The 6 best experiences in Honduras

The mighty rivers, lush mountains, Maya archaeological sites and Mesoamerican Barrier Reef scattered across Honduras beckon adventurous travelers from across the globe.

This Central American gem is a popular port of call for large cruise ships, and passengers often have to squeeze a handful of activities into an eight-hour window. But we recommend visiting Honduras on your own and taking the time to experience all this wonderful country has to offer.

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Here are six of our favorite experiences in Honduras.

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species of motmots, along with chachalacas, flycatchers and woodcreepers, create a polyphonic soundtrack as you trek through the cloud forest to caves and waterfalls. Panacam Lodge is a good place to base yourself in the area. From here, bird experts lead hikes and inspire an appreciation of ornithology in even the most amateur of bird-watchers.

Whether you’re a die-hard spotter or not, Honduras’ national bird – the majestic scarlet macaw – is certain to catch anyone’s eye. The chances of seeing one in the wild are high in and around the Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve. Rather than a national park, it’s a rehabilitation sanctuary for macaws, parrots, toucans, cassowaries and other feathered creatures.

Planning tip: Each June, the scarlet macaw rehab program graduates deemed independent enough to survive without human intervention are released into the wild during a grand, media-blitzed ceremony.

Up Copán’s famous hieroglyphic stairway, the longest-known Maya text inscription depicts the stories of five Maya kings. The staircase gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1980, joining the roster alongside Guatemala’s Tikal. While the remains of Copán are in good condition, the red colors that once adorned its temples have sadly faded.

To see it in all its former crimson-hued glory, head to the Sculpture Museum of Copán, just across the parking lot from the main entrance. The highlight is the imposing Rosalila Temple, reconstructed to look as it did centuries ago.

Admission to the park is US$15, which doesn’t include a guide; written explanations are dotted throughout the site. Museum admission is separate from the park, at US$7.

As you wander around you’ll find vendors selling baleadas, the Honduran delicacy of a flour tortilla filled with variations of the traditional mix of refried beans, cream and cheese. Try one and you'll discover why they're so popular.

San Pedro Sula is the country’s industrial and commercial center. Like the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, tall letters spelling out the instantly recognizable brand Coca-Cola loom atop a towering green hill just east of the city.

From up there, you might be able to spot the other places worth checking out: Angeli Gardens, a cross between a botanical garden and an elegant restaurant; the main Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle at the Parque Central; and the Museo de Antropología e Historia, which offers exhibits on Honduras’ past.