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| Jungle paradise |
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Why go on holiday to Honduras?
For
a real adventure as this Central American country is still relatively
untouched by tourism. It's laid-back, full of stunningly beautiful
areas of jungle and forest, and a great place to learn to scuba dive.
How much will it cost?
Unfortunately
the likelihood is that you won't be able to find direct flights to
Honduras. As a rough guide, a flight via New York will cost in excess
of £500 per person return. It's cheap once you get there though. A room
in a mid-range hotel will cost from about £8 per night.
When should I go?
Honduras
is fairly mountainous so climate varies around the country. In the
coastal regions it changes little throughout the year, with
temperatures reaching the high 20Cs and low 30Cs in the middle of the
day. The rainy season runs from May through to December, but it's still
warm and the rain's very patchy.
Who's it for?
Those
who like to get off the beaten track. Tourism is still fairly low
profile but it's an easy place to get around and the people are very
friendly. If you're also looking for a good place to learn to scuba
dive, Honduras has some of the best and cheapest diving in the
Caribbean. The country is rich in Mayan history too with magnificent
ruins at Copan.
What are the must-sees?
The
three Bay Islands of Utila, Roatan and Guanaja lie just over 50km off
the north coast of Honduras. Surrounded by coral reef, the islands, in
particular Roatan have calm, clear waters and pristine reef which are
perfect for scuba diving. There are lots of sand flies though so you'll
need the right repellent.
Visit Copan for one of the most
impressive Mayan sites in all of Latin America. Take in the grand
plazas, the pyramids, the ball court and the hieroglyphic stairway in
the peaceful jungle environment. The nearby colonial town of the same
name is a lovely place to base yourself for a few days while you
explore.
Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital with the tongue-tying
name, is an intriguing mix of colonial old town and commerce-driven
modern city. Nestled in a valley, it has a leafy central square with a
few sights around it. Visit the Los Dolores church with its beautiful
façade, the Christo del Picacho, a huge statue of Christ overlooking
the city and the Republic Museum in the former Presidential Palace.
Just
11km outside the capital is La Tigra National Park, a cloud forest of
over 238 sq km. The protected area is one of only a few cloud forests
left in Central America. Wander the pine forests spying orchids and
over 200 bird species. You can even stay in a mountain lodge, La
Estancia. The lodge's setting is spectacular and it's an especially
good spot for a bit of bird watching.
If you fancy getting
really remote, head to the Pico Bonito National Park, in the mountains
close to La Ceiba on the north coast. Within the park you can hike,
kayak, bird-watch and even visit a butterfly farm. Definitely worth a
visit is the Cuero y Salado Wildlife and Manatee Refuge, where you can
hop on a boat and take in the howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas,
alligators and with a little luck, the endangered manatees.
What will I spend?
A
decent meal costs from about £2 per person. The entry-level PADI diving
course can be done for under £140 per person which includes equipment,
training materials and certification.
Any special events?
The
Easter week celebrations all over Honduras, but particularly in the
capital Tegucigalpa, involve beautiful processions and colourful
floats. Semana Santa, as it's known locally also features the
traditional building of elaborate mosaics for the religious processions
to walk all over. The mosaic carpets are usually made from sawdust.
If
you enjoy a good rave, the Utila Sunjam, in the first week of August,
is a massive party that takes place at Water Key on Utila. It's an all
night affair, and many revellers bring a hammock along to suspend below
the palm trees so they don't have to walk far when it's time to bed
down.
Honduras Independence Day is on September 15 and they like
to celebrate their break from Spanish rule in style. There are
generally lots of traffic-stopping parades, dancing, music and drinking.
On
October 3 every year the Hondurans celebrate the birthday of Francisco
Morazan, the man who led the country's resistance against the Spanish
in the early 19th century. Such were his efforts, a national holiday is
put aside to party in honour of this national hero. |
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