The 6 best experiences in Honduras

23.01.2024 - 20:45 / lonelyplanet.com

The mighty rivers, lush mountains, Maya archaeological sites and Mesoamerican Barrier Reef scattered across Honduras beckon adventurous travelers from across the globe.

This Central American gem is a popular port of call for large cruise ships, and passengers often have to squeeze a handful of activities into an eight-hour window. But we recommend visiting Honduras on your own and taking the time to experience all this wonderful country has to offer. 

Here are six of our favorite experiences in Honduras.

Many consider Honduras one of the world’s best snorkeling and scuba diving destinations. Roatán – one of the country’s three principal Bay Islands – has many spectacular dive sites within the specially protected waters of Roatán Marine Park.

On an excursion with a dive shop like West Bay Divers, it’s not uncommon to spot sea turtles, eagle rays or plenty of tropical fish. If you’re lucky, you may even encounter the elusive whale shark. 

However, Roatán isn’t the only premier spot for diving in Honduras. The other two Bay Islands, Guanaja and Utila, along with the smaller Cayos Cochinos archipelago, also boast some of the best scuba dive sites in the world. 

Utila is internationally known as a dive destination, both for its marine life and laid-back culture. At this enclave, backpackers often become certified PADI divemasters at dive hostels like Alton’s Dive Center and stick around much longer than they intended.  

The zip-line canopy tours at Gumbalimba Park in Roatán can give you plenty of thrills and adrenaline spikes. But if you want to go on a truly immersive adventure, head to the El Naranjo region of the Cangrejal River valley on the mainland, about 12km (7.5 miles) from the city center of La Ceiba. 

Here, you can take a wild whitewater rafting ride on the Rio Cangrejal through Class III–V rapids that churn from the boulders rising up from the river bed.

Long-running operation La Moskitia Ecoaventuras offers rafting excursions with experienced guides to navigate the course. Trips can also be organized through the Jungle River Lodge.

Detour: Another freshwater adventure is canyoning with the guides at Las Cascadas Lodge, who’ll lead you on a jungle hike up the river gorge to rappel down a series of waterfalls. While not for the faint of heart, the slow and meticulous 15m (50ft) descent on a rope as the force of falling water pounds your body offers a rush you won’t soon forget.

Bird nerds flock to Honduras with good reason – it’s the convergence point of over 760 species of North American and South American bird species.

Bird-watching is especially promising in Honduras’ national parks, where hiking trails let you explore a bit when you’re not standing still with your eyes glued to binoculars. But you don’t