Today’s location is WAY off the beaten path. Gracias was founded and named the capital of Honduras in 1536 and remained the capital until 1544, when it was moved to Antigua. The town itself has a beautiful, colonial feel, and it seems like it would be the perfect place to relax and enjoy a quiet afternoon after a long bus ride through the jungle.

Just outside of the town center there are a number of aguas termales (hot springs) which just reinforces my statement about relaxation. Nature intended this to be a place of peace and tranquility. However, none of that is the reason that Gracias made The List.

Gracias is known as the jumping off point to visit Parque Nacional Celaque. It is here that you can start your two day trek to the top of El Cerro de las Minas, Honduras’ tallest mountain. Not only are the views supposedly unparalleled, but you get to camp overnight in one of the mountainside campsites. It is also home to the largest cloud forest in Honduras. This sounds right up my alley. I wonder if it only accessible through a tour… I am going to have to look into that.