HONDURAS MAP:

Honduras today is a place of change, too fast for those who’d like the country to remain ‘undiscovered’, too slow for those frustrated by persistent remnants of the ‘Banana Republic’ days, whether in undue foreign influence or lax enforcement of environmental laws. Hondurans themselves take it all in their stride, and travelers with an open mind and a bit of Spanish will find many fascinating conversations in store.

Even so, most Hondurans you’ll meet are very laid back and, while not disinterested, certainly disinclined to make much to-do over politics and world affairs. And aside from the people-pull, nature has its own drawcards here in Honduras. Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas offers up white-sand beaches, great snorkelling and howler monkeys galore and Lago de Yojoa in Honduras' lake region has world-class bird-watching, waterfalls and outstanding national parks.