One of the pirates in the Gulf of Fonseca

The Gulf of Fonseca is a large sea inlet of the Pacific Ocean that irrigates land of three countries: Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Its main attraction is the paradisiacal view that allows visitors to appreciate the numerous islands existing in this area of the east, among them an imposing volcanic archipelago and the islands Meanguera, Meanguerita, Conchaguita, Punta Zacate or Zacatillo, Martín Pérez, Zacate Grande, El Tigre, Exposición, Rocas Desnudas, and Los Farallones, among others.

Besides their beaches, these islands also offer a journey through history to visitors. For example, on Conchagüita island, one can see the door of the church of Santa Ana de Teca, built in the 16th century by the friars of the order of San Francisco. In many of these places, there are also numerous pirate stories.

Discovered in 1522 by major pilot Andrés Niño of the expedition of Spanish conqueror Gil González Dávila, Meanguera del Golfo keeps part of the secrets of the corsair, slave trader, and English Vice-Admiral Francis Drake. According to local legend, this explorer, who led numerous expeditions of the English Royal Navy, buried part of his many treasures on Meanguera island. It is said that another part of them is still hidden in Punta Chiquirín, today known as the Agua Escondida canton, 8 kilometers from the city of La Unión.

Although this legend about his hidden treasure has not been confirmed to this date, different historians seem to agree that the English corsair was in the islands of the Gulf of Fonseca during some period of his life. Who knows, maybe it will be you who finds his treasures!