Not to miss

El Tigre

This 783m (2568ft) high volcanic island in the Golfo de Fonseca is home to the quiet fishing village of Amapala, a couple of decent beaches and some good walks. Apart from the tranquility, there are good views and terrific seafood. Small boats and a car ferry access the island from Coyolito.

Bay Islands

Roatán, Guanaja and Utila - 50km (31mi) off the north coast of Honduras - are a continuation of the Belizean reefs and offer great snorkelling and diving. The islands' economy is based mostly on fishing, but tourism is becoming increasingly important.

Utila retains low-key tourist facilities, while Roatán is gradually joining Guanaja as a more upmarket retreat. Most travelers head to West End on Roatán, but Utila is the cheapest of the three islands to visit. Whichever island you visit, just make sure you bring plenty of insect repellent.

Basílica de Suyapa

On the Suyapa hillside, the huge Gothic Basílica de Suyapa dominates the landscape. La Virgen de Suyapa is the patron saint of Honduras and all of Central America. The construction of the basilica, which is famous for its large, brilliant stained-glass windows, began in 1954 - finishing touches are still being added.

La Virgen de Suyapa, who is believed by many to have performed hundreds of miracles, is a tiny wooden statue, measuring only 6cm (2.4in). She is brought to the large basilica on holidays, especially for the annual Feria de la Virgen de Suyapa beginning on the saint's day (February 2) and continuing for a week; the celebrations attract pilgrims from all over Central America.

Most of the time, however, the little statue is kept on the altar of the very simple Iglesia de Suyapa (you'll see her if you squint). Built between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, the church stands behind the impressive basilica.

Parque Nacional La Tigra

One of Honduras' most beautiful places is the lush cloud forest of La Tigra. This pristine reserve was Honduras' first national park and is now home to an abundance of wildlife, from pumas to peccaries to armadillos and agoutis (rabbit-sized rodents). It's also a botanist's delight, with vines, lichens, large ferns, orchids and other flowering plants.

The park is also home to about 350 species of bird, making La Tigra the country's best bird-watching spot after Lago de Yojoa. If you're lucky, you may even spot a quetzal, which is a distinctive aqua color and has long tail feathers.

El Águila Wreck

The Águila was a good dive until Hurricane Mitch came along and broke the ship into three pieces - now it's even better. As you descend, you may draw a crowd of resident moray eels and huge groupers looking for a snack. Cool to see, but a good reason not to feed animals while diving or snorkeling - they can get annoying, and sometimes even aggressive.