“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.

Honduras is no secret to the European back pack crowd, but for the more upscale travelers – say, those who don’t wince at rooms costing more than $15 a night – Honduras is usually passed over for the more well known beaches and rainforests of Costa Rica or Panama. Herein lies the opportunity! Instead of competing for a spot on white sand beaches or crowded canopy zip line tours, head to Honduras and experience those things crowd-free, along with vast cloud forests, virgin rivers, and warm locals who aren’t just seeing dollar signs when you show up. At least it sure felt that way.

Like all good river trips, the Rio Cangrejal rafting experience begins along a bumpy dirt road, past washed-out houses, eroding hillsides, with the occasional view of the river below, and a large waterfall hidden amongst the lush trees of the rainforest above. Locals walk along the roadside and children stand outside their doorsteps as if waiting for someone special to appear. And then, the vehicle bumps to a stop. You have arrived.
Pouring out of Bonito National Park near the western coastal town of La Ceiba, the Rio Cangrejal is a wild, fast-flowing river choked with enormous boulders and narrow passageways filled with steep drops and technical rock gardens.

Don’t expect any large outfitters here – rafting is still relatively new and it’s not uncommon to see only a few boats on the river during even the busiest times of year. But that’s what makes the Rio Cangrejal so special-on the river it’s hard to believe anyone else is even around.

During a recent trip to La Ceiba I got the chance to raft the lower class II-IV section of the Cangrejal River. Our guide was stellar – he spoke enough English to communicate, knew the river extremely well, and when things went screwy he fixed them instantly. The highlight of the trip had to be the scenery. Pico Bonito National Park towers to the east, while 1,000-foot waterfalls pour from a dense cloud forest so think the rock cliffs are covered with lush vegetation. The riverbanks are filled with wildlife and on a rare occasion a jaguar will emerge out of the trees to take a drink. Though I wasn’t lucky enough to see one, I could picture the magical experience as we floated downstream.

Unlike many of the river trips in the U.S., the Rio Canrejal is a wild river and not controlled by dams upstream. Daily weather can influence the flow making rapids tamer or increasing their difficulty level exponentially. There are currently three outfitters available to take visitors down, and plan on spending about three hours on the river depending on the flow.

The Bay Island of Roatan, Honduras

I’m not sure what was more exciting: standing on the platform just before taking my first leap of faith, or watching one of my fellow writers decide braking was overrated and fly into the safety block at full speed. The time I spent on the island of Roatan was spectacular, and a canopy zip line tour is a must for visitors looking to experience a shot or two of adrenaline. Aside from lounging on the miles of white sand beaches with little tourists, zip line tours are a staple adventure activity throughout Honduras.

Flying through a rainforest canopy at blinding speeds, it’s hard not to feel like superman on steroids. Located a short 20 minutes flight from La Ceiba, the island of Roatan pulls out all the stops when it comes to zip line tours. Three different tours can be found on the island and the two tours located in the West Bay area both start high and plunge towards the sea along a series of lines stretching up to several hundred feet long.

Though I didn’t get a chance to try out all the tours, I did spend an afternoon on the canopy zip line at Gumbalimba Park. The tour began with a quick safety talk and then we were off zipping along at various speeds while drinking in views of the ocean below and birds soaring overhead. The hour-long tour was a spectacular way to see the forests canopy while safely bringing me out of my comfort zone, (I tend to like water. The whole air thing is still a little new.) and the perfect way to end my Honduras tour.

From the terrace of the old Presidential Palace you can see the hill called “EL CERRO JUAN A. LAINEZ, right down the hill is the National Stadium, where the Celebration of the New President Porfirio Lobo Sosa took place. There too, is the Island Park, (parque la Isla), which is a place where I spend lost of time while I was a student, playing basket ball, swimming, or practicing one of my favorite sports, Judo. After hurricane mitch, the park was destroyed by the flood of The Choluteca River and now the place has been transformed into a public market, called Mercado La Isla.

Then, I went to the National Gallery of Arts, located in the same Plaza where Congress is located in Plaza La Merced, the exhibition is about National Art, most of them are paintings and some of the art belongs to Valladares, Vizquerra, Velasquez; located in an old style Honduran house.

Then I walked through the Central Park, and went all the way to the National Post Office, which is in front of the new National Gallery of Art for where you can take a look at the past, since the beginning of the creation of Honduras, until Presidente Maduro’s Administration. There you will have a virtual tour of the Copan Ruins, and other places in the Country, like jungles and rivers.

After that I did keep walking about two blocks, and I was in the VALLE PARK, (Parque Valle), Valle was a States man, right in front is the National Theater, the “Manuel Bonilla” beautiful building and the Architectonic details, which will kind of send you to the past about three hundred years back.

