Comayagua
Comayagua is the former capital of Honduras, which was once also the colonial capital. It shone in the splendor of the times until 1880 and many colonial-era buildings that attest to this have been preserved to this day. Today the city has over 90,000 residents, and the number is rising. The city is easy to reach from Gracias, and the Azul Meambar National Park is also nearby. There are also some attractions within the city. First of all, very centrally located in the old town, the Plaza Central de Comayagua, where the patron s feasts are traditionally celebrated. The Palacio de la Alcaldía Municipal, built in the 16th century, is also worth a visit, as is the Cathedral de Comayagua. Anyone in town around Easter can experience
Tegucigalpa
In 1880 Comayagua was replaced by Tegucigalpa as the capital, but the city was founded by the Spanish in the 16th century. It is located in a highland basin about 1,000 meters above sea level and was originally built as a mining settlement. Colonial buildings from the founding time in the 16th century have been preserved in the old town. Significant buildings are the Cathedral of St. Archangel Michael (San Miguel Arcangel) of the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa and the Church of Los Dolores, both from the period around 1800. The mining business was booming, which is why more and more people have moved there, so the city became a central economic point and finally declared the capital. Today almost 900,000 people live in the city. Other inner-city highlights are the former presidential palace (now a museum), the Museum of National Identity, the National University, the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Suyapa, the Tigra National Park, Picacho Hill and its Zoo, Chiminikee (a science park and museum for children). If you want to enjoy a beautiful view over the old town, you just have to go to La Leona Park. You can also visit the birthplace of Francisco Morázan, the Honduran national hero, who was President of the Central American Confederation for 10 years and who campaigned for public education and free elections. Finally there is the Multiplaza, a very large shopping center that attracts with good restaurants, clothes, cinema and theater. Chiminikee (a science park and museum for children). If you want to enjoy a beautiful view over the old town, you just have to go to La Leona Park. You can also visit the birthplace of Francisco Morázan, the Honduran national hero, who was President of the Central American Confederation for 10 years and who campaigned for public education and free elections. Finally there is the Multiplaza, a very large shopping center that attracts with good restaurants, clothes, cinema and theater. Chiminikee (a science park and museum for children). If you want to enjoy a beautiful view over the old town, you just have to go to La Leona Park. You can also visit the birthplace of Francisco Morázan, the Honduran national hero, who was President of the Central American Confederation for 10 years and who campaigned for public education and free elections. Finally there is the Multiplaza, a very large shopping center that attracts with good restaurants, clothes, cinema and theater. Visit themakeupexplorer for Trade Unions in Central America.
Copan
Copan was a major Mayan city. It lies in the border area between what is now Honduras and Guatemala. The city experienced its heyday in the 8th century. But a little later the city was abandoned because the Maya had to withdraw from the lowlands. It has been explored since around 1950 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. The site was used for ceremonial purposes. It consists of three large squares surrounded by buildings, steles and monuments. The most famous building is the hieroglyphic staircase of Temple 26, which was covered with writing by the Maya and which tells the history of the rulers of the city on 63 steps. The almost exact alignment of the Acropolis is remarkable. At that time it served as the political and religious center of the city. From the Acropolis is the ball court, which resembles a giant Roman 1. On its sides are marker stones on which the names of the brothers Junajpu and Xb’alanke can be read. They are considered to be the first ball players to win against the gods in the underworld through a trick in the game. In front of the largest building in the city, Temple 26, is the altar Q, which, like the inscriptions on the stairs, provides information about the history of the site. Outside you can explore the surrounding mountain landscape. You hike on narrow, unpaved roads and paths through small coffee plantations up to the Hacienda San Lucas. From here you have a wide view over the valley of Copan, from where the sunset is particularly beautiful. Also nearby is the area of the Lenca, the indigenous Honduran people,
The Weeping Mountains
Honduras is crossed by a mountain range in its center. The mountains are covered by cloud forests, also known as “Weeping Forests”. In these mysterious, ever-damp forests, every branch and tree trunk is covered with moss, orchids and bromeliads. That is what makes them so beautiful and magical. In addition, countless animals live in the forests and dazzling birds glide through the air.
La Mosquitia
In northeastern Honduras there is a vast, pathless wilderness: the area of La Mosquitia, also known as the “Mosquito Coast”. It is one of the largest intact rainforest areas north of South America. La Mosquitia is also called “Little Amazonia of Central America” because, in addition to the numerous animals and plants, there are also native Indian tribes who live in, with and from this nature in a unique way. In the northern part of the area lies the El Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, which can only be reached by boat or by air. In 1982 it was even declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In addition to the many tropical plants and exotic animals, there are over 80 archaeological ruins that have not yet been excavated. They come from a culture
La Ceiba
On the coast there are numerous wetlands and national parks, paradisiacal, pearly white beaches on the turquoise blue sea, as well as dark lagoons and densely overgrown canals in which you can watch alligators, manatees and monkeys. The Pico Bonito National Park is located near the port city of La Ceiba. It consists of tropical rainforest with numerous rivers running through it. Again and again you can find bubbling waterfalls that glitter in the sunlight. The national park is ideal for hikes, bird, animal and plant watching as well as rafting tours on the fabulous Río Cangrejal.
Bay Islands
The beautiful Bay Islands are just 50 kilometers off the Caribbean coast. They consist of three larger and around 60 small islands, whose endless beaches are lapped by the blue sea. From Utila, the smallest of the three islands, you can even watch whale sharks and the pine-covered mountains of Guanaja are ideal for pleasant hikes. The coral reefs off the coasts of the islands are particularly spectacular. They have the greatest diversity of corals in the whole of the Caribbean and you should definitely convince yourself of their breathtaking beauty on a diving excursion.
