Parents and families that bring young or teenage children to Honduras are often surprised at the number of activities available to please everyone. Many of the activities are secretly educational, but kids won't care because most of them are downright cool. Wildlife and nature tends to always be a good bet, and this itinerary will take you both above and below the surface to appreciate it. Museums and touring ruins can be hit or miss, depending on the kids, so be careful not to overload them. The following itinerary encompasses several country highlights, such as the ruins, the rainforest, the big city, and the beach.
Day 1: Settling in the Capital
Arrive in Tegucigalpa and get settled into your hotel. Take it easy the first day by taking in Chiminike, an interactive science museum, which has a giant Operator game and a crawl through an intestinal tract (complete with fart noises). Next, take in the views of the capital and surrounding mountains from Parque Naciones Unidas El Picacho. There's a small on-site zoo with exotic rainforest animals from across the country -- like monkeys, snakes, and macaws -- that will be a primer on the creatures you'll soon be seeing in the wild.
Days 2, 3 & 4: Ruins & Museums
On your second day, transfer to the town of Copán Ruínas via the scenic highway past the villages and junco palm handicraft stands in the Santa Bárbara area. Get settled in after the long drive and spend the evening wandering around town and peeking in the markets. Eat some typical foods like pupusas at Comedor y Pupuseria Mary. Spend the next 2 days exploring the Mayan ruins, visiting with the Chortí Maya communities outside of town on horseback, and soaking in the nearby hot springs. Don't forget a visit to Casa K'inich, the Maya children's museum where kids can learn about the Mayas' ancient ball courts.
Days 5-8: Adventure & Wildlife
At the start of day 5, transfer to the town of La Ceiba, on the North Coast. Check into an eco-lodge in Pico Bonito National Park, either the ritzy Pico Bonito Lodge, a yoga and raw-food retreat next door, or a waterfall-facing suite across the street. You'll spend the next several days in one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet -- and a place with an array of adventurous activities that promises not to disappoint children of any age. You can whitewater raft down the Río Cangrejal, hike along rainforest trails, swim in waterfalls, go zip-lining, go bird-watching, and visit a serpentarium or a butterfly farm.
Days 9, 10 & 11: Snorkeling & Deserted Islands
From La Ceiba, transfer by boat to the Cayos Cochinos, or Hog Islands. This pristine archipelago is home to numerous uninhabited islands and is a nature reserve. Base yourself at the one lodge here, Plantation Beach Resort. Whether your kids want to dive or snorkel, they won't be disappointed with one of the most unspoiled sections of the world's second-largest barrier reef. Some might just be satisfied keeping lazy on the idyllic beaches or hiking around the trails on the island of Cochino Grande.
On day 11, transfer back to La Ceiba and then to San Pedro Sula to connect with an international flight home.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
