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Arrive & Transfer to Copan

Arrive into San Pedro Sula airport and be met by your driver for the private transfer to Copan Ruinas (3hrs) and up to the unique and beautiful lodge of Hacienda San Lucas. You will be met by flowers and wine in your room and enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner.

Hacienda San Lucas

Hacienda San Lucas is an authentic Spanish colonial hacienda which has been lovingly restored by owner Flavia Cueva into an romantic, atmospheric eight room boutique lodge. It is situated on the hillside overlooking the picturesque Copan valley and indeed from the garden you can see the temple tops of the Copan site itself! The décor is tasteful and comfortable and the gardens and general areas are beautiful. The restaurant is a unique blend of traditional and international cuisine. Behind the hotel are lots of walking trails (also great for bird watching), and there is even a small archaeology site called Los Sapos right there on the property. Flavia is a very spiritual person and has also now set up a Yoga studio and offers spiritual retreats.

Facilities: 8 Rooms, Restaurant, Bar, Gardens, Yoga Studio
Location: Hillside setting just outside the town of Copan Ruinas. 15min transfer from town.

“GREEN” / SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AT HACIENDA SAN LUCAS

The lodge itself is in a lovely restored 100 year old authentic Spanish hacienda that preserves the cultural aspects of that time including a traditional open fire kitchen. It was restored to its original design using only local materials, techniques and labor.
The lodge is situated on 300 acres of pristine tropical forest / protected land which includes a small archaeology site, "los Sapos".
Most of the staff is from small neighboring villages. They have been trained in the service industry, which provides them with steady work, allowing them to have better living conditions and get an education.
Initially, the lodge was powered by solar electricity alone but now has a minimum input of regular electric power giving great consideration to the ecological balance of the area.
The Cueva family, owners, are committed to sustainable tourism, creating local awareness, and promoting the concept as an important, sustainable tourism destination.
Meals are cooked with seasonal local ingredients using ancient traditional local techniques.
They have also planted 4,600 native trees to help prevent erosion, provide natural habitat for wildlife and to help with carbon offsetting. They also work with local farmers to educate them about the value of forests and to get them to help with reforestation programs.
Their mission is: To provide their guests with a unique and unforgettable experience based on a spiritual commitment to share our family's patrimony of an authentic rural hacienda that is helping the development of neighboring communities. This responsibility includes the care and preservation of the nature and archaeology as well as personal attention to each visitor.

We invite you to Carbon Offset your international airfare:




Honduras Green HoneymoonBook now! Cost: $3500 per person Beneficiary: EcoLogic This honeymoon combines the best of the Honduran rainforest and beach ecologies. Your exploration of Pico Bonito National Park and the Bay Islands will leave you awed and renewed by Nature’s powers. Community action options are included in your journey. Please visit our bookings page to create an online honeymoon registry with Traveler's Joy, so friends and family can easily contribute to your Elevate Destinations trip of a lifetime!

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Departure

Transfer to Roatan airport for your internal flight to San Pedro Sula (Via La Ceiba) to connect with your international connection.

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Day 7: Nature Hike & Transfer to Roatan

In the morning, embark on a guided nature hike into the Pico Bonito reserve where you can see various species of wildlife and also enjoy the tropical rainforest scenery and the many rivers and waterfalls of the area. Lunch is included back at the lodge. In the afternoon, transfer to La Ceiba airport for the short 20min flight over to the island of Roatan and the 20min transfer to their remote beach lodge – Palmetto Bay.

Palmetto Bay

Palmetto Bay is located in a very secluded position only reached by a dirt road and offers guests a huge stretch of private beach. The hotel is actually made up of a number of privately owned 1 and 2 bedroom villas set in beautiful gardens full of tropical flowers which attract butterflies, parrots and humming birds. All windows are slats, which can be opened for 360 degree views of these gardens. From the beach you can walk out to the reef, ideal for snorkeling.

Facilities: Selection of 1 and 2 bedroom Villas, Restaurant, Bar, Beach, Dive Shop
Location: Remote Location – 30mins from the airport.

“GREEN” / SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AT PALMETTO BAY

Since the resort’s founding, Palmetto’s owners have looked to set their business as a prime example on how to offer simple island elegance and deluxe accommodations without overlooking its responsibility to the human and natural environment.

Lodge built with responsible use of local hardwoods.
The lodge was designed and built dedicating large areas of the property to Tropical Forest Preserves, Bird Sanctuaries and Beach Reserves.
Extensive planting of tropical vegetation was established.
The villas and other buildings respect a 180-foot setback from the water’s edge to minimize the visual impact of man-made structures when viewed from the beach and sea.
Villas are designed for excellent ventilation so that AC is not needed. Low wattage fluorescent lights are used wherever possible; butane is used for stoves, hot water heaters and clothes dryers. As a result, electrical usage at Palmetto Bay Plantation is minimal.
When lethal yellowing started killing coconut trees throughout the Caribbean, Palmetto Bay Plantation undertook an extensive program of inoculations and replanting. As a result, the area has one of the largest groves of coconuts trees remaining on Roatan.
After Hurricane Mitch, the developers of Palmetto Bay Plantation raised over $12,000 in financial donations from its homeowners and others to assist the nearby community of Craw Fish Rock, which suffered extensive damage. Food was distributed, four homes were rebuilt and several others restored.
With the exception of managing partner, Gary Chamer, all of Palmetto Bay Plantation’s permanent employees are Honduran. Many came without skills or prior work experience for the jobs they now hold. They now enjoy positions as bookkeeper, carpenters, housekeepers, cooks and receptionist. The developers of Palmetto Bay Plantation recognize responsibility to the ever-growing work force on Roatan, and train for the future as well as employ.

