Honduras.
Many people wonder what Honduras has to offer as a destination. Perhaps one of the top highlights is that it is still an undiscovered destination, and as such, offers unique settings that are not overrun by tourists, as you will find in neighboring countries, such as Costa Rica and Panama. Honduras is home to the Bay Islands and to one of the worlds largest coral reef systems. Beyond all this, Honduras is rich in Ethnic groups and heritage. Join us as we explore, Honduras.
Honduran Tourism.
Arrivals.
Honduras hosted the Tourism Organization's Regional Commission for the Americas this year.
And at this year's event, Honduras reported an increase in tourist arrivals, number of cruise passengers, and improvements in air connectivity from a variety of cities.
The Institute of Tourism (IHT) reported 2,177,309 international travelers as having visited Honduras in 2016 with spending reaching $685.6 million.
Cruise Ports.
Roatan alone accommodated the arrival of 1,052,738 cruise passengers in 2016. This number represents a 14.7% increase over 2015 figures. The cruise ship originating from Houston, New Orleans, Fort Lauderdale, & Miami all make a pit stop in Roatan along their various routes throughout the western Caribbean.
An added benefit when traveling to Honduras is travel insurance. Honduras is one of the only countries where visitors receive travel insurance as part of their plane ticket.
Global Destination.
Honduras has long received flights from American Airlines, Delta, and United. But Spirit Airlines and others have joined the lineup. Non-stop flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Atlanta have been routine. But now, new flights from Madrid are connecting through Air Europa. Honduras has long had three international airports which receive international flights (Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, & Roatan) and soon Palmerola International Airport will join the lineup as it is scheduled to open its doors to international travelers in 2018.
Roatan Honduras.
Roatan Island is the biggest of three Bay Islands. Roatan is the most popular of the islands as well. Roatan is located north of the mainland of Honduras. Roatan Island is 33 miles long and approximately 4 miles wide.
There is one main road on Roatan, and it runs down the middle of the island, and it can take you to about 75% the length of Roatan. Roatan island was home to Paya Indians in 1502. Roatan Island went unclaimed for many years.
Roatan became a pirates paradise and many of the islands main attractions are named after world famous pirates, like Henry Morgan or Captain John Coxen. Honduras is a Spanish speaking country. But on Roatan, both English and Spanish are spoken. Spanish is the official Honduran language, but English is widely accepted as well.
Mountainous.
Honduras stands out as the most mountainous country in Central America. It is, in fact, the backbone of the region, and yet, incredibly as it might seem in a region that is full of volcanoes, Honduras has no active volcanoes! The mountains in Honduras are mostly covered with forests. Pine forests are prevalent in Central Honduras, however broadleaf forests which are tropical jungles are prevalent along the Caribbean coast of Honduras.
Tropical Jungles.
Honduras' tropical jungles are home to many endangered species, such as the mighty jaguar and the peccary, the largest native mammal in this part of the World! Along the coast, you can also find the unique Antillean manatee which lives in the marine estuaries of Honduras' Caribbean Coast. Many of these mountains are National Parks, and the highest density of National Parks in Honduras can be found in Atlantida, the new up and coming nature and adventure destination in Central America and the Caribbean!
Caribbean Coast.
Honduras is also the Central American country with the longest Caribbean Coast, and the only one to have an insular department: The Bay Islands of Honduras! But not only does Honduras have the longest Caribbean Coast of the five Central American Countries (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, & Costa Rica) it also has the most accessible and most developed Caribbean coast in the region!
