Things to see and do Center

Some travellers are disappointed, saying that there is almost nothing to be seen in archaeological terms; It is true that the ruins are not yet uncovered, some stones forming a staircase and nothing else. But the flora and fauna are fascinating (binoculars and essential mosquito repellent) and the park itself has been very well equipped: Small museum, impeccable toilets, beautiful stone trails and wooden footbridge whose maintenance (it always rains!) justifies the entrance price alone. A nice excursion to enjoy slowly by lending the ear to the thousand noises around.

It is one of the most important and ancient archaeological parks in Honduras. Its existence precedes a thousand years that of the archaeological Site of Copán. According to reports, the ancestors of the Lencas have lived there about 800 BC, and the museum preserves important préhispaniques remains discovered in the park. Los Naranjos was an important city that had an influence on a large part of the current territory of central Honduras. In the main group of the highest prehispanic construction (20 metres) in this geographic area where the Maya lived, one can discover seven large main mounds with height ranging between 3 and 20 metres high. The main structure was a pyramid nearly 20 metres high. Try to get a map of the site at the entrance. The best is to follow the main path before turning on the right (Junlaras Trail) to the ruins. You can turn burial and win the suspension bridge (a beautiful place to meditate or fish). Continue the Gualiqueme trail and then Mirador (before the bridge) until you reach the wooden bridge that joins the main trail (turn right to find the visitor centre and exit).

The national park has a unique fauna and flora, as well as the largest concentration of Pech in Honduras. The Cordillera of Agalta includes the mountains Susmay, Babilonia, Sierra de Agalta, Malacate and Carbón. The dry forest is graded from 300 to 800 m, then crosses a transition zone before winning the tropical forest (around 900 m), a humid temperate zone (900 - 1 400 m, abondance abundance) and then cloud (1 400 - 1 700 m, many epiphytes plants); the highlight of the show is discovered at the top, a forest of dwarf trees, lichens and mosses beaten by the winds, between 1 700 and 2 354 m above sea level (5 m high pine). As much as the fauna is of incomparable richness: 470 bird species were identified, including the toucan and the famous quetzal. Abondent monkeys, spiders, jaguars, ocelots and lazy paresseux with two fingers; 230 species of butterflies pond there. In short, this park is much less visited than that of the Celaque in the west of the country or La Tigra around Tegucigalpa; however, it is considered by hikers as the natural "must" of the country and any adventurer adventurer should include a visit at least partial on its agenda. Practice. The two privileged access points are Dulce Number of Culmí (Hospedaje Kevin; US $ 4 per double) north of Catacamas (some buses per day until early afternoon) and Gualaco on the road between Juticalpa, San Esteban, Corocito and Trujillo. To put it bluntly, Gualaco is a much more interesting and safer base; Dulce Number cowboys are not always reassuring and the trails not always very well marked. In Gualaco, it is recommended that a guide be provided (less than USD 10 per day). Find out more about the visitor centre in the village (Codehfor). The Ecological Group of Olancho can also provide you with some information. Both offices are located near the service station. Hotel Calle Real offers spacious but very low priced rooms. Only one recommended place for eating: Sharon Comedor (information in English). Transport question, several buses have travelled to and from Juticalpa; at least two buses for San Esteban, El Carbón and Corocito (one continues to Trujillo, the other to La Ceiba).

Located 10 km from the town near the village of Guanaja, these caves were rediscovered in 1994 if one can say, when a Honduran and North American team uncovered skulls and bones in a cavity. Archaeologists then asserted that it was a ceremonial gesture of an ancient unknown tribe, about 1 400 years before our era (other polychrome skeletons of 3000 before our era). Other caves were later updated, one of them with pictographies. The visit is very interesting, even if there are no more skulls uncovered (the little museum does not show one). On the other hand, there is a visitor centre. There is another cave, not yet officially open, that you may be able to visit with a guide, find out.

Bus from Catacamas (at 6 a. m. and 11 p. m., last return at 12 p. m., think of starting with the first bus in Catacamas). Walk around 45 min from the village to reach the entrance (accessible by car). Otherwise, a taxi does not cost more than 200 Lps (go) to caves. The path is in bad shape over the end. Note that it is possible to climb at the top of the Picucha, the highest point in the Sierra de Agalta (two days walk).

Don't forget your bathing suit: Nice to let you slip along a kind of "natural water slide". With its 43 m high, these falls are among the most beautiful in the country. A small trail offers superb views of this site. A gazebo allows you to admire the falls from the bottom to better appreciate their grandeur and get closer to bathing. It is possible to try the adventure by guiding you (stone and very slippery land). Note that it must be possible to camp on the site (tent or hammock). Inform yourself, if you are equipped properly, the place can be magical at night. Finally, facilities allow you to enjoy a Tyrolean. A nice place not to miss!

Located in private property, 3 km from Jamalteca (direct bus from Comayagua to 10 pm for the city, walk the last kilometers). Pools of crystalline and fresh waters, they are a popular place on weekends and during holidays. A small structure can be restored. It may be possible to camp by requesting permission from the owner.

7 km from the city, it is made up of an interesting moist forest. A well-marked trail from the village of Río Negro (which one joins by road to La Libertad and after a bridge at the San Jerónimo level; Likely departures from Comayagua from the market to noon, counting 2 hours of road, where it is possible to win a beautiful waterfall called El Gavilán (count 3 hours return). It is possible to sleep in Río Negro.

Imposing civil construction. However, there is hardly anything left of the original building (only a tiny part of the facade around the door). The earthquake and fire did not end it, but it became the government's home after Independence; then it remained uninhabited from 1840 before you decided to clean the interior… to make a basketball pitch! The street where the ruins rose was in restoration during our passage.