Tela, Honduras

Sitting midway around the Bahía de Tela, surrounded by sweeping beaches, TELA has a near-perfect setting. In the past, the town has suffered from a reputation for unpredictability and violence, but a pilot force of bilingual tourist police (now being imitated throughout the country) is substantially cleaning up the town's image, although things can still get rowdy at weekends. Whether you choose to partake in the nightlife or not, the wealth of fantastic natural reserves – including Punta Sal – within minutes of the town makes Tela well worth a visit. Be aware that Tela is one of the main destinations for Hondurans during Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) and booking several weeks, if not months, ahead is advisable for that period.