Country guides South & Central America
Honduras Travel Guide
Laidback and relatively obscure within the tourism market, Honduras is the ideal destination for travellers who enjoy leaving the beaten track. Its exotic palm-fringed beaches, clear turquoise waters, verdant jungles, majestic mountains, and beguiling Mayan ruins will appeal to adventurous nature lovers, who can spend their days river rafting, mountain trekking and scuba diving.
Toucans pose alongside orchids in the humid cloud forests and mountains, while banana plantations cover the rest of the country. Indeed, Honduras is famous for its banana cake, banana pancakes, fried plantain, and banana chips. Many ancient Mayan and Lenca ruins can be found hidden away from civilisation in lush jungle landscapes, ready to enchant the most seasoned of travellers. One of the country's most breath-taking Mayan archaeological sites is the Copan Ruins. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is set in a lush valley in the far western region of Honduras.
In contrast to its wild natural beauty, Honduras has many cities where travellers will find modern amenities. Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba are among them. Colonial towns such as Gracias and Comayagua have wonderful examples of Spanish architecture, including forts and castles.
The once-thriving port of Trujillo has an intriguing pirate history and exquisite tropical beaches, while the region known as the Mosquito Coast is the largest tract of tropical rainforest north of the Amazon. The country also boasts Caribbean white-sand beaches, while offshore Bay Islands such as Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja are a treat for divers and snorkelers.