Updated on:November 10, 2025
by
Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
Honduras is located in the Central American continent. It has a set of international borders: to the west, Guatemala, to the southwest; El Salvador, to the southeast; Nicaragua, to the south; the Gulf of Fonseca, and to the north, the Gulf of Honduras, which is the entrance to the Caribbean Sea.
Spain occupied Honduras for a long period, specifically from 1502 to 1838. During this period, Honduras was known by several names, including Spanish Honduras. The Spaniards also called it Giamours. Christopher Columbus was the one who named it, and it was known as Higoras, in reference to the Jicaro tree, which is known for being fruitful.
Honduras is distinguished by the fact that the area of the mountains is more than half the area of the country, its highest mountain peak is 2,700 meters above sea level, and in the northern and eastern regions, there are plains. It is considered the second-largest country in Central America, and it attracts those wishing to spend a vacation to enjoy the beauty of natural wildlife and marine life. You can also explore the beautiful Caribbean forests and beaches and the lakes where birds live.
There are also islands in the Gulf of Mexico, which are considered one of the most beautiful places. These islands are surrounded by coral reefs and are part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world, which extends from the north to Mexico.
Weather in Honduras
The climate of Honduras is characterized as tropical, specifically in the low-lying areas and the high mountainous regions. The climate is somewhat moderate, and the temperature is high in the southern and central regions.
Things to do in Honduras
Honduras is a wonderful destination filled with natural places and attractive areas ideal for spending a vacation with family and friends. Therefore, tourism in Honduras is a magical and unparalleled experience. You will enjoy many recreational activities and take many tours of the country’s tourist attractions.
Let us tour this beautiful country and learn more about the places and activities that you can try during your vacation in Honduras. Pack your bags, and let us go there to start our vacation right away.
Copan Ruins Archeological Site
Copan Ruins Archeological Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back 2,000 years. The people who lived there were highly stratified and focused on tradition. The site is famous for its columns and altars, which are spread around the plaza. Most of them have been standing there since the years 711 and 736.
Another attraction located there is the Hieroglyphic Stairway. It is a beautiful temple and includes the longest-known Mayan text. The Acropolis also includes carved reliefs of the 16 kings of Copan. Also, make sure to visit the Las Sepulturas archaeological site. The place shows how the Mayan elite lived before the collapse of Copan.
Museum of Mayan Sculpture in Copan
The Museum of Mayan Sculpture is located at the Copan Ruins Archeological Site. It is a must-see attraction. There, you will see pieces of sculpture and altars recovered from the site. You can visit it after finishing your tour of the Copan Ruins Archeological Site. When you visit the museum, you will go through a tunnel into a hillside and find yourself in a vast, sunlit open space.
Roatan in Bay Islands
Roatan is an island located 65 km away from Honduras coast in the Caribbean, it is the largest and the most popular of the Bay Islands and it is a famous tourist destination nowadays, especially for divers and snorkelers. Once you visit the island you will love the beaches and the nature surrounding you, one of the best beaches that you can visit there is the West Bay Beach with crystal waters, many shops, restaurants, and activities to do such as snorkeling.
Other attractions in Roatan include the Roatan Institute of Marine Science, the Roatan Museum, the Carambola Gardens, and the Roatan Marine Park. The island is full of places to visit, and I guess you can’t finish all of them in one day. There is also Gumbalimba Park, which is the perfect place for wildlife lovers, and Manawakie Park, which gives you a quick look at Honduran culture.
La Tigra National Park
La Tigra National Park is about 20 km away from Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. It is considered one of the top attractions to visit in the country and is located at a height of 2270 meters. The park has a lush cloud forest where many creatures live, like monkeys and pumas.
When you visit the park, you will see many bird species, possibly more than 200, which is why it is also called the heaven of birds. These include trogons, toucans, and much more.
