Planning a trip to Honduras

Tips for Student Travelers

While student discounts will not save you significant amounts of cash while in Honduras, you'd be wise to arm yourself with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which offers substantial savings on plane tickets and the occasional entrance fee. It also provides you with basic health and life insurance and a 24-hour help line. The card is available from STA Travel (tel. 800/781-4040 in North America; www.statravel.com, or www.statravel.co.uk in the U.K.), the biggest student travel agency in the world. If you're no longer a student but are still under 26, you can get an International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) from the same people, which entitles you to some discounts (but not on museum admissions). Travel CUTS (tel. 800/667-2887 or 416/614-2887; www.travelcuts.com) offers similar services for both Canadians and U.S. residents. Irish students may prefer to turn to USIT (tel. 01/602-1600; www.usit.ie), an Ireland-based specialist in student, youth, and independent travel.

Health & Safety

General Availability of Health Care

Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT; tel. 716/754-4883, or 416/652-0137 in Canada; www.iamat.org) for tips on travel and health concerns, and for lists of local English-speaking doctors. The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa (tel. 504/236-9320; http://honduras.usembassy.gov) also has a list of English-speaking doctors that you can download from their website. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (tel. 800/311-3435; www.cdc.gov) provides up-to-date information on health hazards by region or country, and offers tips on food safety. The website www.tripprep.com, sponsored by a consortium of travel medicine practitioners, may also offer helpful advice on traveling abroad. You can find listings of reliable clinics overseas at the International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org).

Before You Go

Hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, smallpox, and typhoid shots are recommended (but not required) for visitors planning to be in contact with local residents on an extended basis. Hepatitis B is suggested, as well, but not required. Malaria and yellow fever are extremely rare, yet if you intend on visiting extremely remote areas in La Mosquitia, you may want to discuss with your doctor your options for prevention. A short case of diarrhea or a 24-hour stomach bug is usually the most serious medical issue a traveler will face. It can occur even if you avoid unwashed vegetables and drink only bottled water, so bring antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin to help. In most cases, you just have to drink lots of water and sweat it out.

Common Ailments

Traveler's Diarrhea -- Few visitors to Honduras experience anything other than run-of-the-mill traveler's diarrhea in reaction to unfamiliar foods and any microorganisms in them, although outbreaks of cholera and hepatitis have occurred in recent years. Honduras's tap water should be avoided. Bottled water is widely available throughout the country and cheap. You can eat fruits and vegetables, just be sure that they are washed in purified water before you eat them; that concern applies mostly to street vendors, as any upscale or tourist restaurant knows to use purified water. If your stool is bloody or diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, you should seek medical attention.

Cholera -- Outbreaks of cholera do still occur in Honduras on a somewhat regular basis, usually in the rainy season. To avoid the disease, always wash your hands before eating, drink only bottled water, and be careful with what you eat.

Tropical Illnesses -- Mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever do occur in Honduras, especially during the rainy season, when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Malaria can best be treated with chloroquine, a once-weekly pill found in most drugstores in the country, while dengue fever usually lasts for just a few days and is untreatable. The best prevention for either disease is fending off mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeve clothing, spraying insect repellent, and using mosquito nets. Repellent with 25% to 35% DEET, which should be applied to skin and clothing -- but never on open wounds, eyes, or children under 2 years of age -- will last up to 3 hours and is widely considered to be the most effective. Typhoid fever is caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. Symptoms, which resemble those of malaria, include fever, headaches, muscle aches, dizziness, nausea, and abdominal pain. It usually goes away on its own, but the use of ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin will help alleviate symptoms. Yellow fever no longer occurs in Honduras, or elsewhere in Central America, for that matter.

Bugs, Bites, & Other Wildlife Concerns -- While Honduras is a relatively untamed country with all sorts of wildlife, most animal injuries are related to someone's attempt to touch or feed an animal. This is a big no-no. Even dogs and cats in the streets should be avoided. Any animal bite should be immediately washed with soap, and then add an antiseptic such as alcohol or iodine. Visit a doctor immediately to see if rabies shots will be needed. It is wise to begin taking antibiotics, as many wounds tend to become infected.

Snake and scorpion bites, while rare, do occasionally affect the passing traveler. Poisonous snakes found in Honduras include the fer-de-lance, bushmaster, coral snake, and several rattlesnakes. Snakes rarely attack humans except when they get too close or accidentally step near them. If a venomous snake bites someone, keep the victim at rest and immobilized and take them to the nearest medical center. A digital photo of a snake or remembering the markings and color of the skin can be extremely helpful to a doctor.

Scorpions can be found all over the country. They are not life threatening, but their stings do hurt. If bitten, pack the wound with ice and go to the nearest medical facility. To prevent scorpion bites, be sure to inspect your bed before getting in, and your shoes and clothes before putting them on.

Leishmaniasis -- Sand flies, sometimes called no-see-ums, are far more annoying than mosquitoes in Honduras, in most cases. On the Bay Islands (more so on Utila and Guanaja than Roatán) and along the North Coast, they can be extra pesky, and traditional mosquito repellents don't always seem to work. Usually, their bites only cause small red, itchy bumps, but they can also cause leishmaniasis, an infection that causes ulcers to appear over exposed parts of the body. To prevent against sand fly bites, sleep with a finely netted mosquito net and wear long sleeves and pants when these critters are near.

Chagas' Disease -- Chagas' is one of those rare diseases that everyone talks about but always thinks is an urban legend. In the walls and roofs of houses, mostly substandard buildings made of mud or adobe brick, in lowland and coastal areas throughout Latin America, blood-sucking triatomine insects bite and lay their feces on human skin, usually the face. When itching, the human rubs the feces into the bite or on an open sore. The infection leads to swollen glands and fever, usually 1 to 2 weeks after the bite, and then goes into remission for periods of years and sometimes never returns. Young children are especially susceptible to this disease.

HIV/AIDS -- HIV is a very serious danger in Honduras, and numbers have spiraled out of control in recent years. The relaxed attitudes toward prostitution by men are the likely cause, and a large percentage of sex workers in the country are infected. Many continue working. San Pedro Sula and the North Coast are areas that have been hit especially hard by HIV/AIDS. Use of a condom is a wise move on many levels.

What to Do If You Get Sick Away from Home

Medical care in Honduras is a mixed bag. In rural communities, proper medical facilities may be nonexistent. Doctors and hospitals tend to be considerably better in larger cities, such as San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa, where many doctors are English-speaking. In smaller towns, always visit a private clinic instead of a public hospital. Some rural areas have only a basic clinic, and you'll need to travel to the nearest large town for more complicated procedures. We list hospitals and emergency numbers under "Fast Facts" throughout this guide.

