Poorest country in Central America

That's a tough one to answer. I know that Honduras and Nicaragua run hand in hand for being the poorest country in Central America. It is mentioned that these two countries are the poorest after HAITI in this hemisphere. Here is my view.
I have been to both countries. It is hard to really give a point of view as to which of the two countries is the poorest. The part of Honduras I was in was on the Caribean coast. There, I noticed alot of people living in dirt homes and thatched roofs. Sleeping more or less in the dirt. The black Garifanos along the coast were basically unemployed, and fishing daily for their catch as a means of survival. DIRT POOR. That is the only part of Honduras I was in. The part of Nicaragua I went to was GRANADA, which has more tourism than probably most of Nicaragua. I don't know how desparate the people in the Mosquito coast of Nicaragua, and eastern part are. Between the two countries, I would have to say that the HONDURAN COAST on the Caribean side was the poorest I have seen anywhere besides the Philippines in Asia. Something else to ponder about is that though we categorize poorness to our standards, the people I saw on the Caribean coast of Honduras, and the people of Nicaragua, seem to be quite "allegre". Or "HAPPY". There is no winter to speak of, food is readily available on the trees, and seas, things are cheap and they work hard for a living. They stay in good shape, they don't deal with the rat race and careers as we know it. In Central America, the word "POOR" to me is very weak and very vague. Getting back to the states for me can be depressing after trips I take to Central America. All the homes, streets, signs look alike here in America. In Central America, they have more individuality in their architecture. Looking at a dug out canoe resting upon a palm tree on Honduras Caribean coast is a treat we in America don't see much of. Beauty can be found in old and decrepid villages and towns. Always something different. Poor but happy is the norm in Central America. http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

As they say, "Jodido pero contento." http://www.nonrev.net/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Hi 29Palms,

Thanks for posting. The Honduras Caribbean coast sounds interesting. I've wanted to take my kids (8&12) somewhere they could see what it is like to live with less but someplace that I felt was reasonably safe. Would this be a good place? We like beach. Any good snorkeling? Any advice on how to get there and where to stay?

I don't know if this would be a good snorkel place. The coast in Trujillo is in a bay, kind of murky waters, probably alot of runoff from the mountains. If you gonna take kids, stick with Cozumel. Honduras is more for party and roughing it from what I saw of it. Great for single guys like I was back then. Gotta know the lingo better down there and it pays to speak Spanish. Definately not touristy except for Easter break when the TEGUCICALPA people flood the coast.