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Off the Beaten Path in Honduras
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Honduras Off the Beaten Path


Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Honduras attractions, posted by real travelers and locals.
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Walpaul-bansirpe petroglyphs
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  • epicult
  • By epicult on May 27, 2003
  • Honduras Page by epicult
  • Ken and guides surround the 'Dragon' - Honduras
    Ken and guides surround
    the 'Dragon'
    by epicult
    About 4 hours up river from Las Marias (via dugout pipante) you will come to the Walpaul-bansirpe petroglyphs. Not a whole lot to see but interesting none-the-less. The local guides are funny, entertaining and an overall joy. They work very hard propelling these dugouts UP the river and get a little silly (always wanting to practice their English) on the way down. The trip gives incredible views of the jungle and affords bird lovers an opportunity of a lifetime.

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    The Aguán Valley
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  • traveldave
  • Updated By traveldave on March 27, 2008
  • Honduras Page by traveldave
  • Honduras Off the Beaten Path
    by traveldave
    Most people who visit Honduras will never travel to the remote and dry Aguán Valley. The reason is that there is absolutely nothing in the area that would attract most tourists. However, for birdwatchers this is one of only two or three arid valleys in Honduras where the endemic Honduran emerald can be found. This highly endangered species of hummingbird is found nowhere else in the world.

    The Honduran emerald prefers arid thorn scrub, but much of this habitat has been cleared for cattle grazing. The Honduran government is trying to save the remaining habitat for this bird which should be considered a national treasure. Many parts of the Aguán Valley are protected by the military from further degredation, and it is necessary to get permission to visit habitat where the Honduran emerald can be found.

    The Aguán Valley is dry because the east-west running Cordillera Nombre de Dios traps moisture coming in from the Caribbean Sea on its north slope, leaving the south slope, where the Aguán Valley is located, in its rain shadow. This means that relatively little rain falls in the valley. The plant life here is characterized by such dry-country species as thorn scrub, columnar cactus, and epiphytic-laden oaks.

    It is a long and difficult trip to the Aguán Valley. Although it is only about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the Caribbean coast, there is no road penetrating the rugged mountains between the coast and valley. As a result, it takes about three hours to drive a circuitous route east from La Ceiba, south around the east end of mountains, then west toward the valley. And to slow the trip further, at the village of Olanchito the pavement ends, and it is necessary to drive slowly along a dusty, rutted dirt road farther down to the valley.

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    Las Marias - Trekking
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  • epicult
  • Updated By epicult on October 28, 2005
  • Honduras Page by epicult
  • Rio Platano, Las Marias - Honduras
    Rio Platano, Las Marias
    by epicult
    If you're up for adventure, this is a trip for you. Not so much for its strenous activity but for its sheer logistical challenges. Lush jungle, lovely Pech and Moskito people, and some of the most amazing wildlife I've seen in all my jungle adventures, including the Amazon. A little on the expensive side; about 450 USD w/ a guide and about 350 or so without for 5 days... but very nice!

    Jorge and his brother Mino at Moskitia Eco-Aventuras are a pretty good bet. Cash speaks, Visa carries a hefty service charge and Travelers checks are out of the question.

    It must be noted that you will not save alot of money by navigating into these parts yourself, unless you speak excellent Spanish and Moskito and have mastered the art of negotiation. Local guides have a solid network and will save you many headaches, unless of course you have lots of time and patience, as logistics can be an absolute nightmare!

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  • Other Contact: Moskitia Eco-Aventuras
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    A beach worth beating a path to!
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  • epicult
  • Updated By epicult on August 12, 2003
  • Honduras Page by epicult
  • Beach at Campamento near Trujillo - Honduras
    Beach at Campamento near
    Trujillo
    by epicult
    Tujillo has very nice beaches. I must admit I'm not a big 'beach' lover, but these stretches are truly spectacular. Staying at Campamento (a few miles out of town... take a taxi or hitch hike) we never saw a person within miles on these beaches, besides the owners of course. The accompanying picture pretty much tells all.

    It's quite easy to get to Campamento, just ask for directions and hitchhike. It's safe as long as you do it during daylight hours. The first vehicle will probably pick you up and it's alot cheaper than a cab! Out of respect, offer the driver a tip to help cover gas and show your appreciation. See my Accommodations Tip as well.

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    Los Naranjos Archeological Park
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  • traveldave
  • Updated By traveldave on March 27, 2008
  • Honduras Page by traveldave
  • Honduras Off the Beaten Path
    by traveldave
    Los Naranjos Archeological Park is an archeological site protecting the ruins of a settlement established by the pre-Columbian Lenca Culture on the northwest shore of Lake Yojoa. It is considered to be the second most important pre-Columbian site in Honduras, after the Mayan ruins at Copán. The settlement was established in about 700 B.C., and it flourished for almost 2,000 years.

    Compared to most Mayan ruins, the ruins at Los Naranjos Archaeological Park are not very impressive. The ruins have only been partially excavated because they are made of clay, and total excavation would expose them to the elements.

