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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Restaurant Los Guancascos

Located at the Los Guancascos hotel, at the foot of the hill where the Fortress of San Cristobal is built, three blocks south of the bus terminal. Probably the coziest atmosphere in town and with one of the best views of the colonial town and the valley. They offer typical foods, international and vegetarian dishes. Their water is always purified and they offer great fruit juices. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is unquestionably the best place for local information. They also sell books, handicrafts and cassette tapes. The owner is Dutch and fluent in English.

Restaurant La Fonda

Located at the central park, this is one of the older establishments in town, with good food and competitive rates. Open for lunch and dinner from 10 AM to 10 PM. The owner, Mr. Jesus Navarro is always there to insure good service. They offer a typical plate as well as a good selection a la carte.

Rinconcito Graciano

A unique spot in Gracias. Owner, Liseth decoreated the restaurant using the traditional dirt pain from the region, and the result is a very nicely decorated spot with a strong traditional touch. They do not have a set menu, and their food is basically a variety of daily specials based on the availability of local produce. Defnetely the spot to try new local ingredients and some adventuresome precolombian recipes!

Reposteria Y Pizzeria “La Esquisita”

Pleasant atmosphere offering a variety of pizzas and pastries. The place to go if you want pizza or have a sweet tooth!

Colinas de San Cristobal

The newest restaurant in town. Very clean and personal service by the owner. Great pizza, good chicken dishes and hamburgers. Located one block west of the San Sebastian Church.

Piscinas Ada

A new recreational center with very complete installations, including three swimming pools, a small man made lagoon where fish are farmed and with small rowing boats; and a relatively large meeting room. Food served is Typical Honduran cuisine with a specialty in fresh fish. Open daily from 9:00 a.m till 5:00 p.m., sometimes later. Bar service includes beer, rum, and softdrinks. Recommended.

Elvira’s Cafeteria

Located at the Hotel Posada de Don Juan, this cafeteria is a food option for food in Gracias. Open Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Sunday they are open from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. only.

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The department of Lempira takes its name from one of the first Honduran heroes, Lempira, who gave heroic resistance to the Spanish conquerors in the early 1500’s. The National hero is remembered each July 12-20 in the city of Gracias, when traditional dances, parades and civic activities are observed. A fair is set up in the central park, where you can purchase food and local products. If you plan on visiting Gracias during these dates, make sure to make a hotel reservation in advance.

Three colonial churches stand within the center of the city, San Sebastian, Las Mercedes and San Marcos, with a fourth one, Santa Lucia close by in a neighboring village. The most interesting of these temples is the Church of “Las Mercedes”, and the Real Audiencia de Los Confines that today houses the parochial center. The landscape around Gracias is extremely mountainous, with heavily forested areas surrounding the city. Located at the foot of the Montaña de Celaque, highest peak in Honduras at 2,849m above sea level, and home to the Celaque National Park, this area boasts one of the largest tracts of cloud forest left in Central America, and is one of Honduras’s most pristine parks. Celaque means “box of water” in the Lenca dialect.

There are 11 rivers and many creeks that are born in the mountain providing drinking water to all the surrounding villages including Gracias and El Salvador. Trails are clearly marked in the park, and there are three different areas with facilities for campers: the visitor’s center, located at 1,400 m above sea level has two small cabins, cooking facilities, water and toilets. The second area is a campground located at 2,000 m above sea level, a good 3 ½ hour hike from the visitor center and is called Don Tomas. Finally the last one is another 1 ½ hour hike from Don Tomas and is called El Naranjo.  These last two areas have water and latrines. In addition, there are two different cabins for rent just below the forest line, on the road to the visitor’s center. The largest and most complete of the two are Cabanas Mondragon, the other is managed by the Guancascos restaurant, both are included in the hotel table of Gracias, featured in this guide.

In the neighborhood of Gracias are several small communities with some of the largest concentration of Native Indian population in Honduras. Of these the most significant in the area are the Lencas. There is a good production of handicrafts in the region, the most outstanding being ceramics manufactured by the Lencas. The best place to obtain additional information about Gracias and surroundings is the Guancascos Hotel & Restaurant located on a hillside next to the San Cristobal Fort, approximately 5 blocks from central park in Gracias.  Ask for Froni, she is a Dutch turned Honduran and is fluent in several languages.

