August 8, 1998

Highlights of Honduras (cont.)
by Patrick Heyman

San Pedro Sula

San Pedro Sula is the industrial capital of Honduras with about million people and growing at an enormous rate. Parts of the town are dangerous, especially at night. Yet there are reasons to visit San Pedro Sula other than the international airport. One of the highlights of the trip was going out to a nightclub in San Pedro Sula. The local people are friendly, and they love to dance; of course speaking Spanish helps. (Take a course in Latin dancing before you go: Salsa and Merengue.)

Woodworking factory employs women and handicapped individuals.

About thirty minutes from San Pedro Sula lies the town of Progreso. A woodworking factory is there. Actually, factory is the wrong word, as everything is worked by hand from construction to carving to painting. Wooden articles of every imaginable function and type are made here, from serving bowls and ornaments, to jewelry boxes, to mahogany doors. Woodworking is the only truly Honduran craft, and this is an excellent source.

Finally, there is Cusuco, a cloud forest some 45 minutes outside of town. The road requires a four wheel drive vehicle. The effort getting there is definitely worth it. If you arrive early enough in the day, Quetzals are readily available. A late start coupled with the gas station putting premium in our diesel tank delayed us, so we didn't see them ourselves. Fifty foot fern trees give Cusuco a truly primeval feeling. The walk is easy with little hiking, but there are numerous places where fairly steep stairs must be negotiated. A more strenuous and acrobatic hike takes you to a waterfall. The water is cold, but that didn't stop us from going under it.

Several good hotels are available in San Pedro Sula with more being built every day. The Hotel Gran Sula is a good choice for that price/value point. Its restaurant, the Cafeteria Skandia, was in Marshall's opinion and mine, one of the highlights of this trip. The rotisserie chicken was superb, as were the licuados de banano (banana smoothies). Service is quick and friendly and prices reasonable. Even if you don't stay there, do yourself a favor and go eat there.

Take me to Roatan	Take me to La Ceiba
Take me to Tela	Take me to San Pedro Sula
Take me to Copan	Picture Gallery
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