Honduras, slow paced, natural beauty and low-profile tourism make it particularly appealing to travellers (well-armed with insect repellent) who enjoy getting off the beaten track. Take your pick from the spectacular Mayan ruins at Copan, the long lazy Caribbean coastline, the idyllic Bay Islands, the tropical rainforest of the Mosquitia region, colonial mountain towns, the cool cloud forest of La Tigra National Park and the manatees and birdlife in the country's protected coastlines, wetlands and lagoons.

Best time to visit

May to June for the festivals.

Essential experiences

Diving in the warm, crystal clear waters of Islas de la Bahia; fossicking through the pyramids and templates of Copan Ruinas; visiting the Spanish colonial mountain town of Gracias; experiencing the spectacular cloud forest of Parque Nacional Celaque; exploring the Rio Platano biosphere at La Mosquitia, where monkeys, toucans and jaguars roam the forests; taking the eight-hour boat ride up the Rio Platano to Las Marias through virgin rainforest.

In a few words, Honduras is

The Mosquito Coast; inexpensive diving; Copan Ruinas and howler monkeys.

Did you know?

Islas de la Bahia form part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world and Honduras is experiencing the most rapid urbanisation in Central America.