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Tourism infrastructure in northern Honduras has been building up substantially since about 2005. Every city has its share of no-frills, family-run hospedajes, but an ever-increasing number of cities have a wider variety of lodging options. The majority accept credit cards and are fitted with Wi-Fi and satellite television, with a few exceptions accepting only cash or not providing Internet. As with elsewhere in Honduras, prices fluctuate depending on the season, but not by much. Hotels are busiest December through February, during Holy Week, and June through August. The low season coincides with the rainy season in October and November.
Along the coast, former houses and beachfront lodges have been converted into bed-and-breakfasts with a small number of rooms, communal lounge areas and excellent personal attention from the owners themselves, many of whom are American or Canadian expatriates. These places cater mostly to foreign travelers, while national tourists largely occupy every place else.
Hotels oriented toward business travelers have conference halls and meeting centers, and the rooms offer quiet, spacious accommodations with work essentials like broad desks, in-room phones, and Wi-Fi service. In hotels overall, the cheapest rooms have tile floors, whitewashed walls and stiff mattresses, but you'll still find them clean and tidy. Air-conditioning can double the price of a night's stay, as electricity bills are astoundingly high in Honduras. Oscillating or ceiling fans—and often both—are at the ready in all rooms, air-conditioning equipped or no. Pricier rooms are the most luxurious, with hardwood furnishings, attractive interior designs and silky soft linens. Bugs, however, are democratic and will find a way into your room regardless. Few are actually bothersome.
Several cities include family-oriented, all inclusive resorts on the beach with restaurants, bars, swimming pools, massage centers, and a variety of recretational activities. Eco- and jungle lodges in La Ceiba offer all the perks of a top-notch hotel, such as private baths with hot water and Internet access, but with stunning panoramic views exclusive to the tropical forest.
Cool stone cabins with stylish interiors are spread across the garden nestled in the heart of the Cangrejal watershed. The property encompasses natural swimming holes, a weight room, a fire pit for backyard barbeques and a game room. The bed-and-breakfast affords a tranquil forest getaway but with all the frills of an upscale hotel. Rafting and canopy tour operators are right down the street.
The inn offers guests a home away from home, only better. Spacious bedrooms with four-poster beds, warm butternut-hued walls, and unique fixtures and furniture are as cozy as any master bedroom. Ocean views and exclusive beach access sweeten the deal. The owners, Cathryn and Jim, live on the premises and give lots of personal attention or total privacy, depending on the visitor's preference. Jim dishes up hearty breakfasts each morning for $6 each, and the honor bar is stocked with juice, soft drinks, and beer. The inn only accepts cash, but guests can pay 50% ahead of time on PayPal.
Private beach chairs, a refreshing garden courtyard, and a tucked-away location at the end of la playa give this hotel a cozy feel. Doubles with private bathrooms are situated behind a spacious communal lounge with wicker armchairs facing the beach. The Canadian owners pride themselves on the restaurant, and with imported bacon and sausage for breakfast and hearty baguette sandwiches and fresh salads for lunch, the cuisine is a welcome change from the town's ubiquitous fried-fish fare.
