Advice for Women

Honduran society prides itself on being macho. As such, women can sometimes be the target of whistles and catcalls in the streets of Tela although oftentimes made in good-natured appreciation. However, it is a wise idea to ignore them and just go on walking since paying them attention only worsens the situation. You must also dress appropriately in public. Although modest bikinis are allowed on the beaches of Tela, dress according to the occasion elsewhere lest you call negative attention to yourself.

Most important, avoid direct eye contact when conversing with the males in Tela. It is not a question of respect but of avoiding unnecessary aggravations brought by miscommunication. In Tela, as in anywhere in Honduras, direct eye contact with a male may be construed as a sexual invitation by the female! And no matter what you do, don’t walk the streets and beaches of Tela alone at night! This is common sense even in a small resort town like Tela and one that will serve you even in the larger cities of Tegucigalpa.

Cash Sense

No matter how well-off you are, don’t flash your cash around. Instead, only carry what you need for the day and leave the rest in your securely-locked hotel room. When on the beach, always ensure that somebody is watching your things since passing thieves can make a victim out of you. In the same way, don’t flash flashy jewelry around! You are on vacation, not on the runway, anyway. Of course, the Tourist Police is doing a good job of making Tela safe for tourists but it always pays to be vigilant even when you are enjoying your vacation.

Besides, Tela is a small town so oftentimes there is no need to carry money for transportation and other incidental expenses. Use your feet or ride a bike to go around, both of which require little to no money. As to people on the streets asking for dole-outs, Tela does not have this problem as worse as in larger cities since most Hondurans are too proud to beg. However, if you do encounter such a situation, just say “no gracias” and move on. The poverty in Honduras is painful to witness for most Westerners but you will be doing more good if you just contribute money to organizations with worthwhile causes in Honduras.

Also, try to avoid eating in ramshackle sidewalk eateries as you never know the bacteria that may thrive in these places. Instead, opt for hotels and reputable restaurants when and where possible. And it pays to drink bottled water, too! Although Tela is well-serviced by medical practitioners, you cannot afford to get sick on your vacation even when you have travel insurance.

You must use your good judgment and common sense to protect yourself no matter where you are in the world. Tela is no exception to the rule, as paradise-like as its beaches may seem.

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Located on the western end of the Bay of Tela, the Jeanette Kawas National Park is named after a Honduran ecology activist who lost her life while protecting this National Park, previously known as Punta Sal National Park. Based on its size and biodiversity, the park is one of the most important national parks in Honduras. The small bays within the park served as havens to the pirates and buccaneers of yesteryear.  The peninsula forms a natural barrier that protects the bay and port of Tela from the “nortes” that blow during the winter months. The park has two separate, well defined areas: the peninsula and the lagoon.

The peninsula is only accessible by sea, and there is a symbolic fee of  5 USA dollars  that is collected upon your arrival to the park. The fee is handled by the pro-ecology group PROLANSATE, a non profit private organization dedicated to the preservation and development of the park. There are several tour operators within Tela that offer tours  by motor launch. The trip itself takes about one hour  before arriving at the park. A vast natural beauty awaits the traveler: white sand beaches, an exotic and very exuberant jungle and a very attractive coral reef are the main attractions. During the tour, it is quite possible to encounter different animals, such as dolphins, monkeys and of course a large variety of tropical birds, giving an added spice to your tour.

The Lagoon, known as the Micos Lagoon, is the area with the highest population of birds in the park. During the “summer”  (In Central America, the dry season is referred to as the summer, being in fact the  months of December through May) you will find up to 350 different species of birds living within the lagoon! The lagoon is surrounded by mangroves, forming canals and cayes where other types of tropical plants and trees coexist.  To the east, the lagoon is separated from the sea by a narrow tongue of sand, forming an extensive and very beautiful beach.

The Garifuna village of  Miami is built precisely on this sand bar, and offers a true cultural patrimony of the Bay of Tela, allowing visitors to experience life the way these villagers have lived for over two hundred years, since they established themselves on the North Coast of Honduras.  The village, built entirely of thatched huts, makes the tour to Punta Sal both a natural as well as a cultural experience. There are several different operators and individuals who can take you to Punta Sal National Park,  we wholeheartedly recommend Garifuna Tours, whose offices are located almost in front of the central park in Tela. They have been the pioneers in tours to Punta Sal and continue to be the leaders. Other very good professional operators are Honduras Caribbean Tours and Caribbean Expeditions.

Punta Izopo National Park.

Located on the eastern end of the bay of Tela, only 12 km from town, this unique area takes its name from the small mountain that dominates the area and comes out into the Caribbean: Izopo Mountain. The exuberant vegetation of the area. which is irrigated by the Platano and Hicaque rivers, is home to large variety of wildlife, including tropical birds such as parrots and toucans, monkeys, alligators and turtles. The canals, formed within the mangrove forests are accessible to sea kayaks, which permit you to silently enter the area without disturbing the natural beauty, and come close to the birds and other wildlife. This tour also includes the opportunity of visiting the Garifuna town of Triunfo de la Cruz, where the Spanish Conquistador, Cristobal de Olid first disembarked  on his quest to conquer Honduras, following orders of Hernan Cortes. Garifuna Tours has daily regular departures to Punta Izopo. A new exciting alternative is to take the night tour and get a chance to see the crocodiles that inhabit the canals and mangroves. Departures are at 3:30 p.m. from Garifuna Tours main office just off Central Park and return is scheduled around 9:00 p.m. Normally wildlife in mangroves can me seen mostly at sunrise or sunset, so this new schedule allows you to see more species of birds and the excitement of sighting crocodiles!

