Photo: Chalo Garcia / Unsplash
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Leg 3 · The Maya ruins of Copán

Honduras

Many overlanders transit Honduras fairly quickly, with a worthwhile detour to the carved Maya city of Copán.

What to see

5 stops we’re not missing

  1. 01

    Copán

    One of the Maya world’s artistic high points — intricately carved stelae and the famous Hieroglyphic Stairway (UNESCO).

  2. 02

    Roatán & the Bay Islands

    Caribbean diving and snorkeling on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef on the planet.

  3. 03

    Utila

    A budget diving mecca famous for whale-shark encounters.

  4. 04

    Lake Yojoa

    Honduras’s largest lake — birding, waterfalls, and craft coffee between the coasts.

  5. 05

    Gracias & Celaque

    A colonial town beneath cloud forest holding the country’s highest peak.

! What to watch for

  • Higher crime in cities like San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa — transit, don’t linger
  • Night driving is risky

⛽ Diesel & DEF

LSD common; DEF scarce — top up urea in larger towns.

🛂 Borders & permits

Fast CA-4 crossing; keep copies of your documents and expect border fixers.

Sources & further reading

Safety notes link to the live official travel advisory — always check it before you go.