A trip to Honduras, the quintessential banana republic, conjures visions of endless fields of fruit ripening under a tropical sun and sweat browed laborers. An image that until recently was not far from the truth. Although its lacks the comforts of mass tourism destinations, and banana plantations are still aplenty, this small country is fast becoming a favored eco-tourism destination. Exotic wildlife, free-flowing rivers, mist-covered cloud forests, coral reefs, and mile upon mile of white sand beaches are attracting those with a hankering for nature. Complementing the effusive natural surrounding are historical small towns featuring central plazas, colonial architecture, and white-washed adobe homes with red tiled roofs that blend harmoniously into the landscape. The amiable inhabitants, who are known as ladinos or mestizos due to their European and indigenous mixed ancestry, will invariably greet you with a warm smile.
Whether you're in quest of a luxurious nature retreat, a beach resort, a Spanish school, a dive vacation, a bird watching expedition, or a bare-bones trek through the jungle, the country's burgeoning tourism commerce caters to all tastes and budgets.
Maya Bay
Geography, Location, and Weather
Flanked by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Honduras is a small nation with an area of just 43,281 sq mi (112,100 sq km). It is situated in the middle of Central American isthmus, and bordered by El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Central and Western highlands enjoy a temperate climate, while the north coast region is typically hot and humid and the south coast is hot and dry.
Maya Bay
Language
Spanish is the legal language of Honduras. Caribbean English is spoken on the Bay Islands, as well as Spanish.
Main Attractions
Honduras possesses two world heritage sights, the Copan Ruins and the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve.
The Copan Ruins are a specific must see with the longest hieroglyphic stairway in the Maya World as well as the most intricately carved sculptures. Archaeologists have deciphered most of the hieroglyphs, which recite the history of the 16 rulers of the Copan Dynasty. The Maya ruler's tradition of erecting new structures on top of a previous king's temples provides a intelligent view of the lost culture, as well as a combine of ghostly tunnel tours. The archaeological site includes a large museum that contains many of the park's original sculptures. The picturesque adjacent town of Copan Ruinas offers accommodations ranging from rustic to sophisticated. Activities in and colse to town consist of hiking in the colse to mountains or to the waterfall, visiting the Macaw Bird Park, a coffee farm, or an indigenous community where you can watch artisans at work.
The Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Central America, with an area of 3,300 sq miles (8,500 sq km.), is a vast tropical rainforest settled in the isolated northeastern part of the country generally known as the Moskitia. The support is very hard to get to as no paved roads lead into the region. If you're in quest of the ultimate eco-adventure, you've come to the right place. Water vehicles are the adored mode of communication in this area of coastal lagoons, floodplains, and free-flowing rivers. Inland mountains shrouded by broadleaf forests house mysterious petro-glyphs and native villages. Three indigenous groups inhabit the reserve: the Miskito, the Pech, and the Garifuna. All speak their own languages (as well as Spanish) and live original lifestyles. Many also offer lodging and guide services. Accommodations are normally basic riverside lodges.
The Bay Islands of Honduras
Located from 20 to 40 miles of the north coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands are a well-known diving destination with their clear, warm waters and pristine, white sand beaches. Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja -the three large islands- offer a complete array of diving packages and dive certifications. Accommodations range from bunking at the dive shop to luxury hotels on the beach. You can go fishing, sailing, kayaking, swimming with the dolphins, and diving with the whale sharks. For more Bay Island trip information and online reservations visit http://www.roatanet.com.
North Coast
Honduras's Atlantic beach stretches nearly 500 miles (800 k) offering a myriad of tropical eco-adventures through broadleaf forests and coastal lagoons, as well as cultural immersion in Garifuna (Afro-Caribbean) villages dotting the beaches throughout the region.
La Ceiba, a major port and the third largest city in Honduras, is graced with two outstanding protected areas, the Pico Bonito National Park, a mountain support with heights of up to 7900 ft (2435 m); and the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, a manatee reserve. Activities consist of whitewater river rafting, mangrove canoe tours, rainforest treks, a butterfly farm, a butterfly museum, horseback riding, motorcycle tours, and bird watching. Accommodations in the city consist of a full range of hotels. Along the Cangrejal River and on the Pico Bonito Mountain there are any eco-lodges, along with two luxury ones. La Ceiba is also the gateway to trip to the Moskitia and the Bay Islands.
The smaller city of Tela, settled an hour west of La Ceiba is home to the Jeannette Kawas National Park, which covers a large lagoon law and extends into the ocean at Punta Sal (Salt Point), where you can even go snorkeling. The Lancetilla Botanical Gardens, the second largest botanical organery in the world, is also settled here. A bird watcher's paradise, over 400 of the nearly 700 species of birds found in Honduras have been seen in Tela. For the avid bird watcher, the Audubon community sponsors an each year Christmas bird count here.
The western highlands, home to the Copan Ruins, also boast a trove of small villages that were originally settled by the Spaniards between 400 and 500 years ago. Colonial forts and churches with gold-filigree altars are surrounded by this region's treasures. Cultural activities can also be found surrounded by the Lenca Indians, the largest ethnic group in Honduras, who reside in this region. Lenca women produce beautiful handcrafted pottery of varying hues, using methods that have been passed down through the generations. Sacred ceremonies, which are an eclectic mix of Indian and Catholic traditions, can be observed during religious celebrations.
The Celaque National Park, the country's top peak at 9,347 ft (2,849 m), towers above the colonial town of Gracias, the very first capital of Honduras. Celaque is an indigenous word meaning "box of water." And indeed, this wondrous mountain forest contains 11 watersheds. Trekking under the forest canopy to the summit takes a combine of days, but you will be rewarded with a unique cloud forest experience.
On the edge of the western highlands, settled about an hour south of the city of San Pedro Sula, is Lake Yojoa, someone else beloved bird watching destination with more than 400 species of birds. The lakeshore also houses Los Naranjos Eco-archaeological Park, an early Lenca settlement.
Colonial History
Comayagua
If you have the time, a half-day detour to the colonial city of Comayagua is extremely recommended. Although the process is ongoing, the city has been largely restored, and it contains any intelligent sights, which include: one of the oldest working clocks in the world, a cathedral, four colonial churches, an archeological museum, and a religious art museum.
Museums and more parks
For the history buff, San Pedro Sula, the market capital of Honduras; and Tegucigalpa, the capital city, contribute a medley of museums.
San Pedro Sula is the gateway to trip in Western Honduras and by land to Antigua, Guatemala. In the city's backdrop is the Cusuco National Park, which is renowned for quetzal sightings.
Tegucigalpa is normally a important stopover for those traveling by land to whether Nicaragua or El Salvador. Much of the city's water is supplied by La Tigra National Park, an as a matter of fact accessible cloud forest with well-marked trails.
How to get there
Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Roatan in the Bay Islands have international airports. Taca and Continental fly daily into cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.
Continental, Delta, and Taca Airlines have direct weekend flights from and to the United States and Roatan from Houston, Miami, and Atlanta.
Trekking Under The Canopy: A Condensed Guide To Honduras
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