Cassava or casabe is one of the most popular local foods in Atlantida. Made from the root of the cassava plant, a root vegetable that is a relative to potatoes, cassava is part of the daily staple of the Garifuna people, and it has become very popular throughout the destination.
It is a thin, cracker like bread, which can have a flavor added to it, such as garlic. It is eaten together with ceviche and salads or alone as a snack… there are literally thousands of combinations you can come up with. The purpose of this cassava tour in Atlantida is to introduce the visitor to this unique food, and show them how it is prepared. To do so, you will visit a small cassava factory located in the community of La Union, about 25 minutes west of La Ceiba, or roughly 45 minutes east of Tela. The factory is a community owned facility called Aprocasabe, which stands for association of cassava producers.
If you are visiting the Cuero y Salado wildlife refuge, you can ask that the cassava tour be included in your tour, as the installations are located right next to the railroad track that leads from La Union into the reserve.
The cassava tour in Atlantida will allow you to get a glimpse at the elaboration process of one of the most traditional of Garifuna foods. It will also open a window to life in a rural community in Honduras, and if you are up to, you can cook your own cassava! You can book your cassava tour through Reservaciones La Ceiba. Make sure you bring your camera to take pictures. It will be a great fun experience you will want to document!