Lancetilla Botanical Garden

Located only a few kilometers from Tela, the Lancetilla Botanical Garden is the second largest tropical botanical garden in the world. It was established in 1926 as an experimental site by the Tela Railroad Company. The park boasts a very large variety of plants from the Central American region as well as from other tropical lands from throughout our planet. A large number of tropical birds have made the garden their home, due to the many fruit trees that abound here. There is a well marked trail that you can follow. In addition, if you follow the road that leads into a fascinating bamboo forest, you will arrive at a very pleasant swimming hole in the Lancetilla river, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim after your hike throughout the park. The entrance fee to the park is Lps. 50.00 and includes a guided tour. For Hondurans, there is a substantial discount. The best way to get to the park is by bicycle, which you can rent in Tela. If you have a car, you can easily reach the park.

Garifuna Villages

All along the Bay of Tela there are several different Garifuna communities, and perhaps some of the most interesting ones in all the country are right here. From west to east, you will find the Rio Tinto, Miami, Tornabe, San Juan, La Ensenada and finally Triunfo de la Cruz. Amongst these, without doubt, the most interesting and unique is Miami, the only one that to this day is still completely built of thatched huts. You can eat typical foods at all the villages, and learn some of their traditions. Outstanding, and definitely fun, are the “punta” and “yancunu” dances, that have origins in their African roots. With the exception of Rio Tinto and Miami, all of the villages are easily reached, with  good public transportation readily available. You can also rent a bicycle and have the added advantage of free time to discover all the interesting facets of these  villages and their people at your own pace. In some of the Garifuna villages there are hotels where you can stay and experience the lifestyle of the Garifuna. An example of these are the Caribbean Coral Inn at Truinfo de la Cruz, built with local architecture in mind and with a primitive atmosphere with outstanding service; the Budari at La Ensenada and the Paradise at San Juan.

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An old Tela home that has been refurbished and turned into an International bar and restaurant. Delicious, generous portions in a pleasant atmosphere with good international music. A favorite for both locals and tourists. Open daily from eleven till midnight, later on weekends. Best stocked bar in town! English, German and Spanish spoken.

Shadow

Casa AzulA new, European style bar located in a nice old Banana era wooden home. Pleasant international music, a well stocked bar and a restaurant that is open till 10 p.m. make of this spot a favorite for travelers. English, French, Flemish and Spanish spoken. Open daily except Mondays.

La Libelula

Located at the Bay Side hotel on the Pedestrian Street in front of the beach in downtown Tela. Pleasant atmosphere with good music. Owners always very receptive to musical requests from their patrons. One of the best stocked bars in town and good service. Nice air-conditioned main room as well as street side tables. Open daily.

Guarumas Disco Bar

Restaurant, bar and dancing parties. Light foods and draft beer. Located on the Villas Telamar Hotel. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. possibly the most exclusive spot in Tela.

Disco Bar La Iguana

One of the few discos operating regularly in Tela, La Iguana is open Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 p.m. till late. Thursday night is oldies with music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Good security at front door. Located on the main street leading into the beach, a block away from the new bridge.

Lagunas Discoteque

A nice new disco located on the outskirts of town, on the main road leading towards El Progreso. Open on weekends. Good security and privacy.

Arrecifes

A nice restaurant bar that stays open till late from Tuesday to Sunday, actually very late on Fridays and Saturdays. Nice menu served till late, since kitchen remains open until the bar closes. Nice atmosphere with cool breeze from the beach, as the establishment is located right on the pedestrian street next to the beach.

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Eat

In Tela, tourists and locals alike have access to good restaurants that serve good Honduran food as well as a few international cuisines especially in the hotels. And speaking of Honduran food, you have to be prepared for an exciting fusion of indigenous cuisines with very liberal doses of African and Spanish influences. Also, you have to prepare your palate and stomach for coconut-infused foods in both savory and sweet dishes as Hondurans love their coconut. And since Tela is a seaside town, you can expect lots of seafood on the menu, from soups to salads to main dishes!

Drink

In Tela, the bars are many although you are well-advised to limit your drinks as you want to be able to go back to your hotel on sound mind and legs. After all, you want to enjoy every minute of your vacation instead of being passed out most of the time!

The most popular drink in the bars of Tela id the “Salva Vida” that, ironically, means life saver. You can buy it at a very cheap price although you must, again, drink in moderation. For a more refreshing drink in the daytime, there is always the chilled coconut to take the edge off of the hot weather. It’s available in most restaurants so you don’t have a problem in this respect.

Sleep

Tela offers many options in accommodations from budget hostels to decent hotels. Just choose according to your budget and preferences although you can be sure that most will offer courteous service. The people of Tela have had practice in hospitality, after all! Depending on the hotel, amenities like pool and spa, dining area and bar, tennis courts and golf areas, water sports and beach activities are offered to guests. Of course, sleeping accommodations vary from one hotel to the next although air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms are standard for most high-end hotels in Tela.

Be Merry

There are disco pubs in Tela that offer live music and karaoke entertainment into the night. Latin songs, both the upbeat and the slow, are played although favorites seem to be the punta, meringue and cumbia, to name a few. You can expect Spanish singers to be very popular in these joints but since music is universal, there ought to be no problem dancing to the beat even when the same shuffle is used for all beats! Again, there are also bars and pubs in the hotels. At the very least, you don’t have to worry about going back, or more appropriately, stumbling back, a long way to your room on one too many beers!

Tela may be a small resort town but it does not lack for places to feast on Honduran cuisine, drink on fine wine and liquor, sleep in comfort and have fun in the night!

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