Tourism in Honduras facts for kids
Honduras is a beautiful country in Central America. It attracts many visitors because of its amazing nature, including white and dark sand beaches, and colorful coral reefs. It also has lots of plants and animals, old colonial towns, and ancient ruins. People also love to experience the local customs and try traditional foods. In 2019, about 2.8 million people visited Honduras, with many arriving on cruise ships.
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A Look Back in Time
The land we now call Honduras was first explored by Christopher Columbus between 1502 and 1503. Local people called it Guaymuras or Hibueras. Later, Spanish explorers arrived, mapping the land and coasts.
One exciting story is about a legendary "White City" (Ciudad Blanca) in the jungle. In 1526, the explorer Hernán Cortés heard tales of this city, said to be as grand as Tenochtitlán. He even traveled to Honduras to find it! Years later, a bishop named Fray Cristóbal de Pedraza claimed he had crossed the jungle and seen a white city.
Another explorer, Don Diego García de Palacios, found the ancient Maya city of Copán in 1576. He wrote about the amazing stone buildings and ruins he saw. Later, in the 1800s, people like John Lloyd Stephen and Alfred Maudslay also explored and wrote about the incredible Maya sites, which made many people curious about Honduras.
How Tourism Started
In the late 1800s, more scientists and explorers came to study places like Copán. Their stories made people in the US, Europe, and Asia want to visit, starting a "tourism boom."
Around the same time, big banana companies from the US, like Vaccaro Bros. and Standard Fruit Company, started operating in Honduras. They brought many Americans to the northern coast, creating a shipping route for tourists.
First Tourist Trips
In the early 1900s, American tourist ships began a popular route. People would sail from New Orleans, go through the Gulf of Mexico, visit ports in Mexico, and then arrive at the Honduran coast. They stopped at places like Puerto Cortés, Tela, La Ceiba, and Trujillo. On the way back, they would pass by the Bay Islands and Havana in Cuba before returning to the US.
Tourism Grows in the 1900s
As cruise trips became more popular, the Honduran coast became a common stop. Tourism really grew in the 1970s and 1980s, with more American and European visitors. This led to many new hotels being built. Honduras was also a very affordable place to visit, which made it even more attractive.
Honduras Today
In the new century, Honduras has worked hard to become a big tourist spot. Old colonial buildings have been restored, streets have been improved, and there are more advertisements to attract visitors. Today, Honduras is known for its beautiful beaches and mountains. Ancient ruins are also a big draw. Many visitors enjoy following special "tourist routes" to see different parts of the country.
Different Kinds of Tourism
People from all over the world visit Honduras for many reasons. They come to explore its forests, islands, and beaches. The main types of tourism are eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and archaeological tourism.
Ecotourism
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Honduras is perfect for ecotourism! It has many forests, beaches, coral reefs, and protected areas. It is home to about 8,000 types of plants, 250 kinds of reptiles and amphibians, over 700 bird species, and 110 types of mammals. These animals and plants live in different natural areas across the country.
The coral reefs in the Bay Islands, especially around Roatán and the Cochinos Cays, are very famous. Another popular spot is the Río Platano Biosphere, a huge protected area.
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Coral reef at Roatán
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La Tigra national park
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Cusuco National Park
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Pulhapanzak waterfall
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San Antonio River
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Archaeological Tourism
In the 1800s, experts started working to save the ancient city of Copán. The Honduran government and international groups have worked together to protect this amazing archaeological site. They also put it on the map with other famous Maya cities in Mexico and Guatemala. Honduras even has museums filled with artifacts from the Maya civilization.
Copán is very special because it was built when the Maya culture was at its peak. It was ruled by 16 kings. The Maya people of Copán built many temples, altars, and stone carvings. The ball park there is one of the most visited spots by tourists.
Famous Archaeological Sites:
- Copán
- Cuevas de Talgua
- El Puente
- El Rastrojón
- El Curruste
- Rio Amarillo
- Las sepulturas
- Los Naranjos
- Tenampúa
- Yarumela
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Copan Archaeological site.
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Pyramid at el Chilcal de Yarumela site.
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Structure IV at Los Naranjos Park
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Pyramid at El Puente Archaeological site.
Cultural Tourism
Honduras has a rich cultural history, blending Spanish, Indigenous, and African traditions. This mix can be seen in its music, art, dance, and everyday life. One of the most famous parts of Honduran culture is the music and dance of the Garifunas. Their Caribbean dance, called Punta, has become a symbol of Honduras. Another special tradition is the creation of colorful "Holy Week carpets," which comes from Spanish heritage.
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Punta dance
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Holy Week carpet in Tegucigalpa
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Honduran traditional dance
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Cantarranas murals
Museums
Honduras has many museums to explore. Some popular ones include the Villa Roy Republican History Museum, the Museum of the Honduran Man, the Museum of Anthropology and History, the Honduran Aviation Museum, and the Museum of National Identity (Honduras).