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Speak the Language

As much as you possibly can, speak the local language.  Or at least, bring along a dictionary of helpful phrases with you to facilitate communication with the locals.   You might sound funny to them but you will be able to get your message across especially when you are lost.  Also, you will be showing your respect for the local culture when you speak the language of the people.  Besides, you will be encountering Spanish-speaking people all over South and Central America so you might as well brush up on your Spanish before backpacking through the continent.

Drink, Eat and Be Merry But be Safe

Visitors have their fill of restaurants serving both local fare and international cuisine, with drinks ranging from purified water and mineral water to fruit juices and beers.  You are well advised to eat and drink in reputable places in the city center as water-borne diseases can be a health problem.  However, if you are ascending the Celaque Mountain, you will be served home-cooked meals along the way.  Often, you will not encounter problems in this regard and the spring water is clean, too.  Just be sure to pay the family their just due for your meal; maybe toss in a few practical items to say your thanks for their hospitality.

During the night, when you want to be merry, it is often wise to be merry inside your hotel room.  Gracias is not known for its nightlife plus it can be dangerous roaming the streets alone at night.  Like any other place, there will be unscrupulous individuals ready to make a fast buck out of unsuspecting tourists.

Be Discreet with Material Wealth

As in most rural areas in Honduras, most of the people of Gracias are not exactly living in the lap of luxury.  As such, it will to your credit when you do not flash your material wealth around.  This means no ostentatious jewelry, no brandishing of wads of cash, and no boastful claims of wealth.  Besides, you will not be attracting negative attention to yourself.  However, when you eat at the house of a Gracian host in the roads going to the Celaque National Park, do pay for your meals when it is asked of you.  A satisfying meal made from scratch will usually cost about $1 so throwing in a few cents more will not hurt your pockets.  Or better yet, throw in some practical items like an unused toothbrush and toothpaste.

Staying safe in Gracias is not as different as staying safe in the larger cities of Tegucigalpa and Tela although more lax ways can be adopted.  Just be sure to smile at the friendly locals, stick to the well-beaten path unless you have a trusted local with you, and eat in reputable places and you shall be alright in Gracias.  And do say “gracias” as often as you can.

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Respect the Religion

In acknowledgement of such a strong religion, you will find three churches in the area. Only the San Marcos Church, however, is the only functioning place of worship, not to mention the largest in Gracias. The other two – La Merced and Iglesia de Santa Lucia – are worth a visit. Take note, however, that there are no bus services on Good Friday, New Year’s Day and Christmas Day so better stay put wherever you may be during these times and just enjoy the holidays, Honduran-style.

Celebrate the Culture
As is true in other places, food in Gracias is a delicious reflection of the culture as a whole. Although you will find stand-alone and in-house restaurants serving international cuisine from pizza to hamburgers, you should try the local fare. You will enjoy tamales, baleadas, carne asada, yuca con chicharrón, maiz and tortillas, and many types of seafood. However, be careful about drinking water from suspicious sources. You can purchase mineral water and the national beer (Salva Vida) to wash down your food. You will be thankful that you did because water-borne diseases are a reality of life for most travelers outside of their home country.

The people of Gracias also celebrate Lempira’s Day on July 20 every year, with more fervor than the rest of the country considering that Gracias is the capital of the Lempira Department. Lempira Day, by the way, is celebrated in commemoration of Lenca Indian Chief Lempira who united Lenca people against the Spaniards in the early 1500s.

Locals celebrate by staging colorful parades of schoolchildren in ingenious costumes ranging from the Spanish conquistadors and Indian chiefs to modern-day cowboys, setting up booths in the various parks, organizing rodeos and concerts, and having loads of fun family activities.

Indeed, Gracias has many things and activities to offer its visitors for which everybody will be thankful to be part of.

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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!

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Local Foods

You will find that Hondurans love their coconuts especially in their foods.  In fact, more than any other Central American country, Honduran food uses coconut in all things possible from the savory meat dishes to the sweet desserts.  In restaurants serving local food, you can choose from a wide variety of fried fishes, meat dishes, seafood galore, rice recipes and vegetable concoctions flavored with spices like spicy jalapeños and pungent pickled onions.  You may also taste the various kinds of soups like mondongo soup and bean soup mixed with cabbage, plantains and yucca, which are served with corn tortillas.

