Honduras

Understand

The word Honduras means "depths" in the Spanish language.

Get in

thumb|450px|Visa policy of Honduras

See

Ruins of Copan Roatan Island Utila Island

Do

Honduras is great not only for tourism, but also for opportunities to volunteer and help aid those that live in impoverished conditions. This nation is a popular destination for medical aid groups and various private aid and mission groups. Aid organizations that have a presence in Honduras are World Vision, World Gospel Outreach, Fundacion Casa De Luz, Red Cross, Foundation Free The Oppressed, and several others. The U.S. Peace Corps, however, is no longer active due to security risks. Service and aid trips may not be for everyone, however. If your intention is to enjoy a good vacation, then it is best to travel to Honduras apart from aid organizations and missions. Either way, a trip to Honduras is rewarding and enjoyable, whether you visit to serve or to see the fantastic beauty of this Central American nation.

The Caribbean Coast of Honduras is home to the Bay Islands: Utila, Roatán, and Guanaja. Here you will find the Earth's second-largest coral reef. If you wish to become a certified diver, diving schools are well known in Utila and Roatán. Also, Utila provides hiking, kayaking, and a beach for eco-friendly and nature-intrigued tourist. Or you may prefer a scuba dive in Roatán. Where you will have the chance to swim in the clear waters near the reef's gigantic barrel sponges.

The Mosquito Coast, a large rainforest located in the northeast region, is for the adventurous traveler to explore the natural wonders of the plains and wildlife of the tropics. There are tribal…

Eat

thumb|Baleada and orange juice The Honduran "Plato típico" is the most famous lunch. It consists of rice, beef, fried beans (frijolitos), and fried plantains (tajaditas). If you are lucky, it will also come with chimol, a fresh, non-spicy salsa made of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cilantro and lime juice.

Baleadas are a Honduran original, and a nearly ubiquitous cheap and quick meal. A baleada sencilla (simple) consists of a thick flour tortilla filled with refried beans, cheese (queso), and a type of cream similar to sour cream but not sour (crema or mantequilla). These can be found for as little as 10-15 Lempira. A baleada especial usually also comes with eggs in it and you can sometimes get avocado or even meat these range from 30-50 Lempira.

Other choices are tacos and enchiladas, though don't expect them to be like those in Mexico. The tacos are meat rolled in a corn tortilla and deep fried. The enchiladas are a flat fried corn tortilla topped with ground beef, cheese and a red sauce.

One commonly known Honduran treat is called a macheteada, which is a tortilla filled with sweet, sugary, flour and sugar.

Pinchos y pupusas (tocino, queso, etc.)

Drink

San Pedro Sula has some of the country's best nightlife and is a great place to go out and dance the night away or to catch up on all the latest movies. The capital city, Tegucigalpa, also has a great nighttime scene. Nightlife should be reserved for those tourists who know the culture and language extremely well, however, as it can be slightly dangerous for those who do not understand the dangers involved in the nightlife world of Honduras. There are several nightclubs and casinos that have excellent facilities, however, illegal activities are also much more common in these places. The possibility of crime greatly escalates after dark as well, no matter what part of the country one may be in.

Honduran Coffee is great, recognized around the world for its rich taste, with the brands from Copan are usually being the best. Welches is considered to be the best by many locals. A less well known, yet very rich blend is Cloud Forest brand of coffee, which is grown in the higher "Cloud Forest" regions of the nation. This brand also offers buyers the chance to help aid organizations every time the product is purchased. Coffee from Lepaera, Lempira, was judged to be the best coffee in the world but can be difficult to find, even in Lepaera itself, since it is highly demanded around the world and exported accordingly.

Great "licuados" -fruit juices and milk shakes- (mango, piña, watermelon, banana, etc.)are common and worth trying almost anywhere in the country.

Alcoholic beverages a…

Sleep

Depending where you plan to visit, you will find hotels that provide great services. The capital city, Tegucigalpa, for instance has the Intercontinental hotel and other such accommodations.

Stay safe

thumb|City hall of San Pedro Sula Use common sense at all times and be aware of your surroundings. Foreigners are sometimes robbed on the streets of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula at night by thieves who stake out areas in front of tourist hotels, and even in daylight if one happens to be in the wrong part of the city. When taking a taxi in Tegucigalpa check for radio dispatched walkie talkies as people have been robbed at gun or knife point.

Violent crime is common enough in San Pedro Sula with robberies and even gang violence. San Pedro Sula, in fact, has the highest murder rate of any city of Honduras, though mainly among rival gangs seeking to control the various illicit trades. Violent crime and robbery is also very common in Tegucigalpa, the capital city, as well as other smaller towns throughout Honduras.

Honduras has one of the highest per capita homicide rates in the world, with 42 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants in 2017. Murder is a common day to day issue in all of Honduras, especially for LGBT people, a problem which has put increased strain on private aid organizations and missions in the country, and has even forced the U.S. Peace Corps to withdraw all personnel due to safety reasons. While the murder rate has fallen from its 2012 peak, crime rates remain high. The U.S. Department of State advises travelers to reconsider travel to the country due to crime, and not travel to Gracias a Dios Department due to crime (Dec 2019).

Use caution when traveling …

Stay healthy

Purified water is used in big-city hotels and restaurants, but bottled water is definitely recommended for outlying areas. Remember to never use the water out of the tap, unless you are certain it is safe. Use bottled water to brush teeth and drink.

Malaria occurs in rural areas, Roatán and other Bay Islands.

Dengue fever is endemic in both urban and rural areas.

Many travel agencies and different places will tell you that Honduras is a dangerous country concerning illnesses. This is not true. People are just as ill all over Latin America (nothing out of what is normal), just take the necessary precautions. HIV is a problem in Honduras so be careful as you would in your own country.

Carry a first aid kit and have contact phone numbers with you.

If hiking or spending significant time in the great outdoors, be prepared for a wide range of natural threats and nuisances including snakes, spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes, and ticks. On the upswing, however, you can actually pick fruit such as mangos, oranges, lemons and starfruit right off the trees.

After your stay in Honduras, as with other countries which have parasite risks in the water supply, it is wise to consult a doctor and request an anti-parasite medicine such as Albendazol, Mebendazole, or Praziquantel.

Respect

thumb|Montaña de Uyuca Despite violence and widespread poverty, Honduran citizens are friendly people who appreciate a respectful manner and are welcoming to tourists. As with any other country, use caution when choosing what groups to approach and spend time with, as you will most likely not know the local customs of the area, but most of the time Hondurans will be friendly and more than happy to help you. Also, there are several aid organizations and missions in Honduras. If one happens to run into aid workers during their travels it is good to be respectful of their work even if one does not agree with that group's message. Respect should always be demonstrated in Honduras to the poor, as there is a high poverty rate. Also, in many areas of Honduras women are treated with less respect, so as a tourist it is important to demonstrate equal respect to both men and women to show that you are friendly and do not intend to insult any group but simply enjoy the culture.