If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your departure -- especially if planning to visit high altitudes. Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage, and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels -- otherwise, they won't make it through airport security. Carry the generic name of prescription medicines, in case a local pharmacist is unfamiliar with the brand name.

For travel abroad, you may have to pay all medical costs upfront and be reimbursed later.

Safety

Like most other Latin American countries, Honduras has its good parts and bad parts concerning safety. Violent crimes do occur in the country, and foreign visitors have on rare occasions been murdered, raped, assaulted, or kidnapped. While it is mostly contained to major cities, violent crime is a serious issue and contributes to the country's frightening murder rate, which is one of the highest in the world. While tourist areas are considerably safer than other parts of the country, common-sense safety methods should be used.

A traveler's principal concerns are pickpockets and break-ins, which do occur in large cities, especially Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba. The downtown areas of each of these cities tend to be the most dangerous, and gang violence was a serious issue in Tegus for a number of years, though this is no longer the issue it once was.

In Olancho and La Mosquitia, drug smugglers coming up through Central America from South America do exist, though it is rare that a foreign tourist will encounter anything of the sort. Drug use and possession in general is not taken lightly in any Latin American country, and numerous tourists have been given long sentences in Honduran jails. Do not buy, transport, or carry drugs in Honduras. If you are caught with drugs, your embassy will not help you. Police presence on highways in Olancho tends to be minimal; therefore, cars are often the targets of armed robbers. You should use extreme caution when traveling in this region and never drive at night.

Chances are you won't see or have any problems, though with some very simple precautions, you will considerably decrease your chances of being the victim of a crime.

In downtown areas, do not walk alone, especially at night, and use taxi cabs called from a trusted source, such as your hotel manager, to get from place to place. Note a cab driver's name and license number, and do not allow him to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before you depart, and have small bills available for payment. When driving, do so with your doors locked and windows up, especially in downtown areas, where carjacking is more common. For bus travel, stick to daylight hours and, when possible, go with first-class operators. Never leave valuables in your rental car, and always keep a close eye on your belongings when in public. Don't flash gold or silver jewelry, large amounts of cash, iPods, or digital cameras. Even slick new US$300 backpacks are an attractive item for local thieves and the occasional sleazy backpacker. While you may not always be able to just blend in, you do not have to act like an easy target. If you are the victim of a crime, contact a police officer immediately, either in person or by dialing tel. 199.

Getting There

By Plane

Honduras has four international airports, in San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Roatán, and La Ceiba. While Tegucigalpa tends to be far from most major tourist attractions, more and more flights are shifting to San Pedro Sula, which isn't much of a tourist destination in itself. From San Pedro, you will generally find the cheapest and most frequent flights, plus it is a hub of bus travel and is within a few hours drive of almost anywhere in the country. La Ceiba is the point of transfer between the Bay Islands and the mainland, and is near many major attractions on the North Coast; however, few international flights outside of charters land here. If your trip centers on the Bay Islands, flying into Roatán tends to be easiest; however, you will generally find considerably less-expensive deals by flying to the mainland and transferring by bus and ferry to the islands.

There is an international departure tax of approximately US$34, payable in cash only in U.S. dollars or Honduran lempiras, from any of these airports. The departure tax on all domestic flights is approximately US$1.50 and is also payable only in U.S. dollars or Honduran lempiras.

From North America -- There are nonstop flights and connections from the United States and Canada to every international airport, although the most frequent flights land in San Pedro Sula's Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) and Tegucigalpa's Tocontín International Airport (TGU). The major carriers are American (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com), Continental (tel. 800/231-0856; www.continental.com), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212; www.delta.com), TACA (tel. 800/400-8222; www.taca.com), and Spirit (tel. 800/772-7117; www.spiritair.com). There are daily nonstop flights from Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale, and Newark (seasonally) to San Pedro Sula and/or Tegucigalpa. There are also nonstop flights to Roatán (Bay Islands) on Thursdays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays with Continental (Houston), Delta (Atlanta), and TACA (Miami and Houston).

From Europe -- Apart from a seasonal weekly charter between Milan and Roatán, there are no other direct flights from the U.K. and Europe to Honduras. Delta, Continental, and American Airlines fly between Europe and Honduras through transfer points in the United States.

From Australia & New Zealand -- From Australia and New Zealand, your best bet for getting to Honduras is by connecting in a North American gateway such as Los Angeles or Houston, and then taking any of the airlines listed under "From North America," above.

By Bus

Bus travel to and from other Central American countries is quite common with long-term travelers, but it might be too slow-going if you're visiting a region for a short period of time.

The most common long-distance bus operator in the region is Tica Bus (16a Calle and Av. 5; tel. 504/220-0579; www.ticabus.com), which has daily departures from Tegucigalpa to San Salvador (6 1/2 hr.), Managua (7-8 hr.), and Guatemala City (14 hr.) that continue as far as Mexico and Panama.

Hedman Alas (13a Calle and Av. 11; tel. 504/237-7143), which offers daily service from Copán to Antigua and Guatemala City, is a better way to get around in Honduras and has more frequent departures. King Quality (tel. 504/2553-4547; www.king-qualityca.com) has daily service between San Salvador, El Salvador, and Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula.

There are many less-direct routes to the El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua borders via slow, crowded chicken buses that make as many stops as physically possible, can fit an infinite number of passengers, and rarely cost more than a dollar or two. Most will stop at the border where buses are waiting on the other side. If you are on a budget or just traveling a short distance, they aren't a bad choice, but if you have money or less time, stick to a reputable company -- prices anywhere in the region rarely top L100 per hour of travel, and they will help you move through immigration smoothly and help you bypass much of the crime that takes place in border areas.

By Car

The major entry point by road into Honduras is along the Pan-American Highway, which cuts across a tiny southern corner of the country between the borders of El Salvador and Nicaragua, covering just 105km (65 miles). This is the most common point of road access into the country and connects to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula via CA-4. While mountains and jungle isolate much of the rest of the border territory, there are smaller border crossings into El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

By Boat

Cruise-ship visits to Honduras have exploded in recent years as both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines have opened new terminals on Roatán, attracting more than a dozen different cruise lines. So far, the only other cruise port is at Puerto Cortés, though stops here are rare. There is talk of adding terminals on Utila, Trujillo, and near Tela Bay, though so far, no concrete plans have been launched.

There is also one regular international ferry route in Honduras. From Puerto Cortés, 64km (40 miles) north of San Pedro Sula, D-Express (tel. 504/991-0778; www.belizeferry.com) runs a ferry service to Big Creek/Mango Creek and Placencia, Belize, on Mondays at 11:30am, returning Fridays at 9:30am. The trip takes 4 hours and costs L1,000. Along the coast of La Mosquitia and from Puerto Castilla near Trujillo, cargo boats headed along the coast to Nicaragua and beyond will occasionally take on passengers.

