HONDURAS

Honduras is the knee of Central America, bordered to the south by Nicaragua and El Salvador and to the west by Guatemala. It has a 644km (399mi) long Caribbean coast and a 124km (77mi) pipsqueak of a Pacific coast. The Caribbean Bay Islands and, further northeast, the distant Swan islands are both part of Honduran territory. Three-quarters of the country is composed of rugged hills and mountains, ranging from 300 to nearly 2850m (984 to 9348ft) in height.

Lowlands are found only along the coasts and in major river valleys. Deforestation is occurring at a rate of 3000 sq km (1170 sq mi) a year, which, if continued, will turn the country into a treeless desert within the next 20 years. However, there are still largely untouched areas, especially in the Mosquitia region.

Fauna includes jaguars, armadillos, wild pigs, monkeys and alligators, and abundant bird life such as toucans, herons and kingfishers. The climate in Honduras varies between the mountainous interior and the coastal lowlands and between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

There is great snorkeling, diving and swimming around the Bay and Hog islands, and nice beaches around Tela and Trujillo. For the best walks, try Parque Nacional Celaque, 45km (28mi) southeast of Santa Rosa de Copán. It contains the country's highest peak, a lush cloud forest, the headwaters of 10 rivers and a majestic waterfall. There are also vertical cliffs for expert mountain climbers. Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, a few km south of La Ceiba, has trails around the fringes of the 500 sq km (195 sq mi) unexplored reserve and a challenging peak for mountaineers.
The interior is much cooler than the humid coast, and temperate Tegucigalpa has maximum temperatures varying between 25 and 30°C (77 and 86°F). The rainy season technically begins in May and lasts until October.

This means that the interior and Pacific coast are relatively dry between November and April, but on the Caribbean coast it rains all year. The wettest months on the Caribbean coast are from September/October to January/February. The tourist season on the Caribbean coast is between February and April, during the US winter.

People/Culture
Spanish is the principal language and is spoken throughout the country, although English (spoken with a broad Caribbean accent) is the language of choice in the Bay Islands. The remaining Indian tribes have their own distinct languages. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, but there are also many other Christian sects and denominations, including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Assemblies of God, Evangelicals and so on. The indigenous tribes have their own religions, often existing alongside Christianity and incorporating elements of African and Indian animism and ancestor worship. Honduran crafts include woodcarving (notably wooden instruments), basketry, embroidery and textile arts, leathercraft and ceramics. The country's cuisine is based around beans, rice, tortillas, fried bananas, meat, potatoes, cream and cheese.

Climate
Honduras has a tropical climate, tempered by the interior's higher elevations. The mean annual temperature in the interior is 21° C (70° F). The coastal regions are warmer, with oppressive humidity, and an annual average temperature of 27° C (81° F). The dry season is November–May. Annual rainfall averages 102 centimeters (40 inches) in some mountain valleys and 254 centimeters (100 inches) along the north coast.

Health Aviseries
Adequate medical care is not available in some parts of the country. Visitors to Honduras should ensure that all their routine immunizations are up to date. Vaccination for hepatitis A, tetanus/diphtheria, adult polio, and typhoid are essential.

Entry
Visitors to Honduras must present a passport valid for at least three months. No visas are required for citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and most western European countries for tourist visits of up to 30 days. A ticket for return or onward travel is required. Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a tourist card, which can be purchased from Honduran consulates. It is possible to obtain a visa extension once you are in Honduras.