Tegucigalpa & Tours and Excursions in the Area

Based on information provided by Honduras Tips

Tegucigalpa

Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras. Its tongue-twisting name came from a native Indian word meaning 'silver mountain'. It was silver that attracted the early settlers and Tegucigalpa swiftly grew as an important silver mining center. Now Tegus, as its inhabitants affectionately call it, is a mix of the old colonial and the modern.

Tegucigalpa is the capital city by whim. High society in Comayagua, the former, well-established capital of Honduras, made public their dislike of the wife of President Marco Aurelio Soto. His response to their unkind behavior was to move the capital and in 1880, Tegucigalpa became the official replacement.

Tegucigalpa is nestled in a valley at an altitude of about 3000 ft giving it an ideal climate. It is a natural gateway to the Pacific coast and a good starting point for exploring central and southern Honduras.

Getting around the city can be a confusing experience. Despite its colonial history, it does not have the traditional Spanish grid system. Originally two separate cities, Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela have merged. The two have entirely different terrain, Comayaguela being almost completely flat and Tegucigalpa hilly. The Choluteca river marks the boundary between the two cities, and you are advised to pick which bank you wish to stay on before the evening traffic gridlocks on the connecting bridges! Today, both cities have been officially joined and share the same city government and municipal services.

The commercial heart of Tegucigalpa is located within the Boulevard Moraxan, a modern bustling district also known as "la zona viva", filled with smart restaurants, shops, and offices. The old center of the city with its 17th and 18th century architecture is also well worth exploring. Next to Plaza de la Merced, in buildings once occupied by the National University of Honduras, there is the Museo del Hombre Hondureņo. The beautiful interior of the Manuel Bonilla Theater was inspired by the Athenee Theater of Paris. The Museo Nacional Villaroy houses an interesting collection of artifacts dating back to pre-Columbian times. There is a new museum in the old presidential house, built at the beginning of the century, with an exhibition depicting the lifestyles of the country's former presidents. The Basilica of our Lady of Suyapa, the patron saint of Honduras is a most revered spot for all Honduran Catholics. The basilica is also notable for its large and brilliant stained-glass windows.

Dominating the valley below, the Parque de La Leona and the Parque de Las Naciones Unidas - the United Nations park, offer pockets of green for the city dwellers. Getting to these parks can be tricky but taxis are plentiful and reasonably cheap in Tegucigalpa. Always negotiate a fee before the journey.

Tours and Excursions in the Area

La Tigra National Park is located only 11km from Tegucigalpa. Honduras's oldest national park, it is a cloud forest covering over 238 square kilometers.

The cloud forest is considered one to the richest habitats in the world because of its high diversity of flora and fauna and La Tigra, which is easily accessed from Tegucigalpa is no exception. Bromeliads, orchids, arborescent ferns, and over 200 species of birds can be found here.
Because of its high altitude temperatures can drop quite low and visitors are advised to bring warm clothing.

Valle de Angeles is located less than 30 km from Tegucigalpa. It is a picturesque mining town which has retained its Spanish colonial atmosphere and a hotbed of artesania. You can see the artisans at work at the artisan production center and buy handicrafts at prices generally lower than those in Tegucigalpa.

Santa Lucia is another colonial mining town located just 13 km from downtown Tegucigalpa. The climate is ideal for a huge variety of flowering plants, and the attractive town is a blaze of color. The old colonial church houses a life-size crucifix that was donated by King Philip II of Spain.

Changing dollars into lempiras in Tegucigalpa is easy. There are many banks throughout the city, especially along the Boulevard Morazan and the downtown areas. Banco Atlantida offers cash withdrawals for Visa and Master Card. 

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