Honduras
Mission Trips

Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador border Honduras. On the north, the country has a long border along the coast of the Caribbean Sea. On the south, a portion of its border touches the Pacific Ocean. Honduras is the second largest country in Central America, following Nicaragua. It's capital and largest city is Tegucigalpa.

Honduras has four distinct regions: the central highlands, Pacific lowlands, eastern Caribbean lowlands, and northern coastal plains and mountains. There are many mountain ranges throughout the country of Honduras, with peaks as high as 9,347 feet (2,849 meters). Interestingly, though, Honduras is the only country in Central America without volcanoes.

Climate

The climate in Honduras is very warm, with an annual average of 85 degrees, but thankfully has very little of the year that is humid and tropical. It is warm year-round. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is the Caribbean coast. The coldest is on the Pacific coast. Many consider that the best time of year to visit Honduras is between December and April, due to the warm weather with little rain. The most rainy days occur from June to October.

Language

The official language in Honduras is Spanish, though you will also hear some English and some other Amerindian dialects.

Safety

Honduras is generally considered a safe place for visitors to travel. Your PPM staff will be with you every step of the way and will ensure that your team's safety remains a top priority.

The economy of Honduras is based mainly on agriculture, which accounted for 14% of its gross domestic product in 2013. The country's leading export is coffee, accounting for 22% of Honduran export revenues. The banana industry, formerly the country's second-largest export until it was virtually wiped out by 1998's Hurricane Mitch, recovered in 2000 to 57% of pre-hurricane levels. Cultivated shrimp is another crucial export sector. Since the late 1970s, towns in the north began industrial production through maquiladoras, especially in San Pedro Sula and Puerto Cortés.

The currency in Honduras is the Lempira.

Honduran cuisine combines Mesoamerican (Lenca), Spanish, Caribbean, and African cuisines. There are also dishes from the Garifuna people. Coconut and coconut milk are featured in both sweet and savory dishes. Regional specialties include sopa de caracol, fried fish, tamales, carne asada, and baleadas. Other popular dishes include meat roasted with chismol and carne asada, chicken with rice and corn, and fried fish with pickled onions and jalapeños. In the coastal areas and the Bay Islands, seafood and some meats are prepared in many ways, including with coconut milk.

Family life is considered very important. Additionally, soccer is a very popular sport in Honduras, and most communities have their teams in addition to following the national team. Basketball, volleyball, movies, music, and dancing are also popular activities.

Honduras is an easy place for everyone to find something fun to do. From plentiful beaches to Mayan ruins, nature parks, and historic districts, its vibrant culture and natural beauty are engaging and ready to explore. 

Honduras was home to many important Mesoamerican people groups, most notably the Mayans, who flourished for hundreds of years. After colonization by the Spanish in the 16th century, those indigenous cultures began to blend with the Catholicism and Spanish language of the Europeans living there. Silver mining was a significant factor in the Spanish conquest and settlement of Honduras.

Honduras gained independence from Spain in 1821 and subsequently became an independent republic and has held regular elections since 1838. It saw early success in international trade between the 1870s and 1930s as a result of its banana exports. As a result of the significant political and cultural power of early fruit companies, the term "banana republic" was used to describe Honduras in the early 20th century.

The roots of the Catholic church go deep in Honduras through many generations, and the Church throughout the country is on the move. More and more people are identifying with faith in Jesus and local churches are active in responding to the significant needs across the country.