Honduras Travel

Before us the ocean was brilliant blue green with mild 4-foot swells. We sped across the Honduran channel at 40 mph aboard the Galaxy Wave Ferry, knick-named the “Vomit Comet.” The name is well deserved due to the typical chop encountered in these seas.

We were heading to the Honduran coastal town of La Ceiba from the island of Roatan. I thought seasickness pills were in order, but my wife went without.

“Get down!” our rafting guide shouted as our boat passed through a labyrinth of towering rocks about the size of a two-story house. I myself was a river guide, many years ago and the razor-thin passageways along the “Rio Cangrejal” (Cangrejal River) in La Ceiba, Honduras were bringing back memories of nasty flips and scary swims.

“Get up!” Our guide yelled right before entering a passageway. I sprang up, ready to paddle. “Forward! Forward! Go!” I quickly dove my paddle into the water, and found I was competing for space with the towering rock wall. Suddenly, the rock walls fell away and we entered a technical rock garden with no end in sight; but I couldn’t have been happier with the less-claustrophobic challenge ahead.

It’s a miracle that earth has such beauties in its lap. It is simply impossible to create a wonder like the ones which are naturally made. If we see the planet from space, and take a glance towards America, then you can see a bridge that connects North America with South America. Honduras lies on that particular bridge which we can see from space. It’s amazing to feel the glory of nature, especially when we stand at a place which is surrounded with the greenery, and colorful natural beauties.

The whole purpose of this trip was to show people that, despite the travel advisory warnings on Honduras by many of the Western nations, it is actually a very safe place to travel.

There has been some unrest in the capital city, but there wasn’t a military coup as the Western media says. Also, anything that is going on in the country is happening in Tegucigalpa, and though that is very little, it certainly has no effect on tourists to the country. Most of the country has carried on with their every day lives. As we traveled around the country, I was shocked by how few people there were … the restaurants were empty, the hotels were unoccupied, the beaches were bare.

As the U.S. Dollar takes a pounding in some countries, Central Americans are still loving the greenbacks. Promoting these “third-world” destinations is daunting – but do-able. The advertising slogans concocted by many tourism boards sound forced and downright silly, but one that Honduras espouses in some of its materials is simple and rings true: “One small country, three big worlds.”

While the price of traveling through it may be a steal, in this small country you can do it all – from diving great reefs to exploring ancient history – in a nation that has roughly the same land area as Tennessee.

Exploring Mayan ruins. Day-long hikes through ancient rainforests. If you love activity-based, cultural travel, the country of Honduras is for you.

Even with the current state of the economy, Honduras is a quick and affordable get-away– one that feeds your soul and eases your mind…

Budget Traveler (4-6 Days)

You fly into San Pedro Sula and transfer to the town of Copán Ruinas by bus (Hedman Alas, approximately 2.5 hours of beautiful rolling hills and lush tropical landscape – and check into the Luna Jaguar Resort for two nights. Rooms start at $60 per night. Eat dinner in town. Try Momo’s for a delicious dinner of “pinchos” (meat and veggie kabobs) served with beans, fresh pico de gallo and tortillas. Dinner should run you no more than $12 per person.