Introduction
For the Ceiba Tree Park in Ponce, Puerto Rico, see Parque de la Ceiba.
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "La Ceiba" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message)Municipality in Atlántida, HondurasLa CeibaMunicipalityMonumental letters at the beachStreet in La Ceiba
SealNickname: La novia de Honduras (The bride of Honduras)La CeibaShow map of HondurasLa CeibaShow map of Central AmericaCoordinates: 15°46′45″N 86°47′35″W / 15.77917°N 86.79306°W / 15.77917; -86.79306Country HondurasDepartment AtlántidaFounded23 August 1877; 148 years ago (1877-08-23)Government • MayorBader DipArea • Municipality654 km2 (253 sq mi) • Urban60 km2 (23 sq mi)Elevation3 m (9.8 ft)Population (2023 projection) • Municipality232,696 (4th in Honduras) • Urban215,973 • Urban density4,100/km2 (10,700/sq mi)Time zoneUTC-6 (Central America)ClimateAmWebsitemunicipalidadlaceiba.com
La Ceiba (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈsejβa]) is a municipality, the capital of the Honduran department of Atlántida and a port city on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America. It is located on the southern edge of the Caribbean, forming part of the south eastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras. With an estimated population of 209,000 living in approximately 170 residential areas (called colonias or barrios), it is the fourth most populous and third most important city in the country.
La Ceiba was officially founded on 23 August 1877. The city was named after a giant ceiba tree that grew near the old dock. The city has been officially proclaimed the "Eco-Tourism Capital of Honduras," as well as the "Entertainment Capital of Honduras". Every year, on the third or fourth Saturday of May, the city holds its famous carnival to commemorate Isidore the Laborer (Spanish San Isidro Labrador), which is attended by approximately 500,000 tourists.
History
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La Ceiba waterfront in the 1910sIn 1872, Manuel Hernández built a small shack under the Ceiba tree that grew near the old docks. Over time, more and more people from present-day Honduras (especially the departments of Olancho and Santa Barbara), and from around the world settled in La Ceiba. Workers were attracted to jobs associated with the banana industry, which became important to the regional economy.
In the late 19th century, the banana business caught the attention of big North American banana companies, such as the Vaccaro Brothers' Standard Fruit Company from New Orleans. This new economic activity attracted national and international immigrantworkers to La Ceiba. The current neighbourhood known as Barrio Inglés was the first recognised neighbourhood in the city. It was so named after the many English-speaking people living in the barrio. At that point the main thoroughfare of La Ceiba was present-day Avenida La Republica, where the train tracks were laid. The rail line was built by the Standard Fruit Company (now Standard Fruit de Honduras, a Dole subsidiary) for transport of its commodity to ships at the port from the banana plantations. This company was largely responsible for the early growth of the city.
La Ceiba was declared a municipality on 23 August 1877. At that time Marco Aurelio Soto was President of Honduras. La Ceiba was the centre of banana and pineapple business, the basis of its economy. Other companies developed in the city, such as:
Cervecería Hondureña, the national brewing company and holder of the Coca-Cola licence in Honduras. Founded in 1918.
Fábrica de Manteca y Jabón Atlántida, known as La Blanquita, at one point, this was the largest producer of consumer goods in Honduras; it is now defunct.
Banco Atlántida, oldest Bank in the country, founded in 1913.
Mazapan School, the first bilingual school of the nation, the oldest high school and second oldest elementary school in the city.
The first municipal building or city hall was located in the corner of 2da Calle and Avenida Atlántida, at the site of the present-day Ferretería Kawas warehouse. The building was made of wood and in 1903 it was burnt down due to vandalism. Some people wanted to destroy private property ownership records in La Ceiba. The municipal building was set on fire again on 7 March 1914 during more social unrest.
The Municipal Corporation moved the offices further south of the city. They were burned again during unrest in 1924. Soon after this, the office building was constructed at its current location, on land donated by Manuel Mejía.
