Honduras or Nicaragua in December?

I've been doing quite a bit of research as we're heading to both countries this Christmas. Nicaragua is a lot cheaper I'd say because the places tourists tend to go in Honduras are expensive by CA standards. Places like Ometepe or Leon can be enjoyed very cheaply but getting to the Corn Isles is expensive (you probably know this if you've been to Nicaragua).

If you are staying away from the most touristy places in Honduras (Roatan and La Ceiba and surrounds) then it is relatively cheap by CA standards. I have found it difficult to identify a nice, safe hotel in Tegus and San Pedro for less than $50 p/n. I definately want to book for these cities in advance because they are relatively dangerous places.

As for Roatan, it is difficult to get a room on Roatan that is not too much of a backpacker/hostel type accommodation for less than $50. I think we will go for Chillis which is very backpacker but its only $20-30 although the water is cold only! I visited Roatan 10 years ago (stayed in West End) and it was amazing, but I hear they have a few cruise ships stop by each week now. I was shocked by this because it is a very low key place. But from a local's point of view, cruise ships are good for the economy so its fair enough. I just worry about the impact on the beautiful reef. Apparently the cruise shippers all hang out at one end of the 1.5km West Bay beach so they are easy to avoid if you want to be alone!

These are two places I've booked so far for the trip that look great, have good TA reviews and although I haven't stayed in these yet, the owners have been brilliant so far with travel advice etc

• Bohemian Paradise, Granada, Nicaragua - the owner has been sooo lovely to us, giving us lots of advice. http://www.seecentralamerica.com/hotel-granada/index.php
• Canas Castilla - farm/ eco-lodge with amazing wildlife outside La Cruz, Costa Rica, 10km from the Nicaraguan border. $50 per night http://www.canas-castilla.com/. the owner is taking us to the border early in the morning to beat the queues. We decided to fly to Costa Rica to enter Nicaragua because it was way cheaper for us coming from England

Honduras and Nicaragua are both very inexpensive countries overall.

However, The Bay Islands are certainly more expensive than the Honduran mainland and Nicaragua. However, when compared to Belize and most other Caribbean destinations, they're on the inexpensive side. Overall, the islands (particularly Roatan and Utila) are touristy -- honestly, no part of the mainland (not even La Ceiba and Copan Valley) gets as many tourists as The Bay Islands. However, on Roatan, you can still get off the beaten path -- on The East End, you have access to Camp Bay (has the largest beach on the island), and learn about the culture by visiting places like Punta Gorda. Mangrove tours are also available.

The Bay Islands are nice, but take note that you'll use your wallet more at those islands than you would anywhere on the Honduran mainland and Nicaragua. Cruise ships do indeed stop by regularly -- but can be escaped.
I love both countries, by slight preference being Honduras, but I wouldn't choose The Bay Islands individually over Nicaragua.

As for the Caribbean cities in both countries, don't expect too much from the cities themselves.
La Ceiba itself isn't a particularly beautiful city (nor does its beaches compare to those of The Bay Islands), but in the surrounding area, you can hike at Pico Bonito National Park, visit Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge, and also go on other explorations in the surrounding areas. La Ceiba is one of the more popular spots of the mainland, but certainly doesn't get as much visits as most places in Costa Rica do. Tela is another notable spot in Honduras. The town itself is nothing special, but you can take a tour/explore natural areas such as Jeanette Kawas, Punta Izopo, and the Lancetilla Botanical Gardens. The beaches in front of town aren't very nice, but if you visit the surrounding Tela Bay, you'll find some nice beaches. Trujillo has very nice beaches, and is certainly not touristy.

As for Nicaragua, the main points of interest on the Caribbean are Bluefields (and surrounding area), and The Corn Islands. Aside from Bluefields, there aren't really any Caribbean towns of interest in Nicaragua (San Juan del Norte and Puerto Cabezas are interesting, but not offering much as of now).

