Now I have finally made my dream of traveling to Honduras come true! For many years, I have been deeply involved with coffee. I keep trying new coffee varieties and experimenting with different preparation methods. With the Feine Bohne Blog and Podcast, I have deepened my passion for coffee. However, I had never visited a coffee-growing region until recently.
Why a Trip to Honduras?
As I mentioned, I have been passionate about coffee for years. I am always searching for new, interesting varieties and unique taste experiences. Thanks to my coffee podcast, I have established many connections in the coffee scene. Through this, I met coffee farmers in Honduras who invited me to visit them. At first, I hesitated—such a trip is expensive and carries certain risks. However, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
Then I was told that the Coffee Festival in Honduras was approaching. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I wanted to take the chance to participate. So, I spontaneously booked a ticket for my Honduras trip. However, it wasn’t as simple as it seemed. My contacts in Honduras explained that certain forms needed to be filled out before entry. Additionally, my doctor recommended three travel vaccinations. And since I wanted to document my journey properly, I had to get some equipment—camera, drone, etc. This made a noticeable dent in my travel budget.
The Honduras Trip Will Be Exhausting
Despite all the hurdles and last-minute planning, I stood at Frankfurt Airport, greeted by a friendly Air France staff member. I had packed a lot of equipment but still stayed within the allowed luggage limit—luckily. First, I flew less than an hour to Amsterdam. From there, I had an 11-hour flight to Panama, followed by another two-hour flight to San Pedro Sula, the capital of Honduras. In total, I was 14 hours in transit, not counting airport wait times.
After landing, I stepped out of the air-conditioned airport and immediately saw and felt that I was in Central America. I had arrived from cold, rainy Germany into a warm 34°C climate with relatively low humidity (around 60%). It took me a moment to adjust, but the stunning landscape, welcoming people, and breathtaking nature were well worth it.
Coffee Farming in Honduras Is a Surprise
I spent my first night in San Pedro Sula, but then we set out on a sandy, hilly road to the coffee farms. The journey took about three hours through Honduras. The landscape was impressive but also challenging, with steep hills and forests. Many roads were just wide enough for vehicles to pass each other, leaving behind trails of dust. It was crucial to be careful not to veer too far off the path and risk falling down a slope.
Fortunately, my Honduran guide knew the area well. By the time we reached the village, it was already dark. Dogs greeted us with their distant barks. Dinner was traditional: refried beans, eggs, cheese, and tortillas. Then it was time to sleep because we planned to visit the farms the next day.
The next morning, I saw the landscape in daylight for the first time. And I must emphasize: I was completely amazed. My photography skills could not capture the true beauty of what I saw. The nature was stunning, the scenery was mesmerizing, and the variety of animals was fascinating.
One of the biggest surprises of my Honduras trip was the coffee farming. I had expected vast coffee fields. Instead, it looked more like a forest. From above—using my drone—I could hardly see the coffee plants. Walking through a semi-designated area, I finally saw the coffee plants clearly. But what were all the other plants doing there? Were farmers too lazy to remove them? Was it too dangerous or difficult in this hilly terrain? No, this is called biodiversity.
The word sounds technical, but it simply means a diverse ecosystem. And it is a form of environmental protection. Different plant species attract various animals, which in turn enrich the soil with nutrients. These nutrients are essential for coffee growth. For example, banana plants grow here. When bananas ripen and fall to the ground, they decompose and their nutrients enter the soil. The plant diversity actually benefits coffee farming.
Unique Experiences in Honduras
Again and again, family and friends have asked me what the highlight of my trip to Honduras was. That’s not so easy to answer because the trip itself was simply a highlight of my life. Still, there were a few moments that truly enriched this journey. These included playing soccer with the son of my host family, engaging in conversations with different farmers at the Coffee Festival, and, of course, tasting many different coffee varieties in Honduras.
What I personally found beautiful was the rural and nature-connected lifestyle. Coming from a big city, it was initially strange to spend days without electricity and internet or mobile network. However, it was also surprisingly refreshing to disconnect for a while. Only then did I truly understand what local coffee farmers mean by freedom.
How Dangerous Is Honduras?
Before traveling to Honduras, I heard various comments from friends. Some were amusing: “Isn’t Honduras a country in Asia?” But most expressed concerns like “I heard that Honduras is very dangerous.” Even the safety warnings from the German Foreign Office were unsettling:
“Since December 6, 2022, Honduras has imposed a partial and regionally restricted state of emergency to combat gang crime.”[1]
“The crime rate in Honduras is very high.”[1]
“Do not resist in case of a robbery.”[1]
When I arrived in Honduras, Oscar—a coffee farmer—picked me up. This immediately gave me a local Honduran guide at my side. We placed the luggage on the pickup truck’s loading bed and secured it so it wouldn’t get stolen at red lights. At times, I was advised not to take the bus to avoid being robbed. So yes, crime exists in Honduras—there’s no denying it.
However, with local contacts, I felt very safe. And once I was in the villages—far away from the big cities—I felt completely secure. Doors remained open all day. Often, a dog lay at the entrance, but what thief would bother traveling three hours to a remote village?
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/laender/honduras-node/hondurassicherheit/221078
