Jeannette Kawas National Park (Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas) is a protected wetland region on the Caribbean coast of northern Honduras. Rich in wildlife diversity, the park includes sandy beaches, mangrove marshes and swamps. The park is a designated Ramsar wetland.
The park covers an area of more than 780 square kilometers.
The national park was created in 1994, and originally named Punta Sal National Park. After environmental activist Jeannette Kawas was murdered in 1995 for her work trying to keep the palm industry from exploiting the park, the government re-named the park in her honor.
Most tourists will probably not venture far off the beaches (which are spectacular tropical beaches with verdant jungles behind strips of white sand and crystal clear light blue waters.
In addition to its 35 km of beaches, marshes and swamps, the park has areas of tropical forest. It also has one large and several smaller lagoons.
The park has a rich diversity of plant and animal species and is an excellent place for naturalists (particularly birdwatchers).
More than 400 bird species have been identified in the park including Keel-billed motmot, Turquoise-browed motmot, Green-breasted mountain-gem, Lovely cotinga, Resplendent quetzal, Bushy-crested jay, Blue-crowned chlorophonia, and the Lesser ground-cuckoo.
Mammals include both marine mammals like the Indian manatee and the common dolphin, as well as monkeys, jungle cats, tapirs, coatis and several species of bat.
Reptiles thrive in the swamps and wetlands. Crocodiles and caiman can often be seen basking on the banks of lagoons and swamps and a variety of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous are everywhere in the park. You'll probably see quite a few Green iguanas and if you're lucky, you may spot a Red-tailed boa constrictor.
The park has a tropical climate with average temperatures of 34-36 degrees Celsius, though summer highs have reached 39 degrees. Tropical storms occasionally (but rarely) occur in summer or fall. Rain is common throughout the year and floods can occur.
The park is very remote and difficult to reach. The best way to get to the park is to visit in the dry season and go to the town of Tela where tour operators can get you there via horribly rough dirt roads full of potholes that are known to swallow ordinary cars whole. Another way to reach the park is to go to the coastal village of Rio Tinto where you can hire a boat. During the wet season, boats from Rio Tinto are the only viable route to the park.
A restaurant on the beach serves light food and cold drinks. Lunch will cost about US$15. Hammocks are available.