Honduras is a great place to take the sun, sand and sea in on a budget. Among the best places to do so is the coastal city of Tela, which lies on the northern Caribbean coast of the Central American country simply because sun, sand and sea are its best features!
Tela History
Tela was founded by Cristobal de Olid, a Spanish conquistador who also played an important part in the conquest of Mexico, on May 1524. It was named Triunfo de la Cruz in honor of the Holy Cross on which the day fell on the Catholic religious calendar. By 1829, it was known by its modern name of Tela.
Various peoples inhabited Tela in the intervening years. In the 1900s, it has become an important port serving the Tela Railroad Company and, then later, the United Fruit Company. Banana plantations formed the backbone of the economy, which was serviced by the extensive railroad network. Since 1976, when the Tela Railroad Company moved its headquarters to la Lima City, Tela has focused its development efforts on tourism, agriculture and cattle ranching. And of course, tourism focused on its sun-kissed beaches!
Tela Geography
With a tropical climate, Tela enjoys warm sunshine virtually the whole year-round. As such, its miles of Caribbean coastline with turquoise waters and powdery beaches are increasingly gaining a good reputation from sun-lovers 
although other natural attractions are within easy reach of the city.
There are 3 national parks bordering Tela – to the west lies the Jeanette Kawas National Park, to the east is the Punto Izopo National Wildlife Refuge and to the south lies the Lancetilla Botanical Garden. For nature lovers and adventures seekers alike, Tela will never be a dull town! But of course, the Garifuna villages dotting the city perimeters are not to be missed. With their colorful culture, these villages provide visitors with a glimpse into the vibrant melding of Carib, Arawak and African cultures that has been recognized by the UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Tela Culture
It must be emphasized that Tela is a mostly Catholic city and, as such, honors the various Catholic traditions like Holy Week and the fiesta of Señor San Antonio. Of course, other Christian denominations are also represented with their own traditions. Regardless of religion, however, visitors are well-advised to respect said traditions if only to get along well with one’s hosts.
On the whole, the people of Tela are exposed to Western culture from its music to its dress code. As such, visitors can roam freely in the beaches and the downtown areas without fear of any kind of religious police. Visitors might, however, come across the Tourist Police although said meeting will generally be a pleasant one as its members are part of the city’s tourism infrastructure.
The city of Tela is increasingly gaining worldwide attention for its places, peoples and parties. Now is the time to check out the scene and fall in love with everything that Tela has to offer its visitors!