    The site comprises 370 acres (150 hectares), most of which is covered by forest. There are four miles (six kilometers) of well-maintained trails through the forest and around the ruins. A visitors' center and small museum provide a general overview of the Lencan civilization. The administrators of the site focus on environmental education, teaching local school children about the relationship between humans and their environment, from prehistory to the present.

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    Copan Ruinas
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  • alza
  • By alza on July 18, 2006
  • Honduras Page by alza
  • Arrival at Parque Central, Copan Ruinas - Honduras
    Arrival at Parque Central,
    Copan Ruinas
    by alza
    Copan is in the WESTERN part of Honduras, in the centre of the NORTH-SOUTH borderline with Guatemala.

    CHIQUIMULA is the town in Guatemala closest to the border crossing into Honduras. Calculate about 2 hours from Chiquimula to EL FLORIDO, the hamlet where you cross the border on foot.
    Buses leave Chiquimula for El Florido all day, every hour. MAKE SURE to take a bus by 1 p.m. latest in Chiquimula! The border at El Florido is said to close about 5 p.m. but I arrived before 4 p.m. & barely made it. The officials had closed the wicket & were all saying goodbye to each other. The money-changers on the street signalled for me to rush over to the Customs & Immigration barrack, & even asked the official to wait for me. Thanks guys!

    Once you've paid your way out of Guatemala & into Honduras (get lempiras from the money-changers), walk over to the small busses, minivans & trucks waiting to take you to COPAN RUINAS, 12 kms further (about 20 minutes.)

    I don't remember how much I paid for the old van that took me from El Florido to Copan. It seemed a bit much for such a short journey but Copan is THE destination from El Florido & the owners of those busses are all vying for your business.
    I chose to go with the first van owner who approached me because he was nice & helpful with my baggage & he also promised to help me find a hotel in Copan Ruinas.

    I went from CHIQUIMULA to EL FLORIDO by taxi, the road was beautiful & it only took about an hour. I had gone to the Terminal in Chiquimula in the morning, to enquire about bus schedules but it was very chaotic. Terminal employees tell you one thing, then you walk out in the street & 10 men are inviting you on "their" bus, none of which show their destination. And they're all leaving right now... I had to go back to the hotel to get my luggage! So that's why I took a taxi, right at my hotel door...

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    Agua Caliente is a hot spring...
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  • DanEnslow
  • By DanEnslow on August 26, 2002
  • Honduras Page by DanEnslow
  • Honduras Off the Beaten Path
    by DanEnslow
    Agua Caliente is a hot spring resort hotel near the Pech village of Silin, about 7 Km west of Trujillo. It is in a very peaceful hilly country setting. You can use the hot pools and get a complete massage for about $10. I paid extra because Lastenia spent a lot of extra time on my shoulder which I had injured in a bicycle accident in Tela. Lastenia is a really gifted masajista, with very strong hands. I called her 'Manos de gracia'.
    Agua Caliente has very nice large rooms with two double beds, AC, TV, etc for about $26 per night, including use of the hot pools; less by the week. They also have a restaurant. A great place for someone who needs to relax for a while. I just came during the day twice, soaked, and hiked the surrounding hills.

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    PUERTO CORTES
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  • kiwigal_1
  • Updated By kiwigal_1 on October 22, 2004
  • Honduras Page by kiwigal_1
  • Castillo de Omoa - Honduras
    Castillo de Omoa
    by kiwigal_1
    Puerto Cortes is a port city to the north west of San Pedro Sula. It is best reached by bus from SPS. There is a beach here but it isn't as nice as Tela in my opinion. The main attraction for me here was the Omoa Fort. The hotel that we stayed in was called Hotel Costa Azul located on the Coca Cola Beach on the waterfront. The rooms were very comfortable and the hotel had a pool, billiards table and restaurant facilities. I think it cost about 250 Lempiras per night.

    For more pictures of El Castillo de Omoa in Puerto Cortes please take a look at my Omoa page.

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    small, nontourist villages
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  • By dawnpaz2000 on March 9, 2003
  • Honduras Page by dawnpaz2000
  • If you come to Honduras, of course there are tourist places to see and visit. However, if you want to see how the REAL Hondurans live, get a map of Honduras, pick a small town, and go there. You´ll surely see how the people really live. Honduran people are very friendly and have alot of Hospitality. One time my family and I went with my Honduran Goddaughter and her mom to there families house. It was a mud house, mostly mud floor, with the usual cement stove. The people didn´t have lawn chairs or any chairs for that matter (except for the 2 wooden ones) but hauled out the old sofa and matching chair on their lawn for us to sit. We drank the usual Guado drink and had beans and rice. My family was impressed and still come back because of the warm, friendly, hospitality!

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    San Lorenzo
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  • janchan
  • By janchan on February 17, 2003
  • Honduras Page by janchan
  • Honduras Off the Beaten Path
    by janchan
    The area of San Lorenzo is a very dry region on the south coast of Honduras. It was one the most devastated part of the country by the Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

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