I did keep walking the streets, I did when I was a child and kept walking, taking a look of the places where I walked throughout for years, along that street keeps going the infinity river Choluteca, which now is just a reminder of what it was one time, my father told me, when he was a child too, he use to go to swim at the river, and from the top of one of the old bridges, he used to fish as well, I almost can see the kids, diving into the river and swinging from the old trees and jumping into the river. Those days are long gone, my father is too. but today I know some of my fathers past.

I ended at Park LA CONCORDIA, my favorite of all, it was built during the administration of General Carias, President of Honduras, in the forties; it is an small replica of Copan. There you can see Mayan Stelas, and some of the architectonic designs and Statues that are in Copan.

Flowers are all over, like the gigantic Napoleon which is in one of the Mayan patios of the park, that did not die during the hurricane. La Concordia, (concordance) was my favorite park to go to when I was a child, I can run everywhere and follow the doves. I saw myself, running on the sidewalks and jumping all over with my friends. There too, I spent lots of summers with my teen boyfriends, since the place is a very romantic hideaway for lovers, or the nostalgic and romantics.

This park was destroyed during Hurricane Mitch, it was completed covered by the river and tons and tons of mud and cars ended there. The houses along the river were gone too; but now
you can see the river. Luckily, the park was restored, and now is a loyal monument of my happy childhood.

When you travel to Honduras, you will also get a glimpse of the tumultuous history in the region. Maya ruins of another era meet remnants of a bitter border dispute with El Salvador and the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Book your airfare to Honduras and earn invaluable insight into the persevering culture and welcoming nature of the Honduran people. Travel to Honduras through the capital city of Tegucigalpa, where you can find connecting flights to other regions including the Caribbean.

Ruins, Reefs and Tropical Retreats

Honduras has a fascinating history of Maya civilization, Columbus’ arrival, Spanish colonialism and then finally independence from Spain in 1821. The province of Copan is one of the largest political departments in Honduras and also home to the Maya archeological site at Copan. The Copan Ruinas are located in an enchanting town of the same name, very close to the Guatemalan Border, and boast intricate sculpted works and texts dating back to the 2nd century CE.

When you book airfare to Honduras, schedule a side trip to Trujillo, the site where Columbus landed on his fourth and final trip to the New World. There are also wonderful beaches in Trujillo, protected by a bay and nature reserve. While on the Caribbean coast, do not miss the isolated La Mosquitia region in the northeast, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve. Mountainous tropical rainforests plummet to the shores where over 2000 indigenous people pursue traditional lifestyles among some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Central America.

Just off the northern shore, the Islas de la Bahia (Bay Islands) are a true tropical haven for world class divers, snorkelers, and beach rats. The islands of Roatán, Guanaja and Utila all offer various levels of resort accommodations and activities, with Guanaja at the higher end. If land activities is more your fancy, make sure to visit Parque Nacional La Tigra. This pristine national park offers hiking and wildlife viewing in the majestic cloud forests of La Tigra, just watch out for the armadillos!

The Untouched Haven of Honduras

Visitors must understand that Honduras, despite its Caribbean location, is not as comfortable or acquainted with the tourism industry. Most travelers who visit Honduras are actually attracted by this quality as Honduras offers a more grounded, realistic experience to its visitors. Book your airfare to Honduras and enjoy a culturally authentic exploration of this Central American nation. Airfare to Honduras is also largely accessible through the nation’s neighbors: El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Honduras is actually a Republic in Central America and was officially called Spanish Honduras so that it could be differentiated from British Honduras. The country of Honduras is surrounded on the southwest by EI Salvador, and Nicaragua to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the south at Gulf of Fonseca, and the Gulf of Honduras towards the north direction. The Gulf of Honduras is actually a huge inlet from the Caribbean Sea. The size of this country is more than 112,000 square kilometers where more than 8,000,000 people exist.

The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa. If we go back to the history of this country, then the archaeologists have established that it has a rich and multi-ethnic prehistory. The prehistory explores the presence of Mayan communities, especially around the city of Copan in Western Honduras, close to the border of Guatemala. Here, you will see many carved inscriptions and stelae.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

The climate of Honduras varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountains. The Central and Southern areas are comparatively hotter, and also less humid as compared to the northern coast. The territory of Honduras comprises of largely mountains, but narrow plains can also be found along the coasts. When you visit Honduras you should visit the most attractive sites, like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, along with the Coco River that separates this country from Nicaragua. Visit the Islas de la Bahia (the Bay Islands) and the Swan Islands which are part of Honduras.

