Honduras has so much to see that the choices can feel overwhelming. You can hike through tropical rainforests, cloud forests and mountains, paddle around mangrove swamps, rivers and lakes, or visit Maya archaeological sites overflowing with ancient secrets.
Along the shore are beautiful beaches and reefs, and if you want that rum punch or a shot of the local concoction, gifiti, it’s easy to find a little merriment wherever you go. Here’s our guide to the best places to visit in Honduras.
1. Punta Gorda, Roatán
Best place to learn about Garifuna culture
Roatán may be touristy, but most of that scene is on the western part of the island. Head to the island’s eastern municipality – Santos Guardiola – for a sense of what real Roatanian life is like. The Garifuna community of Punta Gorda is the oldest permanent settlement on the island.
The Garifuna people, of African and Indigenous Arawak descent, were exiled from the Caribbean island of St Vincent and established Garifuna communities in parts of Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Garifuna culture has become integral to Honduras’ national identity, from Afro-beats to machuca, a beloved coconut-milk-based seafood stew with a boiled ball of mashed plantains.
Garifuna culture is celebrated at the Garifuna Cultural Center in Punta Gorda, founded by Audrey Flores, a former New Yorker who came here seeking her roots. Though the center is closed as they expand the space, you can still learn about Garifuna history and culture on their website; construction should be wrapped up in 2024 to allow for a grand reopening.
2. Eastern Roatán
Best place for peaceful beaches
While quieter than the west, eastern Roatán isn’t completely devoid of resorts, and it has some fine beaches. Crowning a sand-flanked bluff, Paya Bay Resort, run by local islanders, feels more like a spiritual retreat than a holiday resort.
Looking over the Caribbean Sea, it’s quiet and secluded with an array of activities, from snorkeling and hiking to meditation and yoga. Day passes are available for non-guests, and the 22-acre private resort has the only clothing-optional beach on the island.
About a six-minute drive southwest is Camp Bay Beach, the go-to public beach in these parts. It’s a popular locale for family cookouts and sandy picnics. With natural white sands and wild coconut palm trees, Camp Bay represents a nostalgic view of what all of Roatán’s beaches once were.
For the more active set, head to Jonesville, a town on the south shore, for a kayaking tour. You can paddle through dense mangrove forests along the shore, where you may discover hidden tunnels rumored to have been pirate hideouts.
3. Guanaja
Best place to escape the crowds
Of the three main Bay Islands, Guanaja is perhaps the most beautiful. The lack of development and less-convenient transport options have preserved a peaceful and natural landscape. Immerse yourself in the lush, green scenery and hike the 4km trail (2.5 miles) for stunning views from Michael’s Rock Peak, passing the only waterfall on any of Honduras’ islands.
Some of the island’s most beautiful beaches are so secluded they are only accessible by water taxi. A boatman can take you to Soldado Beach, Graham’s Cay, or Bayman Bay Beach if you seek tranquility.
There are several low-key beach resorts, including Clearwater Paradise and the End of the World Resort, both of which focus on scuba diving. If you haven’t been certified yet, this is the place to do it, with access to some of the best dive sites nationwide.
However, the stillness of Guanaja may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to the new ferry service from Roatán, which began in October 2021, running four times a week alongside domestic flights and charter boats.
4. Utila
Best place to party
Unlike Roatán, which is favored by an older crowd, Utila is still a Neverland for young partygoers who come to scuba dive, drink, free dive, sing karaoke, enjoy the beach, and repeat the cycle daily.
Many have stories of only planning to stay a few weeks, yet ending up for years. Around 150 expats now call Utila home, away from the bustling action, and despite the nightlife, there’s an overall relaxed island vibe welcoming everyone.
The island’s only main strip is lined with colorful bars, shops, restaurants, and accommodations. Ask seasoned travelers where the party’s at on any given night, whether at a live music show or karaoke night. Not every establishment boasts a loud atmosphere; quieter boutique hotel options abound, offering a restful retreat.
Utila has evolved beyond its past as a cheap backpacker destination, becoming something of a foodie haven, with elevated seafood offerings and Asian fusion cuisine. Culinary gems like Captain Willis Bistro and Mister Buddha serve up delicious dishes that are not to be missed.
5. Cayos Cochinos
Best place for a day trip
Cayos Cochinos is a small archipelago of Honduran islands close to the mainland near La Ceiba. It consists of two main islands, Cayo Grande and Cayo Menor, plus 13 smaller keys. Some offer simple accommodations while others are privately owned or devoid of any facilities, but all are surrounded by stunning white sand beaches.
A common way to visit Cayos Cochinos is through a tour from La Ceiba or Roatán. A boat will ferry you to the best spots for beach lounging or snorkeling, where marine life flourishes, supported by conservation organizations. Here, it’s not uncommon to sight nurse sharks or eagle rays.
Some tours include lunch, but if you land on Cayo Chachahuate, you can purchase food from the local Garifuna community, with the freshest day’s catch from local fishers.