Don’t forget to taste the staples of tamales and baleadas. Tamales are filled with a variety of fillings from meats to sliced chilies, which are very popular as comfort food. Baleadas are wheat flour tortillas filled with anything from mashed fried beans, crumpled cheese and cream (simple baleada) to scrambled eggs, sausage, chicken, pork, hot sauce and avocado, to name a few (mixed baleada).  It many ways, it resembles a pizza.  And if you get thirsty, let the Honduran national beer be your lifesaver. In fact, it is called Salva Vida meaning lifesaver!   Of course, soft drinks and mineral water are aplenty too.  Most hikers even drink from the cool spring water when hiking through the forests of the Celaque Mountain National Park without reporting any ill effects.

Just to name a few of the dining establishments in Gracias offering local foods, you can choose from Piscinas Ada with its fish specialty, Elvira’s Cafeteria inside the Hotel Posada de Don Juan, Rinconcito Graciano offering freshly cooked meals made from natural ingredients and the in-house restaurant of Hotel Guancascos.

International Fare

Again, the welcome presence of more foreign tourists in Gracias has lead to the small boom in dining establishments offering international fare.  Just to name a few of these restaurants:

• Restaurant La Fonda – Selections range from the typical plate to a la carte, often at competitive rates.  You will enjoy good service and good food from 10 AM to 10 PM.
• Reposteria Y Pizzeria “La Esquisita” – With a fine selection of pizzas and pastries, this is the place to be if you have a hankering for fast-food or you have a sweet tooth to satisfy.
• Colinas de San Cristobal – Good selections of pizza, chicken dishes and hamburgers complemented by very clean premises and personalized service.

When you are in Gracias, your stomach will definitely have something to be thankful about.  And you will certainly need the delicious sustenance after your trips to the Celaque Mountain, the churches, the fort and the hot springs, all of which are must-sees in the town of Gracias.

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Hotel Guancascos

Operated by Dutch-born Fronica Miedema, the Hotel Guancascos is the premier hotel in Gracias. You can choose from among 17 rooms with rates starting at about $20 per night, with modern amenities like hot water in the modest bathroom, balcony with a hammock, bed with a concrete base and firm mattress, and Internet access. You can also buy books and local handicrafts for souvenirs.

The best thing about Hotel Guancascos is the guided tours and hikes to the Celaque Mountain National Park and to the hot springs outside of town. At the very least, you will not get lost in the trails of the Celaque Mountain. And after your physical activities, the Restaurant Los Guancascos will nourish your body with foods ranging from the local favorites to international cuisine as well as vegetarian dishes.

Posada de Don Juan

Another excellent hotel in Gracias is the Posada de Don Juan, which can give off an aura of exclusivity in small town standards. The reality is that visitors can avail of good discounts for good rooms, thus, making it one of the best value for money for budget travelers. You can enjoy the amenities of car parking, Jacuzzi and computers with Internet access, all of which are free to use. The rooms are comfortable by most standards with an electric fan to ward off the heat, cable television to provide entertainment, and hot shower to wash off the cares of traveling away.

You will also love the in-house restaurant that serve excellent food at a reasonable rate, with breakfast included in the room fees. And of course, a hotel in Gracias will not be complete without friendly and helpful staff who will strive to meet your needs, from clean linen to assistance with guided tours to the Celaque Mountain.

Hotel Erick

If you are traveling bon a budget but do not wish to literally camp it out or invite bugs to your bed while in Gracias, Hotel Erick will make you thankful for its modest but comfortable accommodations. Room rates start at $3 and up although you might be able to negotiate with the hotel management when necessary.

You will find Hotel Erick to be comfortable and clean, within a nice and quiet neighborhood. It is easily located at just two blocks from the bus terminal with a small sign announcing its premises. All in all, it is good value for your money.

Well, of course, you can camp out at the many base camps and tin shacks up the Celaque Mountain. Still, when you are in town, you might as well get as much comfort as you can before roughing it out over at the forests of the Celaque Mountain National Park.

