Alone with the locals on a paradise island, camping on Cayos Cochinos was everything I hoped it to be.
Protected by the government, and off limits to any sort of commercial fishing, these islands are dream for any marine enthusiast. There are even creatures in these seas that may not even names, due to it’s remoteness and vastness of the eco-system’s flora and fauna.
Wanting To Find A Place Without Tourists
After living in Teguscigalpa (Tegus) for six months, my friends and I needed a change of scenery and somewhere with not too many tourists. The sort of place where you can have a paradise setting just for yourself.
We read in our guide books that the Cayos Cochinos Islands situated on the northern coast of Honduras were so stunning and not on many tourist routes, which appealed to us on both counts. The islands total 15, yet only two are inhabited. The two main islands are home to an Afro-indigenious people called the Garifunas. Slave descendants from Africa who commonly reside on costal settlements throughout the Carribean coast and parts of the Pacific coast too.
Through our Honduras friends, we had been told the Garifunas would be willing (at a price) to let you stay in their cabanas or camp on the beach within their community. The combination of Garifuna hospitality on a Robinson Crusoe island was something we had to see for ourselves!
Getting there from Tegusciglapa (Tegus)
Initially thinking about taking the bus, our Honduran convinced us it would be better to hitchhike. A group of ten of us, Hondurans and Foreigners made our way to main the exit out of the city. We then proceeded to split up into groups along the highway meaning it would be easier to hitch a ride northwards towards La Ceiba. Later that evening we arrived.
Waking up early the following day, we took the bus to a village called Samba Creek. This is closest town on the mainland to the Cayos Cochinos archipelago. Walking to the where the fishermen’s boats were stationed, we went about asking if it would be possible for them to take the short 30 minute boat ride out to the islands.
The boats that took us out were extremely unstable; it was more like a canoe than a boat!
Arriving on the island, the locals were extremely friendly and happy to see us. As we put our bags down near the main huts, we were swarmed by all the friendly locals. They seemed genuinely interested in us.
Youngsters on the Island.
Making a human pyramid
Children relaxing on the beach
Getting Accommodation Sorted
The local people let us set up a tent on the beach for the night. This only cost 50,000 Lempiras a night ($2). After a few difficulties with setting up the tent due to strong winds, we eventually were all set up for the night.
The camping spot
The view from the tent
Dinner Is Ready!
For dinner, there was a woman on hand to cook us up some fresh fish which was a bit pricey (300,000 lempira) but well worth it.
The evening meal
The Evening
For me the best thing about camping on Cayos Cochinos was the evening. We made a fire next to the sea and chilled out watching the stars for the evening. Don’t worry if you aren’t great at starting fires, the locals were on hand to help us along. The atmosphere was really nice; everyone was chatting away under the clear night sky, before the sereneness of the stars lolled us to sleep.
The Day After
Waking up next to the waves, there was only one thing to do after breakfast (baleadas), and that was to do some snorkelling. The water was so clear and we saw lots of fish, including barracuda.
Worth it?
Camping on Cayos Cochinos is definitely worth it, you just need to make your own way to Sambo Creek and find a fisherman that will take you. Ask around at the beachside and eventually someone will be happy to help, just make sure that you don’t pay too much.
Things to take:
- Tent/sleeping bag
- A budget of one million lempira should be fine
- Snorkel gear
- Towel
- Toilet paper