- Archaeological Museum of Comayagua
- National Archives of Honduras
- National Library of Honduras
- Museum of the Casa Presidencial of Honduras (Old Presidential Palace)
- Barracks San Francisco Military Museum
- Museum of Tegucigalpa Cathedral
- Mayan Sculpture Museum
- Tela Railroad Museum
- Manuel Bonilla National Theatre
- Museum of Anthropology and History (Honduras)
- Museum of National Identity (Honduras)
- Museum of the Honduran Man
- Honduran Aviation Museum
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Old Presidential Palace of Honduras Museum
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Museum for National Identity
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Mayan Sculpture Museum
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Museum of Religious Art
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Tela Railroad Company Museum
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Historical Tourism
Since the 2000s, the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History (IHAH) has been working to improve historic city centers and old buildings. A great example is the restoration of many historic buildings in colonial cities like Comayagua.
- Fortress of San Fernando, Omoa
- Old Presidential Palace of Honduras, Tegucigalpa
- Basilica of Suyapa, Tegucigalpa
- St. Michael Archangel Metropolitan Cathedral, Tegucigalpa
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Comayagua
- Caxa Real, Comayagua
- Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pedro Sula, San Pedro Sula
- Fortress of Santa Bárbara, Trujillo
- Fort San Cristóbal, Gracias
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Santa Barbara Fortress
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San Cristóbal Fortress
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Our Lady of Suyapa Basilica
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Tegucigalpa Cathedral
Coastal Tourism
Honduras has many beautiful places to visit along its coasts:
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Trujillo coastline
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Coxen Hole in Roatan.
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Dock at La Ceiba
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Beaches at Cayos Cochinos in Chachahuete community.
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View of Yojoa Lake
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Port of Isla del Tigre in Amapala.
Exploring the Countryside
There are also many interesting places to visit in the middle of Honduras. You can find towns with beautiful Baroque architecture from the Spanish colonial period. Churches often have special designs, altars, and statues that remind us of the past.
- Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela (the capital cities)
- San Pedro Sula
- La Ceiba
- Comayagua
- Choluteca
- Tela
- Santa Rosa de Copán
- Siguatepeque
- Gracias
- Ojojona
- Catacamas
- Santa Bárbara
- La Esperanza
- Danlí
- Juticalpa
- Ocotepeque
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Town of Ojojona.
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Cathedral of Comayagua.
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Town of Santa Lucia
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Waterfall at La Tigra National Park
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Town of Yuscaran
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Cathedral of Amapala
Sports Tourism
Sports are a big part of daily life in Honduras. The country has many stadiums and sports facilities for football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and swimming. Football is the most popular sport. Honduras has one of the best football leagues in CONCACAF (North, Central American and Caribbean football). The two most successful teams are Olimpia and Motagua. Their games are very popular, and tickets are affordable for everyone.
You can also try exciting adventure sports in Honduras! Rafting is very popular, especially on the Cangrejal River in La Ceiba. Other activities include jet ski racing and scuba diving. Diving is one of Honduras's main attractions, where you can see beautiful coral reefs and even explore sunken ships!
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Chelato Uclés National Football Stadium
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Chochi Sosa Baseball Field
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Villa Olímpica Field
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National Honduran University Sports Center
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Olympic Stadium and Sports Center of UNAH
Climate
Another big reason people visit Honduras is its tropical climate. The average temperature is usually above 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) all year. It never snows or freezes, making it a perfect getaway for tourists from colder countries.
Honduras has two main seasons: the rainy season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April. Many tourists from North America and Europe visit during their winter, between December and March. People from places like South America, Southern Africa, and Australia often visit during their winter, between June and September.
Safety for Tourists
Honduras has a special tourism police force (policía de turismo de Honduras) whose job is to keep visitors safe. The National Police of Honduras also helps with security. If you need help, you can call 911. The police often work with the Honduras Army.
If you need assistance, you can contact:
- Public Ministry of Honduras (Ministerio Público de Honduras)
- National Police of Honduras (Policía Nacional de Honduras)
- Honduran Red Cross (Cruz Roja Hondureña)
- Fire Department of Honduras (Cuerpo de Bomberos de Honduras)
Travel and Hotels
Honduras has many great hotels in its main cities. You can find 5-star hotels with swimming pools, cable TV, and fast internet, often right by the beach.
Getting Around
Honduras has many ways to travel around the country. There are several airports for flights, and international ports for cruise ships and tourists. The country also has good highways connecting major cities and a wide network of roads. There's even a railway system.
Air Travel
After World War I, people realized how useful airplanes could be for travel. Honduras started building airstrips and airports in its main cities for civilian transport. By the early 1930s, airmail and trade routes opened up, making it easier to fly around the country.
Honduran Railway
The National Railroad of Honduras began in the 20th century. While it faced challenges, banana companies used it to transport their products to ports. Today, the railway service is more of a tourist attraction than a main way to travel, with some restored trains running in San Pedro Sula.
Pan-American Highway
The famous International or Pan American Highway crosses Honduras. Major highways were built in the mid-20th century to connect villages and cities across the country.
Ministry of Tourism
The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports works to keep Honduras's tourist spots in good shape. They also promote Honduras to other countries, showing off its attractions at international fairs. They help share Honduran culture and support national athletes who represent the country in sports events around the world.
See also
In Spanish: Turismo en Honduras para niños
- Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (Honduras)
- Culture of Honduras
- Visa policy of Honduras