Staying Connected

Telephones

Kiosks and convenience stores throughout Honduras sell phone cards with individual instructions on long-distance dialing, and phone booths at telephone centers will provide instructions on dialing.

To place a call from your home country to Honduras, dial the international access code (011 in the U.S. and Canada, 0011 in Australia, 0170 in New Zealand, 00 in the U.K.) plus the country code (504), followed by the number in Honduras. For example, a call from the United States to Tegucigalpa would be 011+504+2 (or 9)+000+0000. Note: Recently, all phone numbers in Honduras changed from seven to eight numbers. An extra 2 (land line) or 9 (cellphone) have been added at the beginning of each number.

To place a call within Honduras, all you have to do is dial the number, as area codes are non-existent (dial 193 for an international operator).

To place a direct international call from Honduras, dial the country code of the destination you are calling, plus the area code and the local number.

Mobile Phones

Honduras's largest phone companies, such as Telefonica, operate on a GSM 850 or 1900 MHZ frequency, which several large North American carriers also use, though these frequencies are rare in other parts of the world. Any dual or multiband GSM cellphone will work in Honduras, but you might pay expensive roaming rates; check with your cellphone company before leaving. (In the U.S., T-Mobile and AT&T uses this quasi-universal system; in Canada, Rogers customers are GSM.)

If your cellphone does not have this capability, you can rent a phone, either before you leave home or upon arrival in Honduras. Pre-departure, North Americans can rent a phone from InTouch USA (tel. 800/872-7626; www.intouchglobal.com) or RoadPost (tel. 888/290-1606 or 905/272-5665; www.roadpost.com).

In Honduras, you can rent a phone at kiosks located on the arrival level at the San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa airport; they are open daily from 6am to 9pm. Depending on your service, you may be able to insert your own SIM card, though you'll likely still pay regular roaming rates. Some cellphone companies in Honduras will rent phones with prepaid calling cards. Local calls have similar rates and plans as they do in North America or Europe. Using calling cards and receiving calls is free; however, this option does not allow you to dial internationally.

Internet & Wi-Fi

No matter where you are in Honduras, you should find Internet access, either in a cafe, mall, or cybercafe. Most hotels, even hostels, have their own Internet service, and more and more are beginning to have Wi-Fi service. Roughly 90% of these hotels offer Wi-Fi for free, yet some international chain hotels in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, as well as a few resorts on Roatán, charge a fee that ranges between US$6 and US$15 per day. If the hotel does not have Internet service, the hotel staff can usually point out where to find it. Expect to pay approximately 20 lempira per hour.

Money

The unit of currency in Honduras is the lempira (L). The value of the lempira has held steady around the current exchange rate of about 19 lempira to the U.S. dollar, which is the rate used for prices listed in this guide. Bills come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500. There are no lempira coins. American dollars are commonly accepted in the Bay Islands and in major tourist destinations, particularly at hotels -- as a result, some hotel reviews in the Bay Islands also list rates using U.S. dollars.

Honduras levies a steep 12% sales tax, called ISV (Impuesto de Servicios), on all goods and services except medicine. There is a 4% tourism tax added to all hotel rates, tours, and car rentals, additional to the 12% ISV, although small hotels and community-based tour operators may not add the tax, especially if you can pay in cash. Many high-end hotels and restaurants also add a 10% service charge, which is meant to take care of tipping.

Frommer's Honduras lists exact prices in the local currency. However, rates fluctuate, so before departing, consult a currency exchange website such as www.oanda.com/convert/classic to check up-to-the-minute rates.

ATMS

ATMs are the most common way for travelers to exchange money in Honduras, and most cities have multiple banks with ATMs, many of them operating 24 hours. BAC, Unibanc, and Banco Atlántida are the most reliable and are compatible with a variety of networks, including Cirrus, PLUS, Visa, and MasterCard. Honduran banks do not usually charge a fee to use their ATMs, but your own institution might charge you for foreign purchases or withdrawals, so check before you go. You'll find ATMs in banks, grocery stores, gas stations, airports, malls, and pharmacies.

Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks are becoming less and less common, yet are still used occasionally and can be exchanged at most banks in the country, though a 2% fee is often charged. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout Honduras, and American Express and Diner's Club are becoming increasingly common, although 12% surcharges are normal. Dollars, pounds, and euros can be exchanged in banks and many hotels, as well as with unofficial street moneychangers found in parks, airports, and border crossings.

Beware of hidden credit-card fees while traveling. Check with your credit or debit card issuer to see what fees, if any, will be charged for overseas transactions. Recent reform legislation in the U.S., for example, has curbed some exploitative lending practices. But many banks have responded by increasing fees in other areas, including fees for customers who use credit and debit cards while out of the country -- even if those charges were made in U.S. dollars. Fees can amount to 3% or more of the purchase price. Check with your bank before departing to avoid any surprise charges on your statement.

For help with currency conversions, tip calculations, and more, download Frommer's convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

What Things Cost (in Honduran Lempiras)

Honduras is a relatively inexpensive destination, especially if you're coming from a place like London or San Francisco. You'll find some of the world's cheapest diving here, even though average prices on the Bay Islands are even higher than on the mainland. Even compared to other Central American destinations like Costa Rica or Mexico, prices for food and accommodations are, on average, quite a bit lower. Here is a brief list of prices to expect:

Baleada 10

Bottle of Salva Vida beer 30

Típico plate 80

Four-day dive certification 4,750

1 night in a moderately priced hotel 1,100

3-hour bus ride 100

1 Gallon (3.8L) of premium gas 100

Admission to most museums 20-40

Admission to most national parks 200

Special-Interest Vacations

Archeological Digs & Research

If archeological discoveries are what you had in mind in a Honduras vacation, there are numerous ongoing excavations at any given time in Western Honduras. Keep in mind that most digs involve long hot days under the sun and working in the dirt. They are far from an Indiana Jones experience. Most sites relate to the Mayas; however, some focus on other pre-Columbian cultures. These kinds of trips are popular with college students looking for course credit, as well as retirees and general history buffs.

Several organizations focus on this type of volunteer work. Try the Maya Research Program (www.mayaresearchprogram.org), which organizes digs in various Central American countries, including several sites in Western Honduras.

Another option is the Archeological Institute of America (AIA; tel. 800/748-6262; www.archaeological.org), which organizes excavations and programs all over the world.