6. Pico Bonito National Park
Best place to get close to wildlife
La Ceiba, located on the northern coast, was once the epicenter of the banana industry. It’s believed to be the spot where hungry workers inadvertently invented baleada, Honduras’ unofficial national dish made of beans, cheese, sour cream, curtido, and meat or eggs folded within a grilled tortilla.
Today, La Ceiba is known as the gateway city to Honduras’ premier biodiversity showcase – Pico Bonito National Park. Named after the triangular-shaped peak at its heart, Pico Bonito is home to toucans, jaguars, monkeys, and many other wildlife species. Hire a guide for the challenging three-hour hike to see the stunning Cascada Zacate (you’ll hear the falls long before you see them).
The Rio Cangrejal bordering Pico Bonito serves as La Ceiba’s playground for river sports such as whitewater rafting and kayaking. Base yourself at El Naranjo, offering a range of accommodations from charming B&Bs to eco-adventure lodges.
7. Tela
Best place for exploring the Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas
Tela, on the northwest Caribbean coast, is among the more appealing beach cities on the mainland. Like La Ceiba, the town has a history in banana production but now attracts visitors for its seaside resorts and local cuisine. If you’ve grown weary of fried fish, try the sopa de caracol (snail soup), a dish so iconic it has inspired a popular song.
In addition to housing an excellent aquarium, Tela Marine Research Center is vital for research into Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, a serious infection impacting coral throughout the Caribbean. Several white-sand beaches are found along Tela Bay, including the public beach in town, with the best stretches half an hour away in Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas, Honduras’ largest national park.
Snakes, monkeys, and jaguars inhabit the rainforest, while the park features beach coves, mangrove forests, and the country’s largest saltwater lagoon. Access requires a boat, so consider a tour with a Tela-based company to fully experience it.
8. Copán
Best place to learn about Maya culture
Touring the well-preserved Copán Archaeological Site is the primary attraction in western Honduras. This site was home to one of the most significant Maya civilizations, filled with artifacts dating back to 250–900 CE. The best part? Most days, you’ll have the ruins nearly to yourself.
However, there’s much more to experience in Copán beyond its ancient ruins. While the sun shines, the sunflowers bloom; grab your camera and head to El Paseo de los Girasoles (The Path of the Sunflowers). This working farm has become an Instagram hotspot, growing sunflowers primarily as feed for dairy cows.
The town surrounding the Copán Ruins is named Copán Ruinas, a charming town serving as an excellent base for exploring the area. Accommodations range from the classic Iguana Azul hostel to the newer, four-star Hotel Marina Copán. After a day of exploring, unwind for tea time at El Lugar del Té y Chocolate.
For the finest sunsets in town, take a taxi up the hill to Hacienda San Lucas, a transformed farmhouse-turned-hotel and restaurant offering breathtaking views of the sunset over the Rio Copán. The signature cocktail served here honors the national bird, the scarlet macaw, which you can observe up close at the Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve, just 10 minutes from the Copán ruins.
9. Tegucigalpa
Best place for museums and culture
It doesn’t matter if you struggle to pronounce the name of Honduras’ capital city; locals simply refer to it as “Tegus.” Don’t let tales of crime deter you; with caution, Tegucigalpa can be as safe as any major city.
Most city attractions are located in El Centro, particularly around the Plaza Morazán, named after a former president. Here, you’ll find the 18th-century main cathedral and the Centro de la Cultura Garinagu, which showcases Garifuna culture.
Just a few blocks away, delve into Honduras’ national identity at the Museo para la Identidad Nacional, offering guided tours in English.
For a breather from the hustle and bustle, venture to Parque Naciones Unidas El Picacho in the northern part of the city, where a trail leads to the Picacho Christ, a smaller version of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue.
You can also take a day trip from Tegus to Parque Nacional La Tigra, the closest national park to the capital, featuring cloud forests, rivers, and waterfalls. Another option is Valle de Ángeles, a 16th-century mining town with restored buildings, now home to talented woodworking artisans.
10. Lake Yojoa region
Best place for bird-watching and hiking
Lago Yojoa, Honduras’ largest lake, is a local getaway in the countryside, about four hours from Tegucigalpa. Lakeside restaurants serve up fried fish alongside the typical sides of rice, beans, curtido, and plantains.
If you enjoy craft beer as much as lakeside activities, consider basing yourself at D&D Brewery, a local microbrewery, lodge, and adventure company. They can arrange various excursions on or around the lake and provide meals to satisfy your hunger afterward.
Lake Yojoa lies between two significant national parks, Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Bárbara, focused on the tall Montaña de Santa Bárbara, and Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Méambar (also known as PaNaCAM). Both parks are famed for their hiking and bird-watching opportunities.
Quetzals are the prized birds to find in this region, having been sacred to the Maya. However, if you’re less keen on being glued to binoculars, numerous other forest creatures will keep you entertained while you hike to the parks’ many waterfalls.
This article was originally published on Jun 29, 2022, and updated on Jan 2, 2024.
