Honduras is a country filled with natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming locals. Beyond the more touristy destinations, Honduras has a number of picturesque towns, towering mountains, and therapeutic hot springs that are largely unknown to international visitors. Explore the charming pastel-colored villages, breathe in pure mountain air, and soak your cares away in mineral-rich waters. Along the way, savor hearty Honduran specialties that showcase the bounty of local ingredients. Get off the beaten path and uncover Honduras’ best-kept secrets.
Picturesque Colonial Towns
Honduras has numerous colonial-era towns that have been beautifully preserved through the centuries. Wander cobbled streets and admire historic architecture in towns like San Pedro Sula, Santa Bárbara and Trujillo that have managed to retain their small-town charm despite modern developments elsewhere. Two pastoral villages especially worth exploring for their pastel-colored homes and cultural richness are Ciudad Blanca and Guanacaste.
Ciudad Blanca
Nestled in the verdant Lempira department, Ciudad Blanca is renowned for its brightly-hued buildings and relaxed pace of life. Meaning “White City,” Ciudad Blanca earned its name from the way the sun’s rays bounce off the white-washed adobe homes. Stroll past homes painted in soft pastels of pink, yellow, and blue set against a backdrop of the forested slopes of nearby Cerro Montecristo volcano. Soak in the colonial ambiance as villagers go about their daily activities.
Be sure to stop at the main plaza dominated by the imposing structure of the Parroquia Santa Ana church. Construction of the current church started in 1763, though an earlier structure from 1691 also stood on the site. Admire the intricate stonework and stained glass windows showcasing religious icons. Hear church bells toll to mark the hours and call villagers to mass. Take a moment for quiet contemplation within the cool inner sanctuary.
A bustling farmers’ market is held each Saturday, where locals sell fresh produce, cheeses, and crafts. Wander the stalls to pick up provisions for a picnic later in the countryside. Sample grilled corn or tamales as you shop. Save room to indulge in fresh bread, queso fresco, and dulce de leche for dessert at a local bakery. Soak up the vibrant atmosphere and get a taste of everyday village life.
Guanacaste
Located in western Honduras along the shores of Lake Yojoa, Guanacaste charms with its own unique palette of pastel buildings. Like Ciudad Blanca, the villages here were originally founded as indigenous settlements in the 16th century before spreading into colonial towns. Wander streets lined with houses painted in celadon, sky blue, and rosy pink reflecting in the crystalline waters of the lake below. Stop to admire the intricate artwork many homes showcase through elaborate murals and designs.
Be sure to visit the Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores church in the town square, considered an excellent example of colonial-era architecture. Construction started in 1734, and its bell towers and dome lend a stately presence overlooking the plaza. Climb to the top for panoramic views across sloping red-tiled rooftops and out across Lake Yojoa’s blue expanse. Take time to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the intricate wood carvings, stained glass windows, and religious icons within.
A stroll along the lakefront promenade offers scenic vistas. Be sure to stop in at Café Sabores de Lago for lunch, which features locally caught fish and homegrown veggies. Savor panoramic views of fishing boats out on the lake from the shaded outdoor patio. Afterward, wander artisan stalls near the promenade selling woven goods, pottery, and colorfully painted gourds—perfect souvenirs for your visit. Soak up the relaxed ambiance of this charming colonial town.
Majestic Mountains
Beyond the coasts, Honduras’ interior holds cloud-shrouded mountains, sheltering cloud forests, and alpine scenery. Hike scenic trails through virgin landscapes and observe plant and birdlife found nowhere else on Earth. Two mountain areas especially worth discovering for splendid natural beauty and therapeutic hot springs are the Merendón Mountains and Santa Bárbara department.
Merendón Mountains
Stretching along the border with El Salvador, the Merendón Mountains rise dramatically from the hot lowlands up through zones of cloud forest to alpine grasslands over 3,000 meters high. Though challenging to access, this pristine mountainous wilderness rewards visitors with raw natural beauty. The Merendón Mountains are protected as part of the Celaque National Park, recognized for its extreme biodiversity despite its small size.
Hike scenic trails from the Santa Bárbara ranger station into mist-draped forests where trees draped with Spanish moss harbor resplendent quetzals and howler monkeys. Watch for orchids sprouting epiphytically from tree branches. As the trail climbs through montane forests, observe changes in vegetation and birdlife adaptations to the cooler climate. Emerging from the treeline, soak in wide-open views across folded mountain peaks and cloud-filled valleys below.
Don’t miss soaking your tired muscles in thermal hot springs near the Santa Bárbara station. Mineral-rich waters emerge naturally from the earth at a perfect 38°C/100°F. Relax muscles and breathe easier in the steamy pools amid postcard mountain scenery. Overnight at the basic but cozy ranger facilities after a day exploring this remote mountain wilderness. You’ll leave rejuvenated by nature’s therapeutic wonders.
Santa Bárbara Department
In northwestern Honduras, the scenic Santa Bárbara department holds forested mountains sheltering lesser-known attractions. It’s a region steeped in indigenous Lenca heritage and natural beauty awaiting discovery. Dotting the landscape are quaint villages surrounded by coffee and cardamom plantations.
