Gracias, Honduras is a charming town located at the foot of the Celaque mountain. It truly is a gorgeous colonial city, full of history and culture. Being a popular tourist location, there are many tours and unique experiences available in the area. When you visit Gracias, you can not only experience the outdoors but also the rural life led there by residents.
While it can be nerve-wracking to plan a trip to Honduras (especially for the first time), Gracias is one of the safer areas to visit. It’s a good idea to find a local guide if you feel unsure because that will allow you to relax and enjoy the adventure. Some of my favorite parts of my visit included walking through the city and the local marketplace and enjoying the lush green forests that surround the town.
Authentic Honduran Cuisine
It would be impossible to discuss the food of Gracias without mentioning a few things: fruit (including plantains), traditional breakfasts, and coffee.
Fruit is a huge part of life in Honduras. Many farmers support themselves and their families through their farming, and fruit grows significantly well in this type of climate. If you’re lucky enough to interact with some generous locals, you might be handed a piece of pineapple from their farm – or they’ll invite you to pick a mango from one of their trees. Trust me, this fruit tastes ten times better than anything you’ve had in the states.
Every day in Gracias, the group I traveled with ate pretty much the same thing for breakfast. Very traditionally, it contained fried eggs, refried beans, sour cream, cheese, sweet fried plantains, and tortillas. Compared to the typical American breakfast, this contains a healthy combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrates and kept me full until lunchtime. We also had the opportunity to enjoy fresh juice each morning, which varied each day. My favorite drink that we had was watermelon juice!
Plantains are eaten in a variety of ways in Honduras – my favorite being sweetened and fried. They are also served at almost every meal due to their abundance. I recommend trying plantains served in every possible way; then you can pick your favorite.
During the past decade, coffee has become a major export of Honduras. Coffee is a source of pride for many residents of Honduras because it is not large corporations that manufacture the coffee, but thousands of small landowners and coffee roasters that dedicate their careers to making amazing coffee. Check out Gracias Coffee Co. for more.
Outdoor Adventure
Hot Springs
If you’re interested in swimming in natural hot springs, Gracias is the place to be. With multiple hot springs in the area, the Arcilaca Hot Springs seems to be the most popular in Gracias. Just pay the entrance fee and enjoy the warm water (around 93°F/34°C). In addition to the Arcilaca Hot Springs, Gracias is also home to Aguas Termales Presidente and Termas del Rio.
Celaque National Park
Hikes within this park include the Cerro de las Minas, the tallest peak in Honduras. This can be really attractive for adventurous types, but take note that you need to be accompanied by a guide on some trails. Stop at the visitor center to pick up a map with 20 miles of trails available!
Zipline Canopy Tours
I was surprised to discover that the highest zipline in Central America is just a bus ride away from Gracias. Take a taxi or bus to La Campa and you can find Palacio Municipalidad, where the zipline takes off. You will cross over the forest through 6 zipline stops, getting a view of the mountains at the same time.
Historical/Artisan Experiences
Walking City Tour of Gracias, Honduras
The most interesting sites are all within walking distance from Gracias’ Central Park. You can see a statue of Lempira, the namesake of the Honduran currency. Walk north to view the oldest building in Gracias, Iglesia de la Merced. Another colonial church in Gracias that you can see is Iglesia de San Marcos. You might even want to stop in at Envasados y Dulces Lorendiana and look through their assortment of jellies and jams.
La Campa
Just 16km(10 miles) away from Gracias, La Campa is another colonial town worth visiting for a day. It is most famous for its pottery and ceramics, all handcrafted. You can also visit La Escuelona, a historic schoolhouse that is now a small museum and souvenir shop. The aforementioned zipline is located in La Campa as well.
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