The Catedral Inmaculada Concepción on Choluteca square dates from at least 1643, the date on the baptismal font, but is thought to be older. The wood-paneled ceiling resembles the hull of a boat. In 1917, the facade was rebuilt to its present form. If you can find the woman who takes care of the premises, it is possible to persuade her to let you climb the (almost-functioning) clock tower for expansive views of the surrounding area.

Two blocks east of the cathedral is the older Iglesia de La Merced, also built at an unknown date but thought to have been erected in the middle or late 16th century. It features eye-catching twisted (“salomonic”) columns on the outside. In colonial times, the surrounding neighborhood housed the city’s Indian and black population, who prayed at the church. The church is normally only open on Saturday.

The colonial building on the southwest corner of the square is the former home of famed native son José Cecilio del Valle (1777–1834). Check out the back of the 100 lempira bill for a picture of this historical building, which now houses the local library. It’s possible to enter the house through the turismo office on the side of the house (just past the library entrance), although there’s not much to see inside (nor much information to be had at the tourism office). The statue in the middle of the square is of Del Valle.

If you have nothing but time (and preferably your own transportation since it’s a bit far), check out San José de Obrero on the southwest side of town for a more unusual church experience. There is a refuge for injured animals on the church grounds. Although the cages are quite small, the animals, including monkeys and white-nosed coatis, are treated well. Inside the church is an impressive, modern mural (painted in 1982) full of political symbolism.