Standard Fruit Company Along with the United Fruit Company , Standard Fruit played a significant role in the governments of Honduras and other Central American countries, which became known as " banana republics " due to the high degree of control which the fruit companies held over the nations. In 1926, the company changed its name from Standard Fruit Company to Standard Fruit & Steamship Company . Between 1964 and 1968,

261-596: The Honduran strike. By the second week of May 11,000 Standard Fruit Company employees join the strike. Simultaneously, laborers in others sector of the economy go on strike too, including miners, brewers, and textile workers. May 16: The strikers present their "pliego de peticiones" to manager Aycock in La Lima. They quote the Universal Declarations of the Rights of Man and demand an increase in wages. At

290-474: The La Ceiba sea port is home to one of the finest boatyards in the north west Caribbean (According to Western Caribbean Cruising Guidebook ). Known as the La Ceiba Shipyard, this company offers a complete group of marine services for all types of seagoing vessels. La Ceiba is home to many public schools . Among the largest is Escuela Francisco Morazán along Avenida San Isidro, which is considered

319-536: The Laborer (Spanish San Isidro Labrador ). During this time, the city is host to approximately 500,000 tourists. In 1872 Manuel Hernández built a small shack under the Ceiba tree that grew near the old docks. Over time, more and more people from present-day Honduras (especially the departments of Olancho and Santa Barbara ), and from around the world settled in La Ceiba. Workers were attracted to jobs associated with

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348-547: The Standard Fruit company among others. A detailed timeline can be seen below: HONDURAS: May 5. The workers of the United Fruit Company go on strike demanding higher wages and are followed by the Standard Fruit workers. This strike paralyzes all banana operations and peaks with 25,000 striking workers (around 15% of all the country's labor force) May 7: United Fruit manager J. F. Aycock declares that

377-465: The banana industry, which became important to the regional economy. In the late 19th century, the banana business caught the attention of big North American banana companies, such as the Vaccaro Brothers' Standard Fruit Company from New Orleans . This new economic activity attracted national and international immigrantworkers to La Ceiba. The current neighbourhood known as Barrio Inglés was

406-409: The banana plantations. This company was largely responsible for the early growth of the city. La Ceiba was declared a municipality on 23 August 1877. At that time Marco Aurelio Soto was President of Honduras. La Ceiba was the centre of banana and pineapple business, the basis of its economy. Other companies developed in the city, such as: The first municipal building or city hall was located in

435-425: The city's main thoroughfare . After the parade, the locals and tourists all have a celebration along that same road, where stands sell food, beer, drinks , and souvenirs . There were trains running through La Ceiba to bring the bananas from the plantations but they are not active any longer although traces of the old railroad tracks can still be seen. Buses and taxis make up most of the public transportation in

464-483: The city, with numerous buses serving almost every available route in the city. Taxi-cabs are numerous in the city, costing as little as L.30.00 (just over $ 1.20 as of 2023) for destinations within sectors of the city limits. From one sector to the next, the cost is an additional 10 Lempira ($ .40) The pier to the east of the city offers transportation via ferry to 2 of the 3 major islands that make up Islas de la Bahia; Roatan and Utila. The Golosón International Airport to

493-490: The city. They were burned again during unrest in 1924. Soon after this, the office building was constructed at its current location, on land donated by Manuel Mejía . La Ceiba features a trade-wind tropical rainforest climate ( Köppen Af ), with substantial rainfall throughout the course of the year. Due to its northerly aspect, there is a peak between October and February when the trade winds are strongest and extreme orographic rainfalls occur. The average annual rainfall

522-520: The company was acquired by the Castle & Cooke Corporation, which also acquired James Dole 's Hawaiian Pineapple Company (HAPCO) around the same time. In 1991, Castle & Cooke was renamed Dole Food Company . Castle & Cooke Inc, a real estate company, was spun off in 1995 and, following a 2000 management buyout, is now privately held. In 1954, there was a general strike in Honduras against

