"Gracias, Lempira" Gracias by calcaf38

Gracias Travel Guide: 22 reviews and 116 photos

Gracias, in the Department of Lempira, is a small town of 15,000 with a rich past. It was founded back in 1539, and allegedly owes its name to the exclamation: "Thank God we have arrived at flat land (Gracias a Dios hemos llegado a tierra plana)."

Tourists - few of them - come to Gracias as the gateway to the Ruta Lenca, and to the Celaque Mountain National Park. The town itself is very attractive and deserves at least one day of your time. However, be aware that the town is not geared toward tourism. It is an agricultural center. You will find animal feed, tools and fertilizer, but no postcards, no cappuccino... This is not a judgement call. I'm telling it to you like it is.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Architecture, history and nature
Cons:Limited food choices
In a nutshell:A genuine experience

Last visit to Gracias: Jun 2009
Intro Updated Aug 2, 2009
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Reviews (9)

Iglesia de Santa Lucia Things to Do (7)

On the unpaved road towards Celaque, you will find this church, amid considerable litter. This is the only church I saw... more travel advice

La Merced Things to Do (7)

Much more ancient (early 1600s) is the church of La Merced. It is chunky but haunting, with much touching detail inside... more travel advice

Iglesia San Marcos Things to Do (7)

The San Marcos church is the largest in Gracias. It was built it the late 1800s, and what makes it distinctive is a... more travel advice

El Castillo de San Cristóbal Things to Do (7)

This 19th Century fort located on a hillock just behind the Hotel Guancascos never saw any action. However, reaching it... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Bus to gracias

Hotels (1)
Great accommodation and info resource

Comments (6)

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toonsarah Aug 20, 2011 at 6:11 AM

Looks a great spot! I love the atmospheric La Merced church especially. We saw many in Guatemala with curtains such as in San Marcos - again, very atmospheric. But while the park sounds wonderful I have a feeling the hike might be too much for me :-( BTW I'm sure that's my Guatemalan hat on your hotel bed ;-))
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MalenaN Dec 26, 2009 at 3:35 AM

Gracias looks lovely and your hike in the national park sound great! Lucky for you that it was the season for orchids!
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miguel88 Nov 27, 2009 at 6:53 PM

There is a direct bus from Gracias to San Pedro Sula. It leaves Gracias between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. It did not go into Santa Rosa and stopped on the roadside for a few passengers in La Entrada, no wait at the terminal. Slightly over a 3 hour trip.
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angiebabe Sep 7, 2009 at 7:56 AM

I could see myself visiting this town and country and staying in your hotel recommendation!
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Bwana_Brown Aug 31, 2009 at 11:27 AM

Gracias looks like a perfect little place Oliver! I loved beautiful Parque Nacional Montaña Celaque and the fort was nice looking too. Excellent accoms tip! Sue & I also did some wading, visitng a Mayan cave from San Ignacio, Belize!
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Nemorino Aug 22, 2009 at 3:29 PM

A fine new page from your recent Honduras visit! I'm glad to learn that there is at least one town in the world with "animal feed, tools and fertilizer, but no postcards, no cappuccino..."