Brief information
The Maya Indians once lived on the territory of modern Honduras, who created a unique civilization that is still not well understood. Also, not enough attention is paid to Honduras by tourists. Meanwhile, in this country there are not only Mayan pyramids, but also monuments of the pre-Columbian era, Indian villages, Catholic churches and monasteries, picturesque mountains and plains, pine forests, mountain rivers, and, of course, wide snow-white beaches.
Geography of Honduras
Honduras is located in Central America. Honduras borders Guatemala to the west, El Salvador to the southwest, and Nicaragua to the southeast. In the south, the country is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and in the north – by the Caribbean Sea. Total area – 112,090 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 1,520 km.
Most of the territory of Honduras is occupied by mountains, only along the coast there are narrow valleys. In the northeast are the famous jungles of La Mosquitia. The largest local peaks are Mount Selaque, whose height reaches 2865 meters, and Mount Sierra Las Minas, 2870 meters high.
The longest rivers are Ulua, Aguan and Patuka.
Capital of Honduras
According to simplyyellowpages.com, Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras. About 1.8 million people now live in the city. The Spaniards founded Tegucigalpa in 1578 on the site of a Mayan settlement.
Official language
In Honduras, one official language is Spanish.
Religion
About 97% of the population are Catholics, while the remaining 3% are Protestants.
State structure
According to diseaseslearning.com, Honduras is a presidential republic. Its head is the President, elected for 4 years by universal suffrage.
The unicameral parliament is called the National Congress, it consists of 128 deputies who are elected for 4 years.
The main political parties are the National Party and the Liberal Party.
Administratively, the territory of Honduras is divided into one central district (the city of Tegucigalpa) and 18 departments (provinces).
Climate and weather
The climate is tropical. In the mountains, the climate is more moderate. The dry season runs from November to April and the rainy season runs from May to October. The air temperature depends on the altitude, not on the season. The highest average air temperature in the country is +32C.
The best time to visit Honduras is February-March when the weather is predictable, the roads are dry and the vegetation is very lush.
Seas
In the south, the country is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and in the north – by the Caribbean Sea. The total length of the coastline is 820 km. The north coast is bordered by the Great Barrier Reef.
Rivers and lakes
The rivers of Honduras are predominantly mountainous, their sources are in the mountains. The longest of them are Ulua, Aguan and Patuka. On many rivers you can find very beautiful waterfalls.
Culture
The culture of Honduras, like other Central American states, was formed on the basis of the traditions and beliefs of the Maya Indians, and then it was strongly influenced by Catholicism. Interestingly, almost every city or every village has its own Catholic saint. In honor of these saints, dozens (if not hundreds) of carnivals and festivals are celebrated annually.
The most grandiose, perhaps, such holidays are La Ceiba and Feria de San Isidro carnivals. All carnivals are accompanied by folk processions, costumed, musical and dance performances, as well as fireworks.
Kitchen
The cuisine of Honduras is similar to the cuisines of all Central American countries (i.e. much is taken from the dishes of the Maya Indians), but it is not as diverse as, for example, in Mexico. Spanish culinary traditions had a noticeable influence on her. The main food products are corn, rice, beans (for example, beans), potatoes, fish (in coastal areas), meat, fruits.
Tourists in Honduras are recommended to try the following dishes:
- “Baleadas” – cakes with beans and cheese;
- “Carne Asada” – Mexican steak with onions and citrus juice;
- “Nacatamales” – a roll with vegetables and meat (similar to the Mexican tamales roll, but larger in size);
- “Plátanos Fritos” – fried ripe bananas (they are often served with beef dishes);
- “Pupusas” – cakes stuffed with cheese, beans and meat;
- “Sopa de Mondongo” – vegetable soup with meat;
- “Tamales de Elote” – a dish of corn;
- “Vinagre de Piña” is a fruit dessert with pineapple.
Traditional soft drinks are coffee, Horchata (sweet, spicy rice drink), Refrescos (carbonated fruit drinks), Licuados (fruit drinks mixed with water, milk).
Traditional alcoholic drinks are “guaro” (sugarcane liquor), as well as “giffity” (strong alcoholic drink, made in the Caribbean).
