La Ceiba

La Ceiba
Municipality
Seal
Nickname:  La novia de Honduras (Honduras' girlfriend/bride)
La Ceiba
Coordinates: 15°46′45″N 86°47′35″W / 15.77917°N 86.79306°W / 15.77917; -86.79306
Country	Honduras
Department	Atlántida
Founded	23 August 1877; 146 years ago (1877-08-23)
Government
• Mayor	Jerry Sabio
Area
• Municipality	654 km2 (253 sq mi)
• Urban	60 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Population  (2023 projection)[1]
• Municipality	232,696
• Density	360/km2 (920/sq mi)
• Urban	215,973
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central America)
Climate	Af
Website	municipalidadlaceiba.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^[2] living in approximately 170 residential areas^[3] (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). During this time, the city is host to approximately 500,000 tourists.