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Keep in mind that Honduras is very much a Catholic town, tracing its establishment to the year 1526 with Juan de Chavez as its founder. As such, you cannot help but visit three churches in a small town of just 12,000 in the town center. And the best part is that each church has its unique features with Catholicism as the common thread.

First, there is the colonial church of La Merced built in 1616 that took almost 20 years to complete. It is a very haunting site indeed although you will have to content yourself with looking at its façade since the interiors are in almost complete ruins. Supposedly, it has been looted to satisfy the insatiable need of international collectors, which is truly a sad state of affairs.

Second, the San Marcos Church looks like a colonial church. The fact of the matter is that the original structure was built in the 1800s, destroyed in the December 1915 earthquake and rebuilt soon after. Its most distinctive feature is the series of curtains that look like sails billowing in the wind, thus, reinforcing its claim to being the largest church in Gracias.

Third, the Iglesia de Santa Lucia can be found on the road to Celaque. Unlike other colonial churches in the area, it boasts of a blush of color on its façade. Visitors have come so far as to describe it as a novice nun daring to go against church rules by wearing a touch of blush.

You must visit all three churches in Gracias if only to complete your journey into this charming part of Honduras. And when you visit the church of San Marcos in time for its feats day – April 25 – you will have the pleasure of being part of a zealous display of spirituality like only Honduran Catholics possess in abundance.

Cloud Forests

After your spiritual journey into the churches of Gracias, the next journey would have to be a nature adventure into the lush forest of the Celaque Mountain National Park. And of course, you must climb the majestic Celaque Mountain, which is the highest peak in all of the country. And did we mention that the national park is the largest cloud forest in the country?

Depending on how fast you can hike through well-trodden trails, you can make it a 1-3 day hike to the summit. You are well advised to take a guide with you and to travel in groups, which will have the twin benefits of saving on costs and saving your lives from the dangers of the forest.

You will most likely encounter lush vegetation including magnificent wild orchids, vines, ferns and towering trees than wildlife. Of course, wildlife is abundant in this area but certainly on the elusive side. If you are lucky, you might see the colorful quetzal.

Indeed, Gracias might be a small town today but it has big things to offer its visitors starting with its big faith and its big forests.

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As a transportation hub for many towns in the immediate area, Gracias is easily accessible from the cities of Santa Rosa de Copan, San Pedro Sula and San Juan. Your travel is marked by good paved roads with reasonable fares ranging from $1 for a hitchhiked ride to $5 for a 4-hour trip. However, if you must hitchhike through the countryside, be very careful as lawless elements can and will take advantage of any lone traveler. It is always best to travel in groups and to travel into Gracias either by private cars or by public transportation, of which buses are the safest and fastest.

You can rent a car from the surrounding cities at reasonable rates. Oftentimes, it is best to hire a car with a local driver just to be on the safe side. He will also act as your travel guide, protect you against unscrupulous locals and maybe even introduce you to friendly locals who can make your stay in Gracias more comfortable and memorable.

Getting Around Gracias

Once in Gracias, you can let your feet do the exploring since most of the must-see areas are accessible on foot. That is, except for the Celaque Mountain National Park, of course. Besides, you can enjoy more of the people and places of Gracias when you explore it by foot. However, if you have plenty of luggage or you want to explore the attractions outside of the town center, then hiring one of the red motor taxis is your best bet. You just hail them off the street, tell them where you are going and enjoy the ride going to your destination. Needless to say, it pays to ask your hotel manager the fare rates in effect since you neither have to be taken advantage of nor to shortchange your taxi driver.

Again, the rules of safety when visiting a foreign country apply. Do not bring valuables like jewelry with you, much less brandish it about. Do not disrespect your hosts and their culture. Do be friendly but cautious especially when it comes to body language.

Getting Away from Gracias

This begs the question of why you would want to get away from Gracias. No matter the reason, however, you get out of Gracias the same way you entered it – either by private car of public transportation. Just ask around for the departure times to the neighboring cities although it does pay to be in the terminal an hour before the expected time so as to get better seats.

So now that you know, isn’t it high time that you visit Gracias? You will enjoy your stay here that getting away will be more difficult than you had anticipated.

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