| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Tegucigalpa |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Presidential Republic |
| currency | Lempira (HNL) |
| surface | 112,000 km² |
| population | 8.598 million |
| languages | Spanish |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority |
| power grid | 110 V / 60 Hz |
| Phone code | 504 |
| Internet TLD | .hn |
| Time zone | CET-7h |
Honduras is the second largest country in Central America, it is adjacent to the northwest Guatemala, in the west El Salvador and in the southeast Nicaragua. Honduras has a long coastline on the Caribbean side and a small access to the Pacific (Gulf of Fonseca).
Regions
Honduras is divided into 18 administrative districts (Departamentos). In detail these are:
Cities
- Comayagua
- La Ceiba
- San Pedro Sula
- Tegucigalpa - Capital and with around 1 million inhabitants also the largest city in the country.
Other goals
- Copan - One of the most impressive ruins from the Mayan period, especially known for the well-preserved sculptures.
- Islas de la Bahía - Útila, Roatan and Guanaja. Three islands on the Caribbean side, whose visits for snorkeling and / or diving are an absolute must.
- Omoa
- Tela - a popular Caribbean seaside resort. A viewing platform offers an unforgettable view of Tela Bay.
- Trujillo - This is where Columbus landed on the American mainland for the first time.
- Yojoa - The largest lake in Honduras, which is unfortunately heavily polluted today.
background
getting there
By plane
San Pedro Sula (SAP) and Tegucigalpa (TGU) have international airports. Air France, Iberia, American and Continental offer reasonably cheap flights from Europe via the USA. Most flights are from Miami and Houston, e.g. with the airline TACA. Another important airport in the country is La Ceiba with connections to virtually all Caribbean islands (Roatan, Utila, Guanaja) and San Pedro and Tegucigalpa.
By train
Passenger rail traffic in Honduras has now been completely discontinued. Even the Puerto Cortes – Tela line, which was operated until recently, has now been closed.
By bus
The Ticabus offers direct connections between the Central American countries. In addition, there are now several daily bus connections to the capital, but most of them only run once a day. In addition to Pullmantur, Platinum Centroamerica (together with Cristobal Colon) and Trans Nica should be mentioned.
When crossing the border, patience is required. The queue can go through the hall twice and hardly moves. The locals take it with humor to have fingerprints and photos taken again. Entry for non-residents of the Triángulo Norte de Centroamerica $ 3 charged.
In the street
The roads are in poor condition and renting a car (if possible an off-road vehicle) is only recommended for experienced drivers.
There are a lot of roadside checks in Honduras and it is not uncommon to be stopped 2 to 3 times a day. This is only intended for safety and is usually done quickly.
Often times the police are trying to sell something. This should be politely but firmly refused.
By boat
In the "hostels", diving schools etc. on the Islas de la Bahía there are regular offers to sail to other Caribbean regions. To do this, look around for notices or ask the locals.
mobility
- Chicken bus - The locals drive with them. They are called that because animals often come along, not just chickens, but also pigs, etc. (for timetables see arrival).
The Hedman y Alas bus line enables comfortable travel between the capital Tegucigalpa and the tourist destinations in the north. Information on timetables is available at horariodebuses.com.
- Colectivo - Shared taxis, which drive fixed routes in all cities and larger towns and are a safer alternative to individual taxis, as they usually only travel with four or more passengers, which means that there are always passengers in the vehicle
language
Spanish is the official language. In addition, English (on the Caribbean islands), Indian languages and Garífuna (language of the ethnic group of the same name, predominantly of West African origin) are spoken.
to buy
kitchen
The use of beans, corn and plantains is typical of Honduran cuisine. A simple meal, for example, is tortilla con frijoles, small corn cakes that are coated with bean puree. The more luxurious version of it is sprinkled with grated cheese and garnished with avocado slices.
Corn become too Tamales made: corn dough made with lard with a filling of pieces of meat, olives, raisins and peas, which are then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked.
