My World Handbook

Ocean View

Honduras is indeed among the biggest banana producers, but the real reason to be referred to as such nowadays is its virgin nature. The most interesting tourist routes pass through places connected with the ancient Amerindian civilizations of the region. They start at the Caribbean coast of the country, pass through the capital, and end at the Gulf of Fonseca on the Pacific coast.

Honduras’ capital Tegucigalpa combines colonial and modern architecture. It is famous for its fresh air and mild climate, due to the magnificent pine forests of the surrounding mountains and the continuous inflow of fresh mountain air. The capital city is also rich in historical monuments.

Tegucigalpa

La Tigra National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Honduras. It is located on 22km to the north of Tegucigalpa. To access the park, contact with the park’s governing body offices is necessary.

Tela is a small quiet Caribbean town with good service and beautiful beaches making it favorite to many travelers. The area west of Tela remains absolutely untouched. The biggest attraction of this place is actually the lack of attractions.

The islands are also frequently visited because of the opportunities for diving and sandy beaches. Their economy is based mainly on fishing. However, tourism industry is becoming increasingly important and tourist infrastructure is developing rapidly.

Tela

Copan is the local center of the Mayan culture. It is Located in the western part of the country near the border with Guatemala in a valley surrounded by mountains and pierced by Copan River at 640m above sea level. It is One of the most beautiful Mayan cities known so far, especially famous for its sculptures and hieroglyphs.

Archaeologists have dated life at this place between 1100 and 900BC. The biggest boom came in IV-IX century, when it became one of the cultural centers of the Maya, especially in astronomy. There is evidence that Copan astronomers have invented the most accurate solar calendar of all up until then back in year 700.

Copan

Some of the most complex reliefs were carved on twenty-one columns found in the city. These 3-meter tall stone pillars are covered with figures, faces and animals. They are still found on their original locations.

The main part of the town consists of the acropolis – an architectural complex of squares, temples, pyramids and terraces. Two temples stand out here. One dedicated to the astronomical discovery related to the periodicity of eclipses and the other is dedicated to Venus. And many more…

According to some sources the town of Copan was destroyed by Eran De Chavez in 1530. In 1839 Stevens and Catherwood visit the ruins almost completely hidden in the jungle. In 1936, the Carnegie Institute and the Honduran government began activities related to clearing and restoration of this magnificent archaeological park, one of the most significant in Honduras.

Going to Tegucigalpa?

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