Honduras Adventure Travel Guide & Adventure Activities in Honduras

Honduras

Travel Guide

Honduras

Introducing Honduras

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Similar to its neighbours, Honduras has been experiencing a rediscovery of its tourism industry. In a country benefiting from globalization and a drastically changing political scene, Honduras is embracing culture, nature and adventure sport with the wild savagery that comes from a country that hasn’t yet been walked upon by a million travelling footsteps. In 2009, Hondurans went through a rather bizarre coup d’état, with President Manuel Zelaya being flown to Costa Rica in his pyjamas. These days, Honduras has changed its tune and is seeking acceptance in the Organization of American States (OAS). Sixty-eight percent of these new positi... (Read more...)

Introducing Honduras (Continued...)

ons have been in tourism, and the travelers have answered the call. Bordering both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, this landmass is considered a treasure-trove of plant and animal species. With its numerous azure beaches, stony mountains and lush forests, Honduras is one of the last remaining destinations where adventure sport can still be an adventure.

Honduras boasts 820 kilometres of coastline and is the second largest country in Central America. It borders Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. In the lowlands and along the coast the temperatures remain sub-tropical, while higher inland the climate is more temperate. The northern coasts are far cooler than the southern humid rainforests. More prominent geographical features are the narrow plains along the north, and the famous La Mosquita lowland jungle in the northeast. The hottest temperatures in Honduras are typically during April and May, where Copan Ruinas in the centre of the country can reach 95 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The Bay Islands lie just north of the mainland and its three principal islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Honduras is home to a number of mountains, its tallest is Cerro Las Minas, an extinct volcano, in the relatively savage western part of the country at 2849 m.

Scuba Diving

Off the northern coast of Honduras, near the Bay Islands, are some of the most intriguing dive sites in the Caribbean. Roata´n’s coasts offer entrancing views through clear, celeste water. The El A´guila Wreck is one of the more unique underwater features. Purposely sunk in 1997 for wreck diving, Hurricane Mitch broke the vessel into three parts, opening further entrances into the ship. Along with groupers and moray eels, these waters are filled with barrel sponges, hammerhead sharks, strong currents, and adrenaline-filled adventure. Colourful reefs are home to barracuda, sargassum, triggerfish and damselfish, adding to Honduras’s submarine treasures.

Whitewater Rafting

Honduras’s richness lays as much on top of the water as underneath it. La Mostikia (better known as the Mosquito Coast) offers some excellent, high-class rapids. Along the Cangrejal River, for example, are Class III and IV rapids, as well as some astonishing views of the Rio Pla´tano Bioshphere Reserve. This reserve is one of the few existing tropical rainforests in Central America, bursting with extensive plant and wildlife. Along the Rio Sico there is the possibility to spend a longer expedition of up to four days navigating the challenging waters. Crocodiles and iguanas are as abundant as hawks and falcons along these fertile banks.

Horse Riding

The small farming community of Caban~as has excellent horseback routes. Day-long rides through coffee fields and tiny farming communities offer a great opportunity to visit traditional houses painted with coloured mud. Ride underneath a waterfall or along the coast in La Ceiba. Roa`tan also offers tantalizing equestrian itineraries along the western end of the island, through almond groves and under mango trees. When the senses are overloaded with sunlight, try a nocturnal ride through the jungle. The sounds become more pronounced and the wind and moon play among the shadows. Plan your trip during the full moon and you won’t be disappointed.

Windsurfing

Along the Northern coast and in Roa`tan, the winds and waters are perfect for windsurfing. Roa`tan’s reef - part of the second largest in the world - protects the harbor from disturbing surf. It is also home to some of the most diverse coral life. The area also offers opportunities to try out Kite-surfing. The winds from the north are gentle and both sports can be enjoyed from the beginner to the expert level, depending on where you go within the bay.

Classic Itineraries

The ruins and national reserves are endless in Honduras. In the western part of the country, lies the Copa`n archeological site called Las Sepulturas: the ancient home to a large Mayan civilization. Copa`n was the center of this kingdom from the 5th to the 9th centuries AD. There is a colourful hike along the grounds to see the area's beautiful temples and altars - there's columns 5-meters tall and 3-meters around carved in high relief of the Mayan kings. Farther inland, hiking the Celanque National Park brings you to the highest cloud forest in the country, as well as pine forests and a number of hot springs. Near the capital of Tegucigalpa rests the Virgin of Suyapa: an 18th century statue of the Virgin Mary of Spanish origin, and Honduras’s most popular religious image. Within the capital, The Iglesia Los Dolores is decorated with ornate pictures of The Passion of Christ and hosts a large piazza.

Other Activities

For the advanced rock-climber, many routes along the inner Cerro Grande have been cleaned and are an inventive way to see the country. The routes range from 5.9 and higher and have been securely bolted. Getting to these routes takes plenty of hiking. At 45 km from San Pedro Sula is the Parque Nacional Cusuco: a small forest nestled in the the Merendo´n mountain range with five different trails. Tucans and quetzals line the paths and theres numerous watering holes in the mountains - it’s best to come between April and June to spot the wildlife. Numerous trails are clearly marked and some reach all the way to the ocean. Further along, in the village of Posada el Cortillo del Lago, sailing possibilities abound within this small lake located 2 km from La Guama. Sailboats can be rented and it’s a nice way to avoid the busy coast.

Honduras Adventure Travel Guide