Top five places in Honduras

Even though Honduras is a relatively small country, it has many, many different places that are truly unique and worthwhile. Following is my list of top five places in Honduras that you should try to see during your trip to this lovely country. Granted, if you are coming for a week or less, you will not be able to see them all, but you should be able to see at least a couple of them if you plan your trip correctly. I hope this guide helps you out.

Number 1: The #CangrejalRiver Valley in #LaCeiba. The vast majority of tourists to Honduras visit the Bay Islands of Roatan and or Utila, and because of this, I am not even listing them here, however few ever realize that as they pass through the city of La Ceiba, they are missing out on one of the top five places in Honduras! The Cangrejal River Valley offers a unique combination of eco and adventure tourism, both within a truly short distance from the city. Best of all, It is only a 1 ½ hour trip from Utila and a 2 ¼ hour trip from Roatan to the Cangrejal River Valley. This area offers great hiking trails, outstanding bird watching, and the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature and experience the tropical rain forests of Central America like few places. Best of all, the  temperate, clear waters of the Cangrejal River provide a perfect setting to do whitewater rafting, river hiking or simply enjoying the scenery while swimming amongst huge, house sized boulders. Because of its proximity to the Bay Islands, its scenic beauty and diversity of activities and places to stay in, the Cangrejal River Valley is number one in the top five places in Honduras list! There are lovely unique boutique bed and breakfasts in the Cangrejal River area, such as La Villa de Soledad B&B that will provide a wonderful experience that you will cherish for years!

Number 2: The Archaeological site at #CopanRuinas and its cozy little town. The archaeological site by itself is a must, but when you throw in the lovely cobblestoned streets and adobe homes in Copan Ruinas, you have a true winner! Copan offers the charm of rural Honduras, the magnificence of the Archaeological site, the tropical biodiversity at Macaw Mountain Bird Park (www.macawmountain.com) and the friendliness of its people! To top it off, World Class hotel and bed and breakfast accommodations, as well as a variety of eateries and bars offer a perfect match for any taste and budget. Most serious travelers on a Central American tour will include a stop in Copan, however the vast majority of visitors to Roatan completely miss out on the mainland experience. Coming to Honduras and not visiting Copan is missing out on one of the crown jewels of Honduras. Fortunately, a new runway is under construction and travel between Roatan and Copan will be cut down to about one hour. When that happens, hopefully by the end of 2014, there will be no excuse not to visit our number two selection of the top five places in Honduras.

Number 3. #Comayagua, the old Colonial Capital. Who would imagine that the oldest clock in the Americas is in Honduras?  Well, believe it or not, it is, and it is located in the belfry of the old colonial cathedral in Comayagua, which has been totally restored and offers a glimpse into the past, of how life was during the early republican days when Comayagua was the capital of Honduras. Comayagua also offers several different restored colonial buildings, some very charming bed and breakfasts and inns with lots of character, as well as a nice selection of restaurants and bars. Best of all is Central Park. Where you can enjoy seeing the local population going about their daily activities, have a cup of freshly brewed coffee from the Marcala region of Honduras or simply have a nice meal in a street side café. Comayagua is truly one of my favorites in Honduras, with several museums and lots of traditions. If you can, plan on coming here for Semana Santa, (Easter Week) and see the colorful processions,  the lively sawdust carpets, and religious fervor of the people of Comayagua that celebrate these religious dates that are the base of Catholicism. The two museums in town are a must! Tip: arrange to be given a tour of the Cathedral and get access to the belfry where you will have a chance to see the oldest clock in the Americas ticking away, as well as magnificent views of the city!

Number four: #Gracias, Lempira & its surrounding Villages. Gracias is off the beaten path, but being included more and more into touring routes because of its charm and natural surroundings. The City is one of the oldest in Central America, and was actually the seat of the Spanish Colonial government for the region during a few years, before it was moved to Antigua Guatemala. Nestled at the foot of the Cerro de las Minas, the highest mountain in Honduras, and home to Celaque National Park, Gracias boasts old colonial buildings, such as the Church of Las Mercedes, old homes, such as Casa Galeano, and is the gateway to some of the most picturesque towns in Honduras. Gracias is the heart of the indigenous population in Honduras, and you will find many Lenca Indians in the area. The nearby villages of La Campa and San Manuel Colohete are absolute gems, a wonderful window into rural Honduras and the opportunity to take a glimpse into the past, to times when life was slow and the mountainous areas of Honduras were truly isolated. To this day, La Campa has to be one of the most picturesque villages in Central America, and its zipline canopy tour offers the longest such cables in all of Central America! Another unique facet are the hot springs in the area. Last, but not least, Gracias has advanced a whole lot when it comes to facilities for tourists. Although hotels are all quite small, they are plentiful and best of all, comfortable, clean and affordable. The same can be said for the variety of restaurants and bars that have opened their doors in town, giving the community and its visitors, many different options! Gracias is easily, and by all standards, one of the top five places in Honduras.

Number five: #CayosCochinos Marine Monument. The Hog Cays, or as they are better known, Cayos Cochinos are as close as you will get to the mythical pristine concept of Caribbean Islands and their white sand beaches. Located just 14 miles off the shores of La Ceiba, this tiny archipelago of two small islands and 13 Cays is truly paradise found! Very sparsely inhabited, these islands have become the most popular place to visit for travelers in La Ceiba, and although also visited from Utila and Roatan, they are closer to mainland Honduras than to the Bay Islands, and getting there is a whole lot faster from the mainland than from the islands. At one point, this marine park was managed by the Smithsonian Institute, and there is only a small population that lives on these islands, most of them concentrated on Chachahuate Cay, a small coral sand cay that is home to one of the most picturesque Garifuna communities in the World!  Although there are a couple of options to stay overnight in Cayos Cochinos, these are really quite limited, and you either have to stay at the upscale Turtle Harbour Resort, that is specialized in diving or at the Garifuna community in East End. A last option, is to stay at Chachahuate, but lack of running water, amongst other issues, have kept me away from it!