Volunteer & Working Trips

Honduras and Latin America, in general, are great places to devote your time and goodwill. Most volunteer programs fall in one of three categories: those that help rural communities, those that protect the environment, and those that preserve and collect data on historical sites. Most programs have a fee that will cover your food or lodging. Volunteer Honduras (www.volunteerhonduras.org) is a good place to start looking and a great resource for those thinking about volunteering in Honduras.

NPH International (tel. 504/2224-0573; www.nph.org) is a group of orphanages scattered throughout the Americas, including one near Tegucigalpa. A variety of long-term volunteers are always needed, ranging from doctors to English teachers and speech pathologists.

Proniño Honduras (tel. 504/2647-3424; www.pronino.org) and The Friends of El Hogar (www.foeh.org.uk) work with street children in northern Honduras to help them end drug addiction and focus on long-term education.

Children of the Light (tel. 504/3304-1414; www.thechildrenofthelight.org), a Christian organization, has built a school and has organized other community outreach projects for street children in the region.

Tips for Single Travelers

On package vacations, single travelers are often hit with a dreaded "single supplement" to the base price. To avoid it, you can agree to room with other single travelers or find a compatible roommate before you go from one of the many roommate-locator agencies. Travel Buddies Singles Travel Club (tel. 800/998-9099; www.travelbuddiesworldwide.com), based in Canada, runs small, intimate, singles-friendly group trips and will match you with a roommate free of charge. TravelChums (tel. 212/787-2621; www.travelchums.com) is an Internet-only travel-companion matching service with elements of an online personals-type site, hosted by the respected New York-based Shaw Guides travel service. Backroads (tel. 800/462-2848; www.backroads.com) offers more than 40 active-travel solo trips to destinations worldwide.

For more information, check out Eleanor Berman's latest edition of Traveling Solo: Advice and Ideas for More Than 250 Great Vacations (Globe Pequot), a guide with advice on traveling alone, either solo or as part of a group tour.

For more information on traveling single, go to www.frommers.com/planning.

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

There are more options and resources out there than ever before for travelers with disabilities, and even in Honduras, it is increasingly common to see hotels and restaurants that are wheelchair-accessible, though for the moment, this is limited mostly to large resorts and hotels in major cities. It's best to call ahead (especially with restaurants) to inquire about an establishment's facilities.

Many travel agencies offer customized tours and itineraries for travelers with disabilities. Among them are Flying Wheels Travel (tel. 507/451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com); Access-Able Travel Source (tel. 303/232-2979; www.access-able.com); and Accessible Journeys (tel. 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com). Avis Rent a Car has an "Avis Access" program that offers such services as a dedicated 24-hour toll-free number (tel. 888/879-4273) for customers with special travel needs; special car features such as swivel seats, spinner knobs, and hand controls; and accessible bus service.

Organizations that offer assistance to disabled travelers include MossRehab (www.mossresourcenet.org), the American Foundation for the Blind (tel. 800/232-5463; www.afb.org), and SATH (Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality; tel. 212/447-7284; www.sath.org). AirAmbulanceCard.com is now partnered with SATH and allows you to pre-select top-notch hospitals in case of an emergency. Also check out the quarterly magazine Emerging Horizons (www.emerginghorizons.com) and Open World magazine, published by SATH.

Regions in Brief

Covering 111,369 sq. km (43,000 sq. miles), Honduras is the second-largest country in Central America (Nicaragua is the largest) and the only one without volcanoes. It borders the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, and is only a short ferry ride from Belize. Like points on a compass, the country can be divided into four major geographical sections: the lush forests and coastline of the north; the impenetrable jungles of La Mosquitia of the east; the mountains and pine forests of the western and central parts of the country; and the dry, dusty south. Forty percent of Honduras is made up of rainforests, while the coasts comprise nearly 965km (600 miles) of beaches. Apart from the coasts and between San Pedro and the capital of Tegucigalpa, highways and paved roads are severely lacking, even to national parks and tourist attractions. In and around La Mosquitia and to/from the Bay Islands, transportation by water or air is your only option for getting around.

The South -- The country's 100km (62-mile) Pacific Coast separates Honduras from El Salvador in the west and Nicaragua in the east, and marks the western boundary of the southern region, which extends up to the sprawling capital of Tegucigalpa (called Tegus by locals). Tegucigalpa is the cultural center of the country and home to several excellent museums, great restaurants and markets, and a smattering of luxury hotels. Just outside town, you will find small craft villages and one of the best national parks in the country, the La Tigra National Park.

The West -- Mountains, cowboys, Maya ancestors, ancient ruins, cloud forests, Catholic festivals, and the largest lake in the country all join together to create western Honduras, one of the most diverse regions of the country. From the economic hub of the country, San Pedro Sula, you'll move southward across the fertile Sula valley to the Mayan ruins of Copán; passing the bird-watching hotspot of Lago de Yojoa; the onetime capital of Central America, Gracias; the cigar and coffee center of Santa Rosa de Copán; and the colonial town of Comayagua.

The North Coast -- The North Coast is an eco-dream of lush tropical forests, 805km (500 miles) of empty white sand beaches, fruit farms, and enough adrenaline-pumping sports to keep you busy for months. Near La Ceiba, the country's official capital of ecotourism, you'll find the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, raging white water on the Río Cangrejal, the waterfalls and hiking trails of Pico Bonito National Park, and easy access to the Bay Islands and the Cayos Cochinos. Tela, with even more natural attractions, like the Lancetilla Botanical Garden and Los Micos Lagoon, is set to become the site of a major tourism project that could soon drastically change this laidback banana town. Elsewhere in the region, you'll find friendly Garífuna villages and the once-happening beachfront and Spanish fort in Trujillo.

The Bay Islands -- Stilted island houses, turquoise water, Garífuna settlements, and some of the best diving on Earth make the Bay Islands one of the leading attractions in the country. While you'll find a growing number of cruise ports and luxury resorts on Roatán and a number of hostels and cheap restaurants on the backpacker-paradise that is Utila, these two islands still retain their laidback charm. The least visited of the three Bay Islands, Guanaja, is practically untouched.

La Mosquitia & Olancho -- La Mosquitia, the largest tract of wilderness in Central America, is often called a mini-Amazon. The region is as wild as they come and is made up of indigenous tribes, rarely visited biological reserves, and tiny coastal communities where electricity is a rare luxury. Tour groups are increasingly exploring the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve via rafting trips, though they are facing competition from new community-based ecotourism projects to the reserve along the coast. Neighboring Olancho is packed to the rim with undisturbed national parks, cave systems, whitewater rivers, rural villages, and scenic vistas of every sort. However, bad roads and a history of highway robberies and drug trafficking have kept many away. Things appear to be on the upswing, with greater police control and the ongoing paving of several stretches of highway.