The natural resources of Honduras comprise of timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coffee, coal, fish, shrimp and hydropower. This region is measured as a biodiversity hot spot due to the number of plant and animal species. It has widespread biological resources. This country has more than 6,000 species of Vascular plants out of which 630 are orchids, 250 reptiles and amphibians, over 700 bird species, 110 mammal species, and the remaining half are bats. You can experience the rain forests, cloud forests, mangroves, savannas, mountain ranges with pine and oak trees, and also the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

The Bay Islands has bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, parrot fish, schools of blue tang and whale sharks. Through this you might have gotten that Honduras has plenty of attractions to see and explore, from its flora and fauna to the exotic natural beauties.

The economy of this country has continued to grow slowly, but the tourism Industry has boomed until this past year. The infrastructure of Honduras developed rapidly. The transportation comprises of railways of 699 kilometers, roadways cover an area of 13,603 kilometers, there are seven ports and harbors, and 112 paved and unpaved airports.

Reaching here is not a big issue. American Airlines functions flights every day from Miami to Honduras. Tegucigalpa airport is located at a distance of 5 kilometers to the southeast direction of the city. Taxis and buses function to and from the city. Basic facilities like bars, restaurants, duty-free shops, banks, cars for hire, post office, and first aid are available at the airport. International airports like La Mesa International Airport, which is situated in San Pedro Sula, Goloson in La Ceiba, and Dr. Juan Manuel Galvez on Roatan are the ways to get access to the city.

To reach there by water you have major ports in the country like Amapala, EI Henecan, La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes and Roatan. Cruiseships and vessels have accommodations for passengers. Travel by cruises and you will have to depart at Roatan which is a common port for it. You can also get access to this country by road. Routes are available from EI Salvador and Nicaragua through the Pan-American Highway and also from Guatemala on the Western Highway.

There are many activities that you can try in this country. Go for hiking at the marvelous Pico Bonito National Park located close to La Ceiba. You can experience scenery, steep slopes and a number of waterfalls. Enjoy birdwatching at Lake Yojoa which is located in the western side of the country. Spelunking is the best option that you should try in the Cuyamel Caves close to Trujillo, so do not miss this opportunity. You should hire a guide for your safety at the caves.

A boat trip to Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge will make you feel pleasant and it offers animal species like monkeys, alligators and manatees and many waterbirds. Try fishing on the coasts and Lake Yojoa which is famous for bass fishing throughout the world. Scuba diving on the Bay Islands and white-water rafting along the Cangrejal River which lies close to La Ceiba are the best activities that you should try. With this, canopy touring offers excellent views of the rainforests.

Copan Ruins Archaeological Park is the best ruins that represents the culture of Mayan Indians. Ruins like Acropolis, the Great Plaza and the Court of the Hieroglyphic Stairway are the ancient ruins that are worth a visit.

Spanish buildings can be found in Trujillo on the Caribbean coast which also offers tropical beaches. Experience the great coral reef at Guanaja and Roatan. Take a deep breath at the sandy beaches bounded by palm trees on Utila. Anywhere in the country, you can experience nature like wildlife refuges and national parks, with landscapes of flora and fauna.

Today, making a best holiday is not at all a difficult task as you have millions of exotic locations waiting just to welcome you. Accommodations can also be easily done in Honduras, as it is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. You can enjoy the cloud forests, mountains, dry forests, pine forests, coastal wetlands and enormous rivers in this country.

Visit here and make your holiday a memorable one that will never erase from your mind; you will always feel refreshed whenever you think about a trip to Honduras

Most visitors stay in Roatan, the largest and most developed of the islands. Home to about 35,000 people, it is the most-visited spot in Honduras. Flights take about 15 minutes from La Ceiba – as soon as the plane rises above the clouds, it starts its descent to the island – or an hour from San Pedro Sula (including a brief stop in La Ceiba). The flight on Taca Regional costs about $90 from La Ceiba or $250 from San Pedro Sula. There are other flight options, but for a fearful flyer, Taca’s modern planes were the most attractive.

Direct flights from the US are offered by several airlines. Taca arrives from Miami on Saturday and Sunday and Continental arrives from Houston on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and from Atlanta on Saturdays. Even if you are flying within Honduras, it’s wise to know the large carrier schedules as lines at the airport can triple at times when flights to the US depart.
The island is accessible by ferry as well. The Galaxy Wave carries up to 460 people at a time, takes just under an hour, and costs about $50. Private yacht charters are also available for $50 per person each way. Unfortunately, there is currently no land or air connection (unless by charter) between Roatan and Utila. You’ll have to backtrack through La Ceiba.

Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, but it is still quite small at about 30 miles long and 3.5 miles across at its widest point. At certain spots along the main road you can actually see the Caribbean Sea on both sides of your window. The island’s east side is much more undeveloped than the west, so if you are looking for a little bit of nightlife to go with your diving, stay in West End, a small one-lane collection of open-air restaurants, bars and shops that are just a few yards from the beach. Be sure to try some of the island’s fresh-from-the-sea seafood like shrimp, lobster and conch.

Roatan recently completed a new Port, located near the island’s capital of Coxen Hole, a collection of brightly-colored homes that house most of the island’s residents. The houses were painted so vibrantly so that early postal workers could identify houses that didn’t have addresses. Letters were simply addresses to Name, color of house, Coxen Hole. During high season, cruise ships will be docking every day (even twice a day sometimes) so steer clear of this otherwise mostly residential area if you want to avoid crowds. If you are arriving via cruise ship, you can book activities in advance and hop in a cab at the Port. Cab fare to most destinations on the island’s west side will cost under $10 each way. Just negotiate your fare before getting in.

There are over two dozen dive companies operating on Roatan. One of the most popular is Anthony’s Key, a full-service dive resort that’s been in operation for over 40 years. Rooms are located in wooden cabanas that are a short boat ride across the Lagoon from the main grounds and accommodations include three meals per day. Seven-night high season dive packages start at $2000 and include all meals, three days dives, two night dives, and additional excursions.

For kids and adults, one of the most exciting aspects of Anthony’s Key is the on-site Dolphin encounter. During the summer, the resort, in cooperation with the Roatan Institute for Marine Science (R.I.M.S.) offers kids the chance to be a dolphin trainer, with a week-long Dolphin Scuba Camp. The also offer dolphin encounters, dives, and snorkel activities. During the dolphin encounter, guests learn all about dolphins, how they interact, feed and survive in the wild. They can pet the dolphin, watch it perform tricks, and mug for the camera as the dolphin gives a soft, wet kiss on the cheek.

Snorkelers can swim freely with the dolphins, watching as the dolphins swim around and below them and play with one another. Dolphin dives are also available. During the dives, the dolphins are released into the open water and then interact with the divers near a shallow reef wall. At the end of the dives, sometimes the dolphins come back to the enclosure and sometimes they don’t. If not, the dolphin trainers say, they’ll always come back with the next boat.

If you’re looking for cheaper accommodations than those offered by Anthony’s Key, stay in West End and arrange for dives with a tour operator. In West End, you can also hit the beach, rent a jet ski for the day, or just relax with a few Salva Vida beers and some live music as you watch the sunset at places like The Dive Bar.

For divers on a budget, or those who want to get certified, Utila may be a better option than Roatan. Like Roatan, the waters around Utila are teeming with life. Divers can often encounter whale sharks, dolphins and manta rays as they swim along reefs and around shipwrecks and deep drop-offs. Both islands have easy access to the Mesoamerican reef, the largest reef in region. It’s over 1000km long and is home to over 500 species of fish, 1000 manatees, and several species of dolphins.

Known as the cheapest place in the world to get SCUBA certified, Utila is home to several operators offering very attractive prices. One dive with the Utila Dive Center is $35, a package of ten dives is $250. They also offer courses to become a certified SCUBA instructor. Rooms at the attached Mango Inn start at $10 for a dorm room to $70 for a deluxe room for two. Three nights in a deluxe room with PADI certification is $339 per person.

With beautiful beaches, some of the best and cheapest diving in the world, delicious fresh seafood, and a laid back lifestyle, the Bay Islands are the perfect place for dive enthusiasts and budget beach-bums to enjoy the Caribbean.

Finca el Cisne has been owned Carlos’ family since 1885. What started as a simple farm growing Arabica coffee, corn, and beans, has grown to encompass 800 hectares (40% of which is primary forest). Visitors to the Finca will drive for nearly twenty minutes from the start of the family’s land to the main house, passing by the dwellings of Carlos’ employees who live on the land. In 2002 Carlos decided to expand the farm’s operations to include agritourism. With a subtle, quick wit, a penchant for teasing his guests (in a good-natured way) while providing an interesting and informative experience, and a clear passion for his home country, Carlos is the perfect host.

While in Honduras, I was able to spend a day at the Finca, which starts with a stop at Carlos’ rustic guesthouse. Equipped with five rooms, running water and electricity, the guesthouse is very basic but inviting. Guests who chose to come just for the day will arrive at 8am and depart at 6pm. With transportation from town the outing costs $64 per person. Once you arrive at the Finca, you’ll get to sample some of Carlos’ coffee and a light breakfast prepared from ingredients grown on the farm, such as mashed banana stuffed with beans and served with cheese, an unusual combination that was actually delicious.