IMO, the highlights of the countries are what you'll find on the mainland. La Ceiba, Tela, Copan Valley, and Lake Yojoa are great places in Honduras (The Lenca Trail is also great, but might be harder to do). Lake Nicaragua (including Ometepe) is amazing, and places like Granada, Leon, and Masaya are also great.

Nicaragua's Pacific beaches (especially near Leon) can get very nice), and there are also some nice beach spots on Honduras's North Coast. However, the countries have bigger fish to fry.

Question:
If you go to Honduras, are you planning to stay on The Bay Islands, or are you willing to explore parts of the mainland as well?
What places interest you in Nicaragua?

Both are beautiful countries, and surprisingly great in varied culture (both indigenous and non-indigenous), but I don't think the places you listed will give you a true taste of the countries.

Question:
If you go to Honduras, are you planning to stay on The Bay Islands, or are you willing to explore parts of the mainland as well?
What places interest you in Nicaragua?

If we do go to Honduras we would fly into San Pedro Sula and then go to Copan, the Caribbean coast and one (or two) of the Bay Islands

As I said, we've been to Nicaragua (Granada, SJDS, Leon, Las Penitas, and BCI). This next trip would include Granada, Ometepe, Leon, LCI, and maybe some additional time on the pacific coast

if you make it to Roatan, i can recommend of few place away from the crowds and cruise shippers. the west end of the island is where most tourist visit, but the rest of the island is still as it was before the cruise ships started visiting. in dec. there are days where up to three cruise ships are docked at once, but the east end sees very little of that. the paved road ends at Punta Gorda , but if you continue on the dirt road you'll discover a different world. just past the Puma gas station is the community of Punta Blanca, with several rentals. just a bit further is Marble Hill Farms which has casitas, a dorm room and a loft. Paya Bay is the last resort as you head east, when you get to Camp Bay you have a few options, the Adventure lodge is on the beach with a couple of rooms, then the Camp Bay Hostel and some cabins rented out by locals. check in at La Sirena restaurant, over the water and they will have all the info. this is were you can explore the rest of the islands, plus the mangrove forest.

Jimmy, I see from your profile that you live in Camp Bay. I’m flying into Rotan in October for a week. Do you know how much the taxi costs to get up there from the Airport?

Taxi,s from the airport are expensive, about $30. where are you staying at? you can probably get a colectivo cab from the street , in front of the airport to French Harbour for about $2, then catch one to the Puma gas station to Punta Blanca for another $2. from there you need a ride to Camp Bay. i make a run into town a couple of times a week. if you let me know what day you arrive, i could plan on going out that day and give you a ride.

Taxi,s from the airport are expensive, about $30. where are you staying at? you can probably get a colectivo cab from the street , in front of the airport to French Harbour for about $2, then catch one to the Puma gas station to Punta Blanca for another $2. from there you need a ride to Camp Bay. i make a run into town a couple of times a week. if you let me know what day you arrive, i could plan on going out that day and give you a ride.

Copan and the North Coast of Honduras are good parts to visit, then.

Copan Valley could easily keep you busy for a week depending on what you're interested in. Of course, you have the ruins, but you could also visit coffee plantations, explore the main town and surrounding little villages, visit Macaw Mountain Bird Park, etc. If you're not much interested in this kind of stuff, then Copan still deserves at least 3-5 days.

The North Coast can also get interesting. As I mentioned earlier, Tela and La Ceiba offer some nice adventures. However, if you're going there mainly for the beaches, I'm don't think much of the North Coast will satisfy you (the beaches are mostly nice, but it's certainly not the focus of that area).

In this case, Honduras would get my vote. You've already visited Nicaragua, so it would be a nice idea to explore another country as well. In some places, you might find Honduras to be slightly more expensive than Nicaragua -- but it's still a very inexpensive country nonetheless.

Have fun, whichever country you end up choosing! :)

Thanks everybody for the great suggestions and info. I think were going to go back to Nicaragua - really want to go to Ometmpe and back to Corn Islands. Honduras will have to wait until next year!