2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE - (Page 60)

VENEZUELA HONDURAS Roatan Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, a pristine archipelago that covers about 92 sq. miles along the world’s second largest barrier reef. In these clear Caribbean waters, divers and snorkelers will ﬁnd turtles, stingrays, grouper and moray eels, which are almost as common as parrot ﬁsh. Even whale sharks make themselves at home here (typically May to September) in the waters between Roatan and Utila islands. Diving and snorkeling facilities draw beginners and experts alike, and every kind of dive experience is here for the asking—day dives, night dives, wall and cave diving, wreck diving—among deep and shallow reefs made up of a variety of colorful corals, sponges and tropical marine life. Additionally, the water temperature is balmy and the visibility is hard to beat. To dive or not to dive will determine your choice of hotel, with Anthony’s Key Resort offering one good bet for divers and snorkelers, and for those interested in learning all about and swimming with dolphins. Parrot Tree Resort might be a pick for a great luxury hideaway with its own beach north of French Harbor. The Mayan Princess Hotel is also a good choice, right on West Bay Beach, the island’s best. Water wonders also include glass bottom boat touring, sea kayaking, and deep-sea ﬁshing when the catch of the day can be marlin, wahoo, tarpon, barracuda, kingﬁsh and jack. Land-based visitors will enjoy a trip to the botanical gardens, a butterﬂy garden, an iguana farm and quiet ﬁshing villages. You can rent a scooter to tour this approximately 40-mile-long and 2-mile-wide island, exploring small Garifuna villages, discovering hidden sandy coves, and stopping for lunch at little harborside cafes. The liveliest town is West End, with certainly the most dive shops, best shopping boutique (Waves of Art), and restaurants (for ﬁsh, Mavis & Dixie’s, and for beef, Argentinian Grill). FACTS • BEST TIME TO GO: Inland, November to May; Roatan, January to August • FUN FACT: The largest track of virgin rainforest in Central America is La Mosquitia, the locale for the Paul Theroux best seller book, “Mosquito Coast,” made into a movie with Harrison Ford • GETTING THERE: Delta ﬂies from Atlanta to Roatan, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa • ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport • CURRENCY: Lempira • MUST-TRY LOCAL FOOD: Anafre (hotpot of refried beans and cheese fondue) • BEST BUYS: Hammocks, paintings, wood carvings, leather items, Lenca pottery • INFORMATION PLEASE: Honduras Tourism Institute— letsgohonduras.com GUYANA San Pedro Sula San Pedro Sula is the commercial capital of Honduras and indeed, a longer-stay town for business travelers, but of little interest for leisure travelers, who are always en-route to something more interesting elsewhere, such as the north coast and the Copan ruins. However, the city has some good international hotels, such as the Real InterContinental San Pedro Sula (although not as posh as the one in Teguce), and some good restaurants—Don Udo’s, with a cool colonial elegance and ﬁne food, for one. For sights to see, two are rewarding—the excellent Museum of Anthropology and History, with pre-Columbian antiquities from Olmec and Mayan pre-Columbian eras. And then there’s people-watching and shopping among the stalls of the outdoor Mercado Guamilito, which is fun and at its best on weekends. From San Pedro Sula, all international visitor roads lead to Copan, among the most spectacular Mayan city-states in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main ceremonial center covers about 75 acres with pyramids, temples, ball courts and dozens of intricately carved stone stelae portraying those who ruled this great city between the ﬁfth and ninth centuries. The history of the Kings of Copan is recorded on the Hieroglyphic Staircase and among the other treasures found at the site are the brilliantly designed Museum of Sculpture. Don’t even consider a day trip, as you need at least three days here. From San Pedro Sula, another road (as well as local air service) leads to La Ceiba on the north coast, a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers, white-water rafters and those who come to enjoy its fast-paced, Caribbean-rhythms nightlife. And about midway off the highway connecting San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, you’ll ﬁnd the country’s largest natural lake, Lago de Yojoa. The lake is a favorite ﬁshing ground among black bass anglers, and with two adjacent parks meeting here, birdwatchers come to spot some of the 370 bird species at home in the cloud forest. recommend.com The majestic Copan Archaeological Park is a must-visit. D60 january 2012 http://www.letsgohonduras.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Antigua; Aruba
Nassau
Freeport; Exuma
Bermuda; Bonaire
George Town
Punta Cana; Santiago
Santo Domingo; Grenada
Port-au-Prince; Montego Bay
San Juan
St. Kitts; Saint Lucia
St. Maarten
Providenciales
St. Thomas; St. Croix
Acapulco
Cancun
Cozumel
Guadalajara
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
Los Cabos
Mazatlan
Mexico City
Monterrey
Puerto Vallarta
Belize City
San Jose
Liberia
San Salvador
Guatemala City
Roatan
San Pedro Sula
Tegucigalpa
Managua
Panama City
Buenos Aires
Brasilia
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Santiago
Bogota
Quito
Georgetown
Lima
Caracas

2012 DELTA TRAVEL GUIDE