- Location: east and north-east of the department of Gracias a-Dios
- Largest city: Puerto Lempira
There are many legends about the Mosquito Coast since the time of the conquest of America. A special coastal area partially covers the coast of the Republic of Honduras . Let's talk about this little-known territory in more detail.
Acquaintance with Mosquitia
The Mosquito Coast, otherwise Mosquitia, is called the edge of the eastern coast of Central America. In Honduras, geographically it is the coastal area of the department of Gracias a-Dios, its eastern and northeastern part. All designated territory is also a historical zone and in this country is called La Mosquitia (La Mosquitia). It is noteworthy that the name of the territory did not come from annoying and dangerous insects, but from a local tribe of Indians.
Mosquitoes are the territory of mangrove swamps, rivers, lagoons and impenetrable tropical forests, about 60 km wide along the Caribbean coast. There is practically no road network and no infrastructure. The largest locality in the region is Puerto Lempira. The coast has been inhabited since ancient times by different tribes of Miskito Indians: a stove, a frame, a tawahkah and a bag. Today, the total population of La Mosquitia is about 85 thousand people. All of them communicate with each other in the mother tongue of the Miskito, and on religion most of them belong to the Protestant sect "Moravian brothers". Although among the locals there are already Catholics and Baptists.
Mosquitoes - what to see?
La Mosquitia is the largest wildlife area not only in Honduras, but throughout Central America. And it does not look like a park or a reserve. Groups of researchers and travelers have to independently make their own passages in the jungle, which quickly overgrew again.
A special natural region - Mosquitia - also has its own splendid landmark: the Rio Platano National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. This biosphere reserve is considered to be the "lungs" of Central America, and it is not surprising that tourists are so eager for this.
La Mosquitia, in addition to the abundance of lush vegetation, is home to such animals as jaguars, tapirs, seals, crocodiles, herons, white-headed capuchins and many others.
How to get to the Mosquitia?
Although the jungles of La Mosquitia are attractive to travelers, getting here is not so easy. There are only two safe options: water and air. In both cases, traveling by Mosquitia alone and without a guide is unsafe. In the city of Puerto Lempira, you will easily get by using local airlines: the airport of the same name operates there. You can fly here from any major city of Honduras. But be prepared for a serious verification of documents: the airport is supervised by the Air Force of the Republic.
Cruise liners and small motor ships cruise along the Caribbean coast of Honduras, which make a stop in the lagoon of La Mosquitia. In any case, we recommend that you clarify with your tour operator the options for group travel in this region and choose the most acceptable for yourself.