Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage.

Tegucigalpa - The capital and largest city of Honduras. It has an international airport and offers connections by plane to San Pedro Sula and to La Ceiba, the door to the Bay Islands and the Caribbean Coast.

Parque La Leona

An old neighbourhood in the center of Tegus, overlooking the central park. It is a bit of a labyrinth to make your way up the old steep windy streets to arrive at parque La Leona, but it is a nice park, with a beautiful view, and a relaxed atmosphere. If walking, if you start facing the front door of the basilica in the central park, head to your left, and just keep walking up hill, and you will almost certainly hit the park as long as you continue upwards. Or ask someone in the area. In the park there is a little store/restaurant that sells typical Honduran food and has a patio overhanging from the park, with a spectacular view of the city, the valley, and the hills.

Parque el Picacho

A park overlooking the city which takes its name from the huge statue of Jesus Christ, also called "Cristo el Picacho", which is visible from almost any point in the city. Free parking is available at the entrance of the park, and entrance to the park is a nominal fee (around 5 USD). The views from the park are gorgeous. The park is well maintained, clean, and seemingly not very busy (though likely busier on weekends). To get to the park if you don't have a car, you can take the rapidito bus that passes the park on the way to El Hatillo. The bus leaves from a few blocks north of the central park. If you walk to the end of the Calle Peotanal that begins in front of the basilica, and follow it to the end, through the black gates, past the Museo de Identidad Nacional, all the way to the Bonillo Theatre, take a left there on the far side of the theatre, walk up one block and the bus leaves on the right. Or just ask someone in this area. On the rapidito ask the fare-taker to tell you when to get off for Picacho (about a 5-10minute walk in to the park gate, then a further 15 to the big Jesus...). The bus ride takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

National Zoo

On the same hill as the Picacho statue, with tropical animals such as monkeys, bright-colored parrots, and others. There is a separate entrance fee to enter the zoo. While not a horrible zoo, and worth seeing if you don't mind dropping a few dollars on the entrance fee, the zoo features mostly lethargic animals, the larger ones often noticeably insane as a result of their encagement. The zoo has a variety of monkeys, crocodiles, a jaguar, tapirs (anteaters), snakes, a collection of various raptors, and others.

San Pedro Sula - Second city and industrial center in the north of the country. It has an international airport and is close by car to Tela and La Ceiba.

Museum of Anthropology & History

This museum has a selection of pre-Columbian pottery, grinders and other items up through colonial times. Some Spanish would be helpful since few items have English labels.

Parque Central

People-watch at Parque Central, the main square.

La Ceiba - Jumping off point for the Bay Islands. Great beaches and daily ferries to either Utila and Roatan where snorkeling and diving are major attractions.

Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge

You take an old train through the pineapple fields to a beautiful lagoon. There is a modern park building with small displays and public restrooms. You can then take either a motor boat or canoe tour of the lagoon. Bring suncreen, hats and water bottles.

The Lodge at Pico Bonito

The lodge allows day visitors. You can use their pool, hike their trails, climb their lookout towers and have lunch at their restaurant. It's a lovely place to explore and easy with children.

El Porvenir

The beach at El Porvenir is lots of fun. There is a river flowing into the sea and it makes for a freshwater "tubing" area that runs parallel to the sea. There's also a small restaurant for drinks and chips.

El Progreso- The fourth largest city in Honduras. It is in a key agricultural sector just 20 minutes from the international airport of San Pedro Sula. It is on an important intersection of major Honduran highways that got towards Comayagua, San Pedro Sula and to Tela.

While El Progreso is mainly a commercial city, the central plazas, main cathedral and downtown area provide tourists with a window into the soul of Honduran life. Local produce, hand made goods and everyday essentials can be purchased from the dozens of small stands and shops in the center of town.

Historically, the town was a key logistical center for the United Fruit Company's Honduran banana trade. In the 1920's the are was a booming rail center, and the legacy of this time period can still be seen today. The train cars can be found at the train station (now the site of Sunday markets), just off of the boulevard towards Tegucigalpa.

To the west of the city lies the scenic drive to Tela and La Ceiba. Along the way travelers can see the protected mountain range called Pico Quemado

Comayagua - The former capital of the country is today a quiet colonial town with a beautiful cathedral and historic town center.

In the central square of the town sits the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, an outstanding example of 18th-century colonial architecture.

Gracias - This pleasant colonial mountain town hosts Parque Celaque, in which the highest mountain in Honduras is found set among wonderful cloud forests.

The Colonial City of Gracias

What will you see: A castle A museum with a botanical garden, 3 churches, 2 plazas, the market and

The museum with botanical garden and the San Sebstian Church are located at the Plaza San Sebastian. The entrance fee to the museum and botanical garden is Lps 30.00

You can see the fort "El Castillo San Cristobal" on the west side of town on a small hill. Allthough the main entrance on the south side there is a small entrance at the end of the stairs leading to the Hotel Guancascos. No entrance fee The San Marcos Church is next to the fully renovated Central Parc. The La Merced church is one block north and one block east from the “parque central”, The market is 2 blocks west of Central Park.

You will pass the “sweets, spicy and pickles’ shop” if you walk from Central Park to the Plaza San Sebastian. Ask for Lorenas her shop. You Unfortanetly churches are often closed, only the San Marcos is used for mass on a regular base.

Omoa- A small beachfront town with Spanish colonial fortress to the west of Puerto Cortés.

The beach

Colonial era Spanish Fortress San Fernando

Tela - An old city about 1 hour from El Progreso which has a beautiful sandy coastline and is home to the second largest humid tropical botanical garden for commercial plants in the world, the Lancetilla Botanical Garden and Research Center (Jardin Botanico y Centro de Investigacion Lancetilla) only 5 kilometers from downtown.

Museo Garifuna

8 Calle NE, near the Rio Tela. All about Garifuna culture.

Parque Nacional Punta Sal

Mangrove swamps, tropical forests, shady lagoons and coral reefs. Monkeys and bird watching.

Pier and Train Station

Tela use to be one of the main shipping areas for Bananas from the United Fruit Company. A rail service from the interior of the country brought produce to Tela to be shipped to the United States. Today the pier and train station that were central to that trade have been abandoned. They are within 100 yards of the bridge in downtown Tela and are a great destination for any avid photographer. The pier is also a great adventure (not for small children). There you can see local fisherman trying there luck at the end of the pier. The best time to go is usually a weekend as the pier becomes a gathering point for many people, especially at sunset when the view is extraordinary.

Maya Vista Hotel

This hotel is on one of the highest points in the beach area and offers and amazing view of Tela from the observation deck on top of the Hotel. The Hotel also has a great eating area that offers a nice view as part of the dining experience.

Santa Rosa de Copán - Temperate mountain city in the western part of the country, not to be confused with Copán Ruinas (one of the more touristy towns in Honduras) nor with the famous ruins of Copán.

The central park is beautiful and well-maintained, with plenty of benches for people watching. There is a Tourist Information Center in the kiosk in the middle of the park with maps, internet and information about the city. Across the park, the white-washed catholic cathedral makes for great photos. The old cemetary is an interesting visit, about a 30 minute walk from the center of town. It is a colorful and maze-like place. The tourist office can give you directions on how to get there. At the far end of town, there is a overlook with an OK view of the city. To get there, climb the 100+ steps to the top, where there is a replica Mayan statue.