Top 5 Reasons to Visit Honduras This Winter

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Honduras' warm weather and turquoise waters are appealing enough for those seeking to escape cold weather, but it's the country's wide array of attractions for nature, adventure, and culture lovers alike that has made it a top winter getaway. Here are the top five reasons to visit now:

EXPLORE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ANCIENT MAYAN SITES
One of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization, Copán Ruinas near the Guatemalan border, was discovered in 1570 and remains an active archeological site. The ruins, spread over nearly 10 square miles, includes more than 4,500 structures situated in a lush valley where monkeys, macaws, and other native wildlife can be spotted. Points of interest at this UNESCO World Heritage Site include a main area home to the Acropolis, built as an elaborate gateway to the underworld, and five plazas; the Hieroglyphic Stairway, renowned for having the longest known Mayan text inscriptions from ancient Mesoamerica; dramatic images of rulers and altars in the Great Plaza; underground tunnels open to visitors; and a sculpture museum.

FLOAT BACK AND RELAX IN NATURAL HOT SPRINGS
Honduras' relaxing hot springs are the perfect way to soak away the stress in naturally heated mineral baths surrounded by the destination's lush natural beauty. Near Copán, travelers can visit Luna Jaguar Spa, a Mayan-influenced eco-spa dedicated to physical and mental wellbeing. Nestled in the middle of the jungle, Sambo Creek Hot Springs is a natural wonder that starts hottest at the top and gradually mixes with cooler water as the pools progress down the mountain. Visitors are treated to floating fresh fruit trays in the lower pool and massage huts are also available.

DIVE THE LARGEST CORAL REEF IN THE AMERICAS
Honduras provides the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Sun, sand, and scuba abound in The Bay Islands, eight islands and 53 small cays that lie in the Caribbean Sea between 10 and 40 miles off Honduras' northern coast on the outer edges of the hurricane belt. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system in the western hemisphere, hugs the islands with 700 miles of colorful corals and more than 500 species of fish, as well as marine turtles and sharks. Diving and snorkeling is easily accessible from nearly any location.

The largest and most well-known of The Bay Islands, Roatán, is a favorite among divers as the reef is just minutes away from the shoreline. Popular areas for tourists include West Bay, where many beachfront hotels and resorts are located; West End, a village set on a cove on the northwest side of the island that is home to a plethora of bars, restaurants, shops, and dive shops; and Sandy Bay, a peaceful town on the northern coast that is home to the island's cultural institutions including the Roatán Museum and Institute of Marine Sciences.

A haven for hardcore divers, Utila is known as one of the safest and least expensive places in the world to get PADI diving licenses of all levels. The island boasts more than 100 dive sites, with whale shark sightings frequent from March to April and again in September. Visitors also have the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins. When out of the ocean, Utila Town, the island's only settlement, set on a curving bay offers dozens of hotels, restaurants, bars and dive shops to enjoy.

EXPERIENCE COFFEE CULTURE IN A BIG WAY
As the largest coffee producer in Central America and the fifth largest globally, Honduras takes its coffee and coffee culture very seriously. Most baristas are also growers which results in an exceptional bean to cup experience. Producing high quality beans is the main priority for Honduran coffee farmers, so visitors will often have the unique opportunity to try one-of-a-kind beans that cannot be found in North America. Coffee farms like Finca Santa Isabel, home of the Welchez coffee brand, offer educational tours that guide participants through the coffee making journey.

TAKE PART IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INITIATIVES
Honduras' exceptional biodiversity draws eco-conscious visitors from around the world. Participating in sustainable programs allows travelers to truly learn about Honduras and its culture while treading lightly, acting kindly, and supporting the communities they visit.

Tela Marine Research Centre (TMRC) in Atlántida on Honduras' northern Caribbean coast is a reef research, conservation, and education center, offering dive excursions to this outstanding underwater site. TMRC also operates the locally run Tela Coral Aquarium which provides visitors with a close look at the native ocean inhabitants and offers interactive exhibits where visitors have the opportunity to touch a variety of sea creatures as they learn about the habitat.

The scarlet macaw, Honduras' national bird, is an emblematic symbol of the country that has become endangered due to the illegal wildlife trade. Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve in Copán protects, rehabilitates, and reintroduces the scarlet macaw to the wild, while simultaneously educating the local community on the importance of the species and their role in its conservation. Macaw releases are held once or twice during the year, allowing visitors to enjoy watching the free-flying Macaws across town.

Located at the highest point in Honduras, Celaque National Park is home to the largest cloud forest in the country and a rich ecosystem of rare flora and fauna. The park's signature experience is a two-day trek to the cloud forest, and plenty of other visitors come to this protected area to bird watch, hike trails of varying degrees of difficulty, and camp. The park was founded in 1987 after successful efforts by local grassroots organizations to curtail logging and deforestation. Today, numerous non-governmental organizations work to ensure the pristine slopes of Celaque stay healthy and convey the importance of the preservation of the park's natural resources to local farmers.

Media Contact

Katie Rees, PHG Consulting, +1 646-465-9772, [email protected]

SOURCE Honduras Tourism Board