The famed Mayan ruins of Copán and the world-renowned diving on the islands of Utila and Roatán reflect the beauty of Honduras. However, it is the smaller areas, coastal cities, tucked-away street vendors, small reservoirs, and lush cloud forests that truly define this Central American country as a place to wander. Therefore, there’s no better way to experience it than embarking on a journey through the roads less traveled in Honduras.
Cerro Azul Méambar National Park
It’s about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Copán to Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Mèambar (aka PaNaCAM). There, hiking trails ascend to elevations of 1,600 to 6,500 feet (500 to 2,000 m). Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of wildlife while capturing stunning photos of the occasional waterfall.
Despite its name cerro azul, meaning ‘blue hill,’ the national park is lushly green, and it’s easy to get lost in its thick landscapes. Fortunately, the PANACAM Lodge serves as a reliable base with guides, a restaurant, and other facilities. It’s an ideal place to unwind for a day or two, either in cozy cabin-like rooms or with your own tent on the campground.
Lake Yojoa
Just down the hill lies another natural wonder: Lago de Yojoa, Honduras’ largest lake formed in a volcanic depression between Cerro Azul Méambar and the Santa Barbara Mountains. On warm days, this scenic escape is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding. Fishing is also significant here, with boat tours available to view tilapia raised in pens, often frequented by birds swooping in for a free meal.
Lakeshore restaurants offer delicious regional cuisine, particularly the famous plato típico featuring a whole fried fish served with curtido (a pickled slaw), rice, beans, a tortilla, and fried plantains. Enjoy your meal with a refreshing beer from D&D Brewery, located near the northwestern lakeshore, which also offers boat rentals and excursions.
Tela
A two-and-a-half-hour drive from the lake leads to Tela, a gateway city to Atlantida on the Caribbean north coast. Once a hub for banana production, Tela has transformed into a seaside resort town known for its exceptional seafood. Among the regional delicacies is sopa de caracol (snail soup), a dish so celebrated that it inspired a Billboard charting song. For a taste, visit César Mariscos, a popular restaurant with hotel accommodations.
Lancetilla Jardín Botánico
A short drive from Tela leads you to one of the largest botanical gardens in Latin America, Lancetilla Jardín Botánico. Named after the lancetilla mango tree of northern Honduras, this garden originally served as a private research center. Now, it welcomes the public to explore its walking trails, hotel, and even a zip-line canopy tour. Visitors can enjoy hundreds of flora species, both medicinal and potentially deadly, all within the gardens’ mesmerizing bamboo tunnel.
La Ceiba
Traveling just under two hours eastbound, you will arrive at Honduras’ third-largest city, La Ceiba, affectionately known as la novia de Honduras (the girlfriend of Honduras) for its coastal charm. While beach resorts attract visitors, La Ceiba’s history is rooted in banana production, with Dole still having operations in the area. However, the city is also famed for its unofficial national street food, the baleada.
This large grilled tortilla filled with beans, sour cream, cheese, curtido, meat, and/or eggs (with optional avocado) served as a quick meal for plantation workers. The Avenida de Republica, a busy street, is lined with popular baleada stalls, specifically along ‘La Línea,’ a former rail line once used for transporting bananas.
Pico Bonito National Park
Just a short drive through La Ceiba will bring you to Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, one of the country’s treasured natural parks named after its stunning peak. Trails are filled with life, where you can encounter toucans, frogs, and lizards. Though elusive, monkeys, jaguars, and armadillos inhabit the area. For those eager for a closer look at snakes, a visit to the serpentarium at The Lodge & Spa at Pico Bonito offers a luxurious stay amidst nature. Thrill-seekers can also arrange rafting excursions through the class III and IV whitewater rapids in the Rio Cangrejal.
Cayos Cochinos
Approximately 30 minutes off the coast of La Ceiba by motorboat, you will discover Cayos Cochinos, the ‘hog islands’ nestled between Roatán and the mainland. This archipelago features two main islands and 13 smaller coral keys, where many are privately owned. One rather close-knit cay, Cayo Chachahuate, offers a glimpse into local Caribbean life, making it a great spot to enjoy fresh fish while experiencing #TheRealHonduras.
The area is also famous for the protected Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, one of the largest coral reef systems globally, attracting scuba diving enthusiasts. Dives can be arranged through Turtle Bay Eco Resort on Cayo Grande, making it a prime destination for underwater exploration.
