Learn How to Pronounce La Ceiba | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce La Ceiba
(Listen to the audio below for the stress and intonation)
Meaning and Context
La Ceiba, officially founded on August 23, 1877, is a major port city and the capital of the Atlántida Department on the northern Caribbean coast of Honduras. Renowned as the "Eco-Tourism Capital of Honduras," the city serves as the primary gateway to the pristine wilderness of the nearby Pico Bonito National Park and the Cayos Cochinos archipelago. Its most famous cultural event is the Gran Carnaval Internacional de La Ceiba, held every third Saturday of May in honor of Saint Isidore the Laborer, which draws thousands of visitors for its elaborate parades, vibrant music, and festive atmosphere. Beyond the carnival, La Ceiba is a hub for adventure tourism in Honduras, offering world-class whitewater rafting on the Río Cangrejal, lush hiking trails, and access to some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the Caribbean. The city's economy is historically tied to the banana trade, and its name derives from a giant Ceiba tree that once served as a landmark for sailors and fishermen along the coast.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard and correct spelling is La Ceiba. Common errors often involve misspelling the second word, leading to variations like "La Ceiva" or "La Cieba," which are phonetically plausible but incorrect. Another frequent mistake is the omission of the space, resulting in the single-word form "Laceiba." In some informal or non-native contexts, the accent may be incorrectly placed or omitted, though the term does not carry a written accent in standard Spanish. It is also sometimes mistakenly referred to as "El Ceiba," incorrectly changing the feminine definite article "La" (referring to "la ciudad" or "the tree," which is feminine in Spanish) to the masculine "El." When writing in English, it is important to maintain the proper noun's original Spanish spelling and article to ensure accuracy.
Example Sentences
Every May, the streets of La Ceiba explode with color and sound during its legendary Carnival, one of the largest in Central America.
Many travelers use La Ceiba as a basecamp before embarking on a thrilling rafting expedition down the roaring Río Cangrejal.
The city's proximity to both the Nombre de Dios mountains and the Caribbean Sea makes it a uniquely diverse destination for eco-tourists.
Historically, the giant Ceiba tree that gave the city its name provided shade for fishermen and traders along the old coastal path.
To experience authentic Garifuna culture, visitors often take a short trip from La Ceiba to the nearby communities of Sambo Creek or Corozal.
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