Planning a trip to Honduras in 2024? Prepare yourself for this tropical paradise and Central America’s second-largest country. Honduras is full of hidden gems like gorgeous pristine islands, ancient ruins, lush rainforests, and picturesque mountains that attract about 2 million tourists annually.
Unfortunately the vast majority only set foot on the gorgeous Caribbean islands in North Honduras, but there are so many more beautiful places to see in Honduras.
All the recommendations, travel tips, things to do and places to visit in Honduras are based on my own experiences extensively traveling in Honduras. On my multiple trips I have seen a fair share about the good, the bad and the ugly which you will all discover in this travel blog.
Please let me inspire you to see a whole different world beyond the Bay Islands. However, when you travel to Honduras don’t skip these pristine tourist destinations either. Honduras has immediate access to the world’s second-largest barrier reef and, therefore, offers one of the best diving and snorkeling experience in the Caribbean.
The beauty of the magnificent landscapes in Honduras and the potential for limitless adventures have proven to be irresistible for the adventure traveler. But it is hard to spread the word about a country that has a pretty unstable image to those that have been fed with negative stories about traveling in Honduras.
Stay connected when traveling to Honduras and get yourself an e-sim card or a local prepaid sim card. Read everything about buying a sim card for Honduras in 2024 in my extensive guide.
More about safety issues in Honduras later. Lets start with this little video about all my recent adventures and latest Honduras travel tips to see with your own eyes how amazing it can be to travel to Honduras.
Now let’s look into all those amazing Honduras tourist attractions.
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1. Roatan - Caribbean Island Vibes
No introduction needed Roatan, one of the Bay Islands, is without a doubt among the most beautiful places to visit in Honduras. It is the largest and most developed of all Caribbean islands belonging to Honduras.
This long, slim bay is a popular tourist place and a major port-of-call for cruise ships.
The gradual blossom in tourism is of course attributed to the Bay Island’s pituresque scenery and varied water activities such as diving, snorkeling, and swimming in crystal clear waters. Other places to go in Roatan are the Carambola Gardens and the Roatan Butterfly Garden.
West Bay Beach, one of the best beaches in Roatan, is a beloved place for tourists to stay. The main reason why it gets quite packed is that it ticks all the boxes – has crystal clear waters, swaying palm trees, pristine beaches for Instagram photos and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. This place offers a complete Caribbean experience. This is the place to get find those laid-back island vibes when traveling to Honduras.
The eastern side of Roatan island is relatively distant and much more unexplored. If you want to get away from the touristy side than this is your best bid.
Where to stay in Roatan
Hotels in Roatan are not among the cheapest places to stay in Honduras. For the 5-star Ibagari Boutique Hotel you can easily pay $500 per night. But there are plenty of hotels with a 9+ review for under $100 per night: West Bay B&B, Pirate’s Den Hotel, Hotel Posada Las Orquideas.
On the East side of the island I can highly recommend you the following Roatan hotels: Marble Hill Farms and Camp Bay Lodge.
2. Utila - Picture Perfect Beaches
Welcome to one of the best places to go scuba diving in the world. Utila has a reputation of being much more moderately priced than Roatan and in fact it is one of the cheapest destination to get your scuba diving certification.
For this reason, Utila has gained popularity amongst young backpackers who are traveling the world on a budget. Finding cheap accommodation in Roatan is not that hard therefore. Utila is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Honduras especially those that are looking for great nightlife.
On top of that Roatan is simply a top attraction because of its world class white sand beaches. There are very few designated roads on the island and most of the areas aren’t developed. Access to some gorgeous bays and villages is by sea only.
Needless to say that diving and other water activities like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding are among the top things to do in Utila, but there is more. Visitors also come here for hiking and horse riding.
However the number one reason people visit Utila is to enjoy the slow paced life on the island!
Where to stay in Utila
Accommodation is clustered around the much more developed east side of the island. This is also where you will find the boats coming in and the Utila Airport. The Mango Inn Resort and the Sea Eye Hotel - Tropical Building has good reviews and are under $100 per night.
