Stay : A journey through time: indigenous peoples and the Spanish conquest
Honduras has a rich colonial architectural heritage consisting of a few key towns, the first cities founded during the Spanish conquest, and numerous villages. Some villages are still inhabited by the descendants of indigenous peoples who have formed community tourism associations. We propose a particular tour focused on these precious traces of the past
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
12 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : A journey through time: indigenous peoples and the Spanish conquest - 12 days
Day 1: Don't miss the Museum of Anthropology
Steps: Omoa, San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula. For a nice introduction, take the time to visit the very good Anthropology Museum of San Pedro Sula. If you are a fan of forts, war stories and pirates, you can try a half-day excursion to admire the few remains of the Fort of Omoa (north of San Pedro Sula on the coast).
Day 2: Rest in the thermal waters
Steps: Gracias, Copán Ruinas
Copan Ruinas. Head towards the village of Copan Ruinas. Stroll through the alleys of this charming village with its colonial architecture. If you feel too much fatigue due to the effects of jet lag, go and recharge your batteries in the thermal waters. Alternatively, you can visit a coffee plantation or the digital museum of ruins in the main square.
Day 3: In the footsteps of the Mayans
Steps: Copán Ruinas
Copan Ruinas. The Mayan ruins of Copán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among the most beautiful archaeological sites in Central America. Plan a full day to explore them, preferably with a guide. Don't miss the magnificent sculpture museum and its life-size and colourful reconstruction of the Rosalila temple. If you are an archaeologist, you should know that other archaeological sites surround the main site such as las sepulturas.
LAS SEPULTURAS
Day 4: First colonial village
Steps: Gracias
Gracias Lempira. The first colonial village founded in Honduras, Gracias Lempira in the grip of authentic traces, and restoration work in progress should gradually restore its lustre of yesteryear. The surrounding area offers wonderful walks: in the National Park of Celaque, or to the small villages with magnificent colonial architecture and rich cultural and artistic heritage. The Lencas formed the most important indigenous group in Honduras during the Spanish Conquest. Most of their customs have disappeared over time, but today's communities have not forgotten their rich cultural and natural heritage.
Day 5: Current home of lencas traditions
Steps: La Esperanza, Comayagua
La Esperanza. Located at 1 980 m above sea level, La Esperanza is the capital of the Intibucá department in the heart of the Lenca region. The city was established in 1848 on an indigenous settlement site. The lencas traditions are particularly rooted. The market is colorful and interesting. A few colonial streets give a certain stamp to the centre, it is pleasant to spend a couple of hours in the centre of the city. You can also go directly to Comayagua.
Day 6: The most beautiful of the cathedrals
Steps: Comayagua, Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa. On the way to the capital, make a stop in Comayagua. Little visited by foreign tourists, the country's former capital has undergone a successful facelift in recent years to restore its rich colonial heritage. The result is eloquent (a pleasant new central square). At the same time, many facades have been or are in the process of being rehabilitated. Santa Maria Cathedral is the largest and most beautiful of all the cathedrals built in Honduras.
Day 7: Museum of National Identity
Steps: Tegucigalpa, Valle De Angeles, Ojojona
Tegucigalpa. Honduras' political capital is not the most beautiful city in the world, but its historic centre, its many churches and its museum of national identity are worth a visit. If you like colonial villages and want to buy handicrafts, you can go on an excursion to the villages of Valle de Angeles or Ojojona.
MUSEO PARA LA IDENTIDAD NACIONAL DE HONDURAS
Day 8: Heading for the Atlantic coast
The Ceiba-Trujillo. Take a flight to La Ceiba, then a pickup truck or mini-bus that runs along the coast eastwards towards Trujillo.
Day 9: Spanish conquest and pirates
Steps: Trujillo
Trujillo. It was in the area that Christopher Columbus first set foot on the territory of the New World in 1502, celebrating the first Mass in the Americas. Then Juan de Medina officially founded the city 23 years later on the site of the Guaimura indigenous settlement. For a few decades, Trujillo asserted itself as the capital of Honduras, stirring up the envy of pirates. You can observe the remains of its fort and visit its small interpretation museum.
Day 10: Garifuna culture
Steps: Parque Nacional Nombre De Dios, Tela, La Ceiba, Cayos Cochinos
The Ceiba or Tela. Discover the Garifuna culture in one of the villages around La Ceiba, such as Sambo Creek or the islets of Cayos Cochinos. Community tourism initiatives allow you to learn to cook with them or go fishing. The Garifunas are the result of a crossbreeding between escaped African slaves and indigenous people.
SAMBO CREEK
Day 11: Relax at the beach
Steps: Tela
. Spend a day relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches around Tela before the return.
Day 12: The buckle is blindfolded
Steps: San Pedro Sula
Take the bus to San Pedro Sula where your return flight awaits you.
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