When to Go

High tourist season in Honduras is during national holidays and the dry season, running roughly from January to June. Rain can occur anytime during the year, and flooding in the highlands can completely shut down roads and transportation at any time. For the Bay Islands, you should book well in advance during Semana Santa (Easter week) and Christmas/New Year's, though the weather tends to be nice much of the year (with occasional rain). The best months for spotting whale sharks are March and April, when rates also tend to go up. In La Mosquitia, the drier months (Feb-May and Aug-Nov) are easiest for travel.

Weather

Honduras lies completely within the tropics. Temperatures range from hot and humid on the Caribbean coast (75°-93°F/24°-34°C), to mild and even cool in highland areas (61°-68°F/16°-20°C), to hot and dry along the southern Pacific coast (82°-90°F/28°-32°C). Seasonal temperatures don't vary drastically, and the change mostly relates to elevation. The amount of precipitation does vary, though. May to November is typically considered the rainy season for the interior, while September to January brings the rains for the North Coast, Bay Islands, and La Mosquitia. Hurricane season runs from August to November, although most, not all, hurricanes are a minor inconvenience.

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

Honduras has lagged behind its Central American neighbors like Costa Rica in sustainable tourism -- though admittedly, the country is a leader in the green game. The infrastructure and the money just haven't been there. High energy prices, especially in rural areas, have not made things easy, but poor planning and government mismanagement have also caused serious ecological problems. Even current tourism projects, such as the one at Los Micos Lagoon near Tela, have caused environmentalists to worry.

There is a glimmer of hope, however. On the local level and with the help of international NGOs and devoted conservationists, things are just now starting to swing the other way.

Perhaps the most important project is going on in the most desolate place. In La Mosquitia, the organization La Ruta Moskitia (an alliance of five indigenous communities) and RARE (an international conservation organization) have designed a community-based tourism project to address poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation in the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve. They work directly with local villagers to train them as guides and help launch new tours and eco-lodges. Many of the villages even accept seasonal volunteers to help protect the nests of leatherback turtles and other rare species that call the region their home.

In Pico Bonito National Park, including the parts along the Río Cangrejal, new eco-lodges, tour operators, and conservation-minded individuals are grouping together and working with local villages in the park and NGOs. Other projects like these, almost entirely organized and operated without government assistance, are occurring in places such as Utila, Lago de Yojoa, Copán, and beyond. It makes you wonder just what could be done if the government stepped in. As these small hotels gain worldwide recognition, choosing to stay there over the larger chain hotels makes an important statement to other hotels in the area that are increasingly following their example.

On the Bay Islands, the increasing number of resorts and passing cruise ships are contributing to the damage of the Bay Islands' reef system. Organizations such as the Roatán Marine Park (www.roatanmarinepark.com) are becoming increasingly important in helping visitors understand just how delicate the reef system is. On Utila, the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (www.wsorc.org) encourages sustainable viewing of whale sharks by limiting the number of boats and the distance from a confirmed whale shark sighting. Divers in the Bay Islands can do their part by ensuring that their dive operators are following basic guidelines. It's also a good idea to question your hotel as to whether they treat their own wastewater and have a system in place for recycling.

Do your best to control your impact on the environment by reusing water bottles (better yet, bring your own and make sure you refill from safe sources), avoiding plastic bags, walking and using mass transportation when possible, and not disturbing flora and fauna. It's important to not buy gifts made from protected species such as black coral, which is often sold as jewelry on the Bay Islands. You'll also want to avoid eating iguana, which pops up on restaurant menus along the North Coast rather often, as you will not be able to guarantee it is not a protected species of the reptile, of which there are many.

General Resources for Green Travel

The following websites provide valuable wide-ranging information on sustainable travel. For a list of even more sustainable resources, as well as tips and explanations on how to travel greener, visit www.frommers.com/planning.

• Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices and manages an extensive directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.

• In the U.K., Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk) works to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO; www.aito.co.uk) is a group of specialist operators leading the field in making holidays sustainable.

• In Canada, www.greenlivingonline.com offers extensive content on how to travel sustainably, including a travel and transport section and profiles of the best green shops and services in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.

• In Australia, the national body that sets guidelines and standards for ecotourism is Ecotourism Australia (www.ecotourism.org.au). The Green Directory (www.thegreendirectory.com.au), Green Pages (www.thegreenpages.com.au), and Eco Directory (www.ecodirectory.com.au) offer sustainable travel tips and directories of green businesses.

• Carbonfund (www.carbonfund.org), TerraPass (www.terrapass.org), and Carbon Neutral (www.carbonneutral.org) provide info on "carbon offsetting," or offsetting the greenhouse gas emitted during flights.

• Greenhotels (www.greenhotels.com) recommends green-rated member hotels around the world that fulfill the company's stringent environmental requirements. Environmentally Friendly Hotels (www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com) offers more green accommodation ratings. The Hotel Association of Canada (www.hacgreenhotels.com) has a Green Key Eco-Rating Program, which audits the environmental performance of Canadian hotels, motels, and resorts.

• Sustain Lane (www.sustainlane.com) lists sustainable eating and drinking choices around the U.S.; also visit www.eatwellguide.org for tips on eating sustainably in the U.S. and Canada.

• For information on animal-friendly issues throughout the world, visit Tread Lightly (www.treadlightly.org). For information about the ethics of swimming with dolphins, visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (www.wdcs.org).

• Volunteer International (www.volunteerinternational.org) has a list of questions to help you determine the intentions and the nature of a volunteer program. For general info on volunteer travel, visit www.volunteerabroad.org.

Getting Around

By Plane

While regional air carriers are more expensive than transportation by road or ferry, they are still relatively reasonably priced and can shave a day or two off your total travel times within Honduras. The country has several domestic airlines: Taca's regional airline Isleña (tel. 504/2445-1918; www.flyislena.com), Aerolineas Sosa (tel. 504/2445-1154), Lanhsa (tel. 504/2445-0397; www.lanhsa.com) and CM Airlines (tel. 504/234-1886; www.cmairlines.com), all offering daily flights on select routes to and from major destinations in the country, including San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Roátan, Guanaja, Utila, Puerto Lempira, and Brus Laguna. Schedules tend to be erratic and change frequently, depending on demand.

Sami Airlines (tel. 504/2442-2565) offers service when there is demand and has charter flights in four- to six-person planes to La Ceiba and destinations in La Mosquitia such as Ahuas, Palacios, Belen, Brus Laguna, and Puerto Lempira. Bay Island Airways (tel. 504/2933-6077; www.bayislandairways.com) offers transport around the Bay Islands via small seaplanes.

