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Country facts |
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Tegucigalpa
San Pedro Sula | Security Briefing | Health and Medical | Transportaion | Communications Business Services | Technical/Internet | Electrical | Business Culture Embassies and Consulates | The Businesswoman | Essential Terms | Country Map |
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San Pedro Sula
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City View Considered one of the fastest growing industrial cities in Central America, San Pedro Sula is modern and proud. Its urban landscape is an impressive blend of colonial and contemporary, combined with overwhelmingly friendly people the city is both charming and sophisticated. Set in the Sula Valley surrounded by banana plantations and the lush Merendon Mountain range, San Pedro Sula plays host to both trourist and business travelers alike offering a wide range of activities, sites, excellent hotels and restaurants, and some great shopping. Located in the northern part of Honduras, the city was founded in 1536 by Don Pedro de Alvarado as Villa de San Pedro de Puerto Caballos . Within a few years the name was shortened, the Sula added from the local Usula dialect meaning Valley of the Birds. Close to the Caribbean coast, Guatemala, and Belize, the city serves as a major transportation hub for the rest of the country, while economically maintaining its base in light industry and the commercial production of coffee, bananas, beef, sugar cane, tobacco, and forestry. Divided into four quadrants with avenues leading north to south, and streets leading east to west, San Pedro Sula is easy to navigate. Downtown starts at First Street, but the commercial area revolves around Third (tercera) Avenue. The Zona Viva district hosts most of the restaurants, bars, and night clubs, while the Mercado Guamilito offers visitors and locals alike a wealth of goods ranging from local handcrafts, such as baskets, hats, leather items, and jewelry made by local artisans to vegetables and flowers. Bartering is the norm at the Mercado Guamilito, where prices are never fixed. Commercial buildings and the Catholic Cathedral surround the Parque Central , where a thriving black market exists. There is very little difference in the rate of exchange between the black market and banks, making it wise to opt for the more legal banks exchange. Other popular sites in San Pedro Sula include the Museum of Anthropology and History , the Centro Cultural Sampedrano , where the public library is located, and the Monumento a La Madre (Monument to Motherhood statue). As a jumping off point, San Pedro Sula is close to a number of fascinating sites. Among these attractions is the San Fernando de Omoa Fortress built by the Spanish to protect against the pirates of the Caribbean, El Cusuco National Cloud Forest Park , and the Copan Ruins from the Maya civilization. It is important to note that while San Pedro Sula is the second largest city in Honduras, among its population of 417, 000 there are some less than savory characters. Be very aware of pickpockets, do not wear flashy jewelry (or any jewelry), or count large amounts of cash in public. It is wise to make a copy of your passport to carry during daily excursions, and keep the original locked in the hotel safe. Negotiate any taxi fare before travel, and stay away from areas that are too crowded or too vacant. Check with the hotel to find out which areas are safe and which should be avoided. |
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Hotels Note: Be sure to have advance reservations before traveling to Honduras during the high season. (January, February, March, April, June, July, December)
Top-end
Economy
Moderate
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Restaurants Note: Use country code [504] when dialing from outside Honduras. Pat's Steak House Avenida Circunvalacion, 5 Calle 17 Avenida No. 22, Rio Piedra Tel. 530-939 Meals are $10 to $12 Alejandro's International cuisine Avenida Circunvalacion, between 5-6 Calles, SO, No. 128 Tel: 521-191 Chef Mariano $$$ Variety of excellent Honduran and Garifuna dishes. Zona Viva. Don Udo's $$$ European cuisine, reservations recommended Off Avenida Circunvalacion, three blocks from the fountain Bella Vista, Boulevard Los Proceres Tel: 533-106 Fax: 572-040 Fredīs Kitchen $$ American Style Cafe 1 and 1/2 blocks from Circunvalacion, on Barrio Rio de Piedras Granada Restaurant $$$ Lunch and dinner buffet, a la carte menu also available. Gran Hotel Sula, across the street from Central Park Hasta La Pasta $$ Italian cuisine, homemade pasta and antipastos 22 Avenue, 2 Street N.W. Colonia Moderna. La Carreta Steakhouse Avenida Circunvalacion, 17 Avenida between 2 and 3 Calles Barrio Las Andes Restaurante La Cascada International menu, meat and seafood specialties Avenida Circunvalacion, 1 y 2 Calle N.O. Tel: 570-87 Restaurante Las Tejas Basic menu On Avenida Circunvalacion, 9 Calle, between 16 and 17 Avenidas Tel: 522-705 Restaurante Rio de Plata Uruguayan style beef On 17 Avenida 10 and 12 Calles, S.O., near the Pandaria Los Andes Restaurante Estancia Parrillada Uruguayan meat restaurant Avenida Circunvalacion near Los Angeles Hotel Tel: 523-002 Restaurante Cafe Casino International cuisine and vegetarian specialties Between 4 y 5 Calle on 10 Avenida NO, Barrio Guamilito Restaurante Vicente $$ Italian food 7a Avenida, between 1a-2a Calles Tel: 521-335 Cafeteria Vony American style coffee shop Three blocks from the Hotel Gran Sula, 1 Calle, and 7 Avenida Tel: 581-972 |
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