- Location: Gracias-a-Dios, Colón, Olhino
- Area: 5250 square meters. km
- Height above sea level: 1300 m
- Year of foundation: 1982
Despite the relatively small area of the state and the average low living standard of the population, the authorities of Honduras pay great attention to the natural environment. Even in those areas where it would seem that there is nowhere to fall an apple, there are always environmental zones. In the north-eastern part of Honduras is the unique biosphere reserve of Rio Platano, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year thousands of tourists visit this natural landmark of Honduras .
Main characteristics
The Rio Platano reserve in Honduras was formed in 1982 on the territory of three departments: Olhonho, Grasyas-a-Dios and Colón. Its total area is 5250 square meters. km, and the altitude above the sea level reaches 1300 m. The river Rio Platano flows into the Caribbean Sea through the territory of the reserve. Rio Platano in Spanish means "banana river", it is in honor of it that the reserve got its name.
A feature of this nature conservation area is that here, to this day, preserving the traditional way of life, there are more than 2 thousand Aborigines, including the Mosquito and the Pech people. You can travel and study the territory of the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve at any time of the year.
Flora and fauna
Rio Platano is considered one of the few reserves that have preserved a unique ecosystem in its pristine form. Most of the territory is occupied by moist tropical and pine forests, the height of which sometimes reaches 130 m. In places you can find mangrove groves, coastal lagoons, palm bogs and forests, overgrown with moss where pure streams are pouring from under the ground.
No less diverse is the fauna of the reserve. Here there are about 5 species of the cat family, among them puma, jaguar, long-tailed cat, ocelot and jaguarundi. In the rocky gorges, they made themselves a hideout of toucans, macaots and monkeys. In dense forests and on the coasts there are more than 400 species of birds. Most often you can see harpy, parrot aru, gokko and other representatives of the feathered world.
Excursions around the reserve
The best guides and guides through the territory of the Rio-Platano, of course, will be indigenous people. They will gladly tell about the peculiarities and traditions of local life and will acquaint them with the secret places of nature. Having made an excursion on a motor boat, you can see numerous animals in their natural habitat. Together with such a guide without fear, you can freely delve into the wild jungle or go down to the very sources of the river and view the rock paintings of the ancient tribes. According to some scientists, these drawings appeared here about a thousand and a half thousand years ago.
How to get to the reserve?
The easiest way to get to Rio Platano is to use the services of travel companies. If the journey is independent, you need to fly to Palacios, and then about 5 hours to swim by boat from Raist to Las Marias.
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