While we’re on the topic of Honduras, you might also consider heading there for some fine diving. I posted about Utila and the Bay Islands in Honduras over at Divester.
Honduras has long been known as one of the world’s finest dive spots, and as you peruse these sites, you’ll see why. Whale Sharks, a phantasmagoria of tropical fish, excellent reefs, not to mention the opportunity to dive AND learn Spanish, well, you just can’t go wrong making this your next destination.
Partnering with the National Geographic Society, the Honduran government recently announced its plan to become the first country with an official “geotourism” strategy. The concept was developed by the National Geographic Society to build a form of tourism that “sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place-its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”
The agreement includes the following “tenets”:
• following international codes for sustainable tourism,
• establishing policies and practices based on cultural and natural preservation, and
• building community-based tourism partnerships that emphasize economic and social benefits to locals.
A pretty fine idea, although one has to wonder whether such a plan is viable in a place like Honduras which is hardly known for its stability or eco-friendly national nature. But lots of countries would love to emulate the Costa Rican tourism model which has been a big boon for the Costa Rican economy (but not, too, without its problems).
The Bay Islands linger off the coast of Honduras, a gritty little country that has had more than its share of natural disasters and political upheaval. But despite all that, Roatan and some of the other areas there make for some of the best diving in the world. Sharks? Got em. Dolphins? Yup. Wrecks, walls, reefs, animal encounters? Check.
So with snow falling in much of the country and rain falling in most of the rest…why not click through this little piece on the diving in the Bay Islands and give some thought to adding them to your Spring itinerary? The article gives some great description of the dives in the area and I have to admit, even though I just got off the slopes, I’m thinking of tropical climes.