Plantains that are still green are thinly sliced and deep-fried as a popular snack like potato chips (with salt and lemon juice). These "tajadas" are offered in sachets at bus stops, traffic lights and other highly frequented places. Plantains are also cooked ripe and used as a soup. "Tapado" in particular, a soup made from beef and a variety of vegetables, is a Honduran Sunday dish.
nightlife
Zona VIVA, San Pedro Sula: Taxis from anywhere in the center of San Pedro Sula cost around 50 Lempiras, the equivalent of 2 €. However, at night a taxi back can cost up to 100 lempiras. Watch out! Women who approach you in clubs are mostly prostitutes, as men are usually still expected to take the first step in Honduras.
Boulevard Morazan, Tegucigalpa: Street with many restaurants and bars; Center of night life in Tegucigalpa
accommodation
Hotels are mostly of low to medium standards or absolutely top class. This has to do with the fact that most hotels target the locals and therefore have to be cheap. The few hotels that address foreigners directly are mostly chains like Hilton or Intercontinental. So there are almost no hotels in the middle category (3 and 4 stars). Rooms are usually plentiful. It is essential to book in advance only at Easter and Christmas. It is also advisable to book in advance in Tegucigalpa, as there are only a few hotels in good and safe districts that do not cost too much. There is also a hostel culture in the country. These accommodations are available for under $ 10 a night in a dormitory.
Learn
There are three recommended ones in Honduras Places with Spanish language schoolswhere you can learn Spanish in one-to-one lessons: Copan, La Ceiba and Trujillo.
Copan offers one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Central America in addition to language lessons (Copan Ruinas).La Ceiba is a lively, if somewhat dingy town on the Caribbean coast and the gateway to the Islas de la Bahia (Roatan, Utila), which are considered a paradise for divers and have beautiful beaches and coral reefs to offer. There are also small Spanish schools on the islands, although the majority of the islands are English-speaking. Trujillo is a somewhat sleepy provincial town in a very charming bay with a beautiful sandy beach and nature reserve as well as a very hospitable population. Both in La Ceiba and in Trujillo there are many Garífunas or Black Carribeans, i.e. descendants of freed slaves of African origin.
The courses cost between 100 and 150 USD per week with four hours of one-to-one tuition per week, 160 to 200 USD with room and board in a family.
The costs are thus somewhat higher than the prices of schools in Guatemala. Spanish in Honduras is a little harder to understand (more indistinct) than in Guatemala or Mexico, but teachers usually make an effort to speak clearly. One advantage over Guatemala is the slightly better security situation in Honduras and (especially in Trujillo) that there are significantly fewer tourists and language students, which makes it easier to immerse yourself in the Spanish-speaking environment.
The closest international airport for all three locations is San Pedro Sula (SAP). Arrival with Air France, Iberia and Continental via the USA.
Spanish schools
Work
public holidays
security
Unfortunately, Honduras wrongly enjoys a very bad reputation for security in the country. Contrary to the official travel recommendations, which are always based on the "worst case", Honduras is now a relatively safe travel destination. Hotels, shopping centers, banks, nightlife areas and city centers in general are very well guarded by the “Policia Nacional” and therefore absolutely safe. Of course, pickpockets do happen occasionally, as in every country in the world. Especially in discos with many people, you should be careful with your valuables (e.g. money in your front trouser pocket).
However, one should not travel carelessly through the country. As in any larger city, it is important to avoid unsafe districts (especially in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba), especially when it is dark. In Tegucigalpa, almost all bus stations are in the relatively unsafe district of Comayaguela. Here it is important not to be more than 15 minutes earlier at the bus station for the early departures (the first buses leave at 5.30 a.m.), because it only opens then.
Contrary to general fears, the criminal youth gangs (Maras) only in certain, mostly very poor districts of Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and LaCeiba (see travel guide, e.g. "Reise KnowHow"). If you should be attacked, you should definitely not resist and give the wrongdoer what he wants. The willingness to use violence of the very small, criminal minority is high, because they belong to the part of the population that actually has nothing to lose.
In short: one should avoid dark, deserted, poor districts, but can stay in the city centers, the “Zonas Vivas” (exit areas) and in the somewhat richer areas without great danger.
health
Vaccinations against hepatitis A, tetanus, polio and diphtheria are recommended.
climate
respect
Post and Telecommunications
literature
Web links
Tourist information: (english and spanish)