By Car

Car rentals are readily available at most major airports from multinational companies such as Avis, Payless, Hertz, and Budget, as well as local companies.

The highways along the North Coast, between San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, and between San Pedro Sula and Copán, are the best in the country and are comparable to highways in North America -- even lined with many of the same gas stations and fast food restaurants.

Elsewhere, things aren't so good. In some places, roadwork is finally beginning, and paved routes are, in general, becoming more common -- though in a significant part of Honduras, the roads are downright nasty. Most are either partially paved or unpaved, with massive uneven surfaces and bumps. Flat tires are incredibly common; therefore, there are mechanics along every highway and major route who can fix your tire in a matter of minutes for just a few lempiras.

Roads are also frequently flooded or impassable during the rainy season, and communities can at times be completely cut off from the country.

Apart from driving on the major highways, you will need to rent a car or truck with four-wheel drive to even consider driving in other parts of Honduras, particularly rural areas.

Gasoline is sold as "plus" and "premium." Both are unleaded; premium is just higher octane. Diesel is available at almost every gas station, as well. When going off to remote places, try to leave with a full tank of gas because gas stations can be hard to find. If you need to gas up in a small town, you can sometimes get gasoline from enterprising families who sell it by the liter from their houses. Look for hand-lettered signs that say GASOLINA. At the time of writing, a gallon of premium cost 100 lempira, or roughly $5 per gallon.

By Bus

There are literally hundreds of bus companies in Honduras, most operating out of dirt lots and offering travel only to nearby destinations.

Routes between major cities often have the best buses and the fastest service, and are a cheap and easy way to get from place to place. To more off-the-beaten-path destinations, the buses are usually slow and crowded, but full of local color.

While most bus companies offer only one route between two major destinations, two luxury bus companies popular with foreign travelers travel to major cities: Hedman Alas (tel. 504/2237-7143; www.hedmanalas.com) has frequent service between San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Tela, La Ceiba, and Copán; Viana Clase de Oro (tel. 504/2225-6584) has five first-class buses journeying daily between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula that continue on to La Ceiba. You can expect to pay roughly L25 to L100 per hour of bus travel on a luxury service. For local buses, you might pay a 10th of that.

Robberies of tourist buses, while infrequent, have occurred. Riding in buses at night, apart from major routes, is not advised.

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

In general, Honduras is not a gay-friendly country, even in larger cities; however, few gay travelers will encounter any issues of discrimination. Several organizations have formed in the past decade in response to discrimination in Honduras against gays and lesbians in the country such as Grupo Prisma (tel. 504/2232-8342) and Comunidad Gay Sampedrana (tel. 504/2550-6868). Both lack websites, but you can call either one for updated information on the LGBT community in Honduras. Toto Tours, Inc. (tel. 800/565-1241; www.tototours.com) occasionally offers trips to Honduras. The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA; tel. 800/448-8550 or 954/776-2626; www.iglta.com) is the trade association for the gay and lesbian travel industry and offers an online directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel businesses; go to their website and click on "Members."

Entry Requirements & Customs

Passports

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia require valid passports to enter Honduras as tourists. Citizens of any of these countries conducting business or enrolled in formal educational programs in Honduras also require visas. Tourist cards, distributed on arriving international flights or at border crossings, are good for stays of up to 90 days. Keep a copy of your tourist card for presentation upon departure from Honduras. (If you lose it, you'll have to pay a small fine.) You can extend your visa once, for another 90 days, at any immigration office for US$20. See www.frommers.com/planning for information on how to obtain a passport.

Honduran Embassy Locations

In the U.S.: 3007 Tilden St. NW, Suite 4M, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/966-7702; www.hondurasemb.org).

In Canada: 151 Slater St., Suite 805, Ottawa, ON K1P 5H3 (tel. 613/233-8900; www.embassyhonduras.ca).

In the U.K.: 115 Gloucester Pl., London, W1U 6JT (tel. 020/7486-4880; www.fco.gov.uk).

In Australia: Level 7, 19-31 Pitt St., Sydney NSW 2000 PO Box H6 Australia Square NSW 2000 (tel. 02/9247-1730).

Customs

What You Can Bring into Honduras -- Any travel-related merchandise brought into Honduras, such as personal effects or clothing, is not taxed. Visitors entering Honduras may also bring in no more than 400 cigarettes, 500g (18 oz.) of pipe tobacco, or 50 cigars, and 2.5L (2 3/4 qt.) of alcoholic beverages per adult.

What You Can Take Home from Honduras -- For information on what you're allowed to bring home, contact one of the following agencies:

U.S. Citizens: U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/287-8667; www.cbp.gov).

Canadian Citizens: Canada Border Services Agency (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).

U.K. Citizens: HM Customs & Excise at tel. 0845/010-9000 (020/8929-0152 from outside the U.K.), or consult their website at www.hmce.gov.uk.

Australian Citizens: Australian Customs Service at tel. 1300/363-263 or log on to www.customs.gov.au.

New Zealand Citizens: New Zealand Customs, The Customhouse, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218, Wellington (tel. 04/473-6099 or 0800/428-786; www.customs.govt.nz).

Medical Requirements

Hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, smallpox, and typhoid shots are recommended (but not required) for visitors planning to be in contact with local residents on an extended basis. Hepatitis B is suggested, as well, but not required. Malaria and yellow fever are extremely rare, yet if you intend to visit extremely remote areas in La Mosquitia, you may want to discuss with your doctor your options for prevention.

Tips for Senior Travelers

Seniors will find plenty of discounts at museums and attractions, but not much else in Honduras. Members of AARP (601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049; (tel. 888/687-2277; www.aarp.org) get discounts on hotels, airfares, and car rentals. AARP offers members a wide range of benefits, including AARP: The Magazine and a monthly newsletter. Anyone over age 50 can join.

Many reliable agencies and organizations target the 50-plus market. Elderhostel (tel. 877/426-8056; www.elderhostel.org) arranges outstanding study programs in Honduras for those aged 55 and over. Cruise companies that visit the Bay Islands, such as Carnival (tel. 888/CARNIVAL; www.carnival.com) and Royal Caribbean (tel. 866/562-7625; www.royalcaribbean.com), offer discounts to senior cruise passengers. INTRAV (tel. 800/456-8100; www.intrav.com) is a high-end tour operator that caters to the mature, discerning traveler (not specifically seniors), with trips around the world that include guided safaris, polar expeditions, private-jet adventures, and small-boat cruises down jungle rivers.

Recommended publications offering travel resources for seniors include the quarterly magazine Travel 50 & Beyond (www.travel50andbeyond.com) and Travel Unlimited: Uncommon Adventures for the Mature Traveler (Avalon).

