Parque Nacional Cusuco

Parque Nacional Cusuco Review

This swath of premontane (higher elevation) subtropical forest was declared a protected area in 1959, when an ecologist reported that the pine trees here were the tallest in Central America. It's located in the Cordillera del Merendón, a mountain range that runs through Honduras and Guatemala. The park's highest peak is Cerro Jilinco, which towers to 7,355 feet.

Although the park is named for the cusuco, or armadillo, you're unlikely to see this shy creature. You're more apt to spot troops of howler monkeys or white-faced monkeys. The park is a birder's paradise, with close to 300 different species, including toucans, parrots, and elusive resplendent quetzals. You can pick up a map of the four trails at the visitor center, but hiring a guide is a good idea because you'll see wildlife you might have missed.