A Glimpse on Honduras
| Our tours
will take you to Honduras, a country full of contrasts:
it is the poorest in Central America and yet it
is one of the largest and richest in natural resources.
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Its history has been
convoluted and intense, yet it is a country full of
friendly and hospitable people where travel is comfortable
and easy. Today, the beaches where pirates buried their
treasures are peaceful, but in centuries past buccaneers
raided whole fleets across these bays while colonials
fought each other to gain control over its pristine
jungles and great richess.
Honduras was a Spanish
Colony, that received its name from Christopher Columbus
himself, during the explorer’s fourth and final
voyage to the Americas.
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After settling their
first mayor city on the coast the Spaniards became
more interested in possessing the riches that
were inland and also to enjoy a fresher, cooler
climate, thus abandoning the coast.
They concentrated so hard on taking
the local’s lands and possessions, fighting
the Lenca Indian warriors and murdering and betraying
their chief, Lempira, that they did not take much
notice of the Dutch and British pirates that were
settling along the shores... |
The famous pirate Henry
Morgan made Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands,
his headquarters. From there he raided distant ports.
Later, the English Crown took control over the Coast
and brought in slaves to extract the mahogany and other
precious hardwoods from the tropical forests. They extended
their control of the coast as far South as Nicaragua
by establishing a British Protectorate over the Mosquitia
region, upon the Miskito Indian Chief’s personal
request.
Although Honduras had
gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and it had
become a part of the Central American Federation: law
and order were not easily established. British presence
continued to be effective. As late as 1860 an American
eccentric, named William Walker, sought to revive the
era of buccaneers that this country had lived for two
hundred years. His attempt to take over Central America
by force ended in tragedy. At the turn of the century
a new American force took Honduras by storm: they built
the railway and bought the rich coastal plains with
only one thing in mind: bananas. This force was known
as the United Fruit Company and it was led by free enterprise
and capital, thus turning Honduras into a Banana Republic.
Although most of the country today are mestizos, of
mixed Indian and Spanish descent, British influence
is still evident, particularly on the islands, where
English is still the official language.
Honduras is diverse. Inland is a large expanse of a
cool and mountainous country, while its coast is hot,
humid and amazing...
| Honduras has some of the most
impressive Caribbean beaches in Central America.
Offshore, the Bay Islands- which are a continuation
of Belize’s Barrier Reef- offer some of
the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the world
and also best value for money. |
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Honduras is also home to the spectacular Maya ruins
of Copan, near the Guatemalan border, known for its
magnificent sculpted carvings. It is also national park
and protected area rich! One of the most impressive
parks is the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, where Pech,
Tawaka Sumu and Miskito Indians guard their own cultural
and natural heritage. They offer real ecotourism adventures
that include tropical beaches, petroglyphs, wild life
watch at its best and white-water-rafting all in one
unforgettable experience.
Honduras is worth discovering on its own or combined
with other destination in neighboring Guatemala to the
West.
TOURS
IN HONDURAS!
