The former Banana Republic of Honduras is undergoing dramatic change. Despite plenty of challenges, it is emerging as an activity and adventure destination and Honduras travel is taking off for intrepid visitors.

The capital Tegucigalpa has retained its traditional core; crumbling colonial buildings line a maze of cobbled streets. Comayagua also has gracious colonial architecture, whilst Roatán has quality hotels, and decent diving.

There are intricate and interesting Mayan ruins at Copán that include the great Plaza, a grand amphitheatre and the Great Acropolis.

Honduras' Caribbean Coast was once heavily tied to the banana business but is now more closely associated with tropical beaches, a series of Garifuna villages alive with traditional rhythms and the Bay Islands, an archipelago of three major islands with a coral reef, superb diving and a wild, hilly interior.

Pico Bonito National Park is close to the coast but the majority of Honduras' wildlife can be found in the watery Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve. Vast tracts of rainforest make up La Moskitia and are home to indigenous tribes, abundant bird life, jaguars and manatees. The country's best bird watching though is at Lago de Yojoa.