have limited ourselves to the more formal restaurants in Gracias. Don’t think that because we are limiting ourselves to the higher end eateries the prices will be expensive. As a matter of fact, it would be hard to find better bargains for food elsewhere in Central America. Although the above restaurants do cater to tourists, their every day client is a local, and therefore their rates are very attractive!
One of the best kept secrets in Honduras is the colonial city of Gracias. Capital of the department of Lempira, in Western Honduras, Gracias is accessible from Copan via the Western Highway towards Santa Rosa de Copan. Just before getting to Santa Rosa there is a highway leading south, that will take you directly to Gracias in less than an hour, if you are traveling by car. This City was founded in 1536, by Capt. Juan de Chavez and the original name was Gracias a Dios. Apparently the Spanish conquistador had spent several days in this very mountainous area looking for a place to establish a city, and when he finally found an area flat enough to build such city, his first words where “gracias a Dios que hemos hallado tierra llana” (thank God that we have finally found flat land). Gracias still retains much of its original atmosphere. The Real Audiencia de Los Confines then the governing council for the protection of indigenous human rights of Central America and capital of Honduras, was established here the 16th of April, 1544. The city had some years of booming growth before being overshadowed by the cities of Antigua Guatemala and Comayagua.
When in a foreign country, it behooves a civilized man to respect the norms, mores and culture of the people that populate the place. After all, you do want visitors to your city or town to do the same, don’t you? And this is true when you are in Gracias, Honduras. You need not worry too much, however, as the people of Gracias are not exactly of the boondocks although the town itself is surrounded by magnificent mountains. With the increasing influx of tourists to the area, you will find that the people know their way around Western traditions. However, it still pays to know of the following facts of life in Gracias and the surrounding areas.
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Don’t let the small town atmosphere of Gracias in the western Lempira Department of Honduras fool you. With its many tourist attractions borne of its rich history as the early colonial capital in Central America of the Spanish Empire as well as its rich natural resources, visitors have plenty to see and plenty to do in Gracias. Here then are the top three things to see and do.
Celaque National Park
The highest mountain peak and the largest cloud forest in Honduras are located inside the 66,700-acre Celaque Mountain National Park. Not surprisingly, celaque means box of water in the native Lenca language, with clouds and fog covering the area for many days on end. Be informed that the terrain is very rugged with two-thirds of its area having slopes greater than 60 degrees and heights ranging from 3,200 to 9,275 feet above sea level.
For most visitors, the easiest and safest way to explore the Celaque National Park is to take one of the guided tours offered by hotels like the Hotel Guancascos. You will be provided with an experienced tour guide who will point out the places of interest along the well-trodden trails, take you to the numerous base camps along the way, and generally keep you safe from the wildlife. Keep in mind that the wildlife in the park may be elusive but they do exist from the endangered Bolitoglossa celaque to the dangerous jaguars and pumas.
You will, however, enjoy magnificent views of lush green forests shrouded in clouds as well as abundant wild orchids, vines and ferns. And did we mention that there are nine rivers and numerous streams and creeks from which to bathe in, dive and even drink from inside the park?
Hot Springs
If you are not up to hikes in forests, you have the relaxing waters of the hot springs in the Gracias area to wallow in. At present, there are three establishments that offer adequate facilities for locals and tourists alike – the Arcilaca Hot Springs, the Posada Aguas Termales and the Termas del Rio. Amenities and rates differ so ask locals for specifics.
You will enjoy temperatures ranging from 92 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the location and the number of people using the pools. Be prepared for noisy crowds on weekends although you can make reservations for an overnight stay.
The Fort of San Cristobal and the Gracias Churches
In itself, the Fort of Cristobal is a quietly impressive structure. From its highest point, you have a commanding view of the whole town of Gracias as well as the valley and the mountains around it. There are old cannons donated by the Spanish government as well as the tomb of the Honduran Governor Juan Lindo to see at Fort Cristobal. And don’t forget to visit the churches of La Merced, San Marcos and Iglesia de Santa Lucia for a more spiritual experience in Gracias. After all, Honduran Catholicism does have its charm, of which its churches are the most notable.
From the forests to the hot springs to the fort and churches, you will find something to be thankful for when in Gracias. After all, the experiences of being embraced by clouds, of wallowing in natural hot springs and of being surrounded by history are incomparable especially when the place is a city called thanks!
When in Gracias, you will have no difficulty in finding a place to stay, as small as the town is by most standards. Keep in mind that it is still the capital of the Honduran Lempira Department and as such, receives its fair share of visitors daily. You will find accommodations from the luxurious hotel to the budget motel, even a campout style of lodgings. Of course, this goes the same for its offering of in-house restaurants.
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For those who remember their elementary Spanish classes, gracias means thanks in English. And that is precisely what you will be saying to the heavens above and your hosts below when you see the beauty of the charmed churches and the grandeur of the cloud forests that only Gracias in western Honduras can provide its visitors.
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Gracias is one of those small Honduran towns that beckon local and foreign tourists to come take a rest in one of the good hotels, savor the small town atmosphere and see the goings-on around town. And you will be thankful that you did just that for indeed there are many things to be thankful about staying in Gracias. After all, gracias does not mean “thank you” in Spanish for nothing. Also, one of the best things about Gracias is that you can easily get there, get around and get away from it. It’s definitely something to be thankful about.
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