Hotel Guancascos

Overview

Description

Hotel Guancascos is at the foot of the Celaque mountain range – home to the country's highest mountain – in the city of Gracias, Lempira, a small historic colonial town in western Honduras. Guancascos opened its doors in 1993 and since then, it has shaped the hillside below Castillo San Cristóbal into an authentic, rustic hotel and restaurant. We have always been fascinated by the history, culture, and mountainous areas of the city, and we are excited about sharing this passion with our visitors.

Our restaurant offers a relaxing atmosphere and marvelous views of Gracias. We are famous for our brownies, chicken rolls, fruit drinks, and homemade bread.

We also have a tourist information office. Guancascos is a meeting point for tourists, offering a place where they can organize tours and adventures during their stay in Gracias. We help responsible tourists connect with the local rural community, explore Montaña Celaque National Park, watch birds, ride horses, visit La Campa and learn about coffee-growing, the Lenca pottery workshop, or the different women’s cooperatives.

Rooms

17 rooms comfortably arranged in the middle of an exuberant garden alongside a castillo or old fort. The colonial architecture and clay tile roofs blend harmoniously with the surroundings while keeping the rooms cool and fresh. All rooms have a terrace with a view of the garden or the town.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 9

Percentage of local employees: 90%

We:

• Operate in an environmentally responsible way with the goal of minimizing pollution.
• Use refillable glass bottles instead of plastic bottles and containers.
• Use biodegradable detergents and disinfectants.
• Use grease traps.
• Sort and recycle trash.
• Produce organic fertilizer.
• Manage a conservation project at Montaña Celaque.
• Include the community, work with local guides, and pay fair prices for products and services.
• Respect labor rights for our staff, support their children's education, and run a home improvement plan.
• Support the bilingual ALCS Villa Verde school. Through Fundacion Miramundo, we raise funds for scholarships and construction projects. We are now creating a Tourism Training Center where students can earn a bachelor’s degree in tourism as well as a high school degree.
• We are founding members of TANUNO, the bird-watchers club of Gracias. Our objectives include training guides and identifying the birds of the area.
• Hotel Guancascos also supports small businesses including: Café Celaque (highland coffee processed by a women’s group in the Celaque mountains), the La Campa pottery shops, and the production of organic paper by a women’s group in Tontolo, La Campa.

Rates

$26 – $50

Rates do not include breakfast.

Getting There

Nearest international airport: San Pedro Sula (SAP)

Travel time to nearest airport: 3 1/2 hours

Gracias can easily be reached year-round on paved highways with public transport.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

Received the "Pioneers in Green Action and Sustainable Tourism" award on November 13, 2010 from Abbott Consulting & Training.

Date This Information Was Provided

February 2012.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Guancascos, Honduras, for SustainableTrip.org.