From there Carlos took my group on a tour, stopping to point out the many fruits grown on the property, including passion-fruit, mango, mandarin, avocado, banana, plantain, breadfruit, starfruit, lime and grapefruit. Along the way, he’d reach for a fruit, sliver off a piece with his knife, and pass out samples.

Then we were off to the coffee mill to learn about how coffee is produced from start to finish. First Carlos showed us the fruit, which blooms in stages from January to April and begins ripening in December. When the fruit turns red, it is handpicked and the beans are extracted from the fruit (which is used for compost) by machine. The beans are fermented, washed, and then cycled through a series of troughs that allow the low-quality beans to run off and the higher quality (heavier) beans to remain until they are pushed through.

The beans are then spread on the ground to sun dry (and then often moved to a drum to machine dry) and the finished green beans are extracted from their shells. The majority of the beans will be exported while they are still green and then roasted to the taste of their destination country.

While all of this was fascinating for me (and the smell of the coffee was making me rethink my aversion to caffeine), I was anxious to get to the next part….the horseback riding. So Carlos led us over to a small pasture where several horses were saddled and waiting. As the most experienced in the group, I was given the horse Carlos normally rides, while he rode a younger horse that he was training.

With Carlos and another guide we set out to explore the property. Again Carlos would stop, point out the many fruits and edible flowers growing around us, and offer up tasty samples. We walked and trotted our way along a dirt road and then entered a field where Carlos gave us the go-ahead to pick up a little speed. I leaned forward, gave my horse some free rein, and we were off, galloping through the brush and up a hill. After an exhilarating ride to the top, my horse simply stopped and waited for the rest of the group to catch up.

For another hour we explored the property, taking in the views of the rolling green valley below, passing cows and horses grazing in the fields, and again and again taking off at a breathtaking but controlled gallop through the countryside. I can honestly say it was the single best horseback riding experience I have ever had while traveling. All too soon it was time to head back to the house for lunch.

We wandered around the main house gawking at photos of Carlo’s ancestors with jaguars they shot on the property to keep them from eating the cattle. We sat down to a lunch of traditional Honduran food (the menu for which changes based on seasonal availability). We started with coffee (of course), fresh orange juice, and a bean soup with fresh-made corn tortillas and cheese. Then heaping plates of food were served family-style, including potatoes, watercress salad, braised beef, and more beans, tortillas, and fresh cheese. A sweet plantain in a syrup of cardamom from the farm was served for dessert. To complete the day, and to help soothe any sore muscles from the ride, Carlos takes guests to the local hot springs for a relaxing soak.

There are other coffee tours in Copan, and I had the opportunity to do another one during my time in the region. But this one was the best. The tour was informative and, thanks to Carlos’ humor and passion, very entertaining. Lunch was delicious, the property was beautiful, and I think there is no better way to see this area of cowboys and coffee plantations than on the back of a horse.

by Katie Hammel

Just last year Honduras was on the fast track to becoming the next Costa Rica, the next hot destination for eco-tourism in Central America. While it was still mostly undiscovered by mass tourism (in a poll done by the Institute of Tourism, only 4% of Americans said they consider Central America for a vacation and only 1% said they even knew of Honduras), adventurous travelers, backpackers, dive-enthusiasts and lovers of Central America were coming in numbers close to half a million people per year.

From 2006 to 2007 arrivals from North America increased by 25%. The next year they grew by 19%. The tourism industry became the largest employer in the nation and brought in $630 million of revenue in 2008.

Then President Zelaya was ousted. There were protests in the capital and curfews were instated. When Zelaya tried to return, the Tegucigalpa airport was closed for a few days. Eventually the situation calmed and life returned to normal. Normal, except that the tourists who supported a large section of the country’s economy were gone. Some hotels saw nearly their entire year’s worth of bookings cancel within a week of June 28th. 35 Habitat for Humanity groups scheduled to come to Honduras decided to go elsewhere. Tour companies looking forward to a full schedule began to wonder how many employees they’d have to let go.

While all of this is bad news for Honduras, it’s one reason why now is the perfect time to visit. With fewer crowds the country truly feels undiscovered, and with all the discounts being offered to lure in tourists, the already low cost of visiting is even lower. Flights from Chicago on Spirit Airlines are just $250 through April. Taca, Delta, American and Continental also operate regular flights to the country and the trip from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to San Pedro Sula is just over two hours.

Where to go and what to see
I’ll be covering a few of these destinations more in depth in coming posts, but the three main areas that most tourists will explore (as Grant mentioned in a previous post about his own trip to the country) are the Northern Coast around La Ceiba, the Bay Islands including Roatan, and Copan Ruinas, near the border with Guatemala.

