We found the country many people think of as an unstable banana republic to be a safe, friendly place with great tourism potential. Travelers willing to put up with lower levels of accommodations and services than are typical in the better resort areas of Central America and the Caribbean will be rewarded by impressive Mayan ruins at Copan, some of the best dive sites in the world in the Bay Islands and pretty mountain scenery planted with corn and-that's right-bananas.

Best of all, perhaps, they'll find a relaxed atmosphere that has become endangered in some of the more popular Central American destinations.
As one of the poorest countries in the region, Honduras has had precious little money to spend on tourism development. That appears to be changing. Aware of the country's potential as an ecotourism destination, the government is dramatically increasing its tourism budget and shifting its focus from archaeology to ecology by opening a new national park every year. While we don't think Honduras will be the next Costa Rica any time soon-its parks are not yet as accessible or as well interpreted, nor is the scenery as dramatic-we do think more travelers will soon be discovering Honduras' natural areas.

Physically, the country is defined by a 460-mi/735-km Caribbean coastline in the north and a small Pacific coastline in the south. It has land borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Two mountain ranges covered by pine forests and creased with fast-moving rivers run through the cooler center of Honduras, giving way to low flatlands and tropical vegetation along both coasts. Rainfall is heaviest on the northern shore.

First colonized in the 1500s after the arrival of Christopher Columbus, Spanish-speaking Honduras is almost entirely mestizo (mixed European and Indian blood). Once a Spanish colony, Honduras achieved independence in 1821 along with the other four states of the Central American Confederation (Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua). The confederation broke up by 1839.

When to Go
Although Honduras is pleasant most of the year, February-April is probably the best time to visit-the days are warm (80s F/28-32 C) and dry and the nights are cool (60s F/16-22 C). Mid-December to February is also dry and pleasant, but can be a bit chilly. From mid-September to mid-December it's cool with occasional rain, and the rainy season is in full force from mid-May to mid-September (heavy showers fall once or twice a day, but the rest of the day can be sunny). On the Bay Islands, rain is heavy from October through December or January; April-May and September are the hottest months there. Bring a sweater any time of year and a collapsible umbrella from mid-May to mid-December.

Dos and Don'ts
Do be prepared for the possibility that you'll have to stay overnight in La Ceiba-even if you have reservations for same-day connection to the islands. If all flights are full (they don't fly at night), the airlines sometimes put visitors up overnight in a grim hotel...

Don't buy coral products or seashells-it will contribute to the destruction of the reefs...

Do be prepared for occasional power outages on the Bay Islands...

Don't go to Honduras without confirmed hotel and tour reservations during the high season, as space is very limited and often heavily booked...

Don't sleep under coconut trees; the falling nuts can bonk you...

Don't wander around alone near the border areas, and don't walk around Tegucigalpa at night. Both areas can be dangerous...

Don't waste water, especially during the dry season-it's scarce...

Don't carry bills in large denominations. Most people/shops can't change anything larger than a 10-lempira note...

Don't bring a coat and tie if you're spending the entire holiday in the
Bay Islands...

Don't expect to cash your personal checks. It's not possible in Honduras. Wiring money to Honduras is very difficult, too...

Do beware of offers of land for sale. Many foreigners now have Hondurans squatting on their land....

Tipping: Do tip waiters 10%-15%. Tip taxi drivers according to the number of bags/suitcases you have.