La Ceiba is 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 over 200,000 living in approximately 170 residential areas (called colonias or barrios), it is the fourth largest city in the country and the capital of the Honduran department of
Atlántida. La Ceiba was officially founded on August 23, 1877. The city was named after a giant
ceiba tree which grew near the old dock, which itself finally fell into the sea in late 2007. 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.