The most popular spot for tourists on the Northern Coast is La Ceiba, home to dozens of luxurious eco-lodges. For a little more action you’ll want to stay in the city though. There’s a saying in Honduras that “Tegucigalpa thinks, San Pedro works, La Ceiba parties” so if you’re looking for some nightlife, this is the place to be. If you want to get further off the beaten path or explore the culture of the Garifuna people (descendants of black slaves who shipwrecked in the area), head up the coast to Tela or take a short boat ride to the archipelago of Cayos Cochinos

From La Ceiba, the Bay Islands are just a 20 minute flight or a cheap ferry ride away. On the islands of Guanaja, Utila, and Roatan, you’ll hardly feel like you’re in Central America at all. With miles of sandy white beaches, crystal clear water, and some of the cheapest scuba diving around, these islands rival any in the Caribbean, but at a much lower price. While the large Infinity Bay Beach Resort wasn’t quite my style (I prefer small B&Bs and hostels), it was beautiful and I could find no fault with it except for spotty wi-fi service. Situated on the deserted end of a long white beach, it featured a gorgeous infinity pool, beachfront bar and restaurant, and spacious rooms with full kitchens, with rates starting at $200 per night. In West End, more moderate beachfront accommodations can easily be found for $40-$80 per night.

Other than lounging on the beach, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, jet skiing, or just relaxing with a few beers at a beachfront bar in West End, you can also go horseback riding or spend a day at Gumbalimba Park, an adventure park with Roatan’s best zipline – ten lines that crisscross through the canopy, offering views all the way to the sea, and depositing you along the water’s edge on the beach. After the ziplining you can meet free-roaming monkeys who will descend from the trees to perch on your shoulder.

To get to Copan Ruinas, a small village of cobble-stone streets, you’ll need to take a 3-hour bus (about $10) from San Pedro. Take Dramamine as the road is quite twisty. The town is less than a mile away from the area’s main attraction, the beautifully-restored Mayan ruins at Copan. You can join an organized tour, make the 20-minute walk down a paved path from town, or pay 20 lempiras ($1) to catch a ride to the ruins on a mototaxi, a tiny motorized rickshaw.

The area around the town is known for its coffee production and several plantations welcome visitors for tours and tastings. There is also a nearby hot spring called Luna Jaguar where for $10, you can soak in the healing waters or splurge on a $30 massage in a hut perched above the mouth of the steaming spring.

In town, you can score a hostel dorm bed for $5 or a private room for $8. Rooms at one of the nicest and oldest hotels, the Hotel Marina Copan (where Richard Gere once stayed), start at $90 per night and feature plush beds, free wi-fi, room service, bottled water, mini-fridges and microwaves. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, a large pool in the courtyard, colonial architecture, tile floors and marble bathrooms, and some of the friendliest staff I encountered in the country.

To be honest, before this trip I’d never considered a visit to Honduras and didn’t think I cared much for Central America. All that changed when I saw Copan Ruinas. As I wandered the narrow, cobbled streets, shopped for handmade crafts, ordered up a steaming plate of grilled pork served with beans and corn tortillas (for just $1) from a street vendor, browsed the eclectic farmer’s market, and sat in the town’s central square, watching children play and the occaisional horse clip-clop through town, I fell in love with Copan Ruins and with the people of Honduras.

Everywhere I went in Honduras, I was struck by how beautiful it was, and how empty of other tourists. While the main square in Copan was full of activity, I saw only two other tourists during my time in the town. At a beach bar in Roatan, it seemed we were the only people who didn’t know everyone else there. And at the ruins in Copan, it felt like we had a centuries-old playground all to ourselves.

Costs and Cuisine
The cuisine in Honduras is typically Central American. Beans and corn tortillas (which you can buy at 10 for $1 at most markets) figure prominently, especially in the signature baleada – a meal of beans and fresh cheese (and sometimes egg or other ingredients) in a corn tortilla, which sells for about $1. Fried plantains, fresh juice and fruit, avocado, and, along the coast and on the islands, incredibly fresh seafood, are also inexpensive staples of the cuisine.

The most expensive meal I had, a huge pile of creamy, tender Lobster thermidor, cost about $30. Lobster pasta and fresh shrimp dishes were $10 each, and chicken fajitas or a heaping plate of beans, cheese, avocado and chorizo were $5 and large enough to feed two. Mixed drinks and fruity frozen concoctions ranged from $2.50 to $5, and cold bottles of the local Salva Vida beer were $1.50.