3. Cayos Cochinos - Tiny Island Atolls
Cayos Cochinos, also known as Hog Islands, is a group of privately-owned islands, atolls and coral reefs that sits just 17km offshore from the Honduras mainland. It consists of two main islands and several smaller cays.
The two islands and the coral reefs that encompass them are part of a Marine Biological Reserve since 1994. They remain pristine thanks to their far-away positioning and troublesome access.
Cayos Cochinos is not the easiest place to visit in Honduras, but it is well worth the effort on a beautiful day.
There are no roads or automobiles on these gorgeous islands. They are only accessible by boat from La Ceiba, Roatan or Utila. This quintessential tropical haven provides a peaceful retreat for tourists who want to experience the natural beauty of Honduras without the disturbance of crowds.
There are plenty opportunities for snorkeling, diving, swimming and even some birdwatching activities for tourists. Most Cayos Cochinos day trips start from Nueva Armenia, about 1 hour East of La Ceiba.
Where to stay in Cay Cochinos
Most people visit Cayo Cochinos on a day trip as accommodation is very limited and expensive. It is hard to find a hotel online, but there are some Cayo Cochinos Airbnb’s available.
4. Copan Ruins - Ancient Maya Archeological Site
Dating back to 427 AD, the Copan Ruins are the most famous place in to see in Honduras after the Bay Islands. If you love history and nature then this is a must-see place for you. Copan Ruins is an ancient Mayan city discovered by Diego Garcia de Palacio in 1570. The ruins are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980 as they’re deeply symbolic and very important as a civil, political and religious epicenter of the Mayan history.
For more than 2,000 years, the town was occupied and controlled by the Mayan people but was later mysteriously deserted in the 10th-century. It wasn’t until the 19th-century that the site was dug up and still hasn’t completely been discovered.
Visitors today can explore the area and learn about the history of an ancient civilization. On-site is the Maya citadel that has portrait-style stone rocky monuments known as stellar, overlapping step-pyramids, and many numerous wrecked structures.
Hiring a guide is highly recommended as compared to Tikal in Guatemala, Copan Ruins is very detailed and there are many mystery to be explained and unfolded right in front of you.
When visiting Copan Ruins you can not miss the Cafe Via Via, a popular joint in the center of this laid-back town. Sample a bunch of craft beers and mingle with locals in this popular backpacker bar.
Another Honduras travel tip is to head up to one of the haciendas in the hills above Copan Ruins. Hacienda San Lucas, a 100 year old property converted into an Eco Lodge, is not only a place that serves delicious local food and has great views over the hilly countryside, it also offers accommodation.
One more thing to do when visiting Copan Ruins is to head over to Finca Santa Isabel - Welchez Coffee Farm. It is about 30 kilometer east of Copan Ruins on your way to Santa Rosa de Copan.
Where to stay in Copan Ruins
Right in the heart of this tranquil village you will find Hotel Marina Copan, in the corner of the main square. It has a lovely courtyard with a big swimming pool and attached bar, a great place to stay in Copan Ruins.
5. Macaw Mountain Bird Park - Honduras' National Bird
I wouldn't normally send you to a zoo or anything like that. No one wants to see caged animals, but visiting the Maca Mountain Bird Park in Copan Ruins is different. Straight in the beginning you get explained why you are looking at mostly caged birds and then you will understand.
The owner of the bird park an older American came here many years ago and dedicated his life to the utterly beautiful Scarlet Macaw, Honduras National Bird. The Macaw Mountain Bird Park is basically a rehabilitation and breeding centre to save this endangered bird specie. Hundreds of birds from all over the country are brought in and as much as they can they are released back into the wild.
It is extremely hard to breed some of the birds but they are some major success. When visiting Copan Ruins you will see with your own eyes why the Macaw Mountain Bird Park is such a major success, as the Scarlet Macaw is all over this ancient Maya city and these ones are wild.
