Honduras: The unknown Central America

Tourist highlights

The most visited places in Honduras include the Mayan ruins of Copán and the Caribbean islands of Utila and Roatán. And when I say "the most visited places", this does not mean that you will encounter large crowds of tourists there - quite the opposite. The busiest time is during Holy Week. This is when almost all Hondurans (as well as Salvadoreños and Guatemaltecos) have time off and go to the beach for a few days or visit their families in other parts of the country. For the rest of the year, you can be almost certain that you won't have to queue at any place. In Copán, one of the most beautiful Mayan sites in the world, you will never have problems taking a photo without another visitor walking into your picture. And on the Caribbean beaches (true dream beaches with soft, white sand and turquoise-coloured water) you never have to fight for a sun lounger. With the coral reef running directly off the coast, the islands of Roatán and Utila are also an El Dorado for divers.

The unknown Honduras

What is less well known: Honduras still has truly pristine rainforests and numerous national parks that are in no way inferior to those of Costa Rica in terms of biodiversity. Whether in the cloud forest of Cerro Azul Meambar or the rainforests of Pico Bonito: short or long hikes through unspoilt nature are possible in many places. The quetzal is native to the Celaque and La Tigra national parks, in Punta Sal you can meet howler monkeys and Cuero & Salado offers a retreat for endangered manatees. Small towns with a colonial heritage can be found mainly in western Honduras. Copán Ruinas and Gracias are among the most beautiful.

Active in Honduras

In addition to hiking in the many national parks and snorkelling and diving on the coral reef, there are many other ways to get active in Honduras: The Cangrejal River near La Ceiba offers the best opportunities for white water rafting in all of Central America and the mangrove forests of Punta Izopo are best explored by kayak. You can discover the surroundings of Copán on horseback and then relax in the natural thermal springs of Luna Jaguar. A canopy zipline leads over the Pulhapanzak waterfall - a great experience for the brave!

My Honduras

During my time in Honduras, I was able to explore large parts of the country. I not only saw the tourist highlights, but also travelled to lesser-known regions. I met poor and wealthy people and got to know a culture that differs from ours in many ways. Yes, it's true that punctuality is not a virtue in Latin America. And nobody here has ever heard of rubbish separation. But helpfulness is very important in Honduras. Although the public transport is always full, as a young woman or pensioner you never have to stand, you are always immediately involved in a conversation and gladly invited to eat at short notice, true to the saying "Donde comen dos, comen tres." (I was particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and open-mindedness of the Hondurans. And so I have not only taken the people, but the country itself to my heart and am always happy to return. >>Suggestions for a holiday in Honduras