Things to do in Western Honduras
-
Parque Nacional Cusuco
Just 45km from San Pedro Sula, but remarkably difficult to access, Parque Nacional Cusuco is a cloud forest nestled in the impressive Merendón mountain range. The park has abundant wildlife, including parrots, toucans and a large population of quetzals, best spotted from April to June. Its highest peak is Cerro Jilinco (2242m). The park’s visitors center is the starting point for five different hiking trails. Two trails – Quetzal and Las Minas – pass waterfalls and swimming holes. Guides can be hired at the visitors center for around L$100 per trip.
reviewed
-
A
Café Welchez
Although it looks like money, the Café Welchez is a relatively affordable place.
reviewed
-
Ten Napel Café
This cozy coffee shop is perfect if you need a caffeine or sugar fix (or both).
reviewed
-
Hacienda El Jaral
The large, rather cheesy Hacienda El Jaral resort-hotel-waterpark-museum-foodcourt-minimall-movie theater (did we miss anything?)is a budget version of Disneyland. The water park has several high tubular slides that wind down to a somewhat dated pool, while the movie theater has one screen showing Hollywood flicks. Both are the only ones of their kind near Copán Ruínas, and the best reason to make the trip (and then only if you are really jonesing for some soft-serve diversion).
The much-hyped Museo de la Vaca, Museum of the Cow, is a glorified gift shop, while the hotel is way overpriced.
reviewed
-
Macaw Mountain Bird Reserve & Nature Park
Set on 4 hectares of tropical forest, Macaw Mountain Bird Reserve & Nature Park has large enclosures with birds ranging from brilliant Buffon’s macaws to manic keel-billed toucans. The ticket price (a bit steep, but good for three days) includes a one-hour guided tour (English and French spoken). There’s also a 20-minute nature loop through an adjacent coffee plantation, a small swimming hole and a cafe. It’s 2.5km north of Copan Ruinas, mostly uphill; a taxi is L$20 per person.
reviewed
-
B
Jim’s Pizza Copán
This thatch-roof restaurant serves some of the best pizza around. Choose from a variety of ingredients – pepperoni, ham, sausage, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, olives – and it’s baked before your eyes in the open-air kitchen. A steady stream of clients keeps the place going late.
reviewed
-
C
La Llama del Bosque
From the outside, this place looks forgettable. But eat one meal here and you’re likely to remember it for a long time. The menu is extensive and varied with dishes that are delicious, beautifully presented, abundant and cheap.
reviewed
-
D
Carnitas Nia Lola
An American bar-and-grill planted firmly on the Honduran mainland, this restaurant feels a bit more upscale than other spots in town and draws an older – we mean ‘more mature’ – crowd.
reviewed
-
E
ViaVia Café
A hip boho atmosphere with outdoor and indoor seating; the daily specials are the way to go at this place. Each day the chef takes a crack at various world-food dishes and often pulls them off with flair.
reviewed
-
F
Café San Rafael
This tiny eatery 1½ blocks south of Parque Central sells coffee from the family finca.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Cabañas
Just a few minutes east of Copán is the cheerful little farming community of Cabañas. Peace Corps volunteers have helped community members organize a day-long rural tour; highlights include hiking or horseback riding through coffee fields and tiny farming communities, visiting traditional houses 'painted' with colored mud, a 25m waterfall, and lunch at a campesino home. Visitors can also stay overnight with a family in Cabañas. There's even a website with hotels and descriptions.
It is vital that you call in advance, so the trip can be organized. Come the afternoon before, stay the night and start the tour early. Doña Magaly Alvarado, who operates the Comedor Calle Re…
reviewed
-
Los Sapos
From Hacienda San Lucas in Copán Ruínas, a pleasant 10-minute walk brings you to Los Sapos, a Maya site purportedly dedicated to women and fertility. Some archaeologists believe it was a place for royal women to conduct fertility ceremonies, or even to give birth. Others say it was simply a place for stone carvers to practice their trade.
In any case, the actual pieces - roughly hewn rocks, one in the shape of a sapo (frog), hence the site's name - are significantly eroded but the hike there, with great views over the valley, is half the fun. The trails to this site are maintained by Hacienda San Lucas, and nonguests are charged for their use.
reviewed
-
Aguas Termales Presidente
The hot springs at Aguas Termales Presidente are one of Gracias’ main attractions. Four kilometers southeast of town, the hot springs have several pools at various temperatures. You can walk there in one to 1½ hours: take the road to La Esperanza until you reach the right-hand turnoff for the Aguas Termales, then follow the road or take the first right onto a footpath, which is a shortcut but requires fording a (usually) small river. You should be able to hitch a ride back – everybody does. Cabs don’t usually come here; hiring a private truck costs around L$200, with an hour at the springs (ask at Hotel Guancascos).
