Honduras offers an array of different vacation experiences—perhaps more than any other country in Central America. It can be a resort-oriented getaway for divers and snorkelers (in the Bay Islands), a showplace of Mayan archaeological treasures (at Copan) or an eco- and adventure-travel playground (on the north coast and in the rain forest). Honduras also offers a great bang for the travel buck, with prices of most goods and services surprisingly inexpensive.
On the down side, Honduras shares some of the region's less admirable travel qualities. Roads can be rough, travel slow and amenities basic. Even though Honduras has not had destabilizing insurgencies of the sort that El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua have suffered, conditions are far from ideal. Crime and a lack of attractions make the big cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula places you'll want to avoid or to pass through quickly. That said, Honduras is doing much to make its best features more accessible and enjoyable—quite a feat given the widespread destruction the country faced after Hurricane Mitch struck in 1998. Travelers who don't mind a bit of adventure—or who are seeking it out—will likely relish the country's unpolished charm.
Location
Cruise ships stopping in Honduras usually do so as part of a trip down the Caribbean coast of Central America (which could include passing through the Panama Canal), or as part of a western Caribbean itinerary. Because time is short and distances are long, there usually isn't time to do much exploring on your own from the ports in Honduras. As a result, the best way to see the sights is probably on one of your ship's shore excursions. The most popular stop is Roatan, the largest and most developed of the Bay Islands, where you can swim and scuba dive along the barrier reef. Many cruise passengers arriving at Roatan may prefer to just relax on the island's beaches with a cool drink. But most ships also offer several shore excursions.
Some smaller ships also visit Puerto Cortes, a large mainland port on the Caribbean that offers easy access to the Mayan ruins of Copan, and Omoa, where there is an 18th-century Spanish fortress.
Most ships visiting Roatan anchor and tender passengers to the newly expanded terminal at Coxen Hole, a dusty town at the southern end of the island—you only need a few minutes to see it. Both the airport and the island's main ferry dock are near the town, which also is the capital of the Bay Islands province. (It was named after the pirate John Coxen; locals sometimes refer to the entire island as Coxen Hole.)
Ships stopping at Puerto Cortes usually tie up at the city dock or anchor in the bay and deliver passengers to the dock in small boats. Independent merchants sometimes greet passengers with displays of their wood carvings and other handicrafts. There are some restaurants and shops along the main street, but there isn't much to see or do (unless you enjoy watching cargo ships load and unload). There's no tourist information booth at the port.
