Hot Springs

There are several natural hot springs in the Gracias area, and there are specifically three spots that have facilities for visitors. The most famous one, which is visited most by the locals, is the Arcilaca Hot Springs, located only 6 1/2 Km south of Gracias. There is always running water, and the pools are set pleasantly into the surrounding environment. There is an entrance fee of 30 Lempiras per person (the prices are subject to change at any time). Services include a small comedor where you can buy soft drinks and beers well as prepared food; changing facilities and toilets. The springs are open 7 days a week, and although they officially close at dusk, you may visit them and enjoy them even at night. Many of the locals actually prefer visiting them after dark, although they seldom do so. There is a small restaurant or comedor operating in the site that offers food from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Also there are towels, hammocks and inner tubes for rent. Water temperature oscillates between 92 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the pools.

The downside to these facilities is that they can get crowded and noisy, especially on weekends. A second option is located about 300 meters downriver from the above site, the downside to this spot is that is exactly down water from the first and therefore you are bathing in cooler waters that have already been “bathed” in. Just across the entrance to the Arcilaca Hot Springs is the new Posada Aguas Termales, offering nice, comfortable rooms with restaurant service and is your best option if the reason for your trip is to visit the hot springs or you are interested in spending lots of time there. There are actually several other spots around Gracias that have natural hot springs.

A brand new facility that offers larger spaces and a more private and exclusive setting is located about 7 km from Gracias on the road towards Santa Rosa de Copan. Known as Termas del Rio, this nice facility is not yet totally finished, but has very pleasant pools with running water and diverse temperatures, clean changing facilities, good security and a very pleasant family atmosphere. Entrance fee to Termas del Rio is Lps. 100 for adults and Lps. 50 for children. The facilities are open from 7:00 a.m till 9:00 p.m. Please note that access is closed around 7:00 p.m. so if you wish to visit at night you should be there early or call in to make a reservation.

The Fort of San Cristobal

Located in a small mountain overlooking the city, offering the best views of the valley and city. The walk up is well worth it! The fort is not as old as it might seem, however it has a couple of old Spanish cannons that were donated by the Spanish government. Also the tomb of Honduran governor Juan Lindo rests in this place. From the fort you can see all three churches in Gracias, the picturesque cementery, and the impressive mountain of Celaque located behind the fort.

Celaque National Park

So close to downtown Gracias (9km), and yet so far away (it is a long, long uphill walk to the visitors center). If you are only planing on a brief visit to the park, it is best to negotiate a car to take you up to the Visitors Center, as you will need your energy to do the hiking from here up to the 2,500m level where the cloud forest vegetation actually begins. This means a good 4 to 5 hour hike! However, a shorter trip into the forest is also worth while, as you have the possibility of seeing many orchids and abundant bird life.

Another interesting site to visit is the organic coffee farm, located ½ hour hike up into the park. This is also a fantastic site to enjoy the colorful tropical birds that inhabit the park. There are also several knowledgeable and very responsible guides that can lead you into the mountain for several days of hiking – camping in the park. Of particular beauty are the hikes from Villa Verde to Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa to Belen Gualcho and Villa Verde up to the cloud forest. These hikes will take between 2 and 4 days. For more information, contact the hotel and restaurant Guancascos, located at the foot of the small hill where the fort is located. Plan on being at the center by 7:00 a.m. at the latest to have a better chance of seeing the wildlife. There is a good chance to see the elusive quetzal. I have personally seen several at Celaque! There is an entrance fee of L.50.00 per person, plus another L.50.00 per night for those spending the night at the visitors center (Again these prices are subject to change). All prices are per person. There are three different areas with facilities for campers on the park: the first is at the visitor’s center, a basic cabin with bunk beds, which also has running water for showers and toilets; the second area is a campground located at about 2,000 m altitude and is called Campamento Don Tomas. This is a good three and a half hours hike from the visitor’s center. The last spot is a good 1 ½ hour hike above Don Tomas and is called El Naranjo. The last two spots only have water and latrines. You will need to bring your own tent here! Most visitors do not actually hike to the top of the mountain, but rather enjoy the trails that lead out of the visitors center and make of the visit a day tour. Trails lead to a nice waterfall and will get you into the area where the pine forest becomes more of a broad leaf forest that is typical of a cloud forest.

Doña Angela runs a small comedor at the entrance to the park, where you can also find guides. Another alternative for the guides is to arrange for them at Guancascos Hotel & Restaurant. Doña Leja serves food at the visitors center and has the best coffee in the region. Check it out! In addition, there are some sleeping facilities with the local folks at the entrance to the park, ask for Doña Angela. A small cabin is managed by the Hotel Guancascos and is included in the hotel table section featured in this guide.

As the mountain creek that pases next to the visitor center supplies the drinking water for Gracias, it is forbidden to swim or bathe in the very cold water, however, ask the local folks to take you to the hidden hot springs that are located about 45 minutes from the Visitor Center.

La Campa & San Manuel Colohete

Only 16 km. away from Gracias, on a very good dirt road, lays the town of La Campa. Located in a very rough, mountainous area, it is a very scenic little town. Its church, which dates from colonial times, has some very pretty artwork in its altar. Additionally, La Campa is known for the ceramic products produced here. Although more that artistic handicrafts, these are every day use items, they are very interesting, as you can find ceramic skillets, pots and pans all manufactured here.  Pottery can be bought in the cooperative in front of the church.

There are minivans and pickups going from Gracias to La Campa. A new facility, known as “La Escuelona” which would translate into de big school, is actually an old school house that has been converted into a small museum showing different typical ceramic products from the area with pictures of natives producing them. In addition, a nice quite complete souvenir shop offers a variety of products produced here that you can purchase to take home. Entrance fee to “La Escuelona” is only Lps. 30.00 per person.