Sights of Honduras
Around the 10th century A.D. On the territory of modern Honduras, the states of the Maya Indians were formed. Many historical monuments of the Mayan Indians are still preserved in this country. We recommend visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Copan (it is located in the west of the country), which has the Small Pyramid, the Acropolis, the Hieroglyphic Stairs and a huge ball field.
But Honduras is proud of not only the monuments of the Mayan era. A large number of Catholic churches and monasteries have been preserved in this country. So, in Comayagua you can see the convent of San Francisco built back in 1584, as well as the church of La Caridad, which was built in 1590.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities are San Pedro Sula, Juticalpa, Comayagua, La Ceiba, Choluteca and the capital is Tegucigalpa.
The beaches of Honduras are not as well known in the world as, for example, the beaches of neighboring Costa Rica or Belize, but, nevertheless, this country is a great place for a beach holiday. In the south, its shores are washed by the Pacific Ocean, and in the north – by the Caribbean Sea.
The best local beaches are found on the Bay Islands off the north coast, which are surrounded by the Great Coral Reef. These islands are considered a unique place for diving.
The most popular of the Bay Islands is Roatan Island. Also noteworthy is the island of Utila with an artificial beach and several other wide natural beaches with white sand. On the island of Utila, accommodation costs up to $10 per night, i.e. This is a great place for an inexpensive vacation.
On the mainland, the best beaches in Honduras are located in the Tela area near the Jeanette Kawas National Park. White sandy beaches stretch all around the city of Tela. The most popular local beach is Tela Veija. Also, excellent beaches await tourists in Trujillo.
In the north of Honduras on the Caribbean coast is the beach resort of Puerto Cortes. This city hosts a famous festival every July. In addition, on the northern coast, we will single out another popular beach resort – Omoa.
Souvenirs/Shopping
From Honduras, tourists bring handicrafts, ceramics, hammocks, mahogany products (for example, caskets), traditional corn dolls ($ 1 per doll), jade figurines, earrings or a necklace made of coconut shell ($ 2-3 ), cigars, coffee, and coffee liqueur.
Before buying a hammock (it costs about $35), make sure it is made in Honduras and not brought from neighboring Guatemala, as is sometimes the case.
After the revolution in Cuba, several Cuban families who produced cigars in their homeland moved to Honduras. Therefore, now the culture of cigar production in Honduras is similar to Cuban. This means that some of the best cigars in the world are made in Honduras. For a box of good Honduran cigars you will have to pay only $7.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 09:00-16:00 (some open until 18:00)
Sat: 09:00-12:00
Shops:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-17:00 (some open later)
Visa
Ukrainians need a visa to visit Honduras.
Currency
Lempira is the official currency in Honduras. Its international designation is HNL. One lempira = 100 centavos. Credit cards are not widely accepted, only accepted by prestigious hotels, restaurants and shops.
Customs restrictions
Foreign and local currency can be imported and exported without restrictions, it must be included in the declaration.
Antiques and art can be exported only with a special permit. The state strictly controls the possible export of archaeological finds from the era of Mayan civilization.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
The interests of Honduras in Ukraine are represented by the Embassy of Honduras in Russia:
Postcode: 117192, Moscow, st. Mosfilmovskaya 50/1
Т: (095) 938-20-09
The interests of Ukraine in Honduras are represented by the Russian Embassy in Nicaragua:
Address: Managua, Las Colinas, Vista Alegre, 214
T: (8-10-505) 276-03-74
Email. Email: [email protected]
Emergency numbers
195 – Ambulance
198 – Fire brigade
199 – Police
Time
Behind Kyiv for 8 hours. Those. if, for example, in Kyiv it is 13:00, then in Tegucigalpa it is only 05:00 in the morning.
Tips
Tipping in Honduras is not expected, but is always welcome. Foreigners sometimes leave a tip of 10% of the bill.
The medicine
Before traveling to Honduras, it will be useful to make preventive vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, malaria, and rabies.
Security
Tourists in Honduras should take reasonable precautions – crime in this country is at a high level. Because of poverty, young people join gangs, which sometimes shoot each other. Local men are used to solving all disputes with firearms and machetes.
Every year there are several armed attacks on foreign tourists, kidnappings and other violent crimes. Therefore, tourists in Honduras should not walk late in the evening or at night, drive alone to remote areas or beaches.
Do not wear jewelry or carry large sums of money, credit cards, or other valuables. Do not resist when trying to rob, because. local criminals operate in groups, and are well armed.
