Maps

Topographical maps of scale 1:50,000 covering the entire country are published by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional or IGN (tel. 504/225-0752 or 504/225-3755, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri.). Though accurate for terrain, the maps are not totally reliable when it comes to trails. The ones shown often (but not always) exist, but usually many more trails exist also.

The maps cost US$2 each and can be purchased at the IGN’s central office in Comayagüela (Tegucigalpa [1]) at the Secretaría de Transporte (SECOPT) on 15 Calle, one block east of 1 Avenida. Some sheets are out of print, but the office staff will usually make a photocopy for you. If your Spanish is up to it, you can write or call ahead for the maps; the staff will send you copies of the sheets you need (have the names handy) if you send advance payment for the cost of the maps and shipping.

It’s also possible to get IGN topographical maps through Omni Resources (1004 S. Mebane St., P.O. Box 2096, Burlington, NC 27216, tel. 336/227-8300 or 800/742-2677, www.omnimap.com/catalog/int/honduras.htm [2]) in the United States for US$10–15 per sheet. Its stock of 1:50,000 topos is about as good as at the IGN—about half of the series is available.