HONDURAS
I hope no one thought I was going to leave this out?! (My dad and my uncle called me like “aja????”)
I wanted to wait until our Independence Day to put this one up…it just felt right! This is really just the tip of the iceberg in regards to how much there is to do and see, but I hope it gives you a pretty good look as to how much of a hidden gem Honduras is.
Tegucigalpa:
Starting with the capital, and my hometown, this is one of the two major cities along with San Pedro Sula. Every time I go back, there are more and more bars and restaurants. El patio is a very classic/traditional Honduran restaurant that has stood the test of time. Speaking of classics, you can’t NOT get a Bigos burger! There is a huge Chinese population and personally, Restaurante Siu is some of the best authentic Chinese food I’ve ever had. Baleadas Kennedy is another notable spot to get our most popular dish! Lastly, there is no better place to eat that El Mayoreo or it’s more formal name, La Feria del Agricultor. This is by far my favorite market ever (yes I’m biased) and this is where I grew up coming with my grandma. The food stalls here serve everything from pupusas to tripe soup. Make sure you try at least 2 juices as well!!
Highway North heading to Tela:
One of my favorite parts about driving up north to the beaches are all the pit stops to make along the way. Just outside Tegucigalpa there is an amazing breakfast stop popular with truckers, Comedor Enma, and once you eat here you’ll see why! Farther up in Comayagua, there are a handful of atoleras. Here you can get atol, corn tamales, and other delicious bites. There are two chicharroneras that are worth stopping at for road snacks. Delicias del Carmen + La casita de los chicharrones. El Lago de Yojoa is another popular stop for this drive or just for a weekend lunch. Here, you’ll pass what seems like an infinite amount of restaurants all serving whole fried fish. The last stop along the way is in the beach town of Tela at the Gasolinera Uno. I know what you’re thinking “a gas station?” But trust me here. They are serving incredible empanadas and are super popular with locals.
Tela:
Tela is a popular vacation spot for many locals. Situated on the very north coast, it’s a beauty getaway. There’s a national reserve in Punta Sal which is a quick boat ride away and this is a MUST! You can only access is by boat and most tours will include a quick hike through the rainforest where you can see howling monkeys. After you’re taken around the whole area, there’s a really beautiful beach where you can enjoy the rest of the day.
Islands:
If you want to see some of the best beaches in the world, Honduras is the place! Honduras is located on the mesoamerican reef that is shared with Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. Starting off with the Bay Islands, Roatan & Utila are both amazing, but both very different. Roatan is a bit more family oriented, where you can find the cruise port, and more all inclusive resorts. However, that doesn’t take away from its stunning waters in west bay and west end. If you find yourself in west end, hit up Calelu’s for some spectacular baleadas.
Utila is much smaller in comparison to Roatan, but it’s geared more towards nightlife and scuba diving. You can get around the whole island relatively quick on a tuktuk. Water cay, little cay, chepes or bando beach are all highly recommended.
Cayos cochinos is something that is so beautiful it looks fake (they also film survivor here??) You can get to these insane keys from Roatan or Utila by boat which is what I would recommend. You can also access it via La Ceiba, but there’s not much to do in Ceiba which is why it’s deterring. There are a multitude of tours available to come here so whatever floats your boat BUT DO NOT MISS IT!
Copan:
One of my favorite places in the country, this home to ancient Mayan ruins! Close to the border of Guatemala, it’s such a different pace and aesthetic compared to most of the country. It’s a place I recommend to get away, relax, and experience Mayan culture. La casa de todo was exceptional and there is also an insane amount of great coffee shops.
San Lorenzo:
A city to the very south, it resides facing la isla del tigre, a now dormant volcano. You can catch a ride through the volcanic mangroves and even try a local delicacy, curiles or blood clams.
Marcala:
The caffeine capital of Honduras! Highly recommend visiting to explore the only PDO region and get some amazing coffee.