reviewed
-
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción
The Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción is a colonial gem. Built between 1685 and 1715, it contains fine art in the Renaissance, baroque and neoclassic styles, both inside and out. The impressive three-paneled altar is similar to that of Tegucigalpa’s cathedral; both are believed to have been made by the same unknown artist. The clock in the iglesia tower is the oldest in the Americas and one of the oldest in the world. The Moors built it around 1100 for the palace of the Alhambra in Granada. It was donated to the town by King Phillip II of Spain.
reviewed
-
La Pintada
Located 10 minutes' walk south of Los Sapos Maya site, La Pintada is a picturesque Chortí Maya village known for the production of corn-husk dolls. (You may be swarmed by kids trying to sell them to you.) The town has beautiful views, including of the acropolis at the Copán archaeological site. The name of the town comes from a little-known painted stele nearby. The folks at Hacienda San Lucas can provide a guide to point it out (free, but a tip is expected).
The trails to this site are maintained by Hacienda San Lucas, and nonguests are charged for their use.
reviewed
-
G
Museo Regional de Arqueología Maya
Although in need of some updating, the 1970s-era Museo Regional de Arqueología Maya gives a good overview of the Maya and their presence in the Valle de Copán. The exhibit contains some excellent pieces: painted pottery, carved jade, Maya glyphs and the original Stela B, portraying King 18 Rabbit. Don’t miss the Tumba de la Bruja, the round tomb of a shamana who was buried with several spectacular offerings, including two human heads (neither of which were hers).
reviewed
-
La Flor de Copán
Fine hand-rolled cigars are produced in La Flor de Copán factory, just 2km from town. You can learn about the entire process – from the trimming of the tobacco to the packaging of puros (cigars) – by taking a tour (L$40, 10am and 2pm); call to reserve a spot. If you want a smoke without a tour, stop by the factory outlet store in town (Calle Centenario near 3a Av Norte), open from 8am to noon and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am to noon Saturday.
reviewed
-
H
Churrasqueria Momo’s
A meat-lover’s haven, Momo’s, one block south of Parque Central, serves beef in four basic styles: pincho (kebab), churrasco (Argentinean-style beef), puya so (a choice cut of steak), and parrillada (a sampler, including sausage, beans and tortillas). There are a few chicken, pork, and shrimp dishes, but you might as well go somewhere else for those. Meals are served in an open-air dining area overlooking the Valle de Copán.
reviewed
-
Cicai
Closer to town, Cicai is a semi-boarding school, 1.5km north from the center, where around 80 indigenous students learn folk art and vocational skills. The school welcomes visitors – some of the teachers are foreign volunteers – and you can sit in on a class or talk with the students or teachers. Mornings are best; check in at the administrative office first. Sadly, the school is often without enough supplies or materials.
reviewed
-
Museo Colonial de Arte Religioso
Opened in 1962, the Museo Colonial de Arte Religioso was once the site of the first university (1632) in Central America, which operated for almost 200 years. Priests have occupied the building even longer, since 1558. Totally renovated in 2005, the museum contains artwork and religious paraphernalia culled from all five churches of Comayagua, spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. The price of the ticket includes a guide.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Copán Archaeological Site
Honduras has only one major Mayan ruin, but it's a true gem. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1980, Copán archaeological site is known for its remarkable stone sculptures, especially the enormous and intricately carved stelae depicting former leaders. The site is not as lofty or grandiose as, say, Tikal or Chichén Itzá, but the artisanship is impressive. The museum is also top-notch.
reviewed
-
Rinconcito Graciano
This artsy place with Lencan art on the walls, handmade menus and rustic clay dishes, has a menu rife with traditional Lencan food – ticucos (cornmeal patties, stuffed with beans), anafres (bean fondue with tortilla chips), mulitas (corn tortilla filled with beans, eggs, avocado and cheese) and chilate (a sweet drink). Opening hours can be very irregular.
reviewed
-
J
San Pedro Cathedral
This cathedral is worth peeking into. Occupying almost a full city block, it has high, pale-yellow walls and pillars, and an even higher central cupola. The walls are laden with paintings of the saints and other Catholic imagery and hand-carved wooden statues of the same. Like so many huge urban cathedrals in Latin America, this one offers instant respite from the hustle and bustle on the street.
reviewed
-
Enchanted Wings
Enchanted Wings has a terrific mariposario (butterfly enclosure), bursting with tropical plants and dozens of moths and butterflies flitting about. Come before 11am and you may see new butterflies breaking out of their cocoons (the adults are more active then, too). An attached orquidiario has 150 different species of orchids, all native to Honduras.
reviewed
-
K
Museo de la Naturaleza
The Museo de la Naturaleza has over 80 exhibits that cover the gamut of natural history, from paleontology and human biology to ecology and the universe. The level of detail is on a par with a college textbook, which can get a bit old given the signs are in Spanish. If the door’s closed, enquire around the corner at the Fundación Ecologista HR Pastor.
reviewed