See all my videos of my Copan Ruins adventures in my Instagram Highlights: Honduras 1 & Honduras 2.
6. Santa Rosa de Copan - Coffee Plantations
Santa Rosa de Copan looks like an old Spanish colonial town, but it is only a little more than 100 year old and flourished because of the Tobacco Industry. Therefore visiting Flor de Copan Cigar Factory is one of the best things to do in Santa Rosa de Copan.
Other things worth visiting Santa Rosa de Copan are the surrounding coffee plantations and the agritourism opportunities. A great place to visit for a coffee plantation tour in Santa Rosa de Copan is Finca Seis Valles, they also serve great breakfast.
For a cool agriculture experience head over to Hacienda Montecristo. Fee baby cows, collect eggs between hundreds of chickens, ride horses, etc.
One of the cool places to visit in Santa Rosa de Copan is the local market. Go here for breakfast and try things like Atol Chuco, fermented corn or the local Tamales. Not my preferred breakfast but I recommend you to give it a go. Souvenir shopping in the local market in Santa Rosa de Copan is on point!
When visiting Santa Rosa de Copan you also have to try Madrasso, a sweet drink with alcohol. It is a kind of fruit punch / margarita, so sweet you can hardly taste the alcohol! :)
7. Mosquito Coast - Last Frontier: Jungle Meets Caribbean Coast
La Mosquitia is among other things home to the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve and is one of Honduras’ least developed areas. Only the bravest, most adventurous, and most daring tourists visit the Mosquito Coast due to the harsh living conditions and lack of proper transportation in this very rural location.
Unfortunately on my last trip to Honduras I was unable to visit this almost impossible to travel last frontier. But because of its uniqueness I put it high on the list of best places to see in Honduras. Next trip I will definitely give it another try.
This area of swampy mangroves, unblemished rainforests, and virgin shorelines makes up almost a fifth of the entire country but is almost impossible to travel around. There are basically no roads and 99% of the area consists of dense jungle.
Visiting the Mosquitia is a good way to get away from the savage modern world and enjoy incredible natural sights, fantastic wildlife, and a thriving native culture. There is no phone reception and zero signs of the modern world. When visiting the Mosquito Coast you go into survival mode, but visiting isolated villages in this part of the world must be one of the coolest travel adventures ever.
The Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve located on the Mosquito Coast is the largest protected area in Honduras with more than 5,250 square kilometers. It is one of the few tropical rainforests left in Central America.
In 2011, UNESCO listed this massive jungle land on their list of World Heritage in danger. Sadly, activities like logging, illegal hunting as well as drugs trafficking continues to threaten the reserve’s fragile inhabitants. The reserve is home to a rich diversity of wildlife including howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, giant leather turtles, and tapirs.
The most famous thing to do in La Mosquitia is a multi day rafting trip down the Rio Platano and with multi-day trips I mean 8 to 12 days! Are you ready for an adventure then the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve is one of the best places to go when visiting Honduras.
A company that organizes adventures trips to the Mosquito Coast is Omega Tours.
8. Rio Cangrejal - La Ceiba's Outdoor Heaven
Among Honduras’ top destinations for adventurous thrill-seekers is Rio Cangrejal. It’s a prime spot for kayaking and rafting regardless which month you visit Honduras. It is located only about 20 minutes away from La Ceiba.
The long extensions of white water rapids race around the boulders and plunge over drop-offs providing lots of adrenaline rushes for tourists who enjoy water activities. Four different sections of the river are marked depending on the skill level. They range from amateur to experienced.
Various tour companies operating in the area offer organized tours with guides to help beginners learn all the necessary basics of kayaking and rafting.
I went rafting with Omega Tours and had a blast. Despite the heavy rains we went out with the team to make the most of the day and it was absolutely epic rafting down Rio Cangrejal.