Head to the village of La Ciénega, located within the paramo ecozone, holding alpine grasslands and mountaintop patches of cloud forest. Explore scenic hiking trails around the village through virgin páramo with splendid views across the Cordillera Mountains towards Copán Ruinas in the distance. Spot endemic plant and bird species along the way. Afterward, refresh your tired legs by soaking in the village’s thermal hot spring pools, which are untouched by development and set amidst native forests.
Just north is the village of Minas de Oro, nestled in a verdant valley. Take an invigorating hot springs dip here as well before continuing on scenic mountain roads towards the village of Alquímia, surrounded by coffee and cardamom plantations. Overnight in a cozy guesthouse or indigenous homestay, getting a glimpse of daily mountain life and Lenca culture rarely seen by tourists. Indulge in fresh produce and hearty stews that warm body and soul during the time in these scenic highlands. You’ll leave enchanted by Honduras’ hidden mountain treasures.
Savory Regional Cuisine
Discover mouthwatering local specialties showcasing fresh ingredients found across Honduras’ landscapes. Savory recipes that evolved from indigenous roots or Spanish colonial influence nourish not just the stomach but also the soul. Experience each region’s culinary identity through deliciously authentic dishes.
Plátano Frito con Queso
No Honduran meal is complete without fried plantains, or plátanos maduros. In coastal areas like the Bay Islands, enjoy this finger-food staple with a side of queso fresco, a tangy and creamy fresh cheese. Queso de montaña produced in Santa Bárbara makes an equally tasty accompaniment. Sweet plantains are sliced thick, then coated in a light batter and fried until golden brown on the outside yet soft within. Serve alongside queso crumbled or sliced for dipping. A perfect snack on the go.
Baleadas
Experience a Honduran breakfast specialty—fluffy pupusas-like rounds of thick grilled corn tortillas called baleadas. Fill them with refried black beans, shredded queso fresco and creamy avocado slices. In some areas like the coastal department of Cortés where they originated, sliced egg and crispy chipotle chilies are also popular additions. Best enjoyed warm straight off the griddle. Baleadas energize you for any adventures ahead.
Sopa de Caracol
Indulge in a hearty soup indigenous to Central America, like sopa de caracol, featuring garden snails harvested sustainably from coffee farms. Snails are cooked long and slow with potatoes, chayote squash, tomatillos, and regional spices like recao leaf. Sip the richly flavored broth, swooning over pure umami and enjoying tender snails that almost melt in your mouth. A true taste of Honduras’ natural bounties.
Pollo en Salsa de Tamarindo
In mountainous areas like Santa Bárbara, savor juicy chicken simmered in a tamarind sauce. Boneless chicken thighs are braised with onions, tomatoes, chiles, and a concentrated tamarind puree that adds just the right balance of sweet-tart zing. The rich sauce clings to tender chicken perfumed with mountain herbs like recao. Enjoy it over rice alongside fried plantains and avocado slices for a satisfying meal.
Bocado Supremo de Mariscos
Along the Caribbean coast and Bay Islands, indulge in fresh seafood specialties. A favorite is Bocado Supremo de Mariscos – a sampler platter piled high with grilled shrimp, calamari, lobster, and locally caught fish. It comes served with homemade salsa, curtido salad and fried yucca for dipping. Fresh coconuts are also popular for squeezing lime and chili into them for a refreshing accompaniment. Savor the briny ocean flavors of Honduras’ bountiful waters.
Quaint Coffee Fincas
Beyond cities, Honduras’ vast interior highlands hold verdant valleys and slopes planted by century-old coffee farms. Visit picturesque fincas helmed by multigenerational families producing world-renowned beans. Experience coffee culture through farm tours, tastings, and culinary delights. Two fincas especially worth discovering tucked into the mountains are Finca La Montanita and Hacienda La Confianza.
Finca La Montanita
Nestled amidst forested hillsides an hour from Santa Rosa de Copán, the family-run Finca La Montanita farm cultivates gourmet Arabica varieties amidst a bucolic setting. Sample dry-processed “pacas naturales” beans grown without fertilizers that foster complex notes of cocoa and stonefruit on the tour. Learn of varietals’ cultivation, harvesting, and traditional wet-mill processing methods that gave Honduran coffees their reputation for richness.
Afterward, relax on the farm-to-table restaurant’s terraced patio, which has valley views. Savor wood-fired pizzas topped with fragrant local herbs grown onsite. Pair with house-roasted brews, or indulge in seasonal eats like red mole-dusted chicken raised free-range on the farm. Stay overnight in adobe casitas nestled into the hillside to wake to nature’s orchestra under open skies. It’s a welcome respite from bustling cities.
Hacienda La Confianza
On Olancho’s eastern slopes, one hour from Catacamas City, the picturesque Hacienda La Confianza farm produces exquisite micro-lot selections in a stunning alpine setting. Tour the farm’s shaded drying patios and warehouses, which store aged lots that are ready for cupping. Learn alongside expert Q-Graders conducting quality control analysis.
For lunches during harvest season, indulge in rustic Comidas corridas (daily specials) served family-style. Dishes spotlight ingredients grown onsite like chicken fricassee stewed with exotic mushrooms or rice dishes flecked with chaya leaves. Wash it down with milky coffee grown at different elevations on the farm for contrasting tastes. Overnight in charming rustic-chic cabins with mountain views to fully unwind surrounded by nature’s peace.