Seemingly tucked away in the middle of Central America is the picture-perfect nation of Honduras -- a country known for its clear turquoise waters, world-class scuba diving sites, tropical islands and sensational Mayan ruins. Actually the second largest country in Central America with 551 miles of coastline, it also boasts pristine jungle eco-systems, mountainous inland regions and a colorful history -- making it an appealing destination for those seeking a multi-faceted Latin vacation experience.
Thirty miles off the Honduran Caribbean coast lie the Bay Islands (Islas de la Bahía) featuring the islands of Utila, Guanaja and the better known -- Roatan -- and known for their exceptional scuba diving and snorkeling sites. About 60 miles from the coast, closer to Nicaragua are the more remote and lesser visited Swan Islands (Islas del Cisne).
Although you may choose to fly into Honduras' capital Tegucigalpa located in the south central part of the country, it is more likely that your vacation will be focused on the north and east of the country and the beautiful Caribbean coastline and/or visiting one of the islands like Roatan. In that case flying into San Pedro Sula or directly into Roatan will be a better option.
Continental Airlines (www.continental.com) has weekend direct flights from Houston and New York to Roatán (priced from approximately $668 plus taxes during summer, 2007) and they have daily flights to San Pedro Sula (on the mainland) where Roatán connections can be made. Delta Airlines (www.delta.com) has nonstop flights from Atlanta to Roatán on Saturdays for under $650 during the summer and Spirit Air (www.spiritair.com) starts nonstop service to San Pedro Sula three times weekly from Fort Lauderdale (or with connections from elsewhere in the U.S.) on July 20, 2007 and from November 15, 2007, the service will run daily. Introductory available round-trip fares on Sprit start from a super low $88 plus taxes plus $10 per piece of checked luggage (when purchased online).
Locally based Garifuna Tours (www.garifunatours.com) has a land-only, 11-day Eco Honduras Adventure tour priced at $969 per person based on double occupancy. This trip beginning in San Pedro Sula combines archaeology, eco-adventure, beach and coral reef and includes transfers, a ferry from La Ceiba to Roatan, a domestic flight from Roatan to San Pedro Sula, ten nights' hotel accommodations (two nights at Casa de Cafe in Copán, four nights at Mayavista Hotel in Tela, two nights at Hotel La Quinta in La Ceiba and two nights at Pura Vida Resort in Roatan), American breakfast daily, lunches, entrance fees to archaeological sites and National Parks and a professional bilingual guide. Highlights include a guided tour of the Copan archaeological site, visiting the Caribbean city of Tela, Pulhapanzak waterfall, Lake Yojoa, a boat trip with snorkeling to Punta Sal National Park, kayaking through the mangrove canals of Punta Izopo National Park, bird watching at Los Micos Lagoon, a visit to the Garifuna village of Miami, trekking to Pico Bonito National, a boat tour to Cayos Cochinos and a few days of relaxing in Roatán.
Garifuna's Pura Vida at Roatán package includes round-trip airfare between San Pedro Sula and Roatán, five-nights accommodations at Pura Vida Resort, a la carte breakfast daily and airport transfers from $445 person. Their four-day La Mosquitia Excursionvisits what is considered the "Central American Amazon" -- with indigenous peoples and relatively untouched terrain. The area located within the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve is only accessible by boat or airplane. The tour is priced at $499 per person or $399 for children and includes round-trip airfare from La Ceiba to Brus Laguna, river transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, three-nights accommodations and all meals. Visit the Mosquito-Pech Village of Las, take a tour of the petroglifos (engraved stones), hike through the tropical jungle, seeing a variety of wildlife like deer, armadillo, monkeys, deer, tapir, macaws, jaguar, sloth, anteaters and over 300 species of birds and get up close and personal with large lizards at the Iguana reserve.
Miller South America (www.miller.travel/reisen.php) offers a nine-day, land-only Honduras Highlights tour from San Pedro Sula. The itinerary includes visiting the beach town of Omoa on the Caribbean coast and the colonial Forte San Fernando offers, a guided tour of the Copán ruins, Tela, Lancetilla -- one of the world's largest botanical gardens and home to more than 300 bird species, Punta Izopo National Park by kayak, the Garífuna village of Triunfo, La Ceiba, Cuero y Salado National Park with its labyrinth of lagoons and mangroves. Travel is by bus, boat and even a muscle-powered railway handcart. Included are eight nights' accommodations in mid-class hotels, breakfast daily, excursions, transfers, admission fees and an English speaking local travel guide. This tour is priced at $1,465 per person based on double occupancy.
The seven-day Pristine Honduras trip is priced at $870 per person and includes three full days at Cusuco National Park with its myriad of waterfalls, lakes and walking trails and a further two-days at Azul Meambar National Park and its cloud forest. Two nights of accommodations in selected mid-class hotels with breakfast plus four nights of accommodations in the visitors' center of the National Park with breakfast are included as are several lunches, excursions and transfers in all-wheel-drive vehicles, sightseeing, admission fees and English speaking travel guides. These prices are valid through October 2007.
Most visitors to Honduras inevitably end up on one of the Bay Islands, with Roatán being the most popular. The Roatán Online website (www.roatanonline.com/roatan_hotels.htm) offers extensive links to accommodation on the island ranging from beach house rentals to resorts, bed and breakfasts to live-aboard dive boats. Many properties offer discounts and incentives for guests who scuba dive, but rates are reasonable for non-divers too. Priced vary but you can secure beachfront bungalows for as little as $40 per day or stay in luxurious resorts for under $200 per room per night. High season in Roatan is from December to mid-April and low season is from mid-April to the end of November, with savings on up to 40% on rates at certain properties.
Some sample prices include:
- Royal Playa Resort (www.royalplayaroatan.com) in Eastern Roatán -- high season seven-nights diving, accommodations, all meals and airport boat transfers is priced at $1,100 per person, or $850 in low season (non-divers pay $850 and $650 respectively)
- Sea Breeze Inn (tel. 866/343-2417; www.suenodelmar.com) in West End Village -- seven-nights accommodations with unlimited day diving plus one night dive is priced from $355 with Scuba diving equipment available for per day. Room rates (not including diving) range from $30 to $75 per night rent at $15
- Roatán Bed and Breakfast (www.roatan-bedandbreakfast.com) in West End Village -- $52 per room per night (includes breakfast) or $ 250 per week
- Turquoise Bay Resort (www.turquoisebayresort.com) on the North Shore -- priced from $90 per night or $490 per week room only, or with three a la carte meals per day and airport transfers -- $50 for seven nights per person. The seven-night Dive Package with accommodation, three boat dives per day, one night dive, three a la carte meals per day and airport transfers -- $795 per person based on double occupancy.