Where to stay in Rio Cangrejal
I recommend you to stay around the river, in the middle of the jungle. Omega Tours Eco-Jungle Lodge scores a 9.5/10 out of more than 70 reviews and I personally gave them a 10/10 as well. Their restaurant serves delicious organic and healthy food. I was not only a big fan of their remote location, also of their meals!
9. Pico Bonito National Park - Hiking & Waterfalls
The Pico Bonito National Park is also located just right outside La Ceiba in the Nobre de Dios mountain range. If you want to visit Pico Bonito I recommend you to combine it with visiting Rio Cangrejal.
Surrounded by Dole pineapple plantations, cattle farms, and the Rio Santiago and Cangrejal rivers there is an iconic mountain peak where the national park is named after. The peak of the mountain inside the Pico Bonito National Park goes up to a height of 2,435m above sea level.
Thanks to its lush plant-life and varied wildlife, Pico Bonito is considered to be one of the best spots to go in Honduras for (multi-day) hiking trips. Climbing Pico Bonito is very though as it will lead you through very thick vegetation. Always wanna wander through the jungle with a machete, arrange a tour into Pico Bonita National Park and make your way up to the top.
Tours into Pico Bonito National Park can also be arranged through Omega Tours.
10. Villa Soleada - Volunteering in Honduras
This is not a standard place to visit, but only for those travelers who like to give back when visiting Honduras. If you are looking to volunteer in Honduras then keep on reading.
Villa Soleada is a charity project run by a Japanese American that 15 years ago came to a no name village near El Progresso to volunteer. After staying for 1 month he decided to dedicate his life to these people and turned one of the most violent villages of the country into the most educated one in Honduras.
I volunteered here for 1 week with the Students Helping Honduras organization. There is a bilingual school and an orphanage. Every helping hand is welcome and it would be an honor if after reading this Honduras travel blog you decide to look into this project.
Volunteering one week at Villa Soleada left a deep impression and made me even more grateful for the thing I have in life. Growing up in a village in Honduras is hard and we mostly don’t realize how fortunate our lives are until we see the opposite.
The project is run by @shinfujiama, check out his Instagram and be inspired by his amazing story changing his life drastically moving into the slumps of Honduras dedicating his life building a new village with over 40 homes and takes care about 25 orphans at the same time.
For more heartbreaking videos of the people of Villa Soleada I invite you to look at my Instagram highlights: Honduras 3 and learn even more about this amazing project.
11. Cusuco National Park - Off The Beaten Path Hiking
The Cusuco National Park is yet another well-conserved remote area of Honduras that’s located east of San Pedro Sula. The park covers an area of about 243 square kilometers on the border with Guatemala. Most of the roads leading to the park are pretty inaccessible making it challenging for tourists to get here.
If you’re looking to make the most out of visiting Cusuco National Park, hire a local guide to help with navigating the forest and see the wildlife here. The best time to visit is between April and June, early in the mornings, to spot wildlife.
A trek up the mountain peaks gives stunning views of the surrounding areas. Some of the mountain peaks are above 2,000m and if you are looking for a place to walk above the clouds this is one of them. These are the coordinates of the Cusuco National Park visitor center: 15°29'46.0"N 88°12’42.0”W. It takes a little less than 2 hours to get here from San Pedro Sula, but if you are looking to go off the beaten path in Honduras this is your destination.
Bird watching is one of the main tourist attractions here. There are more than 260 bird species in this park including parrots, toucans, and enigmatic quetzals. The quetzals are some of the loveliest tropical birds. The park’s exceptional biodiversity also includes threatened species of frogs and salamander, jewel scarab beetles, and Baird’s Tapir.
12. Jeannette Kawas National Park - The Lagoon of Playa Miami
Jeanette Kawas National Park was initially known as Punta Sal National Park. It was later renamed Jeanette Kawas after an environmentalist who fought passionately during her life to preserve the rich ecosystems of Punta Sal.
This beautiful wilderness area is accessible from land and sea. It stretches along the Caribbean coast west of the Garifuna beach town of Tela. Wildlife is abundant and includes numerous rare species. Visitors may encounter dolphins, howler monkeys, and a large variety of tropical birds. The park also supports diverse habitats from ranging tropical jungle, mangroves, wetlands, to pristine beaches and coral reefs.
