Overview

Honduras is bordered by Guatemala to the west, El Salvador and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Nicaragua to the southeast, and the Caribbean Sea to the north. The land is highly mountainous and forested, but surprisingly, offers an agricultural bounty. Known worldwide for its coffee and banana exports, the country is still among the poorest nations in the region. Yet from around the years 150-900, it was a place of great wealth as the mighty Mayan empire ruled around the city of Copán. Today, it is hoped that this former wealth can return in the form of tourism dollars generated from the ancient ruins that have surrendered many priceless artifacts. The country is also a hot spot for plant and wildlife species. The 43,278 square-mile country is host to more than 6,000 species of plants, roughly 250 reptiles and amphibians, over 700 species of birds, and 110 species of mammals (half of them being types of bats).
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Travel Facts

Population
7,212,000

Capital
Tegucigalpa

Time Zone
U.S. Central Standard Time minus 1 hour

Currency
Lempira

Weather
Generally speaking, most of Honduras is quite tropical all year round given its close proximity to the equator. But considering about 80% of the country is mountains, the climate can vary greatly depending on your elevation. As a result, the lowlands and coastal regions tend to offer more pleasant temperature ranges than the higher altitudes. The northern region is often hot and muggy while the southern region is usually hot and dry, while coastal areas offer a nice cooling breeze from the sea. Rainfall is low to moderate except during the wet season generally between May and October. Honduras is sometimes subject to hurricanes between June and November.

Entertainment & Nightlife

There is a wide variety of bars and restaurants in the capital city of Tegucigalpa where you can sit back and enjoy the national drink known as Licuados - fruit juices and milk shakes made from the plentiful local fruits. Many choose to visit the casinos in the major cities or shop the local markets featuring excellent quality woodcarvings, cigars, leather goods, straw hats and bags, seed necklaces, and baskets. But perhaps the best experiences in Honduras are the beautiful national parks, imposing mountains, unspoiled jungle, calm waters, white-sandy beaches, and the profusion of wildlife.

Restaurant and Cuisine Listings

El Quijote, Tegucigalpa
Located just two blocks from downtown, El Quijote is one of the oldest restaurants in the capital city offering some of the most scenic views of the central park and the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel. The restaurant features international cuisine with a specialty in seafood plates and Spanish Paellas.

La Cumbre, El Hatillo
The hungry find great indoor & outdoor dining here in a pleasant, intimate atmosphere and with a great view of Tegucigalpa. The menu features German specialties and other tasty international dishes.

Lempira, Trujillo
Experience amazing views of Trujillo Bay along with a full-service bar and meals prepared by some of the finest European chefs. The long walk up the hill to the Villas Brinkley Hotel where Lempira is located might be a little work for some, but the food and views are worth the effort.

Culture & Heritage

The language of Honduras is largely Spanish, but one is likely to find quite a few people in the northern coast and Bay Islands that speak English. Catholicism's influence in the country is not hard to miss, but there is also a distinct Mayan presence as well. Archaeologists have shown that Honduras had a rich, multi-ethnic prehistory. During the classic period (150-900) an ancient kingdom called Xukpi flourished near the city of Copán until it was overran by the jungle. Today, tourists from all over the world come to see ruins of this once great civilization. Even Christopher Columbus played a part in Honduran history. On his final journey to the New World, Columbus stopped at the Bay Islands on the coast of Honduras, which eventually led to the region becoming part of the vast Spanish empire for nearly three centuries.

Famous Hondurans –Spotlight on Óscar Andrés Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga

He is the current Archbishop of Tegucigalpa and was initially listed among the favorites to become a possible successor to Pope John Paul II. He is considered a rising star of the Latin American Church and his well-known campaign for human rights and the poor have won him worldwide acclaim.