Introduction
Always compelling, from diving and dancing to Mayan ruins and the Mosquito Coast. Honduras is the original banana republic, but travel here is easy, enjoyable and inexpensive. The slow pace, natural beauty and low-profile tourism make it particularly appealing to travelers who, well-armed with insect repellent, enjoy getting off the beaten track.
Despite its turbulent political history, the poor cousin of the region has barely registered on the Western radar. However, its short role in the 1980s as a breeding ground for US covert operations and its devastation in 1998 at the hands of Hurricane Mitch are two significant exceptions.
'Every time one laughs a nail is removed from one's coffin.' - Honduran proverb
Geography:
Honduras is the knee of Central America, bordered by Nicaragua and El Salvador to the south and by Guatemala to the west. It has a rambling 644km (399mi) Caribbean coastline and a tiny 124km (77mi) coastline on the Pacific side. In the Caribbean, the Bay Islands, Cayos Cochinos, and the distant Swan Islands are also Honduran territory. More than three-quarters of the country has rugged hills and mountains, ranging from 300m (984ft) to nearly 2850m (9348ft) in height. Lowlands are found only along the coasts and in major river valleys. Deforestation is occurring at a rate of 3000 sq km (1170 sq mi) per year. If continued, the country will be a treeless desert within the next 20 years. However, there are still largely untouched areas, especially in La Moskitia. Fauna includes jaguars, armadillos, wild pigs, monkeys and alligators, and abundant bird life such as toucans, herons and kingfishers.
Destination Facts
Capital: Tegucigalpa
President: Manuel Zelaya
Government: democratic constitutional republic
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 112090
Population: 7300000
People: Mestizo (90%), indigenous (7%), Gar í funa (2.5%), other (0.5%)
Currency: Lempira (L)
Major industries: Coffee, bananas, citrus, beef, sugar cane, forestry, textiles
Major Trading Partners: USA, Guatemala, El Salvador
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in May to first Sunday in August
Country Dialing Code: 504
Getting there and away
There are flights to and from Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and Roat á n with frequent connections to other Central American capitals and many destinations in North America and Europe. The departure tax on international flights is around 30.00. Border crossings are open daily from early morning to late afternoon. While there is no tax for entering or exiting by land, officials sometimes charge a small 'fee'; unless it's blatantly ridiculous, it's best to pay. The main crossings to Guatemala are at Agua Caliente, El Corinto and El Florido; to El Salvador at El Amatillo and El Poy; and to Nicaragua at El Espino, Guasaule and Las Manos. Frequent buses serve all crossing points, but most don't cross the borders - you have to walk to the other side and connect with another bus. The only regularly scheduled international passenger boat service is the small boat that runs twice weekly from Puerto Cort é s to Dangriga and Belize City (Belize). Otherwise it may be possible to arrange passage with a fishing or cargo vessel if you pay your way. Negotiate directly with the captain. On the Caribbean coast, you may find boats around Puerto Cort é s, La Ceiba, Trujillo or the Bay Islands. The most common destinations for international boats are Puerto Barrios (Guatemala), Belize, Puerto Cabezas (Nicaragua), and the Caribbean islands. On the Pacific coast, try San Lorenzo for boats to Nicaragua or El Salvador.
Getting around
Domestic flights have recently increased in frequency. It's easy to fly to the Bay Islands from La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and to fly between these three major cities. More air routes into La Moskitia are making the remote area more accessible. There are frequent buses to most towns; the first usually leaves at the crack of dawn, the last late in the afternoon. Boats and cayucos (dugout canoes) are common around the Bay Islands, along the Caribbean coast, and in La Moskitia. There are taxis and moto-taxis in most towns but they're not metered - negotiate a fare beforehand. Car rental is available in bigger towns and cities, but it's not cheap - rental rates and gas quickly add up. Hitching a ride (un jal ó n) is generally easy in rural areas where trucks often stop to pick up passengers. Be aware that hitching is never entirely safe and Lonely Planet does not recommend it. It's wise to travel in pairs and be sure to let someone know where you plan to go.
Weather
The mountainous topography of Honduras means that climate varies significantly depending on altitude. Mid-altitude temperatures are fairly moderate with regular sunshine making the mercury climb from 15-20 ° C (59-68 ° F) to about 28 ° C (82 ° F) during the middle of the day. Rainfall is low to moderate with a patchy wet season from May to October. Lowland and coastal regions experience less of a temperature range with warmer nights and slighty less rainfall, though the Caribbean coast is wet year-round. Hurricane season is from June to November.
Places of Interest
Honduras is the original banana republic, but travel here is easy, enjoyable and inexpensive. The slow pace, natural beauty and low-profile tourism make it particularly appealing to travelers who, well-armed with insect repellent, enjoy getting off the beaten track.
Despite its turbulent political history, the poor cousin of the region has barely registered on the Western radar. However, its short role in the 1980s as a breeding ground for US covert operations and its devastation in 1998 at the hands of Hurricane Mitch are two significant exceptions.
Warning
Crime is a concern in large cities, especially Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and in some coastal and inland areas, like La Ceiba and Olancho. Take common sense precautions - use taxis late at night and don't leave belongings unattended on the beach.
