Things to see and do Honduras

The discovery. One of the earliest attestations of the ruins' existence can be found in the famous letter from explorer Diego García de Palacios to King Philip II of Spain in 1576. Despite his enthusiastic description, the ruins were forgotten until 1834, when Colonel Juan Galindo led the first-ever scientific expedition there. In 1891, the Honduran government signed an agreement with Harvard University's Peabody Museum. In exchange for American support in restoring and developing the ruins, the government granted the researchers the exclusive right to import half of the objects unearthed. Thanks to this team of experts, important monuments were discovered during the excavations of 1975 and 1977, to which today's visitor owes much of the site's splendour. In 1980, the Copán ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Grandeur and decadence. The golden age of Mayan civilization was between 250 and 900 A.D., a period marked by the emergence of the first royal dynasties. The king, at the head of the city, was responsible for ensuring the prosperity, security and salvation of his people. Accompanied by his closest relatives, he lived at the center of the city in temples and palaces that he had erected in his honor. At the end of some reigns, the brightly-colored stucco-covered stone constructions were buried, preserving some of Copán's beauties from destruction down the centuries.

The study of glyphs shows that the city's expansion began with the advent of a Great Lord, K'inich Yax K'uk'Mo o, in 426. His marriage to a noblewoman marked the beginning of a dynasty lasting seventeen reigns. With the reign of this king began the construction of Copán's first monuments. From the second king, son of K'inich Yax K'uk'Mo o, to the tenth king, Lune Jaguar, very little is known. The discovery of more than 4,500 buildings has enabled us to estimate that the valley's population reached 27,000 in the ^8th century. Between 578 and 738, Copán enjoyed a period of demographic, political, social and artistic growth attributed to Smoking Serpent, the eleventh king (563-628), and Smoking Jaguar, the twelfth king (628-695). The latter's sixty-seven-year reign was marked by conquests and the expansion of his territory, paving the way for the advent of the man who was to make Copán the jewel of Mayan cities: Ten-Eight Rabbit (Waxaklajuun Ub'aah K'awiil). This king of extraordinary artistic affinities imposed new standards on statuary and architecture, which reached an aesthetic and technical refinement never equalled in later times. The steles A, B, C, D, F, H and 4 on the Grande Place, the Ball Court, Stele J and Temple 22 on the eastern Patio of the Acropolis are all attributable to him. Unfortunately, Eighteen Rabbit was captured by the Mayans of Quirigua and beheaded on May 3, 738. This marked the beginning of a period of political instability and economic crisis. Although Quirigua never actually conquered the city of Copán, it did take control of several agricultural lands and jade production areas that had previously belonged to Copán. It was an alliance consolidated by the marriage of the fifteenth king, Escargot Fumant, to a noblewoman from the city of Palenque, that restored Copán's prestige and stability.

The sixteenth king, Yax Pasay Chun Yooab, ascended the throne in 763, and was responsible for the construction of the famous Q altar, depicting the sixteen rulers of the Copán dynasty seated cross-legged over their names. Chance or destiny, it was with this king that we witnessed the first signs of the city's decline. Some attribute this to some mysterious event. In all likelihood, overpopulation, deforestation and agricultural overexploitation, reinforced by severe climatic variations, were the real causes of Copán's downfall. Physical archaeology studies have shown that the population suffered from various diseases and malnutrition. There was one last pretender to the throne in 822 but, as the incomplete stele L commissioned by him proves, Ukit Took' never reigned over Copán. We don't know what became of this king, but the Maya gradually abandoned the site and left the valley, drained of its natural resources.

Visit. The archaeological park is made up of the main group (Main Square, Acropolis, Cemetery) and the Sepultures site (Las Sepulturas), 3 km apart. The visit should be rounded off with a visit to the magnificent sculpture museum (at the entrance), which houses some of the original pieces that have been replaced by copies on site, as well as a majestic replica of the Rosalila temple, discovered beneath temple 16. A complete visit takes at least three hours. Visitors reach the main group by following a lovely tree-lined path past the ruins' guardians, flamboyantly coloured parrots, birds emblematic of the Mayan imagination. From the path that leads to the site, you arrive at a vast open area: the Grande Place.

A visit to the tunnels is impressive. Access is only available within the archaeological park. So it's best to make up your mind before setting out to explore the site.

The Staircase at the hieroglyphs was discovered at the end of the 1 250 th century, revealing more than pieces with mysterious inscriptions. It was only in the middle of the twentieth century that researcher Gustav Stomski called it "put in order" as we see it today. Only thirty pieces (the first ten steps) retained their original location and it is thought that the order of Stomski is not the right one, since the 2 500 glyphs still remain unbreakable. This monument 10 m wide and 21 m high is considered the most remarkable of the classic period. Its sixty-three marches tell the story of the ancestors of the fifteenth king of the dynasty of Copán, Humo Caracol. The ramps on each side are decorated with snakes and fantastic birds representing sacred monsters that are part of the Maya imagination. Even today, much of the inscriptions in these stones remain a mystery.

