Official Name: Guanaja Capital: Coxen Hole Flag: Population: Language: Spanish (official), English Currency: Lempira (HNL) Government Website: Chamber of Commerce: www.amchamhonduras.org Emergency Info:

About Guanaja Island

Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, and is in the Caribbean. It is located approx. 70 km off the north coast of Honduras, and 12 km from the island of Roatan. One of the cays off Guanaja, also called Guanaja or Bonnaca (or just simply, The Cay), is near the main island, and contains most of the approximately 10,000 people who live in Guanaja. The densely populated cay has been described as the Venice of Honduras because of the waterways that run through it. The other two main settlements on Guanaja are Mangrove Bight and Savannah Bight.

Guanaja relies on fishing, and on the income it receives from tourism. It is often visited by divers and has warm, clear waters that support an extensive coral reef, part of the second largest coral reef in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef off the coasts of Australia. Currently, there is still access to fresh water on Guanaja, and several waterfalls can be seen.

Guanaja was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502. He landed on Soldadao Beach on the north side of the island. In later years Cayman Islanders settled in the Bay Islands, which explains the diffusion of Spanish and English language.

Guanaja Island Map