COPAN RUINAS
Located in the western part of Honduras, Copan was home to a great Mayan Civilization which developed and flourished across 325,000 square kilometers covering parts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador. Copan Ruinas offers a step up and away from tourist traps and busy cities. Its cool mountain climate (average year round temperature is a downright spring-like 78F), colonial architecture and friendly citizens make this one of the Maya region's most pleasant places to visit.

Copan's strategic location makes the Ruins an excellent base for day trips to the surrounding area which abounds in ecotourism, nature tourism and adventure possibilities. Visitors always enjoy their stay in the nearby colonial town of Copan Ruinas with its narrow, cobblestone streets. With plenty of craft and souvenir shops on hand, travelers can relax and experience the rich, deep Mayan world. Archaeologists have collected a treasure trove of information about the ancient Mayans in the Copan Valley during a century of research which continues today.

Known as one of the most artistically advanced and elaborate of all Mayan cities, Copan Ruinas was declared a World Heritage Site in 1980 by UNESCO. The magnificent site called "Las Sepulturas" can also be visited along with the main site. Visitors to the ruins can walk right up to the inscribed stone pillars called "stela" carved more than 1,000 years ago. The Eastern and Western Courts, the hieroglyphic staircase and the ball court are all must-see destinations within the main archeological site. Visitors are welcome at two excellent collections of antiquities in the town-based Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of Maya Sculpture adjacent to the main site.

There is also a wonderful Maya Childrens Museum in the village center (Casa K'inich), Admission is free. Suggested tours include: Finca el Cisne, Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve, Canopy Tour and Welchez Coffee Tour

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LAGO DE YOJOA
Lake Yojoa is the largest lake in Honduras with a surface area of 285 square kilometers (110m2), an average depth of 15 meters (50 feet) and an altitude of 700 meters (2300 feet). The fishing industry centers around Tilapia farming, one of Honduras' major exports. The lake is also available to yachting and watersports enthusiasts.

Lake Yojoa is surrounded by immense mountains, amongst which is Cerro Santa Barbara, the second highest peak in Honduras with almost 8,000 ft of altitude over sea level. These majestic mountains hold two of Honduras's National Parks: Santa Barbara on the west side of the lake, and Cerro Azul Meambar adjoining the east. This impressively diverse habitat make this area a hiking and bird watching paradise – almost 400 species of birds and 800 species of plants have been identified in the region. The views along the hikes are spectacular!

Lake Yojoa has also long provided a valuable habitat for people, as the shores of the lake were inhabited by native Americans believed to be of the Lenca culture. Descendants of the Lencas still populate much of western Honduras, and although their native language has long disappeared, many of their precolombian customs and beliefs survived.

Suggested tours include: D&D Brewery / Bed 'n Breakfast, Honduyate Marina and Resort Fishing Cave

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SAN PEDRO SULA
Located in the northern part of the country, San Pedro Sula is not far from the Caribbean coast. The city was founded in 1536, by Spanish conqueror Don Pedro de Alvarado, who named it "Villa de San Pedro de Puerto Caballos." Within the next 5 years it was known as San Pedro Sula, with the name Sula deriving from the local dialect Usula, meaning "valley of birds."

San Pedro Sula is one of the fastest growing cities and has undergone significant development. The city boasts modern and cultural conveniences, such as the new Francisco Saybe Theater, giving world class performances on a regular basis; the Centro Cultural Sampedrano, which hosts and organizes most of the city's cultural events; the Guamilito Market, with good handicrafts, vegetables and flowers; the Museum of Anthropology and History; a large fashion mall; and sophisticated restaurants serving up sushi or Thai delicacies, among others.

Getting around in San Pedro Sula requires knowing that it is divided into four quadrants following the old Spanish system of building cities. All the streets are numbered, with avenues leading from north to south and streets east to west. Downtown is marked by the first street.

With San Pedro Sula International airport being the main airport serving the area, San Perdo Sula is a major destination for transportation connections. The airport is easily accessible through several North American gateways, such as Miami, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The airport is regularly serviced by North American, Honduran and Central American airlines, as well as several executive nonstop bus services.

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LA CEIBA
La Ceiba is a Caribbean coastal town and is the third largest city in Honduras. A relatively young city, it got its name from a huge Ceiba tree that was next to the beach and provided shade to the workers at the dock and locals during the afternoon. It is the capital of the department of Atlantida, one of the 18 departments of Honduras. La Ceiba has long been the administrative hub of the Standard Fruit Company, producers of bananas, pineapples, grapefruits and many other agricultural goods that Honduras exports from the port of Puerto Castilla, 100 miles east of La Ceiba.

For travelers, La Ceiba is perfectly positioned for a slew of activities. It is situated at the foot of Pico Bonito National Park and the towering Sierra Nombre de Dios mountains. To its west lies the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Preserve. The Rio Congrejal runs just east of the city, serving up Class ll to Class lV white waters. Further east are the Garifuna villages of Nueva Armenia and Sambo Creek, where one would travel to the Cayos Cuchinos islands.

In La Ceiba, one can organize and begin their journey to the famous remote frontier of La Moskitia. La Ceiba itself enjoys a vibrant nightlife, particularly in the beach district. Travel to and from La Ceiba is easy by air, bus or ferry. Goloson International Airport and many bus lines transfer here. La Ceiba is also the jumping off point for the popular Bay Islands of Roatan and Utila with ferries running twice a day to each and three local airlines going daily.

