In the heart of Central America is a small jewel stretching along nearly 750 km of coast on the Caribbean Sea. Honduras, a paradisiacal country until then little known by tourists, is gaining more and more nobility because it has so many natural, cultural and historical assets. Rich in beauty and grandiose landscapes, its people are nevertheless one of the poorest in the world. Here, tourism must be different, luxury, prestige and exclusive hotels should not be sought, because the tourist infrastructures are still far from being at the level of some of its neighbours. Yet Honduras is an exceptional country, it has breathtaking landscapes. It will be appreciated by those who like to go off the beaten track. On the coast, you will find beautiful islands, a clear sea with turquoise waters and white sand beaches, mangroves, a huge coral reef and a unique fauna and flora. In the interior of the country there is also a great variety of landscapes, high plateaus, mountains, extinct volcanoes and lush forests. It was Christopher Columbus at the beginning of the 16th century who was again the first Westerner to set foot in the country. Upon his arrival, he named the country Honduras because of its relief which reminded him of a sea; in fact, Hondo in Spanish means "depths". Nestled between Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, the country also has a small opening to the Pacific in the southwest. Honduras cannot, however, limit itself only to its surprising landscapes; indeed, it is also very rich in history and traditions. The country has traces of the passage of different civilizations on its territory, the imposing Mayan vestiges, the remains of colonial heritage... Today, the country mixes a dozen ethnic groups like the Miskitos or the Lencas who also marked the Honduran culture with their imprint. The climate of Honduras is tropical, often hot and humid on the coasts and on the other hand drier by advancing in the lands; on the high plateaus it is thus more temperate. Here, it rains regularly during the year on the Caribbean coast, the rainy season extends from May to the end of October. It is therefore advisable to travel to Honduras between November and April. The country often faces Hurricanes between June and September. Due to its climate, an exceptional fauna and flora have settled here. Lovers of wide open spaces and nature will therefore be fulfilled. The language of the country is essentially Spanish, however English is often understood and spoken in tourist areas. The most impressive sites of the country are the capital Tegusigalpa, which abounds with a multitude of churches and buildings from all the outstanding periods of the country, the natural reserves of Rio Platano listed as World Heritage, its coast and the island of Utila in the Caribbean and of course the famous Mayan ruins of Copan. Part of one of the largest cities of the Maya era abandoned over 1000 years ago, they are also classified by UNESCO. Today, to get to Tegucigalpa, it is mandatory to make at least one stopover from France. The easiest way is to go through the United States, the average travel time is 15 hours. "Mosquitoes here can be very virulent, don't forget to protect yourself from necessary repellents and soothing creams. It is advisable to take care of food hygiene and drink purified or bottled water, but roads can be dangerous, be alert to other drivers who don't necessarily follow the rules of the road." Art and culture in Honduras There are ten ethnic groups in Honduras with very different beliefs and traditions. Among them, the Lenca community believes in many divinities and spirits. The village of Suyapa gave its name to the patron saint of Honduras. A pilgrimage in his honour takes place every year in February. Throughout the country you will find markets where typical products are sold, made by local artisans. You can buy terracotta, leather, hats, pearl jewelry, cigars and rum. The music heard in the country is Latin, with sounds of salsa, merengue and samba. What to visit in Honduras There are more churches than museums in Honduras! So you can start your visit of the country with the capital Tegucigalpa and discover the first church of the city: the Church of San Francisco. A few kilometres from the centre, the Basilica of Suyapa, a masterpiece of Gothic art, will fascinate you. You should then stop at the Museum of National Identity, or the Villa Roy Museum retracing the history of the country.