Honduras
An off-beat Central American country of natural and cultural wonders
A country with vivid natural beauty, cultural diversity, colonial history and archaeological wonders, Honduras is a paradise that has only recently started to be explored by foreign visitors.
Spanning the width of Central America, Honduras has both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, divided by forested green mountains hidden in the clouds.
The tropical white sandy beaches of the Caribbean coast are as pristine as you can get in the region. From Tela to La Ceiba, unspoilt beaches are complemented by nature reserves such as the Pico Bonito National Park, claiming seven distinct ecosystems at varying altitudes, ranging from sea level to cloud forests at 7,500ft.
The Bay Islands of Roatan and Utila lie in the Caribbean sea just miles of the Honduras mainland and are a huge attraction. Their tropical beaches cater for all: from top resorts to isolated coves. Crystal-clear waters and the number of local schools mean diving and snorkelling are the main activity. These islands have some of the best diving in the region, if not the world.
Climbing into the mountains, into the cloud forests, visitors can discover some of the country's colonial and even ancient history. The Mayan ruins of Copan are considered some of the best studied and preserved there are, providing a fascinating insight into the Maya civilisation. Also nestled among the green peeks are the traditional, colonial towns of highland Honduras, populated in the majority from the descendants of the country's indigenous.
The fast-paced capital city of Tegucigalpa, in addition to its colonial centre, museums, theatres and commercial districts, is surrounded by some of the country's most beautiful valleys such as the Valley of the Angels [Valle de los Angeles] and La Tigra National Park. The capital is also only a short distance from the Pacific coast and its colonial jewel of Choluteca, the best preserved colonial city in the country. The less humid southern coast is also home to wildlife refuges and national parks, typical of a country with such biodiversity.
In a country so blessed with natural beauty, there are many who are determined to preserve and protect it. The Utila Centre for Marine Ecology engages in research in which experienced divers visiting the island for it excellent diving opportunities can contribute to the regions protection.