La Relumbrosa Trail starts just before the Las Mangas Bridge over the Cangrejal River. This trail takes you into the Nombre de Dios National Park. There is a rough road that will take you into a working farm a few hundred yards, but you would be better off to leave your car on the side of the road. This is a private working farm that strives to produce organic fruits. It also has one of the largest mangosteen plantations in Honduras. If you have never tasted this fruit, that is native to South Asia, tasting it will be a highlight of your trip! Mangosteen was first brought to Honduras by the Tela Railroad Company, and they established an experimental plantation in the Lancetilla Botanical Gardens.
Entrance to La Relumbrosa Trail
Although they found that the fruit grew well in Honduras, it was decided that it was not a good cash crop, due to the fact that trees begin production after a lengthy 10 year wait! Thus, to this day, there are few mangosteen plantations in Honduras. However, once production does start, it is a very profitable crop. La Relumbrosa Farm is one of these plantations that is now swinging into full production mode.
A Honduran Mahogany plantation at La Relumbrosa Farm
But let’s get back to La Relumbrosa Trail! The trail winds along a creek where you will see several different crops. Eventually, you will arrive at the border with the tropical rain forests of Nombre de Dios National Park. A lovely creek with crystal clear waters is one of the highlights of this trail. The jungle is so lush, and the creek so beautiful, that La Relumbrosa was selected for two different episodes of the TV reality show “Naked and Afraid” Yes, believe it or not, two episodes of this popular show have been filmed here!
Crossing the La Relumbrosa Creek
The best plan you can make when visiting this trail is to bring a pick-nick lunch and enjoy it on the banks of the creek. There is a spectacular natural rock formation that creates perfect pools for a swim. This is probably the best place to sit down and enjoy lunch while you relax next to the creek. The farm is a privately owned, and such, not open to the public. However, there are two different companies that can arrange for a tour to La Relumbrosa Trail.
The Omega Tours Horseback riding tour to La Relumbrosa Trail
Omega Tours offers a unique horse back riding tour that will take you from the Omega Tours Jungle Lodge from El Naranjo to Las Mangas. Once there, they enter the La Relumbrosa Trail and take you into the Nombre de Dios National Park. Their horses are very well kept, healthy and friendly with tourists. Lunch is provided in the tour, which departs sharp at 10:00 am and returns at 3:00 pm. The tour gives you plenty of time to enjoy the lovely natural swimming holes in the pristine creek. Who knows, you might even identify the area where Naked and Afraid took place!
A second alternative is to hire the tour through Reservaciones La Ceiba. This company acts as a liaison between small business people in local communities and travelers interested in a more hand on experience with the communities. Either option is a great way to visit La Relumbrosa Trail, learn about an organic farm, enjoy a pristine river and get up close with unique tropical fruits!
