Beautiful Honduras

Honduras is a Central American country that has coastlines with the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. There is an amazing tropical rainforest near Guatemala. You’ll be amazed by the fascinating Bay Islands. This is a diving destination that is part of the 1,000 km-long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Tegucigalpa is the capital and the largest and most populous city of Honduras. It sits in a central valley that is surrounded by mountains.

Museo para la Identidad Nacional is the finest museum in the city. It has found its home in the renovated, former Palace of Ministries. The museum offers a look into the nation’s history and identity through a series of modern exhibits. Even though the displays are in Spanish there are free guided tours available in English. Four times a day the 3D film Tour of the Copan Ruins is shown.

Centro de la Cultura Garinagu de Honduras is located right on Parque Morazan. Here you’ll find handicrafts, clothing, and tools on display. There is a library and information about the Garifuna people. You can get information here about where the Garifuna dance troupes are performing their very athletic and incredible dance moves.

Basilica de Suyapa is the most important church in Tegucigalpa as well as in all of Honduras. La Virgen de Suyapa is the patron saint of Honduras. In 1982 a papal decree made her the patron saint of all of Central America. The basilica is known for its large stained glass windows.

Iglesia Los Dolores is an impressive church and offers some religious art. The facade of the church has figures which represent the Passion of Christ. You can see his un-seamed cloak, the rooster that crowed three times, and all of these are crowned by the symbol of the sun.

At the center of the city, is Plaza Morazan also referred to as Parque Central. Here you can people-watch and mingle. There is a statue of former President Francisco Morazan on horseback right in the center.

Iglesia La Merced in 1847 the La Merced Convent was converted to house Hondura’s first university. Later it became the country’s national gallery until 2015. This building is worth taking a look at and has impressive paintings inside.

Palacio Legislativo is a unique modern building on stilts. This is where Congress meets.

Monumento a La Paz can be found in the city’s largest park. It was erected in 1996 in the name of the eternal peace between the “fraternal nations of Central America”.

Monumento a Simon Bolivar is a monument to Latin America’s great liberator. It is located at a busy junction in the city’s well-to-do Colonia Palmira area.

Exploring Honduras

The largest and most developed of the Bay Islands is Roatan. Today it is a cruise ship port and a popular tourist spot. In the center of the island is a mountainous backbone and coral reefs line its shores. Visitors enjoy diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing. The beaches are lovely and one of the best is West Bay Beach. You’ll enjoy crystal clear waters and swaying palms and there are lots of shops and restaurants nearby.

The cultural center of Roatan is the small community of Sandy Bay. Among the top attractions here are:

The Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences with dolphin encounters. Found on the northwest coast at Anthony’s Key Resort. It educates visitors about marine ecology and offers encounters with dolphins in a natural lagoon. You can enjoy swimming and snorkeling with dolphins. Those studying to be marine biologists can sign-up for the “Dolphin Trainer for a Day” program and at the end perform their own dolphin show.

The Carambola Gardens is a favorite among nature lovers.

The Roatan Marine Park has great snorkeling.

At the Roatan Butterfly Garden, you’ll find butterfly species native to Honduras and the Bay Islands.

French Harbor is Roatan’s biggest fishing port.

A popular site here is Arch’s Iguana and Marine Park.

Copan Ruins Archeological Site is the most studied Maya city in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It dates back almost 2,000 years. The site is famous for the stelae and altars, scattered around the immense plaza. Other highlights here include the ball court, the Hieroglyphic Stairway, an impressive temple, holding the longest known Mayan text, and the Acropolis which features carved reliefs of the 16 kings of Copan.

Not far from the site is the Museum of Mayan Sculpture, displaying a series of original pieces of sculpture, stelae, and altars that were recovered here. The museum tunnels through a hillside, opening up into a vast sunlit open space.

The highlight here is the impressive Rosalila Temple.

Utila is the most budget-friendly of the Bay Islands. Backpackers love this island. The main settlement is Utila Town. Visitors enjoy the beaches and snorkeling in the lagoon. You can enjoy diving or swimming with whale sharks.

Little French Key is an eco-friendly tropical paradise. You can find hammocks strung between coconut palms, crystal clear waters, and great snorkeling. There is a white sand beach with kayaks and chaise lounges. Restaurants offer fresh seafood. Take the time to visit the wildlife sanctuary where you can see rescued animals like monkeys, deer, and toucans.

La Tigra National Park is an unspoiled park that preserves a lush cloud forest that is home to ocelots, pumas, and monkeys. There are over 200 bird species among them toucans, trogons, and quetzal. There are well-marked hiking trails that take you through thick forests. At the visitor center, you can get maps and park information. If you prefer you can arrange for a guide. This is one of the most visited parks in Honduras.

Lancetilla Botanical Gardens are the second largest tropical botanical gardens in the world. They were established in 1926. There are wonderful groves of trees from Central America and other tropical regions. Here you can find over 200 species of tropical birds due to the abundance of fruit trees. There are many lovely paths such as one that leads you through a tunnel of bamboo trees to a swimming hole in the Lancetilla River.

Carambola Botanical Gardens & Trails offer trails winding through forests of fruit trees, palms, ferns, orchids, spices, and mahogany. Follow the mountain paths to get awesome views out over the Caribbean. It is possible to see jumping dolphins. There are many colorful birds and you can see Roatan Anoli lizards and parades of leafcutter ants.

Within the gardens. you’ll find Iguana Wall a sheer section of cliff that is a breeding area for iguanas and parrots.