Fast Facts

Area Codes -- The international area code in Honduras is 504. All local phone numbers are eight digits, including the area code. Numbers either start with a 2 (landline) or a 9 (cellular).

Business Hours -- Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and on Saturday from 9am to noon. General business hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, although most restaurants and shops stay open to at least 8pm and are open Monday through Sunday.

Doctors -- Many doctors in Honduras, especially in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, speak basic English; for a list of English-speaking doctors, call your embassy.

Drinking Laws -- Possession and use of drugs and narcotics are subject to heavy fines and jail terms. The legal drinking age in Honduras is 21. Alcohol is sold every day of the year, except during elections, and can be bought from almost any grocery store or bodega. Proof of age is sometimes required at bars and nightclubs, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out.

Electricity -- Most electrical outlets in Honduras are wired as in the U.S., with 110 volts, 60 cycles, although there is some 220-volt electricity, as well.

Embassies & Consulates -- The U.S. Embassy is in Tegucigalpa, at Avenida La Paz (tel. 504/2236-9320; http://honduras.usembassy.gov).

The Canadian Embassy in Tegucigalpa is at Edificio Finaciero Banexpo Local #3, Col Payaqui, Blvd. San Juan Bosco (tel. 504/2232-4551; www.embassyhonduras.ca).

The British Consulate can be found in Tegucigalpa at Colonia Reforms 2402 (tel. 504/2237-6577; reforma@cascomark.com).

There are no Australian or New Zealand embassies or consulates in Honduras.

Emergencies -- For a police emergency, call tel. 199. For fire, call tel. 198. To call an ambulance, dial tel. 195.

Insurance -- The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip, your age and health, and the type of trip you're taking, but expect to pay between 5% and 8% of the vacation itself. You can get estimates from various providers through InsureMyTrip.com. Enter your trip cost and dates, your age, and other information for prices from more than a dozen companies.

For information on traveler's insurance, trip cancelation insurance, and medical insurance while traveling, please visit www.frommers.com/planning.

Language -- Spanish is the main language in Honduras, but most people on the Bay Islands speak English. The Native languages of Lenca, Miskito, and Garífuna are also spoken in some regions.

Legal Aid -- If you need legal help, your best bet is to first contact your local embassy or consulate.

Mail -- At the time of writing, it costs L80/L120 to mail a postcard/letter to the United States, and L120/L180 to Europe. You can get stamps at a post office and at some gift shops in large hotels. The Honduran postal service is renowned for being considerably more reliable than in other Central American nations, though if you are sending anything of value, it is still recommended to use an international courier service or wait until you get home to post it. DHL, EMS Courier, and FedEx have offices in major cities around the country, such as San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa. Refer to the "Fast Facts" listings of any major city. Note: Despite what you may be told, packages sent overnight to U.S. addresses tend to take 3 to 4 days.

If you're sending mail to Honduras, it generally takes between 10 and 14 days to reach Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula, although it can take as much as a month to get to the more remote corners of the country. Plan ahead. Also note that many hotels and eco-lodges have mailing addresses in the United States. Always use these addresses when writing from North America or Europe.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The weekly Honduras This Week is the major English-language newspaper in the country and can be found in most major tourist areas, though at last visit, the paper was not being published.

The Bay Islands have two monthly English-language magazines, the Bay Islands Voice and Utila East Wind.

There are five main daily Spanish newspapers -- all owned by politicians and leaning one way or the other. These include El Heraldo, La Prensa, La Tribuna, El Tiempo, and El Nuevo Día.

Packing -- Except for a few mountainous areas, weather in Honduras tends to be uniformly hot and sticky with some rain, so you will need to pack accordingly. Think lightweight and fast-drying shirts and shorts, or pants and a light rain jacket. Apart from a few top restaurants, discos, and churches, a dress code in Honduras is pretty much non-existent. When required, it usually just means no shorts and no tennis shoes. Nights in the mountains can get somewhat brisk, so it's probably a good idea to bring a light sweater and pants along, though that's not to say that anyone has ever gotten frostbite here. Considering jungle covers much of the country, long shirts and pants are a good idea to keep insects away from your skin, though again, lightweight is recommended. For more helpful information on packing for your trip, download our convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Police -- Honduras's police force can be a hit or miss for travelers. In places such as Tela, Copán Ruínas, San Pedro Sula, and a few other destinations, tourist police have been established to protect travelers and assist them if an issue arises. If you've been robbed, your insurance company will most likely ask for a police report, called a constancia, which you can get at any police station. It is rare that police officers in Honduras will speak English.

In other parts of the country, the police are generally helpful; however, when you are in a car they tend to be more corrupt. Road stops are common throughout the country and generally police will ask for your vehicle's registration and let you go on your way. Some officers will go to great lengths to find some minor reason to ticket you. This goes double for gringos. Usually, they want a small bribe. Don't pay it. Say you don't speak Spanish. They will give up. If you are pulled over for a driving infraction, most officers will give you the option of a bribe, as well. Just deny all and threaten to call your embassy. They'll usually back off.

Smoking -- In early 2011, a new smoking law went into effect banning smoking from many public and private places, though at press time, there were still questions regarding how the law would be enforced.

Time -- Honduras is on Standard Time year-round and is in the Central Time Zone. It is 6 hours behind GMT.

Tipping -- Diners should leave a 10% to 15% tip in restaurants, although some high-end restaurants automatically include gratuity. In hotels, tipping is left to the guest's discretion. There's no need to tip taxi drivers. For help with tip calculations, currency conversions, and more, download our convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the Travel Tools icon.

Toilets -- You won't find public toilets or "restrooms" on the streets in most Honduran cities, but they can be found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, and bus stations. Large hotels and fast food restaurants are often the best bet for clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in resorts or heavily visited areas may reserve their restrooms for patrons. Most toilets in the country are the western kind with a typical flush handle. There is one big difference though: toilet paper isn't flushed. It goes in a small trashcan beside the toilet. In extremely rural areas, a simple latrine is standard. Usually, there will be a bucket of water nearby that you use to rinse everything down.

Tips for Families

Hondurans and families go together like peanut butter and jelly. Most hotels in the country that cater to national tourists have playgrounds, children's swimming pools, family-style accommodations, and other extras that both kids and adults will appreciate. Adult-only hotels do exist, though they are relatively few. In the Bay Islands and the resorts along the North Coast, condo-style rooms are quite common. Most have kitchens, which can do wonders for saving money and keeping homesick kids from misery.

