Honduras Attractions

Bay Islands

Roatán, Guanaja and Utila - 50km (31mi) off the north coast of Honduras - are a continuation of the Belizean reefs and offer great snorkelling and diving. The islands' economy is based mostly on fishing, but tourism is becoming increasingly important.

Utila retains low-key tourist facilities, while Roatán is gradually joining Guanaja as a more upmarket retreat. Most travelers head to West End on Roatán, but Utila is the cheapest of the three islands to visit. Whichever island you visit, just make sure you bring plenty of insect repellent.

Tegucigalpa

Nestled into a bowl-shaped valley nearly 1000m (3280ft) above sea level, Honduras' capital isn't the most beautiful city in the world, but it has a way of growing on you nonetheless. Tegucigalpa has some excellent colonial churches, a handful of worthwhile museums and a variety of restaurants.

With some genuine highlights to be logged, Tegucigalpa roughly means 'place of painted stones'. Fortunately, the locals call the city Tegus ('teh-goos') for short or la capital (the capital), saving foreigners the embarrassment of mispronouncing the full name.