Honduras

Officially known as the Republic of Honduras, it is a small Central American country with Caribbean coastlines to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south and is known for its natural resources of bananas, sugar cane and coffee.

The country is bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the southwest by El Salvador and the southeast by Nicaragua.

Honduras was home to several important Mesoamerican cultures, most notably the Maya, in the tropical rainforest near Guatemala, the ancient Mayan ceremonial site Copán can be discovered with its stone-carved hieroglyphics and stelae, tall stone monuments.

Tegucigalpa, the capital and largest city of Honduras, is located in the northern lowlands. The country has limited transportation, and Tegucigalpa is one of the few capitals in the world with no railroad.

The country has a tropical climate that becomes cooler in the mountains with an increase of altitude. The coastal lowlands have an average yearly temperature of 88°F (31°C), with little seasonal change. Tegucigalpa has an average of 74°F (23°C).

In Tegucigalpa, the capital has temperatures rarely rising above 90°F (32°C) in May, the warmest month, and seldom falls below 50°F (10°C) in December, the coolest month. The highland areas have mild temperatures.

The rainy season begins in May and ends by November or December in the southern and central highlands. The rain falls until February in the north, and almost throughout the year in the northeast. The hurricane season in Honduras normally runs from June to November.

There are high levels of crime. Most serious crime doesn’t affect tourists but attacks on foreigners including armed robbery and sexual assault do sometimes occur. These attacks can take place anywhere and at any time of the day.

People have been killed and injured resisting attack. It is useful to carry a small amount of money to hand out in the event of a robbery.

The Bay Islands are generally safer than mainland Honduras, but there have been several attacks on visitors, including on the ferries to and from mainland Honduras. If you’re visiting Roatán, travel with a reputable guide.

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in across the country, attacks can’t be ruled out.

Information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK www.fco.gov.uk