Journey Panama, Nicaragua& Honduras 43

PHOTO ON PREVIOUS PAGE: FABIENNE FOSSEZ791044 Panama, Nicaragua & HondurasPanama, Nicaragua and Honduras at a glance1COPÁN (Honduras)A well-preserved colonial town, Copán Ruinas is reached by air or land from San Pedro Sula and Guatemala. Close by the Mayan site of Copán is celebrated for its grand plazas, pyramids, ball court and hieroglyphic stairway..2Bay ISLANDS (HONDURAS)The 3 Bay Islands are 60km off the north coast. The clear and calm waters around the coral reef teem with marine life. The islands offer excellent snorkelling and diving. Roatán has the best tourist infrastructure.4GRANADA AND THE HIGHLANDSGranada is the oldest colonial city inCentral America. Nearby, the MasayaVolcano National Park contains 2 accessible volcanoes. León, former capital of Nicaragua, is now a quiet university town with 12 fine colonial churches.6CARIBBEAN CORN ISLANDSThe 2 coral-fringed Corn Islands have a slender infrastructure but you cansnorkel or dive at 'blowing rock' a 30m wall of coral and rock with abundant marine life.5LAKE NICARAGUA AND THE PACIFIC COAST (NICARAGUA)Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua is revered for its fertility. Its 2 volcanoes rise steeply from the shores. There are eco-lodges on the southern tropical coastline.Granada is only 1½hrs by road and Costa Rica is easily accessible.3EL SALVADORCompact and undeveloped, this smallrepublic is starting to open up its volcanic landscapes, coffee plantations and secluded beaches to visitors. There are one or two exceptional hotels. Here you are guaranteed an authentic Central American experience. 1582463FABIENNE FOSSEZISTOCKPHOTO.COMRAFE STONEcentral American tourist associationRAFE STONENICARAGUA TOURIST BOARDTela..La CeibaTegucigalpa.León.Managua.Lake Nicaragua.CopánRoatánColón.Panama City.Archipelago de las Perlas.Darien National ParkRio San JuanBELIZECOSTA RICAPANAMANICARAGUAHONDURASSAN BLASBOCAS DEL TOROCORN ISLANDSBAY ISLANDSPACIFIC OCEANCARIBBEAN SEA.San Pedro SulaEL SALVADORSan Salvador..GranadaBoquete.Volcán BarúISLAND OF OMETEPE