6 Best Hotels in Southern Honduras, Honduras

Yuscarán's best lodging option is tiny, tiny, tiny, with just two rooms—always call ahead—separated by a sitting room. Both guest rooms in this colonial-era home have high ceilings, wood furnishings, and comfy beds, and are decorated with colorful Guatemalan handicrafts. Rooms have no televisions, but you can watch the one in the adjoining sitting room. There's a book exchange, too, and quite frankly, this seems like the kind of place in which to curl up with a good read rather than watch the tube. The location can't be beat: you're right on Yuscarán's central park.

Choluteca's in-town hotels are pretty utilitarian, but pretty inexpensive, too. (You get what you pay for.) Hotel Bonsai, with rooms surrounding a courtyard, is the best of the lot. Look at a couple of the rooms before you decide: in a few of them, the bathroom is only partially walled off from the rest of the unit. Spring for air-conditioning, too—it costs only a few dollars more. Some of the rooms have only fans, and you'll definitely want more than that in the heat.

By far, southern Honduras's snazziest lodging is this hotel—you can't miss it as you're coming into town from Tegucigalpa. The clientele is a mix of business travelers and travelers stopping here on their way through Central America. Although the place doesn't have a business vibe, Choluteca is primarily a business hub for this part of Honduras, so rates are discounted on weekends. Rooms are scattered among several buildings around this tree-shaded property, providing some relief from the heat. A nice pool, much-appreciated air-conditioning and high-ceilinged rooms help on that count, too. All rooms come with two queen-size beds, wood beams, and tile floors.

1 Hotel La Esperanza. Danlí's top hotel is really quite basic. Rooms are arranged around a central courtyard. They are clean and certainly acceptable, but you shouldn't expect any frills. Look at a couple before you decide. Only about half the rooms have air conditioning, but depending on the time of year you may be able to get by with just a fan.

What is billed as the island's top hotel is still quite basic. Peach-colored rooms have two beds and a table, but little else for furnishings. Units climb a hillside, but despite the name of the hotel referring to a mirador (lookout), only those at the top command any real views. The public areas are the draw, with several terraces built into the complex that are perfect for lounging the day away with a good book and a drink. Rates are discounted 20 percent during the week, Sunday through Thursday night.

As with every lodging option on Isla del Tigre, things are pretty plain and simple, but Veleros is immaculate—that's something you can't say about every hotel on the island—and service is friendly. Rooms contain comfortable beds and tile floors. You can pay a discounted rate off the already low prices if you don't use the air-conditioning, but you'll definitely want to spring for the air. You'll likely find yourself lounging around on the deck, lazing in one of the hammocks, or hanging out at the seafood restaurant ($$). The lobster is a steal at L360.