The Central American nation of Honduras sparkles as a premier tourist destination for those looking to indulge in tropical getaways. Of course, just like any vacation, one has to plan out exactly what they’re looking to do and where to stay. When it comes to doing so in Honduras, one thing is for sure – there are a plethora of activities to choose from, as well as great places to stay while you’re there. And in both cases, travelers will find highly unique choices to make their trip a memorable one.Short guide for Honduras with recommendations on what to do and where to stay.Take a look at this Best Things To Do In Honduras.
Things To Do In Honduras
If you’re looking for something different to get into during your trip to Honduras, one great place to start is to visit the Fortress of San Fernando de Omoa. This stone structure is in a small town on the Caribbean coast, and it dates back to the late 1700’s when it was built by the Spanish to defend against pirates.
Many flocks to the Bay Islands which includes Roatan, but those seeking a more remote and idyllic slice of coastal life will head to the Swan Islands which are 90 miles out and were once a hub for American forces sending propaganda broadcasts to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Another series of islands one might want to explore is the archipelago of Cayos Cochinos, or the Hog Islands.
Visitors can get here by taking a boat ten miles from the coastal port of La Ceiba. Now, they are largely untouched and considered among the loveliest islands in the world. Another activity is visiting La Tigra National Park, which is located twelve miles outside of the capital of Tegucigalpa. The park is a carefully preserved section of rainforest high up in the mountains, and it’s home to close to 200 species of wildlife, including the famed quetzal bird.
If more bird-watching tickles your fancy, take a trip to the largest lake in Honduras, Lago de Yojoa. This lake is a haven for about 480 species of birds, and people can hike through the shoreline area to explore or venture out onto the lake waters in a canoe.
Other activities that are one of a kind in Honduras have a ritual element to them. For example, on every Good Friday in the town of Comayagua many come out to create brilliant and colorful alfombras, or carpets depicting religious scenes using painted sawdust and other powders. The displays last until the grand holy march throughout the town hours later. Another activity that has a tinge of the otherworldly is a trip to the Talgua Caves. These are also known as the Cave Of The Growing Skulls, due in part to the way that the light within the caves reflected off of the numerous skeletons found there, creating a heavy glow.
Accommodations in Honduras
Any good vacation is buoyed by where one chooses to stay. Whether it’s an expansive hotel or a vacation rental that emphasizes comfort while maintaining a connection to its environment, you’ll find plenty of both to be found in Honduras. This is heightened by the diversity of the country’s topography and various sights such as the Copan Ruins and the coastal areas and islands.
With regards to hotels, Honduras has a number of top quality places to stay. Heading up the list is the Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort, a luxurious destination in the Roatan area. Barefoot Cay Resort and the Las Verandas Hotel & Villas are also notable choices for travelers there. Travelers to the beachfront vista of Tula Bay is the Indura Beach and Golf Resort which is part of the Hilton resort hotel chain and occupies about 26 miles of shoreline. For those looking at hotels in San Pedro Sula, the outstanding selections in this central part of the country include the Hilton Princess San Pedro Sula and the Hotel Gran Mediterraneo.
If your travel plans involve staying in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, the choices that head up the list of places to stay are the Real InterContinental Tegucigalpa Hotel on the Avenida Robles and the Hyatt Place Tegucigalpa which lies on the Avenida La Paz. Those seeking a hip and minimalist aesthetic for their stay there might be interested in the LQ Hotel. If you are looking for additional recommendations on hotels in Honduras, check out this list of the best hotels in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.
Vacation rentals are plentiful in Honduras, and can often be a good way to help travelers further explore the rainforest regions of the country. Various sites can lead the way to finding the best of these, such as Trip101, where you can find a list of the best Airbnbs Vacation Rentals in Roatan, Honduras.
Many are styled in the fashion of the old haciendas, and they also operate as spas. One example is by the Copan Archaeological Park, the Hacienda San Lucas which features yoga as an activity as well as Mayan-influenced cuisine. There’s the Hummingbird House, a rustic and relaxed vacation rental in the seaside town of Utila that allows guests to get into more of the diving and snorkeling that’s popular along the coast. And those who are looking for more of an urban luxury experience might opt to stay in a condo vacation rental in the exclusive zone of Tegucigalpa.
All in all, with enough research and planning, travelers to Honduras will definitely have an abundance of options at their disposal for their first or next trip to this gem of Central America.
