Tela

Tela, a scenic, laid-back beach town on Honduras' north shore, offers a slice of paradise. This region has some of the best beaches and scuba diving in the country. You can also take a walk through the national park and admire the gardens. Visit the sandy beaches and you'll see the blue Caribbean on one side and dense rows of coconut trees on the other. Tens of thousands of revelers flock here to party on the beach between Palm Sunday and Easter. However, the rest of the year is relatively quiet.

Scuba dive into the clear blue Caribbean waters. The dive center, located in Tela Bay, provides diving courses and tours for divers of all levels. See the spectacular creatures of Capiro Reef, one of the Caribbean's healthiest reef ecosystems, right in front of your eyes. Try snorkeling on the lovely Cayos Cochinos island. Visit Lancetilla Botanical Garden, one of the world's largest botanical gardens. The garden, located just outside of Tela, spans 4,150 acres (1,680 hectares) and is home to over 1,000 plant species from four continents. The walking trails that wind through the garden and arboretum are a must-see.

Explore Jeanette Kawas National Park in Tela, one of Honduras' largest protected areas. The park was renamed in 1995 to honor environmental activist Jeanette Kawas, who was murdered for her efforts to keep palm plantations out of the area. It is now a testament to her perseverance. See a wide range of water and land animals, including howler monkeys and dolphins. There are 14 different ecosystems in the park, including rainforest, mangroves, and lagoons.

Location: the Caribbean coast, Honduras

Best time to visit: February, March, April and December