La Tigra National Park dwarfs Tegucigalpa’s United Nations Park with over 238 square kilometers of cloud forest. Central America used to boast a great number of cloud forests, but in recent years that number has been reduced greatly. Honduras still has a variety of protected areas that are rich in cloud forest vegetation. La Tigra National Park is the closest one to Tegucigalpa, being located just 11 km outside the city.

Most people arrive to La Tigra National Park by way of El Hatillo, the closest and fastest way from Tegucigalpa. Just inside the Hatillo entrance there is a small lodge called La Estancia where guests can stay the night and enjoy some amazing bird watching in the surrounding pine tree forest.

The other way to access La Tigra is by taking the Reales Minas Route, which takes you through Santa Lucia, Valle de Angeles, and San Juancito. The road from San Juancito is dirt, so if it has been raining a 4×4 vehicle is needed to make the climb. The road leads to the old Rosario Mining Company headquarters and here is where the visitor’s center to the Park is located. (There is also a second visitor’s center at the El Hatillo entrance.)

The building that once served as the hospital for the mining company has now been converted into basic sleeping quarters for park visitors, with toilets and showers. To stay overnight at the Park, arrangements must be made in advance with Amitigra, the non-profit ecological foundation that is responsible for preserving La Tigra. Their base office is in Tegucigalpa and can be reached by phoning (504) 232 6771 or (504) 232 5503 in Honduras or emailing amitigra@cablecolor.hn.

There is also a wooden cabin for rent at the Mirador El Rosario (the Rosario Lookout). There are only two rooms available, so call (504) 987 5835 to make a reservation. (The owners speak Spanish, English, and German.)

Several paths twist and wind throughout the forest; one runs all the way from the El Hatillo entrance to the old Mining Company Headquarters. At La Tigra you can camp, rapel, birdwatch, and hike.

Entrance to the park costs US $10 for foreign adults and US $5 for children under 12, senior citizens and handicapped persons.

Lodging costs US $15 for adults and $10 for children, senior citizens, and handicapped persons. Camping is US $5 for foreigners.