Must-see attractions in Honduras

  • Visitors learn about the Mayas at the Museum of National Identity in Tegucigalpa on December 14, 2012. The beginning of a new Mayan era on December 21 will be marked with celebrations throughout southern Mexico and Central America. Honduras is one of five countries preparing to observe the date, which marks the end of a more than 5,000-year era, according to the Mayan "Long Count" calendar, which began in 3114 BC.  AFP PHOTO/Orlando SIERRA        (Photo credit should read ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images)

    Museo para la Identidad Nacional

    Tegucigalpa

    If you hit only one sight in Tegus, head here. The museum is housed in the gorgeously renovated 19th-century former Palace of Ministries. It's a superb…

  • View of a cruise ship through the Santa Barbara fortress while she heads to Trujillo, 600km north of Tegucigalpa on October 15, 2014.    AFP PHOTO / Orlando SIERRA        (Photo credit should read ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images)

    Fortaleza Santa Bárbara de Trujillo

    Honduras

    High above the waves, gazing over the Caribbean toward the European motherland, this 17th-century Spanish fortress could not have a more evocative…

  • Coral reefs off the coast of Roatan,Honduras; Shutterstock ID 63362152; Your name (First / Last): William Broich; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Honduras

    Roatán Marine Park

    Roatán

    Originally set up in 2005 with the aim of protecting the reef system around the West End and Sandy Bay, the Roatán Marine Park now covers the whole island…

  • Mountains of National Park Montana de Celaque, Honduras; Shutterstock ID 551391514; Your name (First / Last): William Broich; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Honduras

    Parque Nacional Montaña de Celaque

    Western Honduras

    Parque Nacional Celaque is one of Honduras’ most impressive national parks and boasts El Cerro de las Minas, the country’s highest peak (2849m), which is…

  • Pulhapanzak waterfall, Honduras, Central America; Shutterstock ID 316349681; Your name (First / Last): William Broich; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial ; Full Product or Project name including edition: Honduras

    Pulhapanzak

    Western Honduras

    This magnificent 43m waterfall on the Río Lindo is 17km north of Lago de Yojoa (and also an easy day trip from San Pedro Sula). Surrounded by lush forest,…

  • Cascada Zacate

    Honduras

    The park’s first trail is still a favorite, with a moderately difficult three-hour hike to Cascada Zacate. You’ll hear the falls before you see them; they…

  • Cold rain forest

    Parque Nacional La Tigra

    Honduras

    A short distance northeast of the capital, Parque Nacional La Tigra covers 238 sq km of rugged forest, with cloud forest and dry pine forest, numerous…

  • Parque Eco-Arqueológico Los Naranjos

    Western Honduras

    On the northwest side of the lake, this park was first occupied around 1300 BC, and is thought to be the largest Preclassic-era Lenca archaeological site…

  • Parque Nacional Cusuco

    Western Honduras

    Just 45km from San Pedro Sula, but remarkably difficult to access, Parque Nacional Cusuco is a cloud forest nestled in the impressive Merendón mountain…

  • Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas

    Honduras

    This national park a half-hour boat ride from Tela has several white-sand beaches, including the pretty Playa Cocalito. Offshore coral reefs make for…

  • Carambola Botanical Gardens

    Roatán

    These wonderful botanical gardens have well-maintained trails through 40 acres of protected forest, extending up a hillside known as Carambola Mountain…

  • Cathedral

    Western Honduras

    Comayagua's impressive cathedral is the largest colonial-era place of worship in Honduras. Built between 1685 and 1715, it's adorned with intricate wooden…

  • Refugio de Vida Punta Izopo

    Honduras

    Rivers entering the Punta Izopo Wildlife Refuge spread out into a network of canals that channel through the tangle of mangrove forest. Monkeys, turtles…

  • Whale Shark & Oceanic Research Center

    Utila

    This center studies whale sharks and monitors the coral reef. It offers regular snorkeling trips to track down whale sharks and spear invasive lion fish…

  • Cuevas de Taulabé

    Western Honduras

    Around 20km south of the Lago de Yojoa is the entrance to the Cuevas de Taulabé, a network of underground caves with unusual stalactite and stalagmite…

  • Parque Naciones Unidas El Picacho

    Tegucigalpa

    This small hilltop park 6km from downtown has busy walking trails, but the main reason to visit is to stand at the feet of the approximately 20m high El…

  • Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Bárbara

    Western Honduras

    Parque Nacional Santa Bárbara is an isolated national park containing Honduras’ second-highest peak, Montaña de Santa Bárbara (2744m), plus extensive…

  • Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Meambar

    Western Honduras

    East of Lago de Yojoa, this well-maintained national park boasts kilometers of trails leading to waterfalls, caves and untouched cloud forest. There's…

  • Fortaleza de San Fernando de Omoa

    Honduras

    Omoa’s claim to fame is this colossal Spanish fortress. Built in brick and coral between 1759 and 1777 under orders from King Fernando VII of Spain, the…

  • Fuerte de San Cristóbal

    Western Honduras

    Built in response to the tumultuous times of the 18th century, the striking Fuerte de San Cristóbal has fantastic views of Gracias and the San Marcos…

  • Museo Regional de Arqueología

    Western Honduras

    This lovely museum is housed in a former presidential palace, a one-story, tiled-roof house with a beautiful, manicured garden at the center. Inside you…

  • Arch’s Iguana Farm

    Roatán

    The impressive Arch’s Iguana Farm in French Cay is just outside of town. Less a farm than the house of a serious iguana lover, it has iguanas pretty much…

  • Plaza Morazán

    Tegucigalpa

    At the center of the city is the Plaza Morazán, often called Parque Central by locals – this is Tegucigalpa's hub. A statue of former president Francisco…

  • La Gruta

    Western Honduras

    This curious sight is perhaps La Esperanza's most notable building: a small cave now converted into a chapel, complete with a cute facade built into the…

  • Centro de la Cultura Garinagu de Honduras

    Tegucigalpa

    It's well worth dropping by this cultural center, and situated right on the Parque Morazán, which is handicrafts, clothing and tools on display, as well…

  • Museo Casa Galeano

    Western Honduras

    This museum is located in a beautiful, ancient colonial house with high ceilings, carved timber posts and delightful paint-chipped walls with floral…

  • Basílica de Suyapa

    Tegucigalpa

    The most important church in Tegucigalpa – and therefore in Honduras – is this neo-Gothic basílica. La Virgen de Suyapa is the patron saint of Honduras;…

  • Iglesia Los Dolores

    Tegucigalpa

    This striking church, which dominates an otherwise unremarkable plaza, has some attractive religious art. Its facade contains figures representing the…

  • Grave of William Walker

    Honduras

    Just west of town, where the Río Cristales flows into the sea, is the ancient and fascinating town cemetery. Here lies the grave of William Walker, who…

  • Casa de Cultura

    Western Honduras

    Occasionally presents art exhibits and theatrical productions.

  • Iguana Research & Breeding Station

    Utila

    Up the hill from the town center, this great place studies and protects the highly endangered Utila iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri), which is known locally as …

  • Parque Nacional Montaña de Comayagua

    Western Honduras

    Spanning more than 300 sq km of primary and secondary forest, Panacoma (which is managed by Ecosimco) has two main hiking trails leading through the cloud…

  • Jardín Botánico

    Western Honduras

    The city's botanical garden is at the southern end of town, five blocks south of the old Mercado Municipal, and takes up half a city block. Local flora…

  • Iglesia de la Merced

    Western Honduras

    One block north of Parque Central, this striking white stone church has an intricately carved facade and three bell towers. It's currently under…

  • Bando Beach

    Utila

    Utila Town's privately run beach is a small strip of white sand, a few lounge chairs, some shady palms and a lively bar. You can take a dip here, but the…

  • Iglesia La Merced

    Tegucigalpa

    In 1847, the convent of La Merced was converted to house Honduras' first university; the country's national gallery was established there in 1996, but…

  • Palacio Legislativo

    Tegucigalpa

    This unusual modern building on stilts (next door to the Parque La Merced) is the Palacio Legislativo, where congress meets. It was here in December 2009…

  • Iglesia La Merced

    Western Honduras

    Comayagua’s first iglesia was La Merced. Building started in 1550; it was consecrated as a cathedral in 1561. The plaza out the front is very pretty.

  • Nuestra Señora de la Caridad

    Western Honduras

    The much remodeled Nuestra Señora de la Caridad was built at the end of the 16th century. The local indigenous community uses it as a place of worship.

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