Destin-Nation Honduras: Central American Travel On The Cheap (PHOTOS)

Honduras is the in the middle of a massive tourism infrastructure build out, which makes now the time for budget travelers to take advantage of increasing accessibility and still low prices. Though the islands offshore have long been a favorite among divers, the rest of the country is experiencing a tourist surge that could significantly reshape many of its quaint towns and bring up prices.

The Central American country, which is slightly smaller than Ohio, packs a punch, offering Mayan ruins, virgin jungle, and pristine beaches.

As it stands, the U.S. dollar trades for just under 19 Honduran lempira. To put that in more concrete terms: Cocktails cost $1.50. The cocktail lounge? A handful of pleasant small towns dotting the Caribbean coastline.

About 3 hours by air from Texas, Honduras is also convenient and perpetually warm - a little humid perhaps, but its a privilege to whine about such things come winter. The San Pedro Sula airport is a convenient entry for beach goers, who may want to rent a car given the recently paved highways that run across the northern coastline.

Tip: Make sure to look into travel safety tips when visiting Honduras.

Photo: Renata Avila/Flickr