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PICO BONITO
Pico Bonito National Park is located on the north coast of Honduras, in the Nombre de Dios mountain range, southwest of La Ceiba. It is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor and is the second largest national park in Honduras. With tropical rainforest, coastal plains, mangroves and cloud forests the park is host to many rare species of vegetation and wildlife, not to mention the spectacular waterfalls. Here, travelers can experience the lush jungle of the Honduras coast, within 20 minutes of the beach. Pico Bonito is a hiking and climbing paradise. Home to Rio Cangrajal, which sports Class ll to Class lV rapids, the park is also famous for its world class rafting and kayaking.

Suggested tours include: Omega Tours, Jungle River Lodge and Casa Cangrejal

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TELA
A quiet coastal town, Tela is quickly developing into an important beach destination. Tela has a long history dating back to its conquistador founding in May of 1524. Originally named Triunfo de la Cruz in honor of the Catholic day of the Holy Cross, the name was shortened to Tela by 1829. In its history, Tela's has seen settlement relationships with the local indigenous, buccaneers in search of Spanish ship booty, the establishment of Garifuna communities, and significant economic development from banana crops and the subsequent Tela Railroad Company.

Located halfway in between San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba (both of which contain international airports), and connected by excellent paved highways, Tela is very easily reached from both major cities. Tela offers the natural beauty of its beaches, as well as its close proximity to the magnificent natural offerings of three significant preserves: Lancetilla Gardens, the second largest tropical botanical garden in the world; Punta Sal National Park, unparalleled in diversity with its Micos Lagoon, mangroves, canals, cayes, white sand beaches, coral reefs, jungle and sea-only accessible peninsula; and Punta Izopo Wildlife Refuge, irrigated by the Platano and Hicaque rivers and whose mangroves forests are home to a large variety of wildlife.

The nearby Garifuna villages are also a major attraction for those seeking to experience traditional foods, village life and the rich culture expressed through music and dance.

Suggested tours include: Lancetilla Gardens, Punta Sal National Park and Punta Izopo Garifuna villages

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OMOA
Located on the northwest coast of Honduras, Omoa is one of the oldest towns in Honduras and played an important role in the history of Honduras, especially during the colonial times. When British pirates invaded the coastline targeting Spanish silver shipments, the fortress of San Fernando was built to protect the coast as well as the precious metals coming in and out of the harbor. It was successful in providing protection for many years. Even after the threat of piracy ceased, the fort continued to play an important role, becoming the seat of power for the local government in 1821, after the advent of Honduran independence. Later, it served as a new fortress, a jail, and was eventually abandoned. Today it is a national monument.

Omoa is framed by the Merendon mountain range that lines this part of the coast. The Cusuco National Park has its northern boundaries within these mountains, with peaks reaching above 6,500 feet, and housing different habitats, such as beaches and mangroves, tropical rain forests and even cloud forests in the higher elevations. The natural areas around Omoa boast waterfalls, swimming holes and hiking trails for the adventurous.

Omoa is developing, but still maintains a focus on options for the backpacker and budget traveler crowd. There are now several restaurants as well as some small hotels and hostels in the area. From Omoa it is a short distance to Puerto Cortez in Honduras, and Puerto Barrios in Guatemala, for those looking for ferries to Belize or to Livingston, Guatemala.

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UTILA
Utila is the smallest of the three major Bay Islands and the most flat (11km long and 4km at its widest point). Utila lies closest to the Honduran Mainland at approximately 18 miles from the coast and can be easily reached from La Ceiba either by sea or air.

The biggest attraction that Utila offers to its tourists is its beautiful reefs, as well as underwater caves and wrecks. Utila boasts the largest local population of whale sharks, one of the world's largest fish, completely harmless, who regularly migrate through the waters around Utila. The whale shark research program on the island has successfully tagged several specimens.

At the southwest end of the island are several small islands, or cays, some just 100 feet across and 1-2 feet above sea level, and the largest ones inhabited by fisherman and descendents of Cayman Islands settlers. Several of the cays are open to visitors.

Utila has the reputation of being one of the most economical diving destinations, maintaining a largely backpacker-friendly atmosphere. All businesses are run by local families or residents and accommodations range from dorm rooms to resort quality.

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ROATAN
Easily accessed by sea with the brand new Galaxy Wave catamaran, or by air from La Ceiba, San Pedro, or the United States, Roatan offers everything from the finest of resorts for the discerning traveler to affordable options for the backpacker. A long island (measuring almost 40 miles in length and with a total landmass of 49 square miles), Roatan has a mountainous backbone and is totally surrounded by coral reefs, part of the Mesoamerican reef system (the second largest reef system after Australian's Great Barrier Reef).

With the reef hugging the shore a short swimming distance, Roatan offers superb diving as well as excellent fishing. Bay Island diving, being the most economical in the world for certification, is also the most consistently accessible and beautiful year round. Divers can expect to see spectacular reef, marine life, and wrecks any time of the year.

Of the Bay Islands, Roatan is the largest and most developed. Outside of diving and snorkeling, Roatan offers the most diversity in activities, ranging from nature parks, to canopy tours, to Garifuna culture, to a wide variety of culinary delights.

Suggested tours include: Full day or half day island tour, Gumbalimba Park, Iguana Park, Shark Dive and Dolphin Experience

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