Enjoy a piece of paradise at Tela, a scenic, laid-back beach town on the north shore of Honduras. This area offers some of the country’s best beaches and fantastic scuba diving. You can also tour the national park and admire the gardens.
Head to the sandy beaches and see the blue Caribbean on one side and thick rows of coconut trees on the other. Between Palm Sunday and Easter, tens of thousands of revelers flock here to party on the beach. However, for the rest of the year, it is fairly quiet.
Delve into the blue Caribbean waters with a scuba dive. The dive center, located in the Bay of Tela, offers diving courses and tours for all levels. See the brilliant creatures of Capiro Reef, one of the Caribbean’s healthiest reef ecosystems, right before your eyes. Try snorkeling at the charming island of Cayos Cochinos.
Explore Jeanette Kawas National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Honduras. Formerly known as Punta Sol National Park, it was renamed in 1995 to honor environmental activist Jeanette Kawas, who was murdered for her efforts to keep palm plantations out of the area. Today, it is a testament to her hard work. See a huge variety of water and land animals, from howler monkeys to dolphins. The park is home to 14 different ecosystems, including rainforest, mangroves and lagoons.
Visit Lancetilla Botanical Garden, one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Located just outside of Tela, the garden is spread over 4,150 acres (1,680 hectares) and is home to over 1,000 species of plants from four continents. Follow the walking trails that wind through the garden and arboretum.
Tela is a 90-minute drive from San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in Honduras. Tela is also a 90-minute drive from La Ceiba, a port city famous for its nightlife. From there, take a ferry to the tranquil island of Utila.