The two best places to visit in Jeannette Kawas National Park are Playa Miami and Punta Sal. Miami is a sandy bar peninsula that is less than 100 meters (300 ft) wide. On one side there is the Caribbean sea and flanked on the other side by a tropical lagoon with rainforests and mangroves.
The best thing to do in Playa Miami, Honduras is to watch the sunset from a boat tour on the lagoon after you enjoyed delicious fresh seafood for late lunch.
Where to stay in Tela
Tela is the nearest town to Playa Miami and Punta Sal. It is a popular and vibrant holiday destination in Honduras due to its endless Caribbean beaches. There are two popular hotels in Tela with good reviews: Hotel Bahia and Hotel y Cabanas Playa Caribe. There is a 5-star in this area too: Indura Beach & Golf Resort Curio Collection by Hilton.
I recommend you to go off the beaten path and stay at Playa Miami at the end of peninsula. There is basically nothing around there apart from a couple huts on the beach. Imagine waking up to the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea with the chirping birds from the lagoon behind you.
Life is all about making memories, make sure your trip to Honduras becomes one of them!
13. Punta Sal - Remote Beaches
Punta Sal is also part of the Jeannette Kawas National Park and was once a paradise for pirates. Today, the area is a protected territory thanks to its wildlife and natural charm.
Punta Sal can only be reach by boat. Its remote location guarantees you deserted untouched beaches. It is one of the best places in Honduras to go snorkeling, but hiking and wildlife are popular activities too.
On your way to Punta Sal by boat from the Bay of Tela you will very likely encounter dolphins, then drive through the mangroves to spot sea turtles and end up on the stunning beach of Cocalito.
You can also opt to visit one of the remote living traditional Garifuna villages made up of thatched huts and learn more about the local culture.
14. Comayagua - Colonial village Former Capital
Welcome to the former capital city of Honduras: Comayagua.
This town sits at a height of 594m above sea level and is situated along the main road between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. It’s one of the most prettiest towns in Honduras and is well known for its Spanish colonial architecture.
The best places to visit in Comayagua are all downtown and include the Spanish Baroque Cathedral, the first university in Central America, and several churches. Most of these were constructed in the 16th-century but have been repurposed to their original state.
In the Comayagua cathedral you will find one of world’s oldest still working clock. It is located in the Cathedral clock tower nowadays and was brought to Central America as a gift by the king of Spain in 1620, but was constructed somewhere around 1100. When visiting Comayagua this is a must-see place. Visitors can go up to clocktower, ask inside the cathedral.
The quiet colonial village of Comayagua once played a very significant role in politics and religion. Nowadays it is mainly one of the tourist attractions in Honduras where tourists come to see the beautiful architecture and partake in the catholic heritages.
Comayagua is one of the best places to visit to enjoy the Easter celebrations. During the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the town bursts into a flurry of activity and color with its street carpet tradition. The carpets are made with colored sawdust and other natural materials like rice and flower petals. The elaborately designed artistic carpets depict Biblical figures and events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
If you are looking for a local restaurant in Comayagua I can recommend you Carnitas Schole #2, located close to the main square. It serve delicious mixed grill barbecue. A simple restaurant with great food for a good price.
For more videos of my adventures in and around Comayagua have a look at the last part of my Honduras 3 Instagram highlights.
Where to stay in Comayagua
I stayed in the Hotel Antigua Comayagua for around $80 per night. It has a lovely courtyard with a swimming pool, although I didn’t make use of it as I only slept here. The WiFi was good. Hotel Antigua Comayagua has the highest rating: 8.5/10 out of all the hotels in Comayagua.
15. Ajuterique - Charming Village With Amazing Murals
A sleepy but lovely village only about 20 minutes away from Comayagua. Come here to unwind in the rolling hills around the town. There is a Instagrammable plaza with an umbrella street and plenty of coffee places.
