- Address: Province of Olancho, Katakamas
- Foundation date: January 1, 1987.
- Total area: 400 square meters. km
- Height above sea level: 2354 m
- Category: IUCN II (national park)
- Working hours: daily from 9:00 to 18:00
- Entrance fee: free of charge
One of the most famous parks of Olancho County in Honduras is the Sierra de Agalta National Park.
The reserve is located near the city of Katakamas and represents 400 square meters. km of humid rainforest, on which breathtaking caves and magnificent waterfalls are located.
The territory of the Sierra de Agalta is protected by local authorities and is included in the ecological program "Mesoamerican Biological Corridor", the main direction of which is the preservation of unique species of forest. The Sierra de Agalta National Park has developed infrastructure, making it one of the most popular places in Central America.
What can you see in the Sierra de Agalta?The main attractions of the reserve can be called:
- Purple mountains with unusual golden-colored summits. They bear the same name as the park;
- Numerous caves formed by limestone rocks. The most famous is the Susmay system , inside of which there is a crystal clear river;
- In the caves of Susmay, rock carvings made by primitive people and other artifacts were discovered;
- we can not fail to mention the system of waterfalls Babylonia , located between the towns of Gualac and San Esteban. It consists of eight waterfalls, the waters of which break into the abyss from a height of about 50 m.
Flora of the reserve
On the territory of the National Park of the Sierra de Agatal, broad-leaved and coniferous forests grow at an altitude of 900 m above sea level. Among the bottom are pine, represented by six species of trees.
The highest peaks of the park are inhabited by tropical forests, why even during the drought season, a dense veil of rain clouds hangs over them. A feature of such forests is the liverwort plant, which covers the trunks of trees, giving them unusual outlines.
The fauna of the Sierra de Agalta
The huge area of the reserve has become home to a variety of animals. For example, the species composition of mammals is represented by 49 species, more than 10 of which are on the verge of extinction. Particularly valuable representatives are two-fingered and three-toed sloths, tapirs, armadillos, ocelots, jaguars, mountain lions, jaguarundi, howler, white-faced and arachnids.
In the Sierra de Agalta, there are more than 400 species of birds, the most interesting are sunny drinks, crested eagles, peregrine falcons, red carrot, royal vultures. The reserve is without a doubt a paradise for entomologists, because only here you can find more than 300 species of butterflies.
How to get there?
The nearest settlement is the city of Katakamas , in which you can rent a car. To get to the park, use its coordinates: 15 ° 0 '37 "N, 85 ° 51' 9" W. If you do not drive, then you can order a taxi.