The ruins (located 1 km away) lie on the banks of the Río Chinamito. Danish Jens Yde was the first to have compiled an inventory in 1935. It would appear that El Puente was an independent Mayan community of Copán, although it had a great influence in the time of its splendour (around 600 to 800 metres. ).

The site was opened to the public only in 1994. Very few travellers make the effort to go there, and you will surely be alone to travel the 210-year-old structures (including structure 1, a 11 m high pyramid, or structures 3 and 10). Grass archaeologists can continue to dream: more than 600 other sites have been identified around the area without any excavation work being done!

A card is distributed at the entrance; the trails are well reported and in good condition, unless it rained to pay the previous days. Frankly, the park is well maintained.

A main trail (gravel) crosses the park from one entrance to the other, passing the highest point in Rancho Quemado (2 185 m). This 6 km trail can be browsed quickly (1 hour 30 to 2 hours), but it would be a pity to satisfy you.

The Bosque Nublado trail goes down or down to the choice. The Cascada Trail is the most difficult, but the reward is at the end (no possibility to swim, know it). The La Esperanza Trail loves us very much! As for the Los Plancitos trail, it is the longest with its 6,5 km: less than 2 hours walking through a good look, more if you pay attention to everything around you.

We recommend that you take the La Esperanza Trail and then return to the main trail before taking the Bosque Nublado Trail: between 2 and 3 hours walk, around the entrance of El Hatillo. If you have time to win the waterfall, it's even better. Then count between 3 and 4 hours. More if you are a botanist!

In the west, the "Coca-Cola" beach is the most popular in the corner (this ridiculous name comes from the deposit of the North American brand in the sector) but it is nothing short of fun. It is said that the beaches of the village of Cieneguita, even more in the west, are the most beautiful. The hotel's restaurant (& +504 665 1105) is particularly famous for its seafood, and Roberto Alvarez Junior offers 4-hour trips or several days of mountain biking to the cuencas or caves of Ríos and Omoa.

At 1 327 m above sea level, a statue of Christ 32 metres high stands at the top of Mount Picacho. Superb panoramic view of the city. The strange geographical situation in Tegucigalpa is better understood: it is not a valley but a "hole", the hills having been ironed out in the ephemeral quest for money.

The statue of Christ is the work of the Honduran sculptor Mario Zamora Alcántara and was inaugurated in 1997.

The beaches have nothing to dream about. However, that of Trujillo, which surrounds very many champas (typical restaurants under their roof of palm) is suitable for bathing and not too dirty. Don't leave your belongings unattended, there is a great chance that they will disappear like magic, and you will be forced to return to the hotel in a bathing suit… wet.

The beaches of the airport (as we call them), near the hotel La Quinta, are quieter and more beautiful. Do not walk on the beaches towards Puerto Castilla, they are dangerous even the day.

Solitaires can win Playa El Zapote and sleep in the living room. This is one of the only white sand beaches on the island.

In Playa El Burro, you can sleep in Aquatur Marbella (500 Lps the room), a fairly decent development structure (with swimming pool and some hammocks), although one can regret the total absence of atmosphere. The two home houses mentioned below are worth a look. The Veleros restaurant next door is recommended. The beach is really nice, but not very healthy water (to what we seemed). Good corner to stay and enjoy the peaceful life of the island.

After Playa Grande, we continue towards Playa Negra, where the hotel of the same name stands. Reservations Tel +504 2238 4323. Several bungalows on the beach. The only comfortable establishment on the island. Swimming pool. Good restaurant. Call for a look at you. Promotions occasionally.

In the south, you reach the popular Playa Grande, where you can dine in a typical restaurant and maybe dip. The Cueva de la Sirena in the north (this is a cave of volcanic origin) will read one of the countless treasures that the pirate Francis Drake has hidden throughout the world.

The beautiful Santa María de la Real waterfall, at 2 hours walking, is a pleasant excursion objective (water can be very cold). A guide may be required.

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).

Pleasant site located in the village of Agua Caliente, about 45 minutes drive by car (25 km). We walk along the river, the scenic landscapes délassent the gaze, cross a few herds of cattle led by white hats… A journey in the heart of rural Honduras and authentic, and a beautiful excursion of half a day. The waters of a source - dangerous bathing - that can be reached by crossing the suspension bridge and then following a small path that carries a loop of about fifteen minutes on foot; then they plunge into the river. In fact, the water is hot everything on the edge (hot by places, attention), but just two fingers, the cold current wakes us up! The less romantic or paresseux will choose to splash in the two swimming pools. Changing rooms, sanitary facilities and a small business (very limited) are available to visitors.

The environment is relaxing. A small comedor at the entrance can spoil you or refresh your. It is particularly recommended to come from night (but you must be transported).

Planted with cypress, taxodiums, araucarias and cactus, it is very pleasant. Recently refurbished, it invites you to stroll through. The small waterfall under a bridge gives a romantic character to all, especially in the evening when the park lights up.

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.