Ocotepeque

Located in the highlands of Western Honduras, and the seat of government for the department of Ocotepeque, this relatively modern city offers good accommodations, as well as a perfect jumping point into the neighboring countries of El Salvador and Guatemala. The city is strategically located at less than 5 miles from the border of El Poy between El Salvador and Honduras and 15 miles from the Aguacaliente border between Guatemala and Honduras. The original town of Ocotepeque was destroyed years ago by a flash flood, so you will not find the town to contain colonial buildings within it.  The old colonial church in Antigua Ocotepeque miraculously survived the flood and can be visited. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The patron saint is St. Andrew and you will notice that the building has been restored. Also noteworthy is the fact that the church faces sideways towards the park. This is because of the flash flood that destroyed Antigua Ocotepeque completely destroyed the old park that was in front of the church.

A short drive from Ocotepeque will take you across the border in Guatemala to the city of Esquipulas, considered the most sacred shrine for the Catholics in Central America. Here you can visit the Basilica of our Lord of Esquipulas, where a unique black crucifix is considered have granted multiple miracles to worshippers.

In addition, Ocotepeque is very close the Parque Nacional Trifinio or Montecristo, an international protected area that is shared by Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The vegetation is that pertaining to a cloud forest, the unique climate that is native only to the higher elevations within Central America. The Reserva Ecologica El Huizayote is also nearby, on the highway leading east towards Santa Rosa de Copan. Here the road actually leads through the reserve, which is usually covered by fog, as most cloud forest environments usually are. The highest point on the road the where the small community of El Portillo is located marks the highest altitude for a paved road in Honduras. At this small community you will find a small roadside café where you can stop by and enjoy a coffee and snack and hire a guide to take you to the different points of interest within the reserve. Ask for Don Manuel Sanabria who will be happy to assist you. Early in the morning there are good chances of seeing the famous elusive quetzal birds that are native to Central America’s cloud forests. Also available at El Portillo are a variety of fresh flowers and vegetables grown there.

If you are leaving or entering Honduras towards (or from) El Salvador or Guatemala,  you should definitely plan on spending a night in Ocotepeque. The highway leading from Ocotepeque to San Pedro Sula is paved and in good condition. The scenery is very mountainous and will provide you a good picture of rural Honduras, with its many mountains, friendly people and picturesque towns.

On the road towards Aguacaliente in the municipality of Santa Fe you can find some small caves, known as the Machuca caves, as well as an area reputed to be the site of an old native fortress where Honduran hero Copan Galel fought against the Spanish Conquerors. Although there is no visible built fortress, the area is a perfect natural fortress, with steep canyons being a perfect spot to fend of the invading army.  The Xicaque fortress area also offers a nice waterfall and swimming hole as well as a good opportunity to do some bird watching and orquid observing. For more information regarding the fortress and caves, ask at the Allegro’s Bar or at Titos Restaurant in Santa Fe. Both are located on the side of the road. Both of these restaurants offer good roadside food and are a perfect option for a bite either before or after you visit the site.