551-462: The company would not negotiate as long as the workers are on strike. That day, the strike expands to La Ceiba, Standard Fruit center of operations. Contrary to United Fruit, Standard offers to negotiate with striking workers. May 9. The American ambassador in Honduras says that the country's strike had been inspired by Guatemalan communists. In addition, U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles suggests that Guatemala Arbenz's government might be behind

580-416: The corner of 2da Calle and Avenida Atlántida, at the site of the present-day Ferretería Kawas warehouse. The building was made of wood and in 1903 it was burnt down due to vandalism . Some people wanted to destroy private property ownership records in La Ceiba. The municipal building was set on fire again on 7 March 1914 during more social unrest. The Municipal Corporation moved the offices further south of

609-487: The eastern edge of the city and the Cuero and Salado Wildlife refuges with its wild manatees is located a few miles to the west of the city. Semana Santa ( Holy Week ) is one of the city's busiest tourist seasons . During this week tourists from all over the country flock to the city to enjoy its sun, beach, and very active night life during that week during Carnaval before Ash Wednesday. The busiest tourist season by far

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638-411: The first recognised neighbourhood in the city. It was so named after the many English-speaking people living in the barrio. At that point the main thoroughfare of La Ceiba was present-day Avenida La Republica, where the train tracks were laid. The rail line was built by the Standard Fruit Company (now Standard Fruit de Honduras, a Dole subsidiary) for transport of its commodity to ships at the port from

667-528: The main islands of Útila and Roatán . The area around La Ceiba has many parks and natural reserves. Its most recognised natural area is the Pico Bonito (Beautiful Peak) National park . This park's most recognised feature, Pico Bonito on the Nombre de Dios mountain range , is 2435 meters high and provides a back drop for the city. The Cangrejal River , popular for its Class III-IV river rafting, borders

696-400: The main street of the city. Instituto Manuel Bonilla is the largest public High School in the city, with over 5,000 registered students. There are also many private schools in La Ceiba. Several private bilingual education schools offer instruction in both Spanish and English. Most of these offer a Honduran Bachillerato Diploma (equivalent of High school diploma ), while Mazapan School offers

725-512: The same time, the workers of Coca-Cola in La Ceiba and Puerto Cortes strike. Shortly after the protests began, the Honduran President Manuel Galvez expels two Guatemalan consuls charging them of instigation. May 18: Standard Fruit opens negotiations with the workers under governmental arbitration. The company agrees to increase wages and improve working conditions, making this the first time in Honduran history that

754-474: The two rival clubs are known as Clásico Ceibeño . Atl%C3%A1ntida (department) Atlántida ( Spanish pronunciation: [aˈtlantiða] ) is a department located on the north Caribbean shore of Honduras . The capital is the port city of La Ceiba . In the past few decades, tourism has become the most important legitimate economic source for the coastal area. In 2005 it had an estimated population of about 372,532 people. The department covers

783-735: The west of town offers flights to the other major cities in the country as well as other towns in the Mosquitia Region of Honduras in the east. This airport is hub to Aerolíneas Sosa . There is also a bus station just west of the city centre though some buses also run from their own terminals. La Ceiba is the home of two clubs of the top division of the Honduran National Professional Football League , Vida and Victoria . Both play in Nilmo Edwards Stadium . The matches between

812-651: Was Universidad Tecnológica de Honduras(UTH), which opened in 1995. At the time the college offered only night classes, using the classrooms in a local private high school. In 2002 the college built its own campus. 2002 also marked the opening of the Universidad Católica de Honduras , run by the Catholic church . Additionally, development of a new campus in La Ceiba for the Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana – UNITEC

841-542: Was begun in 2008. La Ceiba has long been known as the tourism capital of Honduras, due to its proximity to the beach, active night life , and a variety of parks and recreational areas in and around the city. Another factor contributing to the city's tourism is the city port. It provides ferry services to the Bay Islands/ Islas de la Bahia in the Caribbean. Ferries from this port also offer daily service to

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