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