Merrymaking in the white beaches of Honduras

Republic of Honduras is located (area; 1,12,000 square kilometres) in Central America. To differentiate between the British Honduras (the former name of Belize), Honduras was referred to as Spanish Honduras. The country is bordered by Guatemala to the west and northwest, Nicaragua in the south, El Salvador and Pacific Ocean (at the Gulf of Fonseca) in the southeast, Gulf of Honduras in the north and the Caribbean Sea in the east. The population of the country is estimated at 8 million. Mestizos are the dominant ethnic group of Honduras. National capital is Tegucigalpa and currency is Lempira. Official language is Spanish.

Geography:

The terrain of the country mainly comprises mountainous regions with narrow coastal plains and a big lowland jungle (at La Mosquitia region) in the northeastern part. The Sula Valley in the northwest is a densely populated lowland area. Coco River marks the Honduras-Nicaragua boundary in the southeast. Islas de la Bahía and Swan Islands along with Misteriosa and Rosario Banks (off the north coast) are part of the Honduran Republic.

Climate:

The Honduran climate varies from being tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountains. Honduras, like most tropical countries, experience rainy and dry seasons. In the west and south particularly, the monsoon persists from May to November. In the north and the Bay Islands, monsoon arrives a bit later, from September to December with possibility of ‘nortes’ (cool northern storms) in February. The country is also affected by showers brought by Hurricanes.

When to go:

The dry season is the ideal time for visiting Honduras, particularly for scuba diving activities and touring La Moskitia. February-March is good time to tour Honduras. Rainy season also has its own attraction.

Biodiversity:

The country is home to over 6,000 vascular plant species including orchids besides 250 reptiles and amphibians and 110 mammal species. There are also over 700 avian species that can be spotted in this country.

Economy:

The World Bank has declared Honduras to be the third poorest country in Western Hemisphere. It is also one of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries in the world.

Top attractions at Honduras:

• Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas/Punta Sal (white sandy beaches, a place for great snorkeling. Howler monekys are found here in abundance)
• Utila (a lively place boasting rollicking nightlife and superb diving facilities)
• Roatán (a great place for holiday-making. Has hotels of various range)
• Comayagua ( an old colonial city known for the colourful ‘street carpets’)
• Gracias (an old town dating back to the colonial times located at the foot of Honduras’ tallest mountain peak)
• Lago de Yojoa (a beautiful lake offering bird watching opportunities besides waterfalls and national parks)
• Copán Ruínas (a site of stelas and stone glyphs. Also has a good museum)
• Cayos Cochinos (a picture perfect place with white sand islands, coral reefs and villages inhabited by Garifunas)
• Río Cangrejal (a beautiful whitewater)
• Pico Dama (the journey through the rainforest here is an experience to remember)
• La Picucha (a tough ascent of Honduras)
• Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site in La Mosquitia; accessible by canoe only)
• Parque Nacional La Tigra (a former mining site set in a rugged terrain close to Tegucigalpa)
• Río Patuca (place for the adventurists and nature-lovers)

Reaching Honduras:

By air:
Tegucigalpa is served by the Toncontin International Airport. Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport near San Pedro Sula is the busiest airport of Honduras.

By road:
By land, one can enter Honduras through El Florido, Corinto (Guatemala), El Amatillo or El Poy (El Salvador and Nicaragua.

By water:
Gulf Cruz operates passenger boat service between Honduras and Belize.

Hotels:

• At Tegucigalpa:
  Humuya Inn, InterContinental Hotels Real Tegucigalpa, Honduras Maya Hotel
• At San Pedro Sula:
  Hotel casa Maria, Metrotel Express, Hotel Princess San Pedro Sula
• At Roatan:
  West Bay Lodge, Island Pearl, Cocolobo