Honduras Overview

Overview

Honduras is of Central America’s dark horses, but has been pushing for a place in the limelight for years and is now emerging as a tourist hot spot. The Bay Islands resting off the Caribbean coast are still the cheapest place to learn to dive, and you just can’t help but kick back when you arrive. Onshore activities are catching up and the adventure continues with whitewater rafting and, for the more sedate, hiking and birdwatching. The network of roads, routes and paths just invite exploration. Close to the border with Guatemala the spectacular and calming Copán ruins mark the southernmost tip of the Maya Empire.

But if this list of essentials is too short, rejoice, there are benefits. The quiet villages are quieter and the hillside paths less travelled. Bearing the brunt of Hurricane Mitch in late 1998, Honduras quickly repaired its basic infrastructure, but rebuilding in terms of loss of life and economic setbacks will take much longer. Now, the country is very much open for business.

Honduras has marvelous beaches on Roatan, Guanaja, and Utila - - some of the finest in all of Latin America and the Caribbean. These beaches are tourism 'gold' for Honduras. Go for the great scuba diving, the snorkeling, the kayaking, the swimming, the long walks on the beach.  (The beaches are probably Honduras' tourism best known destinations).

The Mayan Ruins at Copan Ruinas - An ancient civilization rich in culture comes alive alongside its descendents. Planned infrastructure improvements will only add to the Honduras eco-tourism growth in the Copan area, a short 2.5 hour bus ride from San Pedro Sula.

Highlights
Copán (colonial town and Mayan ruins)
Roatán (Bay Islands) - perfect for diving
Pico Bonito National Park

14 February 2008