Do you remember those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books that you would order through the Scholastic book club when you were a kid? You know … the ones that allowed you, the reader, to be a double agent or a famous celebrity or even a swashbuckling pirate? If you recall, with those books you were allowed to make the pivotal decisions for your character that would lead you through the pages of the book on your own personal journey.
On a recent trip to Honduras, I was reminded of those books. Perhaps it was the Indiana Jones-type adventure of exploring the country’s Mayan ruins or my Tarzan-like day hiking through the Pico Bonito rainforest or even the enchanting pirate culture of Roatán that brought back my childhood memories of these much-loved novels. But, most likely it was the fact that Honduras has so much to offer that it makes a great vacation destination for pretty much any kind of traveler on any kind of budget. So it is me paying homage to the “literary works” of my childhood when I bring you … Honduras: Choose Your Own Adventure.
Start here …
YOU are a lover of activity-based, cultural travel. The current state of the economy has got you down and you are in desperate need of a quick and affordable get-away to feed your soul and ease your mind.—You are the Budget Traveler
Or …
YOU are a financially secure, luxury seeker looking for an ultimate, high-end vacation that involves plush accommodations, pampering and pina coladas. – You are the Luxury Seeker
Budget Traveler (Four to Six Days)
You fly into San Pedro Sula and transfer to the town of Copán Ruinas by bus (Hedman Alas) approximately two and a half hours of beautiful rolling hills and lush tropical landscape and check into the Luna Jaguar Resort for two nights. Rooms start at $60 per night. Eat dinner in town. Try Momo’s for a delicious dinner of “pinchos” (meat and veggie kabobs) served with beans, fresh pico de gallo and tortillas. Dinner should run you no more than $12 per person.
The next day, grab a traditional Honduran breakfast (desayuno tipico) of eggs, beans, cheese and tortillas at Café Welchez or Via Via Café ($4) and don’t forget to try the local coffee! You can burn off that hearty meal with a 2 kilometer walk to the ruins of Copán, where you can see the remains of an ancient Mayan city and even visit underground tunnels. After what is sure to be an excellent self-guided tour, go back to grab a quick bite from a local street vendor. Try baleadas, a typical Honduran snack, and spend the afternoon exploring the quaint little town, its shops and outdoor merchants… and yes, haggling for deals is totally cool OR head to Finca Santa Isabel for the Copan Coffee Tour ($25 – 30, includes roundtrip transportation from town, a bilingual guide, and breakfast, snacks or lunch). There you will get an excellent tour of their stunning property and coffee facilities and learn about the company’s sustainable practices. Save money on a month of Starbucks runs by leaving with a bag of fresh-roasted Welchez Coffee for $5. Make your way back to town where you are free to explore and indulge in more of the town’s cheap eats.
Sleep in and walk approximately 8 kilometers or find $5 in the pocket of the hiking shorts that you’ve had packed away since your last vacation and take a cab ride to visit the Macaw Mountain Bird Park ($10 entrance fee), a reserve that houses injured and abandoned tropical birds including parrots, pygmy owls and a variety of beautiful macaws.
Walk back to your hotel and have them arrange a trip to the Eden-like setting of Aguas Calientes (Owned by the same folks who own Luna Jaguar), for a relaxing dip in the natural hot springs. $25 includes roundtrip transportation and entrance fee to the spa and hot springs. Besides, you’re gonna need it after all that walking! (If you stay at Luna Jaguar, you get a discount to their hot springs. Cha-ching…more money in your pocket!)