While those looking for luxury in Honduras can certainly find it, budget travelers could do very well here on $20-$30 per person per day for food, drinks and accommodations. More middle-of-the-road travelers, those who like to save money but enjoy a certain level of comfort, could easily spend less than $150 for hotel, food and drinks for two people.

Safety and the Current Situation
While in Honduras, I visited La Ceiba, Roatan and Copan. During that time, I took every opportunity to talk with tourism operators and with people on the street. When asked they all replied the same way. Not only was there currently no danger from the political situation, but in that area, there never had been. In Roatan, one man corrected me: “This isn’t Honduras,” he said, “this is the Bay Islands.” There were no curfews here, no protests, just the same beautiful beaches and pristine diving conditions as always. In Copan I walked around for an afternoon alone and felt as safe or safer than I have in any other country.

When the political situation became unstable nearly all of the unrest happened near the capital of Tegucigalpa, hours inland from the more touristy areas. Even though the US State Department Travel Alert acknowledged that the protests were mainly peaceful and that they were concentrated in the capital, it still warned Americans to steer clear of the entire country, which is kind of like telling someone not to visit Chicago because of the high crime rate in certain areas of the city’s South Side. During my visit in early November, I saw no signs of trouble, save for some political graffiti around San Pedro, but again if graffiti made a place unsafe I’d never venture outside my apartment. Walking around the city and shopping at the large market, I saw no other evidence of unrest and never felt as though I were in danger.

Just a few days ago the Supreme Court of Honduras voted overwhelmingly against allowing Zelaya to return to finish out the final two months of his term (which was cut short when he was escorted out of the country after attempting to interfere with a vote that would allow him to change the constitution and remain President indefinitely). I’m betting the people I met couldn’t be happier with the outcome. In fact every single person I spoke with supported the removal of Zelaya, who they said was “Chavez’s puppet” and had acted illegally. Not only were they disappointed that the US State Department had issued a blanket warning against travel to Honduras, they were also eager were to dispel the myths they felt the media had been spreading about the country’s situation.

A source I spoke with in the country now said since the vote there have been no issues and that, as with any election, while Zelaya’s supporters are no doubt disappointed, the elections were peaceful and protests and disruptions are not expected. That’s good news for the people of Honduras, especially those in the tourist industry who are waiting with bated breath to see how long it will take for the tourists to come back.

In the mean time, they’re doing their best to encourage visitors. Many resorts are posting 2010 rates that are lower than 2009’s. Others are offering two-for-one deals or extending their low season rates throughout high season. The country is safe, beautiful and diverse, the people are warm and welcoming, the prices are low and the tourists are few. So if you are thinking about a trip to Central America, I suggest you consider Honduras – now is the perfect time to go.

by Katie Hammel

Have you considered taking a cruise?

“I think cruising is one of the best values, and the food is good,” says Pacifica’s Marisol Vuskovic. The retired travel agent and cruise enthusiast has sailed with Princess Cruises 18 times and enjoys repeat customer benefits such as cabin upgrades, complimentary laundry and mini bar and 150 free Internet minutes.

“Cruising is especially good for families,” notes Vuskovic. “They can do as little or as much as they like and make use of the kids program.”

Authentic Roatan, Honduras

The Crown Princess docked in Roatan to threatening skies and rough seas. I had booked a dolphin encounter shore excursion, but selected “Best of Roatan” as all water activities were canceled. Our van traveled to Dixon Cove harbor, where we were to board a boat to see the shipwrecks. Travel Tip: November is still the rainy season.

Our journey continued to watch Garifuna, descendants of black Carib Indians, play music and share traditional dances that have been handed down from generation to generation since they settled here in 1797. We tasted local cuisine like Yuka bread and Machuca, a mix of mashed plantain, white fish and coconut milk.

Stingrays and Dolphins

As I jumped into the brilliant aquamarine Caribbean water, I laughed at the fact that I was standing waist deep on a sand bar in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on Grand Cayman. Our guide had cautioned us to shuffle our feet along the sand so as not to step on stingrays.

Holding a chunk of squid in my hand, stingrays glided by, softly brushing my legs with their wings. As I reached down to feed the mama, she sucked the squid out of my hand like a Hoover vacuum. The suction power on those stingrays is amazing!

Leaving Stingray City, we were headed to Morgan’s Harbor for a dolphin swim in the lagoon. It was my first dolphin encounter, and I was caught off guard when Nemo popped out of the water like a cork and planted a salty kiss on my cheek. I was grinning ear to ear when I grabbed onto his fins and hitched a ride.

The adventure continues tomorrow – for tonight, we enjoyed fine cocktails and a leisurely walk along the beach in the moonlight. The things only dreams are made of!

