Volcanoes in Honduras
Do You Want to Explore Volcanoes in Honduras?
Although it is generally said that Honduras is the only Central American country that does not have volcanoes, this is actually not true. What is true is the fact that there have not been any eruptions by volcanoes in Honduras for several thousands of years.
Geology scientists agree that there are 4 volcanoes in Honduras. Two of them are located within the Gulf of Fonseca, and are actually aligned with the coastal axis of volcanoes that exists on the Pacific coast of Central America, spreading from Guatemala through El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
One of these volcanoes in Honduras is located on the island of Zacate Grande, and is within private property, so you cannot plan on visiting it; however the other, located on the Isla del Tigre, is a beautiful symmetrical conical volcano that you can visit if you are interested. With an elevation of 2,583 feet (783 meters) the stratovolcano at Isla del Tigre has not been known to erupt in recorded history. Although steep, there is a trail to get to the top of the volcano. The hike, which at times is almost a climb, will take you about three hours to reach the summit. The reward is a fantastic view that lets you see three different countries, Honduras, of course, as well as El Salvador towards the northwest and Nicaragua to the southeast. Sunsets are out of this World here, but if you do decide to stay and watch the sunset from the top, make sure you bring some flashlights with you to get you back down safely!
Amapala offers several different lodging options that you will enjoy during your stay there. Getting to the island is fairly simple. Take a bus to San Lorenzo, Valle, and from there take another bus to Coyolito, which is less than an hour away. Coyolito is the small port from where the boats depart towards Amapala. If you are coming from Nicaragua or El Salvador on the Pan-American highway, you will pass right next to San Lorenzo. If you need to spend the night there, there are several different options; I would suggest the Villa Conchamar which offers the best views of Gulf of Fonseca and the mangrove canals.
The third of the volcanoes in Honduras is located on the north shores of Lake Yojoa Although the access to the volcano is not well marked, you can easily get a tour to the volcano site. The folks at D&D Brewery offer a tour to the volcano and a few other points of interest nearby. If interested in visiting, contact Bobby at D&D Brewery and he will be happy to set you up! He does by the way have a great hotel and hostel that make your stay truly enjoyable.
The last of the four volcanoes in Honduras is located on the Island of Utila. Stuert Hill, also spelled Stuart Hill and Pumkin Hill are both part of this extinct volcano. You can easily plan on a day trip from Utila to visit this volcano and get to know more of the beautiful Island of Utila.
Although I am not a geologist, the amount of natural hot springs along the north coast of Honduras does call my attention, as in my limited understanding, they are somehow natural vents from deep inside the planet that find a way out. Some of these hot springs have a great infrastructure and can offer a great opportunity to relax within the tropical rainforests of the Nombre de Dios National Park. If you are interested in visiting these hot springs, you should certainly plan on spending the night in La Ceiba. As a matter of fact, if you like adventure and or nature or both, you should plan on spending several nights along the Cangrejal River Valley, just outside La Ceiba. Check out our facilities at La Villa de Soledad, we offer ideal accommodations to let you relax after a good days adventure. Our proximity too many different nature and adventure activities has made us a favorite choice amongst many different travelers!
