Petroglyphs and rafting at Central America’s biggest tropical rainforest

Indiana Jones wannabes might want to travel to Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Central America's biggest tropical rainforest with many trails for boat safaris and rafting, replete with archeological artifacts and varied flora and fauna. Among those that can be seen here are toucans, monkeys, sea turtles, and exotic butterflies, as well as beaches, jungles, indigenous villages, and pre-Columbian archeological sites such as elaborate stone work, petroglyphs, and a cave used for rituals. Because of these, Rio Platano has been chosen by the National Geographic Channel as one of the Top 50 Tour of a Lifetime.

To get here, you can ride a "chicken bus," a boat, or a mini-airplane from La Ceiba or pickup trucks from Trujillo. Chicken buses are called as such because you'll get to ride with poultry-carrying locals. A bumpy five to six-hour ride costs 300-500 lampiras per person. Make sure to keep your valuables well (do not show your camera in public) as highway robberies are common.

The park does not charge any entrance fee, and upon arrival, you will be welcomed by locals that can serve as your guides. Such locals do not charge any fee except for voluntary donations of any amount. It is better if you know how to speak Spanish as this will help you keep the costs down. Before December until June is the best time to go as this is the dry season with a hotter climate and with less mosquitoes.