The easiest way to get to Cayos Cochinos from La Ceiba is on a guided day tour that handles everything for you: we pick you up at 6:30 AM at Hotel Guacamayos, drive you in an air-conditioned van to Sambo Creek, and take you out to the islands by covered speedboat. The standard group tour costs $68 per person and runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with lunch, snorkeling and island stops included. If you’d rather have the boat to yourselves, there’s also a private yacht option. Here’s how each one works and what to expect on the day.
What is Cayos Cochinos?
Cayos Cochinos is a small archipelago of cays off the north coast of Honduras, within day-trip reach of La Ceiba. It’s a place of white-sand cays, clear water for snorkeling and wild nature, and it’s home to Chachahuate, a tiny island village at the heart of Garífuna culture. Many travelers who pass through La Ceiba on the way to Roatán or Utila never hear about it, which is exactly why it feels so special.
Option 1: The standard group tour ($68 per person)
This is the most popular way to go, and the price includes the whole day:
- Air-conditioned ground transport from Hotel Guacamayos (6:30 AM pickup) to Sambo Creek, where you board the boat.
- A full-day trip by covered speedboat to the archipelago. The boat ride out to the cays takes about 45 minutes.
- A full lunch (fish or chicken) with a drink.
- A guided hike in search of the pink boa, a snake found nowhere else.
- A stop at the Lone Tree and time for snorkeling.
- A tour past Chachahuate, Bolaño, Pelican Point, and Cayo Menor and Cayo Mayor.
The group tour runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Other departure days are possible for groups of 8 or more, or as a private trip, so if your dates don’t line up with the weekend, message us and ask about availability.
Option 2: The VIP private yacht ($1,200 for up to 10 people)
For families, groups of friends or a special celebration, the VIP Private Yacht is a fully private full-day charter to the cays. It’s a flat rate of $1,200 for up to 10 people, which works out to $120 per person with a full group of 10. It departs from La Ceiba’s Muelle de Cabotaje and includes national park entrance fees and a variety of snacks on board. Custom timing and personalized service are available on request.
What to bring and the weather
Pack light: swimwear, sandals or reef shoes, sunscreen and a hat. Leave valuables at home, since space on board is limited. If you’re traveling during the rainy season (October to March), bring a rain jacket too. Keep in mind that the weather affects both the crossing and the departure itself: rough conditions can make the boat ride slower, and they can affect whether a boat goes out that day. Message us a few days before your tour, and again the day before, so we can talk through the conditions and the plan for your date.
Coming from the airport or the islands?
Most visitors don’t fly straight into La Ceiba. If you’re landing in San Pedro Sula or Palmerola (Comayagua), our airport transfers bring your group to La Ceiba in a new Toyota Hiace van: $400 per van from San Pedro Sula ($40 per passenger with 10 aboard) or $500 per van from Palmerola ($50 per passenger with 10 aboard), with breakfast and a rest stop included. Spend a night or two in La Ceiba, do the Cayos Cochinos tour, then continue to Roatán or Utila on the ferry.
Staying longer? Pair Cayos Cochinos with another day out from La Ceiba, like a trip to see manatees, monkeys and mangroves at Cuero y Salado. You’ll find all our boat tours on the ferry and boat tours page, and more ideas in our La Ceiba transport guide.
Book your Cayos Cochinos tour
Every tour books directly through WhatsApp, with no forms and no waiting. Send us your preferred date, your group size and whether you’d like the group tour or the private yacht, and we’ll confirm availability. Message us on WhatsApp to book.
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