Related Country: Guatemala Country, El Salvador Country, Costa Rica Country
Always compelling, from diving and dancing to Mayan ruins and the Mosquito Coast. Honduras is the original banana republic, but travel here is easy, enjoyable and inexpensive. The slow pace, natural beauty and low-profile tourism make it particularly appealing to travelers who, well-armed with insect repellent, enjoy getting off the beaten track.
Despite its turbulent political history, the poor cousin of the region has barely registered on the Western radar. However, its short role in the 1980s as a breeding ground for US covert operations and its devastation in 1998 at the hands of Hurricane Mitch are two significant exceptions.
'Every time one laughs a nail is removed from one's coffin.' - Honduran proverb
Geography:
Honduras is the knee of Central America, bordered by Nicaragua and El Salvador to the south and by Guatemala to the west. It has a rambling 644km (399mi) Caribbean coastline and a tiny 124km (77mi) coastline on the Pacific side. In the Caribbean, the Bay Islands, Cayos Cochinos, and the distant Swan Islands are also Honduran territory. More than three-quarters of the country has rugged hills and mountains, ranging from 300m (984ft) to nearly 2850m (9348ft) in height. Lowlands are found only along the coasts and in major river valleys. Deforestation is occurring at a rate of 3000 sq km (1170 sq mi) per year. If continued, the country will be a treeless desert within the next 20 years. However, there are still largely untouched areas, especially in La Moskitia. Fauna includes jaguars, armadillos, wild pigs, monkeys and alligators, and abundant bird life such as toucans, herons and kingfishers.
Destination Facts
Capital: Tegucigalpa
President: Manuel Zelaya
Government: democratic constitutional republic
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 112090
Population: 7300000
People: Mestizo (90%), indigenous (7%), Gar í funa (2.5%), other (0.5%)
Currency: Lempira (L)
Major industries: Coffee, bananas, citrus, beef, sugar cane, forestry, textiles
Major Trading Partners: USA, Guatemala, El Salvador
Daylight Saving: From first Sunday in May to first Sunday in August
Country Dialing Code: 504
Getting there and away
There are flights to and from Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and Roat á n with frequent connections to other Central American capitals and many destinations in North America and Europe. The departure tax on international flights is around 30.00. Border crossings are open daily from early morning to late afternoon. While there is no tax for entering or exiting by land, officials sometimes charge a small 'fee'; unless it's blatantly ridiculous, it's best to pay. The main crossings to Guatemala are at Agua Caliente, El Corinto and El Florido; to El Salvador at El Amatillo and El Poy; and to Nicaragua at El Espino, Guasaule and Las Manos. Frequent buses serve all crossing points, but most don't cross the borders - you have to walk to the other side and connect with another bus. The only regularly scheduled international passenger boat service is the small boat that runs twice weekly from Puerto Cort é s to Dangriga and Belize City (Belize). Otherwise it may be possible to arrange passage with a fishing or cargo vessel if you pay your way. Negotiate directly with the captain. On the Caribbean coast, you may find boats around Puerto Cort é s, La Ceiba, Trujillo or the Bay Islands. The most common destinations for international boats are Puerto Barrios (Guatemala), Belize, Puerto Cabezas (Nicaragua), and the Caribbean islands. On the Pacific coast, try San Lorenzo for boats to Nicaragua or El Salvador.
Getting around
Domestic flights have recently increased in frequency. It's easy to fly to the Bay Islands from La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and to fly between these three major cities. More air routes into La Moskitia are making the remote area more accessible. There are frequent buses to most towns; the first usually leaves at the crack of dawn, the last late in the afternoon. Boats and cayucos (dugout canoes) are common around the Bay Islands, along the Caribbean coast, and in La Moskitia. There are taxis and moto-taxis in most towns but they're not metered - negotiate a fare beforehand. Car rental is available in bigger towns and cities, but it's not cheap - rental rates and gas quickly add up. Hitching a ride (un jal ó n) is generally easy in rural areas where trucks often stop to pick up passengers. Be aware that hitching is never entirely safe and Lonely Planet does not recommend it. It's wise to travel in pairs and be sure to let someone know where you plan to go.
Weather
The mountainous topography of Honduras means that climate varies significantly depending on altitude. Mid-altitude temperatures are fairly moderate with regular sunshine making the mercury climb from 15-20 ° C (59-68 ° F) to about 28 ° C (82 ° F) during the middle of the day. Rainfall is low to moderate with a patchy wet season from May to October. Lowland and coastal regions experience less of a temperature range with warmer nights and slighty less rainfall, though the Caribbean coast is wet year-round. Hurricane season is from June to November.
Places of Interest
Honduras is the original banana republic, but travel here is easy, enjoyable and inexpensive. The slow pace, natural beauty and low-profile tourism make it particularly appealing to travelers who, well-armed with insect repellent, enjoy getting off the beaten track.
Despite its turbulent political history, the poor cousin of the region has barely registered on the Western radar. However, its short role in the 1980s as a breeding ground for US covert operations and its devastation in 1998 at the hands of Hurricane Mitch are two significant exceptions.
Warning
Crime is a concern in large cities, especially Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and in some coastal and inland areas, like La Ceiba and Olancho. Take common sense precautions - use taxis late at night and don't leave belongings unattended on the beach.
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