The South in Honduras

Best of Tegucigalpa & the South

A business trip to the capital or a stopover as you drive along the Pan American highway can very easily be turned into a fine Honduras getaway. While the chaotic capital may not take much of your time on this itinerary, several quiet retreats and attractions are within a short drive.

Day 1: Land & Unload

Arrive in the capital of Tegucigalpa and settle in to your hotel.

Day 2: When in Rome

After breakfast, head straight for Parque Morazán downtown, the heart of the city. Check out the baroque Cathedral on the square, and then move to the more immaculate Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores. If you have time, take in a museum such as the National Identity Museum or National Art Gallery, and then make your way up Paseo La Leona in Barrio Buenos Aires to watch the sunset over the sprawling city. Finish your day at the rustic El Patio restaurant, known for its Honduran cuisine.

Day 3: A Day Trip to the Jungle

Either camp in, stay in a rustic cabin near, or return to the city at night, but for the best experience, leave at the crack of dawn to reach Parque Nacional La Tigra, a 238-sq.-km (92-sq.-mile) cloud forest park just 22km (14 miles) from Tegus. Hike around, and you might just spot a resplendent quetzal, puma, or agouti.

Day 4: Shopping in the Highlands

More laidback than a mountainous hike is a trip to the serene highland retreat of Valle de Ángeles and the 18th-century Spanish mining town of Santa Lucía. These colonial villages are beloved by capitalinos for their cool climates, lazy cobblestone streets, and whitewashed houses with clay tile roofs. While you can hike to nearby waterfalls or go horseback riding, the main activity here is shopping. The streets are filled with small shops selling some of the best-quality handicrafts from around the country.

Days 5 & 6: An Island Breeze

For your last few days, head south to the Pacific coast to Isla del Tigre. You'll feel like you stepped back in time as you walk past the colorful clapboard houses in the town of Amapala. Dine on fresh fish all you want and relax on several empty beaches -- white or black sand -- that see no more than a few visitors a week.

Day 7: Heading Home

Catch a skiff back to the mainland and back north to Tocontín International for your flight home.