When choosing lodging, check to see if a suite is cheaper than booking two connecting rooms. Most suites have a sofa bed, or at the very least, the hotel can add an extra cot-style bed. A good bet for families spending several days in a destination is an apart-hotel or a cabaña, which are self-catering units with living areas and kitchens -- these options are frequently less expensive than a hotel room. Hotel chains such as the Hilton and the Clarion occasionally offer specials for families with kids, but as a general rule, kids are either free when sharing a room with their parents or are charged a minimal fee for an extra bed.

Recommended family travel websites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com); Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com); and Family Travel Files (www.thefamilytravelfiles.com).

Calendar of Events

For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.

February

Feria de la Virgen de Suyapa, Tegucigalpa. A holiday revered by Catholics throughout the country. The week surrounding February 3, the day Pope Pius XII selected as the Saint's Feast Day, honors the statue with processions and Mass at the Basílica de Suyapa and other churches around the country. Early February.

March

Semana Santa, Comayagua. Holy Week celebrations in Comayagua are the peak of Catholicism in Honduras and feature a week of elaborate processions that reenact the Easter story with bright costumes and colorful alfombras, which are sawdust carpets that are designed on the night before and trampled apart in the morning. A smaller festival occurs in Santa Rosa de Copán. Late March.

April

Garífuna Day, the Bay Islands and North Coast. Dancing, drinking Guifiti, music, and other cultural feats take place from April 12 to 16 to celebrate the arrival of the Garífuna on Roatán in 1797, particularly in the town of Punta Gorda. Mid-April.

May

Feria de San Isidro, La Ceiba. Hundreds of thousands of revelers flock to this North Coast town for the Honduran version of Carnaval. Here, parades march through the downtown streets, the constant beating of drums is everywhere, and all-night partying occurs on the beaches. The week preceding the third Saturday of May.

June

Feria Juniana, San Pedro Sula. San Pedro comes alive for numerous live music and cultural performances that take place in the streets, including a lively parade down Avenida Circunvalación on June 29. This one is more modern and commercialized than some of the events in rural destinations. Last week of June.

July

Garífuna Festival, Bajamar. One of the most vibrant cultural festivals in the entire country occurs in the tiny Garífuna community of Bajamar near Puerto Cortés on the North Coast. The festival, which attracts Garífuna from neighboring villages and around the country, runs for several weeks. July 9 through 24.

August

Sun Jam Festival, Water Cay, Utila. On a select weekend each August, partygoers descend upon the tiny tropical island of Water Cay near Utila for an all night rave and party featuring electronic music. The crowd is limited to 1,500, so buy your tickets in advance. One weekend in early to mid August.

September

Independence Day, national. Independence day in Honduras is a lighthearted affair. There are three days of parades, pageants, dances, and contests that culminate on September 15, which is the actual day of Independence. September 13 through 15.

Spanish-Language Programs

Language Immersion

While Honduras is not nearly as popular with language travelers as neighboring Guatemala, the practice of language immersion is growing steadily. Many North American, Australian, and European students, retirees, business people, and general travelers choose to study Spanish in Latin America because of low prices and the option of homestays with local families. Many feel that the on-the-ground practice they receive in everyday interactions with native speakers helps considerably when learning. Countless programs exist in the country, but most are found in Copán, La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula, and other large population centers.

Central America Spanish School (tel. 504/2440-1707; www.ca-spanish.com) has the most programs in the country, with classroom locations in La Ceiba, Utila, Roatán, and Copán. They can arrange homestays with local families, as well as combine your studies with additional activities, such as dive certifications.

In Copán, your best options are Ixbalanque (tel. 504/2651-4321; www.ixbalanque.com) and Guacamaya (tel. 504/2651-4360; www.guacamaya.com), which have similar facilities and prices. Both arrange and encourage homestays.

Visitor Information

You'll find a municipal or regional tourism office in nearly every city throughout the country, often in small booths in central parks and squares, that are generally open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, often with a 1-hour break at noon. The Instituto Hondureño de Turismo (IHT), or the National Tourism Institute, does not have offices abroad but promotes the country through its website: www.letsgohonduras.com. Additional websites of interest include:

• www.bayislandsvoice.com: A monthly news magazine covering the history, art, culture, dining, development, and social issues of Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja.

• www.hondurasweekly.com: This English-language news site with weekly features, videos, weather reports, and news.

• www.honduras.com: An excellent full online and print bilingual guidebook to the major tourism destinations in Honduras, with information and maps that are updated seasonally by the Institute of Tourism.

• www.larutamoskitia.com: The definitive site for exploring La Mosquitia. Questions about when to go, how to get there, what to do, and what you will see are all answered in detail. The site is run by a nonprofit, community-based tour agency that leads multiday tours throughout the region and arranges day tours from individual communities.

• www.sidewalkmystic.com: An independent online self-planning guide to Honduras, with descriptions of highlights, travelogues, hotel and restaurant listings, and other how-to information.

• www.lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com: One American woman, an avid gardener who moved to La Ceiba in 2001, has been blogging about her experiences here ever since and has become one of the most followed English-language blogs in Honduras.

• www.guanajaguide.com: A basic online guide to living, visiting, and buying property on Guanaja with links to hotels, tour operators, the latest news on the island, and transportation.

• www.birdsofhonduras.com: Avian specialist Robert Gallardo, an American who has lived in Honduras for more than a decade, reveals a very detailed look into the habitats and scientific research regarding bird life in the country. There are hundreds of photos, trip reports, and dozens of other resources that will be helpful to any birder.

• www.sarahlagringa.wordpress.com: A Peace Corps volunteer details her day-to-day life from a village in Olancho.

Tips on Accommodations

Accommodations in Honduras range from full-scale resort complexes and luxury hotels aimed at business travelers to small guesthouses, bed-and-breakfasts, and rooms rented out of someone's house.

In general, accommodation rates in Honduras are significantly cheaper than those in Europe or North America. High tourist season in Honduras is during national holidays and the dry season, running roughly from January to June, depending on what part of the country you're visiting. Hotels may charge higher rates, or they may not. Apart from the Bay Islands, most hotels do not have high-season rates. The prices listed in this guide are rack rates, but many hotels offer cheaper rates and promotional deals through their websites.

Apart from a few major international chain hotels and beach resorts that allow kids to stay free, most hotels don't offer discounts for children -- though it never hurts to ask. If you're visiting an eco-lodge or hotel in any area near the jungle, most accommodations have either screened-in windows or provide mosquito nets. The exceptions are the bare-bones beach shacks along the coast and rustic huts in La Mosquitia.

Don't be shy about negotiating a discount during the off season, as some hotel owners are willing to pass a travel agent's 10% to 20% commission on to you in the form of a discount.

Prices shown reflect double occupancy; ask for details about a "single" rate, as single rooms are often small and come with a twin-size bed.