Isla de Utila
Utila: The island of legends
Utila is the smallest of the three major islands. Eighteen miles off the coast of Honduras, this is the closest island to the mainland. It can be easily reached by sea or by air. The main town is East Harbour, also known commonly as Utila. The casual atmosphere and the friendly community of islanders, make this island a favorite for those looking for simple pleasures. The landscape is totally different from the other islands; the only mountain is Pumpkin Hill. Legend has it that pirates hid their treasures in the caves located around this mountain. If you follow the trail that leads to Pumpkin Hill, you might be able to find them. A special tour will take you to different places where Robinson Crusoe stayed more than 27 years, when his ship wrecked on the coast of Utila. A treasure he rescued from a shipwrecked vessel is believed to have been hidden in Pumpkin Hill. Diving, diving and more diving If you're not a certified diver yet, you probably will be after visiting Utila, for there is a wide offer of diving schools.b This small island is famous for its whale shark sightings, the world largest fish. These creatures measuring up to 55 feet are rare elsewhere. Swimming alongside these giants is an unforgettable experience, that can even be caught on tape for those who wish to make their memories last. Utila doesn't have many beaches, but there are several small keys that are accessible by boat and provide a lot of privacy.
Omoa
Optional Tours to Copan are available... Omoa is one of the oldest towns in Honduras and played an important role in the history of Honduras, especially during the colonial times. The paved highway leads west towards the town of Tegucigalpita, a village located only a few miles from the Guatemala border. This area of the country is of stunning beauty thanks to the impressive Merendon mountain range that serves as a backbone to this part of the cost. Along the road, you will pass the town of Omoa, where the Spaniards built the massive fortress of San Fernando de Omoa centuries ago. Its purpose, to protect the coast and shipments of silver bound from the mines of Tegucigalpa to Spain from the continuous attacks of the British pirates. In effect, by the time it was finished, the pirates were a thing of the past. This structure is of such importance, that you would have to travel south as far as Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, or north as far as Campeche, in the Gulf of Mexico to find another fortress of equal importance. After the independence of Honduras in 1821, the fortress was taken over by the local government, and was used for many years as a jail, and was later abandoned. Today, the fortress is considered a National Monument and is open to the public. The Honduran Institute of Archaeology and History is in charge of its maintenance.
Puerto Cortez
Entrance to the World of the Mayan
The ancient city of Copan was once the most important center of the Mayan civilization. Around 20,000 people inhabited the fifteen square miles where temples and plazas decorated the scenery. Visiting the town of Copan Ruins is a special way to explore the other part of this majestic archaeological site. The stone roads and the calm air will make the whole experience unforgettable. Copan: A visit to the past In 1980, the Copan Archaeological Park was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nation's Science, Culture and Education Organization. Two years later, it was designated as a National Monument by the Honduran Government. This came as no surprise, since Honduras is the proud home of the most beautiful ruins of the Mayan world, where time flies among the petroglyphs, the archaeological museums and the many remnants of ancient buildings. All who enter the grounds of this territory are overcome by the powerful energy left behind by those who inhabited the area. Diego Garcia de Palacio discovered the Mayan ruins in the Copan Valley in Western Honduras, in 1570. Nowadays, this large archaeological complex attracts an immense amount of visitors every year, who wish to see for themselves the over 25,000 sculptures that have been found through the years.
Roatan Island
This unspoiled island located almost 40 miles off the north coast of Honduras is part of the Bay Islands, which also include Guanaja and Utila. With a warm climate of around 80 degrees, you can lounge on the island's white sandy beaches or snorkel in crystal blue waters. You may spot some of the wildlife indigenous to the island, such as the Red Lored Parrot, the Lala Monkey or the Jesus Lizard, so named for its ability to "walk on water."
