Gracias

The word gracias means "thanks" in Spanish. It is said that upon arriving at the site of the city of Gracias, the Spanish explorers, tired after having trekked through the mountainous terrain, said "Gracias a Dios hemos llegado a tierra plana," meaning "Thank God we have arrived at flat land."

Most of the town of Gracias is accessible on foot. If you have a lot of stuff to carry or you don't want to walk, there are red mototaxis everywhere that you can hail from the street.

The museum with botanical garden and the San Sebastian Church are located at the Plaza San Sebastian. The entrance fee to the museum and botanical garden is L30.

You can see the fort "El Castillo San Cristobal" on the west side of town on a small hill. Although the main entrance on the south side there is a small entrance at the end of the stairs leading to the Hotel Guancascos. No entrance fee.

The San Marcos Church is next to the fully renovated Central Parc.

The La Merced church is one block north and one block east from the “parque central”. The market is 2 blocks west of Central Park.

You will pass the “sweets, spicy and pickles’ shop” if you walk from Central Park to the Plaza San Sebastian. Ask for Lorenas her shop. Unfortunately churches are often closed with only the San Marcos is used for mass on a regular base.

Mostly, Gracias is nice for walking around and experiencing small-town life in western Honduras. It's a very old place with an interesting history. It's also a jumping off point for visiting Celaque National Park, home of the highest peak of Honduras.

A few kilometers outside of town are the 'aguas termales', or hot springs, that are nice after a long hike or day of traveling. The swimmingpool is set next to a nice artificial lagoon and fish pond.

Public hot springs in Arcilaca - a set of pools with really nice hot water, built in a natural environment. There are actually two different sets of pools, about 100 m from each other on the same road. According to locals, Presidente has the warmer pools of the two. You can get there in a mototaxi (tuktuk), for about L50 (lempiras) per person. The mototaxis drives you there in about 20 min. You can negotiate a price with them if you want the taxi to wait for you.

If you like to walk to the springs take one of the maps in the better hotel lobbies. It is a really pleasant one hour walk. You can often find a pick up car or a mototaxi to take you back again.

There are changing facilities and toilets available.

There is a comedor and the entrance fee is L50 per person.

Termas del Rio - another hotsprings site. It has a set of big pools with really nice hot water built in a natural environment. You can get there by taking the bus to Santa Rosa, La Iguala or lepaera, and get off at the Termas del Rio entrance. (about 15 min, on the main road) Walk down the private road for about 5 min.

If you have your own car, drive in the direction of Santa Rosa for about 7 km and be aware of the sign and entrance on your left hand side. (You have to cross the big bridge.) There are changing facilities and toilets, sport facilities (table tennis, volleyball, football, etc), and a restaurant. Entrance fee: L60.

How to choose where to go?

Both settings are gorgeous and good temperature pools. The advances of the Thermal Baths are: bigger pools, sport facilities (table tennis, volleyball, football). More tranquil and relaxing, they sell beer but there is not a drinking environment. Cleaner and better facilities in every way. Private run, good staff and the owner is often there himself The price makes up for the quality. If it is a Friday night, Saturday, Sunday or a bank holiday, go to the Termas del Rio! Any other day the Arcilacapools are great.

Lorenas "sweets,spicy and pickels shop"

There are several restaurants in town, with varying quality of food. Hotel Guancascos has great, if simple, food.

Other safe places to eat are La Meson de Don Juan in the hotel Posada de Don Juan, and Colinas San Cristobal Restaurant.

Another special place to go for food is El Rinconcito Graciano, a small very personal typical food eatery.

Of course there are lost of comedores and cafeterias all over town.

There is a cute little bar in town called El Candil. (Ask for Bayron´s place.)

Also the Hotel Posada Don Juan and the Hotel Guancascos have full bar services.

There are several hotels in town. The most comfortable, at around US$24 per night, is Hotel Guancasco, run by an expatriate Dutchwoman named Frony.

Most popular hotels:

• Posada de Don Juan (504) 6561020. A luxury hotel with A/C and swimming pool.
• Hotel Guancascos (504) 6561219. Comortable rooms and English spoken, tourist information.
• Hotel Erick - Basic, cheap and clean.
• Hotelito Josue (sp?) - Variety of rooms, inc. single with shared bath, double with shared bath, single and double with private bath, some with TV. Cold water shower, kitchen use, quite clean, narrow garden courtyard. Really friendly staff. Prices range from under L150/person to L250 for double.

The only way to get out of Gracias is by bus or private car. The easiest way to find the bus 'station' is to ask anyone in town. There are buses to San Pedro Sula, Santa Rosa de Copán, and La Esperanza (in Intibucá).