| Honduras is best known for its underwater riches, | | | | you can only use a plane or small sea vessel. But |
| particularly its vantage point to the world's second | | | | those who go there are well-rewarded with |
| largest barrier reef. It has a well-deserved reputation | | | | experiences of tropical wildlife, open coasts, |
| as one of the best (and cheapest) places to learn to | | | | estuaries, river valleys, flood plains, fresh-water |
| dive or complete your dive-master training. Your | | | | swamps, lagoons and mangroves. |
| dives will show you coral reefs, yawning underwater | | | | Bird-watchers should visit the inland Lake Yojoa |
| caves, wrecked ships, and the docile whale sharks. | | | | region and the area surrounding the coastal city of |
| But after you have had your fill of snorkeling and | | | | Tela to spot nearly 400 of the 700 species of birds, |
| diving, you'll find out that there is more to discover in | | | | native and migratory, that fly through the Honduras. |
| this beautiful country. | | | | The ancient Maya ruins in Copan, an archaeological |
| Honduras is the second largest country in Central | | | | World Heritage site, remind you of Honduras' long and |
| America, but it remains largely undiscovered by the | | | | ancient history. You can puzzle over the hieroglyphic |
| mainstream tourist. Though it has gained some | | | | stairway in Copan and the scientific enigmas in the |
| renown for its pristine coral reefs and warm tropical | | | | 2,500-year-old Talgua Caves. The ancient city is |
| waters - both in its Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean | | | | found in Los Naranjos Archaeological Park. |
| sides - the country also boasts of impenetrable | | | | When to Go |
| rainforests, and rivers meandering through largely | | | | Like most tropical countries, Honduras has a rainy |
| unexplored jungle areas. | | | | season and a dry season. In the interior, especially |
| Its northern Caribbean coast sparkles in miles of | | | | the west and south, the rainy season is roughly from |
| white sand beaches, lush greenery and rich cultural | | | | May to November, with rains coming in the afternoon |
| diversity. Just 30 miles away from the north coast | | | | and lasting an hour or so. On the north coast and the |
| are the Bay Islands, famous for first-class diving off | | | | Bay Islands, the rainy season comes later in |
| the barrier reef that extends northward as far as the | | | | September to December, but anytime outside these |
| Yucatan Peninsula. You can also visit the Hog Islands | | | | months is perfect for your diving and snorkeling. |
| and, farther east, the Swan Islands. | | | | Travel is easier during the dry season, especially for |
| Nature and Wildlife | | | | scuba diving and trips to La Moskitia. February and |
| Those who want a more terrestrial nature | | | | March are good months, because the weather is |
| experience can visit the country's extensive park | | | | fairly stable in most of the country; the roads and |
| system, which covers almost a quarter of its total | | | | trails are drying out but the trees and underbrush are |
| area. You have the opportunity to trek up to | | | | still full and green. |
| cloud-forests (mountaintops covered with clouds or | | | | Planning Your Trip |
| rain for more than 70% of the year) and rainforests, | | | | Honduras is an inexpensive country for travel, though |
| home of elusive wildlife like the jaguar and giant | | | | the diving will be expensive. Your next biggest |
| anteater. Its coastal wetlands provide the habitat for | | | | expense will be for lodgings: there are luxury hotels, |
| monkeys, manatees, alligators, and dozens of | | | | but the average hotel should cost you up to $25 a |
| waterfowl species. This gives many opportunities for | | | | night and there are budget places that go for $12 in |
| kayaking or canoeing through mysterious mangroves, | | | | the more popular destinations. Food for most |
| but the more adventurous should conquer the | | | | travelers costs up to $8 per meal inclusive of drinks, |
| world-class white-water rafting rapids of Rio | | | | taxes and tip. Budget meals at street vendors and |
| Cangrejal near La Ceiba. | | | | no-name eateries might cost $5 or less. |
| The northeastern Honduras is occupied by the | | | | Hiking, trekking and biking are very good in Honduras, |
| Moskitia (literally, mosquito), an area of 8,500 square | | | | so do prepare for these; if you can, bring your own |
| miles. It holds one of the largest still-intact rainforests | | | | bike. Canopy tour - where you slide from treetop to |
| on the isthmus, sometimes referred to as the Central | | | | treetop - is an exciting thing to do in La Ceiba, Rio |
| American Amazon. Moskitia is not accessible by road: | | | | Cangrejal and the Roatan. |