But the number one reason why Ajuterique is listed as one of the Honduras tourists destinations are the numerous murals. They are scattered all around town and pretty impressive. Also take a photo with the Ajuterique sign of course.
When visiting Ajuterique you must try the local drink XXX. It looks like a nice mango juice, but it does not taste anything like that. It is a fermented drink and a weird experience in your mouth I can tell you.
My Instagram highlight Honduras 4 starts with travel videos from Ajuterique.
16. La Esperanza - Traditional Mountain Village
This mountain village is a famous Honduras tourist attraction because it has the coolest climate in the country. Obviously it is not only the moderate temperatures that lure a lot of tourists to La Esperanza.
There are a lot of cool things to do in La Esperanza apart from scrolling through this typical charming and colorful Central American village and visiting the cathedral. Walk up to La Gruta, a shrine/cave with great views overlooking the village.
La Esperanza is the national capital of Honduran Folklore and is where the El Grande de Grandes festival is organized every year. If you miss this festival then I recommend you to visit a show performed by Oro Lenca. Have a look at the Oro Lenca website to see where they perform.
Also when visiting La Esperanza make sure you eat at La Hacienda Lenca and try their special mushrooms. The only grow a couple days a year after heavy rainfall on high altitudes. A dish truly worth trying when visiting Honduras.
Where to stay in La Esperanza
One of the best places I stayed on my trip to Honduras was at Las Cabañas de Carlos. Tucked away in the forest about 5 minutes out of town you will find 4 wooden cabins. A perfect romantic getaway for a couple traveling to Honduras. The best way to make a reservation is to contact them through their Instagram account.
Sip wine next to the campfire in a sweater and covered by a blanket and have your breakfast surrounded by chirping birds. Los Cabañas de Carlos is the best place to stay in La Esperanza. It sincerely is one of my best Honduras travel tips.
17. El Mirador Waterfalls - Rappelling, ATV, Dirt Bike
The adventure traveler needs to stay an extra day in La Esperanza because they can not miss the El Mirador waterfalls and all the cool adventures around.
There are multiple activities here like: hiking, MTB tracks, dirt bike, ATV riding. The best activity here though is rappelling down the more than 70 meters high El Mirador waterfall. Definitely one of the coolest things to do in Honduras for me.
See the video for more about this crazy adventure. My tour was organized by Mitos Hostal. For more videos about La Esperanza and the El Mirador Waterfall check out my Instagram highlights Honduras 4 and Honduras 5.
18. La Campa - Highest Zip Line In Central America
La Campa itself is a sleepy village in the highlands of Western Honduras, not far from the city of Gracias. There is very little action going on, but the number one reason you are visiting La Campa must be the amazing zip lines.
There are 6 zip lines across a deep canyon and the highest zip line is almost 400 meters above the ground. It was an amazing adventure and definitely among the most epic things to do in Honduras. To get to La Campa it is best to take a taxi from Gracias, but prepare yourself for a bumpy ride on unpaved roads through remote highlands.
The nearby biggest town Gracias is a pretty developed village with hot springs. When visiting Gracias make sure to visit the Fortaleza San Cristobal, a fort on top of a hill with amazing views over the town. From here you can also see the highest mountain in Honduras: Cerro Las Minas.
Don't miss out the videos of this amazing adventure in Honduras on my Instagram highlights.
Where to stay in Gracias
I stayed at Hotel Villa de Ada in the countryside. They have two swimming pools and 2 huge ponds full of fish and turtles, it was a very nice place. If you have a little more budget then definitely stay at Casa Hotel Celaque, a stunning place in the hilly countryside with lovely rooms and amazing food. One of my favorite places to stay in Honduras. You can also come here for dinner. Contact them through their Facebook Page.
19. Lake Yojoa - Beautiful Scenery
Lago de Yojoa is the largest natural lake in Honduras, covering an area of 79 square kilometers. It’s found in a cavity that was formed by volcanoes a long time ago. The strategic location of the lake along the highway between San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa makes accessing the lake easy and therefore it is a popular tourist attraction in Honduras.
