Destination Overview
Exuding an air of paradise with its exotic palm-fringed beaches,
clear turquoise waters, majestic mountains, verdant jungles and
beguiling Mayan ruins, the laid back way of life and relative
obscurity to the tourist market makes Honduras an ideal holiday
getaway for those who enjoy getting off the beaten track.It has all the right ingredients for a tourist hotspot; pristine
beaches, great hotels and a rich cultural history. Despite this,
Honduras has scarcely registered on the Western radar in the past,
other than its 15 minutes of fame in 1998 when it was ravaged by
Hurricane Mitch. These days it is enjoying a boom in popularity as
a relatively unknown, unspoilt and undeveloped destination,
recognised for its Ecotourism opportunities, affordable scuba
diving, mountain treks and river rafting, as well as its appeal to
the rich and famous eager to escape the prying eye of the
paparazzi.Toucans pose alongside orchids in the humid cloud forests and
mountains, while banana plantations cover the rest of the aptly
named 'Banana Republic', 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 breathtaking Mayan
archaeological sites is the Copan Ruins, a World Heritage Site set
in a verdant valley in the far western region of Honduras,
reminiscent of something out of an Indiana Jones movie.The once thriving port of Trujillo has an intriguing pirate
history and exquisite tropical beaches, while the region known as
the Mosquito Coast, which extends towards the Nicaraguan border, is
the largest tract of tropical rainforest north of the Amazon and is
one of the most popular spots in the world for ecotourism. The
country also boasts 373 miles (600km) of Caribbean white sand
beaches, and the offshore Bay Islands such as Utila, Roatan and
Guanaja are an extremely popular destination, particularly for
divers and snorkellers. There is plenty more to discover in this
exciting country, however, and the warmth and hospitality of the
Honduran locals is bound to lure first time visitors back time and
time again.
