(via LetsGoHonduras)

Visitors to Honduras can slow things down with visits to two spectacular botanical gardens. One is the Lancetilla Botanical Garden in Tela the second largest tropical botanical garden in the world. Lancetilla was established in 1926 as an experimental site by Tela Railroad Company, and boasts a large variety of plants from the Central American region as well as from other tropical areas throughout the world. The second is nestled on the island of Roatán Carambola Botanical Gardens. Owned by a former Peace Corps volunteer, this garden provides an educational experience for its visitors among 40 acres of lush landscape.

Carambola Botanical Garden: http://www.carambolagardens.com

(This video was filmed in July and August 2009, in conjunction with the Honduras Institute of Tourism.)

(via letsgohonduras)

Home to nearly 500 miles of idyllic Caribbean beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Honduras offers some of the world’s finest sand and sea. Underwater discoveries abound for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts in the Bay Islands of Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. A tropical paradise of swaying palms and white sand, these secluded islands are surrounded by the spectacular Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Adventure-seekers can swim with dolphins and whale sharks here year-round, or learn to windsurf in the destination’s tranquil coves. For a more laid-back approach, visitors can enjoy activities like kayaking, sailing, glass bottom boat rides or simply lounge on the pristine shoreline.

Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences: anthonyskey.com/en/rims/rims.html
Wind & Fun Windsurfing School: windsurfroatan.blogspot.com/

(This video was filmed in July and August 2009, in conjunction with the Honduras Institute of Tourism. Underwater footage courtesy of Strange Media.)

(via LetsGoHonduras) Surrounded by pristine Caribbean coastline and Pico Bonito National Park, its no wonder the city of La Ceiba is considered the ecotourism capital of Honduras. Travelers to this northern coast destination discover outdoor adventures for every interest, including what many consider to be Central Americas best whitewater rafting on the Río Cangrejal. Cuero y Salado, one of Honduras most popular nature refuges, allows up-close views of native wildlife and unspoiled landscape. Visitors can also trace the towns historic beginnings during the banana industry boom of the late 1800s. Just off the coast of La Ceiba, the Cayos Cochinos marine reserve features spectacular snorkeling and tranquil island beaches. La Moskitia Ecoaventuras: http://www.lamoskitia.hn Lodge at Pico Bonito: http://www.picobonito.com Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fucsa.org Cayos Cochinos: http://www.cayoscochinos.com/ La Ceiba Chamber of Tourism: http://www.la-ceiba.info (This video was filmed in July and August 2009, in conjunction with the Honduras Institute of Tourism. Underwater footage courtesy of Strange Media.)

Honduras: Coffee Plantation Tours (via LetsGoHonduras)

In the western highlands of Honduras, visitors will find two distinctive coffee plantations near Copán Ruinas: Finca Santa Isabel (Café Welchez) and Finca El Cisne. A tour of each educates on the growing, harvesting and production of coffee beans. At Finca Santa Isabel, guests hike along a hillside nature trail amid coffee plants with plenty of chances to sight birds, including mot mots and oropendolas. At Finca El Cisne, visitors explore the plantation by horseback on trails that border the coffee plantation and that provide panoramic views of the countryside. At each, they will also learn about the harvesting and production of the beans, and can end their visit with a meal and a hot cup of fresh Honduran coffee.

Finca Santa Isabel (Café Welchez): http://www.cafehonduras.com
Finca El Cisne: http://www.fincaelcisne.com

(This video was filmed in July 2009, in conjunction with the Honduras Institute of Tourism.)