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The Parque Nacional Janet Kawas (daily 6am-4pm; US$1), commonly known as Punta Sal , is a wonderfully diverse reserve encompassing mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, wetlands, coral reef and tropical forest, which together provide habitats for an extraordinary range of animal, bird and plant life. Lying to the west of Tela, curving along the bay to the headland of Punta Sal, the reserve covers three lagoons: Laguna de los Micos, Laguna Tisnachi in the centre and the ocean-front Laguna El Diamante, on the western side of the headland. Over one hundred species of bird are present here, including herons and storks, with seasonal migratory visitors bumping up the numbers; animals found in the reserve include howler and white-faced monkeys, wild pigs, jaguars and, in the marine sections, manatees and marine turtles. Boat trips along the Rio Ulua and the canals running through the reserve offer a superb opportunity to view the wildlife at close quarters. Where the headland curves up to the north, the land rises slightly to Punta Sal (176m); a trail over the point leads to small, pristine beaches at either side. It's possible to visit parts of Punta Sal independently by renting a boat in Miami to explore the Laguna de los Micos and surrounding area, though most people opt to join the trips organized by Garifuna Tours. You could also hike the scenic eight kilometres from the village to the headland along the beach. For information on the reserve contact Prolansate , 9 C, 3 Av NE in Tela (tel & fax 448 2042), the non-governmental organization that manages Punta Sal and other reserves in the area. Janet Kawas, after whom the reserve is named, was a former president of Prolansate and instrumental in obtaining protected status against intense local opposition. Her murder, in April 1995, has never been solved.
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