Bay Islands

During colonial times, Spain controlled the mainland while England ruled the islands. As a result, some islanders don’t speak much Spanish (the country’s official language) and most islanders speak fluent English. This mixed heritage makes the Bay Islands a diverse oasis for tourism, art and culture.

Snorkel and scuba around Utila, the smallest of the the Bay Islands.

Roatan is the most developed and visited island, with cities, roads, regular ferry service, and large resorts. Utila is the smallest of the Bay Islands and home to affordable scuba instruction for beginners. If you are seeking dive certification, Utila is important.

Luxuriate in Guanaja's natural beauty.

Steve recommends staying on Guanaja which enjoys a higher elevation, Caribbean pine forests, no roads, and more unique lodging. Villas and resorts are equally attractive here.

Mainland

Heading inland, we favor a small luxury hotel in the rainforest south of the islands where tropical birds are your breakfast companions. An observation tower gets you up above the canopy to view rivers on either side of your resort. A waterfall fills natural pools for swimming.

Wake up to locally-grown coffee and bird songs at an ideally situated rainforest lodge.

Continuing west, San Pedro Sula provides wonderful upscale accommodations which serve as a base for excellent day trips such as waterfall and cloud forest hikes, enjoying the largest lake in Honduras, and visiting artisans in the countryside of Santa Barbara where rural villages and scenery are equally delightful. Everything you need is in downtown San Pedro in terms of cafés, a beautiful central square, entertainment and culture. Steve recommends the Museo de Antropologia e Historia – an amazing value for $2.

Gracias' architectural charm and breathtaking setting make it a peaceful destination.

Highlands

Heading southwest you arrive in the colonial mountain town of Gracias, the former capital for all of Central America.

Celaque National Park is barely outside of town and it is home to the country’s highest peak with good pine-oak cloud forest hiking trails.  

From Gracias you can visit quiet rural villages and discover impressive pottery. The current capital of this region is Santa Rosa de Copán. Here you can visit a cigar factory. If you are interested in cigars, you know a bit about Honduras’s reputation after so many of Cuba’s cigar masters fled their homeland. Click here to learn about cigars in Honduras.

Copán Ruinas

Finally, at the far western end of Honduras, near the border with Guatemala you’ll find the ruins of Copán, one of the most beautiful of the ancient Mayan cities built between 100 – 400 A.D. Exploring this World Heritage Site is the grand finale of your Honduran journey.

Art and astronomy flourished in the Mayan city of Copán.

Luxurious accommodations are available not far from the town’s central plaza surrounded by cobblestone streets. Visiting local museums will help you prepare for the archaeological park in a forest on the Rio Copán – many books about this “Athens of the Maya” are available in town. Don’t miss the park’s exhilarating sculpture museum.

On your way home, revisit your favorite destination. Honduras is small enough!