Honduras has a tropical climate, which means that only the dry and the wet seaon are well defined throughout the year. Since it's located between two oceans, the climate varies greatly in the north, south and central parts. In the center of the country it is more predictable, with summer, or Located in the Central American isthmus, Honduras is the second largest country of the region, with an area of over 43,000 square miles. It borders on the West with Guatemala, to the Southwest with El Salvador, and to the east with Nicaragua. An interesting fact, however, is that notwithstanding its size, fewer people live in Honduras than in Guatemala or El Salvador.

The Spanish first set foot on Honduras back in 1502, and officially began their conquest of the country in 1524. It lasted until 1821, when along with other Central American provinces, Honduras declared its independence from Spain. But the long period of Spaniard presence left behind an incomparable colonial charm, that lives on in a number of small towns and villages all over Honduras.

Honduras is the proud home of the most beautiful ruins of the Mayan World. Not only will archaeology fanatics go crazy with the petroglyphs, the archaeological museums and the actual remnants of ancient buildings. Also, anyone that sets foot on this territory will feel the energy left behind by those who inhabited this impressive area.

Declared, back in 1980, a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Organization for Science, Culture and Education, the Copan Archaeological Park was designated as a National Monument two years later by the Honduran Government.

Honduras offers one of the most valuable tracts of primary tropical rainforest left in Central America. Due to hard work, many species of endangered plants and animals can still be found in their natural habitat.

You will walk along clearly marked trails, stand on observatory platforms and relax on resting benches. Through 17,933 square miles of protected land, you can experience everything from cloud and pine forests in the mountains, to mangroves and broadleaf along the coastline.

The perfect combination is close by during your visit to Honduras. It consists of ideal tours and visits that go hand in hand with today's environmentally aware times, the most unexpected interaction with exotic wilderness in the national parks and reserves, and the welcoming flavor of the country's people are everything a tourist could possibly dream of. The more than 15 national parks, that house around 700 species of birds, turn Honduras into the Central American representative of a wide spectrum of avifauna. Also, manaties, parrots, toucans, trogons, jaguars, crocodiles, white faced and howler monkeys are just a few of the creatures that have made Honduras internationally famous.

The primary rainforest starts in the city of Tela, and runs all along the Caribbean coast. The mangrove jungle of the Punta Sal National Park is the starting point, with an abundant wildlife where birdwatchers will be in heaven, as they spot a wide variety of different species. Punta Sal is a tropical forest with mangroves, that is truly famous for its waterbird population and continental coral reefs, with good diving.

The Capiro y Calentura National Park was recently established in Trujillo (within walking distance from downtown), and is home to a stable bird population, including the toucan. It's also well known for the abun-dance of howler monkeys. At the top of the mountain, at 3,600 feet, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Trujillo bay, the Bay Islands, and Cayos Cochinos. Many of the endangered species are often found within easy reach of established trails and reserves. Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge is a large mangrove estuary and one of the most important protection zones for the manatee living along the Caribbean coast of Central America. There are several miles of canals to navigate on, where significant populations of crocodiles and monkeys reside.

It is certainly an incredible place to visit, where basic accommodations and guided boat tours are readily available. Located a short 12 miles West of La Ceiba, and three hours by car from San Pedro Sula, your journey will be complete when an old United Fruit tram takes you through the warm air, the cool breeze and the most intriguing tropical landscape, as you move further from the road and closer to the reserve.

Mangroves are a basic part of the Honduran terrain. They can be found in Northern Honduras for as far as 400 square miles. The trees that form these habitats can be found either on coastal plains with lagoons and flooded grasslands, or as part of a diverse, humid tropical forest.

They majestically dominate the tropical landscape, allowing many species of fish, including the mountain mullet and bobo mullet, to take shelter in the lagoons and lakes where it can be found.

Visitors that are patient enough might spot a host of wading birds in the waterways along this region. Green-backed and boat-billed herons, snowy egrets and wood storks, are some of the creatures that share the man- groves with ducks and parrots. Other birds that visit these communities are scarlet and military macaws, green kingfishers and hummingbirds. If you hear a loud noise coming from different places up in the trees, don't be surpised. It's only black- mantled howler monkeys, Geoffrey's spider monkeys, and white-faced capuchines calling out to each other.

This diverse mangrove ecoregion covers a long segment of coastline including almost all of Honduras and part of Guatemala. Broadleaf can be found in Barra de Cuero y Salado, Jeanette Kawas National Park (known also as Punta Sal), and the Punta Izopo Wildlife Reserve. These are very important sources of work and income for the people of the local villages, as well as to society as a whole.

Pack your bags and be ready to move down river waters, up the mountainous slopes and through the most impressive biological wealth that Honduras has to offer. It's no surprise that all of its riches have become a main tourist attraction in recent years.