COMMUNITY ACTION POSSIBILITIES:

For couples wanting to get more involved via donations or volunteer work we have the following ideas in this area:

Learning about Global Healing's efforts to improve the pediatrics clinic in the hospital (visiting the clinic)
Learning about the clinic "La Esperanza" and visiting the project on the Sandy Bay Road
Learning about the efforts Canaturh is doing with their Education Committee and potentially committing to visiting a school to giving speeches.
"Guided walk" through Palmetto grounds and the coconut mangrove with a tour guide who understands about the local e
A class about the coral reef system and the efforts that are being done to expand the protected areas of the reef

Days 8, 9 & 10: Free days at the beach

Free days at the beach lodge to book locally your choice of snorkeling, diving, fishing or other local tours.

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Day 4: Transfer to Pico Bonito

Arrive into San Pedro Sula International airport and change planes for your internal flight to La Ceiba. Once in la Ceiba airport, you will be met by a representative from Pico Bonito lodge for the 20min transfer to the lodge. At the lodge, you will be welcomed by flowers and wine, and a special greeting.

Pico Bonito Lodge (Eco Lodge)

The Pico Bonito lodge is a beautiful, luxury eco-lodge located on the edge of the Pico Bonito National Park enjoying views of the “Nombre de Dios” mountain range, the 8,000ft Pico Bonito Summit and surrounding rainforest. The lodge is a 200 acre protected area with numerous trails within the property & leading into the adjacent national park so nature hikes are in easy access and wildlife is abundant. For birdwatchers there are observation towers from where you can spot some of the 325 species of birds and there is also a butterfly farm on-site. There are 22 luxury cabins discreetly located in the rainforest scenery, a restaurant and bar looking onto lush gardens and the swimming pool.

Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Pool, 200 acres of private nature reserve, Conference Centre
Location: 30mins from La Ceiba Airport. 3 Hours from san Pedro Sula Airport. 20min flight to Roatan Island.

“GREEN” / SUSTAINABILITY TOURISM AT PICO BONITIO

The lodge donates a potion of the accommodation costs to “La Fundaciondel Parque Nacional Pico Bonito” a not for profit organization that works to preserve the Pico Bonito park.
Work with Adelante Foundation who offer micro-credit loans to local women and offer tours for guests to go and visit a local community and learn about this worthy program.

Day 5: Cacao Lagoon

Guests are picked up from their hotel & transferred to Cacao Lagoon, where they will be able to meet the local people of this fishing village, living an authentic, traditional life. Then guests jump in the kayaks and paddle through the mangroves, always along the shore so that they can see as much wildlife as possible. In this area guests should see lots of birds, butterflies, bats and howler monkeys. Reaching the beachside of Cacao Lagoon we paddle into the Caribbean and try our kayaks in the waves. The beach here is picturesque, serene and deserted. After a fruity beach picnic, we paddle back to our starting point and are met for the transfer back to their hotel for free time to relax or explore.

Day 6: Cuero y Salado

Guests transfer from their hotel to this wildlife refuge situated 33km from La Ceiba, home to many endangered animal species which are found within the many mangrove canals proceeding from the rivers Cuero and Salado. There is a mixture of both fresh and salt water, the reserve being right at the ocean’s edge. From La Union, we catch a ride on the old railway to reach this wildlife refuge, and then by boat or canoe we explore the mangrove lagoons. Manatees, monkeys, alligators and a variety of birds are all part of the highlights of this protected and diverse habitat run by the foundation FUCSA. Most frequently seen wildlife: Howler monkeys, more than 200 species birds (Herons, kingfishers, gallinules) and butterflies, manatee, alligators.

On your final night in Pico Bonito you will have a special private dinner organized in the Pico Bonito grounds overlooking the river in lush tropical scenery.

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Day 2: Finca El Cisne & Dinner with an Archaeologist

You will be met by your guide Carlos, to begin your full day excursion out to "Finca El Cisne". Carlos's family owns the farm, “Finca El Cisne”: he will take guests on a tranquil horseback ride or hike through the farmlands and beautiful scenery of the Copan Valley followed by a hearty farmhouse lunch cooked by Carlos's mother where you can also taste the coffee grown here. In the afternoon guests explore the coffee and cardamom plantations and learn about cattle ranching. This wonderful tour finishes with a dip in the hot springs on the way back to your hotel.

In the early evening guests are transferred to the home of renowned archaeologist Dr David Sedat where they will have a personal presentation from David on some of his work at Copan over the past 16 years, followed by a home cooked dinner.

Day 3: Copan Archaeology Site, Bird Park & Hot Springs

Guests are transferred to the Archaeology site at Copan. Here they enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful site, which is famous for its intricately carved stelea & hieroglyphic stairway as well as its comprehensive museum. When ready, guests return to Copan and to the Bird Park for lunch. After lunch guests enjoy a walk in the lush, shady river valley location of the Copan Bird Park where a local guide will accompany them to see and interact with a number of beautiful tropical birds that have been rescued from locales all over Honduras. As the day begins to cool off, guests then transfer to the Copan Hot Springs in the lush tropical surroundings to enjoy relaxation in a variety of natural pools. After a fun packed day we transfer back to Hacienda San Lucas for dinner and overnight.