Lake Yojoa is a perfectly located pitstop for people traveling between the two largest cities in Honduras.
The lake is a hot spot for many tourists, especially birders. There are about 480 bird species spotted here including whistling ducks, northern jacanas, and cranes.
Apart from birdwatching and fishing, there’s so much to do and see at Lake Yojoa. Tourists may also enjoy taking dips in the nearby hot springs, hikes along the shore line, exploring the underground cave system, hiking up to the stunning waterfalls, and touring the nearby coffee plantations.
Where to stay in Lake Yojoa
If you are looking for unique places to stay in Honduras I can recommend you the Agualpa Domos & Cabanas. The hotel consists of little white dome shaped bubbles and is located on the waterfront of Lake Yojoa. There is the opportunity to eat in an old airplane that is located in the garden and there is a big outdoor pool.
20. Pulhapanzak Waterfall - Amazing Outdoor Adventures
Often rated as the best waterfall to visit in Honduras and I must say it didn’t disappoint. The Pulhapanzak waterfall is near Lake Yojoa and is enormous. Its surrounding scenery is beautiful too. On top of the waterfall the water is calm, you can swim, sunbath and have drinks and food at restaurants along the river side.
If you are up for an adventure then don’t miss the ziplines that cross the waterfalls several times. Of course the La Campa zip line is unbeatable, but this one is good fun too.
What makes Pulhapanzak one of the most adventurous places to visit in Honduras is the special bottom of the waterfall tour. Highly recommended if you are looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Accompanied by a guide you go to the bottom of the waterfall and walk behind it. The power of the water is unfathomable.
Truly the one of the craziest things to do in Honduras. I was stunned an pumped with excitement after the tour. You can arrange this tour and the ziplines on the spot. Wanna see all the videos of this amazing place to visit in Honduras then head over to my Instagram Highlights Honduras 7.
21. Celaque National Park - Highest Mountain in Honduras
Looking for the highest mountain in Honduras? Cerro Las Minas is located in Celaque National Park, nearby Santa Rosa de Copan in the Lempira department.
Hiking up Cerro Las Minas is not easy and will take up to 5 hours. A popular thing to do in Celaque National Park is to camp above the clouds, just underneath the summit of Honduras’ highest mountain.
Even if you are not ready to hike up to Cerro Las Minas it is worth visiting Celaque National Park. There are numerous moderate hiking trails through the forest, hidden waterfalls and lookout towers.
22. Museum of National Identity - Tegucigalpa
Traveling in Honduras is amazing, but let me be very honest with you: Tegucigalpa is probably my least favorite city in Latin America. I spent about a week there and could NOT find the charm, cool things to do or fun places to visit. However may you end up in Tegucigalpa I recommend you to visit the Museum of National Identity.
For a trip down Honduran history, make a stop by the Museum of National Identity. This fantastic museum showcases an excellent collection of Honduran and international art. The fascinating art found here tells a lot about the country’s captivating history. The museum is also home to the Palacio De Los Ministerios which is a comprehensive National Heritage building.
A major interesting attraction at the museum is the virtual tour of the Mayan Acropolis of Copan. This has proven to offer a great primer for tourists who are yet to visit the site and a great recap for those who have already been to the Mayan Acropolis of Copan.
Where to stay in Tegucigalpa
If you are looking for comfort try these 5 star hotels: Hotel Real Intercontinental Tegucigalpa, Clarion Hotel Real. For more moderately priced hotels with great reviews have a look at: Hotel Plaza San Martin or Casa Sur for only around $40 per night.
23. La Tigra National Park - Jungle Vibes
La Tigra National Park is perched at an altitude of 2,270 meters about 20km from Tegucigalpa. The park is one of the few cloud forests in the world (only 1% of the forests in the world are considered cloud forests).