A couple of basic hotels have opened their doors in La Campa, making it possible to spend the night in this pleasant and tranquil town. The Bellavista hotel has a total of 6 rooms, some with private bath that are clean and probably your best bet in town. The owner, Doña Carmen Alvarez is a sweet lady that can help you out during your stay here. For reservations call 625 4770. Nearby is the Hotel Daniela which has small basic independent cabana style rooms.

San Manuel Colohete is located another 16 km. beyond La Campa. The road leading to this remote town is now in very good shape and there is bus service from Gracias once a day. This town has one of the most beautiful and best preserved colonial churches in all of Honduras. It is well worth visiting the town and meeting its friendly people. Local people are very happy to arrange a room for you at very reasonable prices. The best source of information in Gracias is at the Guancascos Restaurant with Froni. There are many interesting trails in the area that connect with other towns, such as Belen Gualcho on the other side of Celaque Mountain.  The hike to Belen Gualcho is a long one and will take two full days of hiking. Again, Froni at the Guancascos can help you find a local guide that can lead you through these trails. You will see a very interesting facet of life in rural Honduras.

There are several interesting towns in the area of which the most interesting is Erandique. The city has three important colonial churches. The hotel infrastructure in Gracias has improved considerably in the last two or three years and there are projects to build even more hotels. The Hotel Guancascos, The Hotel San Francisco, La Posada de Don Juan and Posada Fernandos are your best options. If you wish to spend more time in the area, hiking and trekking from town to town, I recommend you speak with one of the tour operators that offer tours in the region. Lenca Land Tours from Santa Rosa de Copan offers packages within the region. Information on them is available in the Tour operators section of the directory featured in Honduras tips.

San Juan, Intibuca

Located up in the mountains, in the adjacent department of Intibuca, San Juan offers a unique view of the rural country life in Honduras. Scenic surroundings, friendly people and a strong desire to participate in tourism, the local community has come together to offer a unique experience for those looking to experience life in rural Honduras. San Juan is almost half way between Gracias and La Esperanza and is very much part of the “Lenca Trail”. The community of San Juan, Intibuca (just between Gracias, Lempira and La Esperanza,) has recently formed a Cooperative of Local Residents that offer the following tourist services and activities: Guided tours on foot, horseback or 4 x 4 vehicle to waterfalls, cloud forests, petrified forests, caves & canyons, and coffee farms; demonstrations and participatory lessons with local artisans; participatory coffee roasting and tasting demonstrations; swimming at natural swimming pool/hot springs with snack bar as well as a series of  Posadas / Guesthouses and complemented with a variety of comedores producing good local food at very affordable prices, all in the cool climate of small mountain village. All of the above trips can be arranged with local guides who have limited knowledge of English but are very friendly, helpfull and willing to proudly show you their town and surroundings.

Tourists can obtain pamphlets about San Juan’s attractions in Gracias, Lempira at the Tourist Information Center in Parque Central and at the Hotel Guancasco; in Copan at the Tourism Information Center, and in Santa Rosa de Copan at La Casa de Cultura.

Upon arrival in San Juan from Gracias La Esperanza, a visitor should go to Calle Principal en el Barrio el  Centro, and find “la casa de Gladis Nolasco” one block from the Hondutel telegraph office. Gladis has the tourism information center in her store where visitors can obtain information about available services and arrange guided tours, adventures and demonstrations.

Prices for services are within the following range at time of print: Rooms  from Lps. 45 single and Lps. 65 double occupancy for simple rooms (with power, bed, sheets, pillow, blanket, interior ceiling, locking door, shared bath and cold water). For rooms with private bath and hot water prices are in the range of Lps. 60 single occupancy to Lps. 100 double occupancy. Guides for Adventures/Tours – Lps. 150 lempiras per day for groups of up to 3 people. Horseback riding – Lps. 50 per day. Keep in mind that your guide will need a horse too! A 4 x 4 vehicle rental (with driver) around 300 per day depending on length of trip. Traditional artisan lessons and or demonstrations are Lps. 20 per person and the coffee roasting demo with breakfast is worth only Lps. 35 per person. Entrance fee to the natural swimming pool is worth Lps. 15.00 per person.

Getting to San Juan is relatively easy, buses are supposed to leave from Gracias to San Juan daily at 5:30 am, 12 noon and 1 pm. Cost is Lps. 25 and the trip takes 1 hour. From San Juan to Gracias the schedule is daily at 7:00 a.m. Cost is Lps. 20 per person. Sometimes the best way to get between San Juan and Gracias is catching a ride in the back of pick up trucks from the local Cooperative of Transportation which also charges 25 lps. per person. In Gracias, go to the bridge that leads out of town towards La Esperanza and wait for the ride.

Coming from La Esperanza is also possible, buses leave from La Esperanza to San Juan daily at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Cost is also Lps. 20 and the trip takes 1 ½ hours. Return trip to La Esperanza daily at 6:00 am, 7:00 am and  8:00 am.

If you are visiting San Juan, it is best if you plan on spending at least a couple of days here and then continue your trip towards La Esperanza if you are arriving from Gracias or viceversa is you are traveling in the opposite direction. This area of Honduras is largely undiscovered, very beautiful, and most of all, extremely safe. It is common to find foreign volunteers doing social work in the neck of the woods. These are always happy to find travelers and always have a wealth of local info that can be very handy. Keep an eye out for them, specially the USA peace corps volunteers. They can help you make this one of the highlights of your trip through Central America!

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