Having returned from filming the tourist region of the Honduran Coast and the inland city of San Pedro Sula, I’m left with several optimistic impressions. In my conversations to friends and family that inquire about my work, if I reference Honduras, those who are fortunate and are well-versed in travel destinations immediately think of Roatan, an island off the coast in the Western Caribbean.
Roatan has been featured in several travel television series; it is a large enough island to accommodate cruise ships and offers much in the way of creating a slice of paradise in the Caribbean. Yet, on this visit, I chose to not visit Roatan. To me, I felt like there was much more that awaits the viewer and Honduras has much more to offer. Suffice to say, my choice was well received.
There are several regions in Honduras that are poised to capitalize on the cultural and tourist experiences. What I notice most is this is a country where attention to detail is prized. From the restaurants, hotels and tourist endeavors, it is the little things that makes one remember their experience. The crown jewels of Honduras really are its coastal communities; a little-known fact is that the boundary of Honduras straddles both the Atlantic (Caribbean) and the Pacific (Gulf of Fonseca). The only area of concern for me would be driving. Roads and highways are a challenge at times, especially in the rainy season when they’re prone to washouts, or worse, evening traffic commutes home.
Fortunately, while at the airport, I opted to upgrade my car rental experience. From past experiences in the mountainous terrain of Central America, I found it necessary to steer away from the budget-category car rental; I would also strongly recommend that future visitors to Honduras and other Central American countries secure an all-wheel-drive and for peace of mind. Go the extra step, add car damage insurance while receiving your vehicle (unless your own home-based car insurance covers it). This is additionally, a way to protect your wallet and promote business with your dollars. You protect your rental, not so much from theft, but rather from the potential to wreck the car suspension system while driving over highway traffic bumps at less than ideal speeds in dark, rainy conditions.
Cayos Cochinos National Marine Monument, Honduras
The coastal communities are spread out into four distinct regions of Eastern and Northern Honduras. Due to the rugged topography, it’s not possible to do a gentle, coastal drive. Consistently, one must navigate a significant mountain range to get to the coast, enjoy the region and then retrace steps to go around the mountain range to get to a different area. The Honduran (department) state of Omoa is one such example. Clustered with a large selection of seafood restaurants along the coast, many places were open, thriving; all that was missing were tourists. Upon a closer inspection, I’m told that aside from school vacations, Holy Week and the Christmas season, this is how it normally is. The film crew and I enjoyed the rare moment of quiet, reflection and a very healthy, early evening meal.
Further East of Omoa, lies the regional town of La Ceiba. Often referred to as the launching point for the Bay Islands, off the coast of Honduras. I kept consistently referencing it after the New Zealand Bay OF Islands archipelago. Semantics aside, I eventually correctly pronounced “Bay Islands,” but not until I was done with filming. One of many “shake my head” moments.
The Utila Dream Catamaran Ferry offers fast service several times a day. Departing from La Ceiba, the ferry travels to Roatan after a stop in Utila. Both Roatan and Utila islands offer plenty of experiences for visitors, whether one stays for a week or makes their home on these two breathtaking islands. While on Utila, be aware of the small tuk-tuk three-seater covered motorcycles. The roads are designed with pedestrians and golf carts in mind, so although the ‘streets’ are small, the potential for accidents aren’t.
When requesting a tuk-tuk from the ferry terminal, be aware that some drivers may inadvertently or, on purpose (and my explicit experience), attempt to scam more tourist dollars than what is necessary. I was approached with several requests to transport me and my cameraman to our hotel less than two miles away. Several quoted me over forty dollars; I decided to walk to the main intersection of the village (75 yards away) and hail a tuk-tuk. At that point, it dropped to about thirty dollars. Still outrageous of a price in my estimation.
Upon reflection, the key to the missed communication lies in individuals quoting me “40” but instead of saying 40 “lempira” (Lempira is the name of the Honduran currency) different drivers quoted me 40 “dollars.” With the exchange rate around 25 Lempira to the dollars (December 2022), that runs the risk of not only a big misunderstanding but can also sour the entire island experience. I’d like to chalk this language gap to challenges with the English language and not so much as an attempt to scam me, but I knew better. Word travels fast on the island; I was not only eventually refunded 100% of my funds, but offered an apology from both the tuk-tuk driver and even the hotel itself. Dollars are scarce on the island; those that tailor to tourists on the island live on such meager funds; the temptation to go beyond bartering is evident.
To remedy this, no matter where you arrive on Utila, when reserving a hotel on the island, follow up with a prearranged tuk-tuk request, complete with a designated driver who will stand nearest their tuk-tuk with a placard identifying your name/hotel. While on the island, have sufficient cash on hand for restaurants, purchases, etc., I always prefer the local currency, the Lempira. However, the U.S. dollar is accepted at many places. Debit/credit cards are not entirely common; in some cases, because of the transaction fees and business owners would rather do business old-school style. I hope my experience was isolated, nonetheless it does bode well to listen to your gut-instinct and respond accordingly.
La Ceiba can be reached by car, by the fast catamaran ferry Utila Dream and serviced with multiple flights daily at its regional airport that connects it to Roatan, San Pedro Sula (Second largest city in Honduras) and other regional cities. La Ceiba is bursting at its seams with regards to traffic, congestion and people increasingly migrating to this once, idyllic sleepy little town. Having arrived via a rental car after traveling through the night from San Pedro Sula, it was a surreal moment to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean, the low-lying humid mist enveloped the fields growing pineapples, corn and sugarcane. Here, a bevy of activity hugged the singular highway leading into the town; workers boarding repurposed American school busses, commuters stopping to grab a coffee and gas up their vehicles, and other related morning sunrise activities.
The citizens take great pride to put forth the best image of La Ceiba. Complete with an impressive boardwalk that hugs the shores, there is ample room to take a leisurely stroll near various hotels that cater to the local tourists who come for a weekend getaway. Several new restaurants surround the piers, the Francisco Morazan Central Park and of course, a new Shopping mall. High in the cloud cover forests less than a half-hour drive from La Ceiba one can find many eco-adventure parks, resorts complete with ziplining, whitewater rafting and superb, charming accommodations that offer a respite from the busy world. As is the case with El Salvador and Guatemala, I’m left with the impression that Honduras is a country that has incredible opportunities for economic growth, but marketing itself to get the attention of Multi-national manufacturing corporations take great prodding. Year over year campaigning to gain the attention this country is so worthy of requires a consistent beat of the drum and there is evidence that corporations are beginning to recognize the potential for nearsourcing. Making new investments that yield results is an exceptional laborious process but once accomplished, those permits and contracts are usually honored with sustainable loyalty for years.
If I could, I’d create a marketing slogan; Honduras for wellness. Honduras for health. Come along and join me. A great vacation can be had, won’t break your budget and best of all will leave you wanting to return.