This immaculate national park is home to monkeys, pumas, and ocelots. If you’re lucky enough you’ll catch a glimpse of these mammals although they can be quite hard to see. The park is also a haven for more than 200 bird species including trogons, toucans, and elusive quetzal.
There are well-marked serpentine trails throughout the dense jungle where bromeliads and orchids thrive. Because of its proximity to the capital it is one of the most popular tourist places in Honduras.
24. Guanaja - Secret Island Escape
The last place on this list of the most beautiful places to see in Honduras is one of my secret travel trips: Guanaja.
Guanaja is the most remote Caribbean island in Honduras, a delightfully charming spot that offers its visitors an idyllic escape away from the mainland. Travel to Guanaja to either relax or engage in fun outdoor activities.
The island’s temperatures remains warm all through the year so tourists can visit any time of the year. The levels of visibility of the ocean waters surrounding the island and the presence of the coral reef make Guanaja an ideal tourist destination in Honduras for snorkeling and diving.
Other fun activities that that tourists can take part in include hiking, jungle trekking, exploring the lovely on-site waterfall, souvenir shopping, eating fresh seafood, and visiting local villages.
I would be proud if you decide to travel to Guanaja after reading this blog, it is a truly hidden gem in Honduras.
Is Honduras safe for tourists?
Therefore let’s quickly chat how safe Honduras is for tourists. Despite all the stories you will find on the internet I am going to say: YES, it is safe to travel to Honduras in 2024.
Recently I drove more than 3,000 kilometer through this relatively little country and did not come across anything that made me feel uncomfortable. I visited some standard tourist attractions in Honduras, but also went off the beaten path. Visited cities like San Pedro Sula, rented an apartment for a week in Tegucigalpa and volunteered in a poor neighborhood near El Progresso.
So all my impressions are based on my OWN EXPERIENCES, conversations with locals and the advice of travel agencies.
So will visiting Honduras put your life at risk? You gotta be kidding me! :)
Honduras has a bad reputation when it comes to political unrest, petty crime, violent crimes, and a very high homicide rate. Despite all this, the majority of the locals are very laidback and friendly. But just like anywhere else in the world, there are some shady areas that you should avoid on your trip to Honduras.
Some people might be tempted to stay away from Honduras because of its reputation as a dangerous country. It‘s definitely not the safest country in the world but it’s totally okay for tourists. Just make sure that you always keep your valuables concealed and beware of your surroundings at all times, just like in other places.
If you use common sense and aren’t that ignorant tourist, visiting Honduras will be pure joy!
Things to eat in Honduras
The most typical local dish in Honduras is Baleada which is a decent-sized wheat flour tortilla that’s folded and filled with beans. Some chefs may incorporate cream, cheese, and scrambles eggs into it. Others customize them with meat, plantain, avocado, hot sauce, etc. Freshly fried plantains, chicharrones (fried pork) and pupusas (thick corn tortillas with different fillings) are other common things to eat in Honduras.
Best time to visit Honduras
The best time to plan your trip is between November and March because then it is dry season. It can get quite hot, but not uncomfortably. On the other hand, the cheapest time to travel is during the rainy season which is usually between May and October. Generally, Honduras is quite affordable as compared to other tourist destinations in other parts of the world.
Honduras is truly a diamond in the rough. It’s bound to dazzle you with its natural beauty, diverse wildlife and amazing travel adventures. From whitewater rafting to hiking and exotic wildlife viewing to ancient Maya ruins there’s no end to the history, beauty, fun and adventure in Honduras. You will love this wonderful Central American country after exploring the amazing places listed above.
Honduras has a diverse landscape with forested hills, lowland marshes, and untouched jungles rich with howler monkeys, bats, armadillos and uncountable bird species. The beautiful Caribbean Sea gives tourists a chance to swim with dolphins, whale sharks and manatees.
I hope all the above Honduras travel tips were helpful and you will be able to get to see some of these amazing places to go. Let me know if you have any more questions by leaving me a comment below.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Honduras!
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