What a Trip: Caribbean pleasures
By Nancy D. Brown

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.

In my own humble opinion, it’s when tourists stop visiting a country that places have to lay people off. And when people are laid off, that’s when they resort to violence and crime in order to feed their families.

Honduran businesses are doing everything they can to draw people to their doorstep – 2 for 1 discounts, low season rates during high season, etc. So, for what it’s worth, if you’re looking for a great vacation destination for a low cost, I recommend Honduras. It’s safe and interesting …

Enough of that … now on to my trip.

We went from dawn to dusk and beyond, and then, of course, I had to login to the WiFi and get some work done. We met with representatives of the tourism sector in the country and had to take tours of some things the average tourists wouldn’t visit (the new cruise port on Roatan, for example), but I also got to do a ton of really cool things that I might not have done on my own.

La Ceiba:
Billed as an eco-tourism destination. We stayed at a fancy-schmancy eco-resort that was located on the edge of Pico Bonito National Park, which has miles of hiking trails. We had crappy weather in La Ceiba, and I didn’t have much time to hike, but we did get to go whitewater rafting, which was fun and redeeming since my last rafting experience was on the Nile River and left me a bit turned upside down to the notion of rafting. The water wasn’t all that cold since we were being rained on. The rapids were class II to IV, so nothing too rough, and parts of the river were actually quite shallow.

Roatan:
Roatan is a part of the Bay Islands, located in the Caribbean. In fact, some people on Roatan believe it should be its own nation. A lot of cruise ships dock here, though I fear a lot of them barely get far from the dock. In fact, the person from the PR firm who was leading our group said that many of the people who dock don’t even realize they’re in Honduras.

We had some afterthought rain showers as a result of Hurricane Ida that came through a couple days before, so we never got to take the sunset sail that was on the schedule, but we did get to snorkel with dolphins and go zip lining, which were my personal favorites on the island. I wasn’t such a big fan of the macaw and monkey experiences, as I’m just generally not a fan of zoos of sorts. A lot of the monkeys were free to roam the treetops, but not all of them. Nonetheless, I got a few shots of me with some of the free roamers.

The resort we stayed in was a 5-star beauty, and the rooms would more accurately be described as a condo. It had a bedroom, kitchen, living room and balcony. My favorite part of the resort was the infinity pool.

Copan:
Copan is a quaint, quiet town seven miles from the Guatemala border. It is very different than either La Ceiba or Roatan. The streets are cobblestone and narrow. Cowboys lounge on the street corners. Women chill with their goods laid out on the blankets on the sidewalk. It’s a very chill and laidback place.

Copan is best known for its Mayan ruins, which are some of the most intricate and finest examples of Mayan ruins in the whole world. When we went, there were hardly any people there. We had a guide, and anyone who visits the grounds would be wise to hire a guide as well. It provides a lot more context for the ruins. One of the coolest parts of the ruins is that it is home to the longest inscription of hieroglyphics in the world. That’s what makes it an UNESCO Heritage Site.

We visited a macaw sanctuary as well, which I liked a lot better than the one on Roatan, because here the birds were actually free to fly away if they wanted to.

The other really fantastic thing we did while we were in Copan was go to a ranch … my introduction to agritourism, which was fantastic. The farmer, Carlos, grows over 90% of the family’s food on the farm. We got a quick introduction to some of the produce grown on the grounds in the morning, and nearly our whole lunch came from the grounds ~ produce, meat, butter, etc. He showed us all the workings of his on-site coffee plantation, and the “highlight” of our farm visit was the horseback riding. So it turns out that I’m not such a big fan of horseback riding … My horse, Sol, was definitely gentle enough, but I guess I’m just not a big horse person. The countryside was beautiful, though. To top off our stay in Copan, we went to the hot springs (definitely needed after the jarring horseback ride), which were isolated and totally engulfed in the rainforest. Overall, Copan was a very relaxing place to end our stay.

We had spent months planning a vacation across Honduras, but now Latin America’s first military coup in decades was unfolding on the third day of our trip. Not exactly part of our plans, and definitely not included in guidebooks that painted Honduras as the Next Big Destination for affordable eco-tourism.

“The military flew him out of the country at gunpoint,” said Kuken, a Boston native who owns Casa Calico on this beautiful island known for its scuba diving and snorkeling.

We wondered whether it would be possible to have fun and relax in a beautiful country going through political chaos. The answer turned out to be a resounding yes — with some changes in plans and a bit of luck…

Read the story
Rest and Unrest on Vacation in Honduras here.

By RYAN J. FOLEY Associated Press Writer
ROATAN, Honduras November 16, 2009