Utila in Bay Islands
Utila in Bay Island is located 32 km away from the west coast of Roatan. It is a small island about 13 km long, and it is one of the best places for diving. When you are there, you will find a stunning town called Utila Town, which is full of shops and dive centres. Don’t miss trying the fresh seafood and Honduran traditional food in one of the restaurants located there.
Like other beaches, Utila is known for its beautiful beaches, snorkelling, and enjoying the wonderful nature surrounding you. If you want to discover the wildlife there, we recommend you go to the Iguana Research and Breeding Station. For those who love to dive with white sharks, you can have the chance to dive with them around the island, especially during March and April.
Lancetilla Botanical Gardens
Lancetilla Botanical Gardens is considered the second most extensive tropical botanical garden in the world. It is located 5 km from the city of Tela and was founded in 1926 by the United Fruit Company to test the economic viability of fruits.
Inside the gardens, more than 200 species of birds live there, and that is because of the fruit trees located in them. For those who love watching birds, you will be able to see them along the trail located in the gardens on the palm trees, mango trees, and others.
Museum of National Identity in Tegucigalpa
The Museum of National Identity is the perfect place for anyone who would love to learn more about Honduras’s culture. It is one of the top attractions in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras.
When you enter the museum, you will see many collections of Honduran and international art and exhibits that show the country’s history from the Old Ages to the present day.
Little French Key in Bay Islands
If you are in Roatan, then a trip to Little French Key is a good choice; it is known as a tropical paradise located on the south shore. The magnificent things there are the clear crystal waters, white sand beach, palm trees, and snorkelling. Also, you can have delicious seafood at a restaurant located there and visit the wildlife sanctuary to see animals much closer, like monkeys and deer.
Lake Yojoa
Lake Yojoa is located on the main road between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro. It is the largest lake in Honduras and the home of 480 species of birds, including whistling ducks; that’s why it is known as the heaven of birds. From the lake, you can see two mountainous national parks, Santa Barbara National Park and Cerro Azul Meambar National Park.
Cayos Cochinos
Cayos Cochinos is a group of small islands that lies 17 km away from the old port of La Ceiba. It is surrounded by black coral reefs that are called Marine Biological Reserve. There, you can try many activities, such as snorkelling and diving. There are resorts and huts in the Garifuna villages. You can go there only by boat to Roatan and Utila.
Punta Sal National Park
Punta Sal National Park extends along a peninsula to the west of the Bay of Tela. There, you will see all the beauty of nature around you, from the jungle to mangroves, beaches, and coral reefs.
There is a lot of wildlife, including many species of howler monkeys, many kinds of tropical birds, and the Micos Lagoon, which includes the most significant number of birds, 350 species. You can book a trip to the park from Tela, which consists of a hike across the Peninsula, snorkelling, diving, and swimming.
Cusuco National Park
Cusuco National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Honduras, it is the highest point that rises to 2200 meters above sea level and it includes threatened species of frogs and salamanders, jewel scarab beetles, and more than 260 species of birds.
The park is famous for its enigmatic quetzal, one of the loveliest tropical birds. Because of unsustainable hunting, it is on the brink of extinction. If you are a hiker, you will enjoy this park.
Carambola Botanical Gardens and Trails in Roatan
Carambola Botanical Gardens is a wonderful place for nature lovers. The trail in it takes you through palms, forests of fruit trees, orchids, and mahogany. There is also a path that will lead you to the top. From there, you have a beautiful view of the Caribbean, and you can’t miss the tropical wildlife there, beside the many species of birds.
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in Mosquito Coast
It is considered one of the few remaining tropical rainforests in Central America, which is why UNESCO listed it on the World Heritage in Danger list. When you visit the reserve, you will find that it lies in the watershed of the Rio Platano, which forms a lowland of tropical rainforest, mangroves, grassland, and coastal lagoons.
There, you can see wildlife, such as giant leatherback turtles, howler monkeys, and much more. You can also organize a tour of the reserve with a well-known guide.
