Honduras Value-Priced Eco-Tourism Destination

Stable Country Offers Similar Experiences as Costa Rica and Belize

Apr 20, 2009 Kathy Hagood

Honduras isn't as well known as an eco-tourism destination as its Central American cousins Belize and Costa Rica. But it offers similar adventures at a better value.

Honduras has the same extraordinary Caribbean reef system as that off the coast of neighboring Belize, and within the Honduran jungles are white-watering rafting, zip lining and hiking sites that rival the offerings of Costa Rica. The destination's dolphin encounters are considered some of the best in the world.

The stable Latin American country has begun promoting itself in North America in recent years and has developed a healthy hospitality industry. So far Honduras has avoided mass tourism even though it's about as close as Puerto Rico and Jamaica. That's likely one reason the country isn't suffering from the painful fall off in tourism many other over-built destinations are experiencing with the down global economy.

"In the last two years, Honduras has seen more than 20 percent growth each year in North American arrivals. In 2009, despite an expected decline in tourism worldwide, and even in some Central American countries like Costa Rica, Honduras tourism is still projected to grow. A lot of that has to do with the value of the destination," said Amanda Jackson, a spokeswoman for the Honduras Institute of Tourism.

One of the most popular areas in Honduras to visit is Rhoatan, the largest of the country's Bay Islands, and the country's northern coast.

Interacting and Swimming with Dolphins at Anthony's Key Resort

On Rhoatan don't miss Anthony's Key Resort, renown for its dolphin encounters facilitated by the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. The bottlenose dolphins there are free to come and go in the open lagoon and interact only because of their own curiosity and initiative. The institute's dolphin programs are so good that universities bring students there to study marine biology.

The dolphin encounter group stands shoulder to shoulder in the shallow, clear-green water with their dolphin and a behaviorist. The instructor shares some fun dolphin facts and then puts the group through some paces with their dolphin. The encounter is similar, with the additional of an incredible Caribbean setting, to the superb dolphin experience offered by SeaWorld's Discovery Cove in Orlando but costs little more than half the price. It's even less expensive for guests at Anthony's Key Resort.

Visitors may also opt to snorkel with dolphins after the encounter. For those who want even more time with the dolphins, the institute offers a dolphin scuba experience in open water and/or the opportunity to learn how to train a dolphin over about a week's time.

Another great Rhoatan excursion is a trip to Coral Cay Marine Park. The family friendly attraction features various interactive exhibits with sea turtles, eagle rays and nurse sharks. There's a 700-foot beachfront, and kayaking and snorkeling tours are offered.

After a day of outdoor adventures on Rhoatan it's great to clean up and head out to West End where most of the restaurants, bars and shops are located side by side. The popular area is a bit like an unpaved Caribbean Bourbon Street for tourists.

La Ceiba and the Pico Bonito National Park

A short flight from Rhoatan is the Honduran mainland. The bustling small town of La Ceiba is a Spanish colonial charmer complete with cathedrals, public squares and colorful murals. One of its most notable characteristics is the multiple utility lines overhead. Old defunct lines aren't removed, so the lines have just collected over time.

Not far from the city is the Pico Bonito National Park, home to the Lodge at Pico Bonito and more than 400 species of birds plus jaguars, tapirs, deer, puma and white-faced monkeys. The secluded property offers cottages nestled in the often-misty rainforest.

One excursion offered is to the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge. The journey begins at a rural village where a small ancient train is cranked up to take groups down the narrow tracks to the isolated reserve. The huge mangrove-fringed refuge estuary can be toured in an open boat. Adventurous souls can opt to go white water rafting down the nearby Rio Cangrejal.

The copyright of the article Honduras Value-Priced Eco-Tourism Destination in Latin Am/Caribbean Travel is owned by Kathy Hagood. Permission to republish Honduras Value-Priced Eco-Tourism Destination in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Snorkeler off Rhoatan	Monkey	Lodge at Pico Bonito
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Apr 21, 2009 7:34 PM

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