Welcome to Honduras!
Honduras is a vibrant country, brimming with clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, lush jungles, breathtaking mountains, challenging rivers, and fascinating ancient ruins. Vast expanses of mother nature are everywhere to be found.
Ecotours, inexpensive scuba diving, river rafting, bird watching and mountain treks are some of the many vacation activities Honduras is known for. The country is enjoying a boom in popularity, as the rich and famous have found a place where they can still travel unknown.
In addition to the popular attractions and tourist destinations, Honduras offers opportunities for business and trade. San Pedro Sula's "tax free zone" allows international companies to manufacture their goods at attractive rates. The country is located at the very center of the Americas, and operates ports in San Lorenzo and Puerto Cortes, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. We welcome you to learn all about this beautiful country, explore its wonders, and eventually see Honduras for yourself.
The capital of Honduras is the city of Tegucigalpa, which serves as the governmental hub. San Pedro Sula is considered the "Industrial Capital" due to the number of manufacturing plants operating there. The next most popular city is La Ceiba, known to the locals as the "Bride of Honduras", and to tourists as the place for Carnival. There is a saying that many Hondurans (known as "Catrachos") take to heart: In Tegucigalpa, they plan; in San Pedro Sula, they work; and in La Ceiba, they party!
The country of Honduras is home to people of various ancestries. The ancient Mayans left the Copan Ruins archaeological site (considered one of the most artistically advanced and detailed of all Mayan cities), where nearby the modern Maya, known as the Chortí Indians, can still be found. The Garifuna communities (known in Europe as the Black Caribs) are found on the Island of Roatan, on Cayos Cochinos (the Hog Islands), and along the costal towns of Honduras. The Miskito Indians' most poular habitat in Honduras became famous after it was introduced in Paul Theroux's novel, "The Mosquito Coast" which depicted the La Moskitia area. Other ethnic groups include the Lenca, Pech, Tolupan (Jicaque), and Tawahka Indians. Native Hondurans are called "Catracho" The term Catracho comes from the mid-19th century when Honduran General Florencio Xatruch returned from battle with his soldiers after defeating American William Walker, whose purpose was to conquer Central America. When the soldiers returned, Nicaraguans yelled out ¡Vienen los Xatruches!, which means "Here come Xatruch's boys!" Nicaraguans had a difficult time pronouncing Xatruch so they altered the phrase to "los catruches" and ultimately settled on los "Catrachos".
First time visitors to Honduras are amazed by the warmth of Honduran hospitality. Returning travelers have never forgotten it. Enjoy your exploration of this website, and before you leave, bookmark us, so you can always find your way back. We thank you for visiting.
Salud!
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Our Lady of Suyapa
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The first week of February, Hondurans across the country will be participating in "La Feria de la Virgen de Suyapa" - festivities being held in honor of the patron saint of Honduras, The Virgin of Suyapa. The figure, also referred to as "Our Lady of Suyapa", is a small sculpture of The Virgin Mary, made of cedar, and only six and a half inches tall.
The story of Our Lady of Suyapa dates back to 1747, when she was found one clear evening by a peasant, Alejandro Colindres. He and his friend, Lorenzo Martínez, had been working all day, and stopped to rest en route to the village of Suyapa. As Colindres was trying to sleep, something on the ground under him was uncomfortable, and he reached to dislodge it. He removed what felt like a carved wooden figure, and put the bothersome object into his bag of belongings. Once home, he gave the wooden figure to his mother, who was surprised to see a tiny hand-carved statue of the Virgin Mary, and was delighted with the gift.
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The Virgin of Suyapa
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Mrs. Colindres cared for the little figure, and kept it on display in their home, where many people visited. Eventually, people came to pray to the Virgin. Those asking her to cure their ailments led to reports of miraculous healings.
The most famous miracle of the Virgin of Suyapa came when a Captain, Joseph de Celaya, came seeking relief from an intense pain he was suffering, due to what was then called a "bad stone". Captain Celaya promised the Virgin that if she cured him of the torment, he would build a temple in the village, where there would be a mass in her honor. The day after his visit, Mr. Celaya expelled the stones that had tormented him. The tale of the miracle spread among locals, and Celaya, with the help of the illustrious priest Don José de Simón, constructed the Cathedral of Tegucigalpa.
Our Lady of Suyapa was honored in Honduras on February 2nd of each year, until Pope Pius XII officially declared Our Lady of Suyapa Patroness of the Republic of Honduras, and chose February 3rd as the day to honor her with mass. Many Hondurans now light a candle at The Virgin of Suyapa on the evening of February 2nd.
The most devoted followers in the region make a yearly pilgrimage to the Basilica de Suyapa, located roughly seven kilometers outside of Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. This year of 2012, devoted followers commemorate the 265th year since the discovery of Our Lady of Suyapa by that young boy on a starry night in February of 1747.
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