Hispanic Heritage Month is almost over. From September 15th through October 15th, the USA recognizes the history and contributions of the Latino/a/x community during Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, I wanted to share a bit about each country in Latin América where I had the chance to visit. My primary reason was to highlight those countries that are not as visited, but also to share some other less known places in tourism-high countries. Today, I want to share my experiences visiting Honduras.
It is possible that what you have heard about Honduras is all related to violence, death, murders, drugs, and the political instability that feeds those social ills. Although it is true that Honduras has had a history of violence related to gangs and drugs, it is also true that the country is a beautiful place beyond the well known tourist destination of Roatán island.
I have been to Honduras twice. Both times I visited the capital, Tegucigalpa. My travels there were related to work: partnering with the United Nations HIV/AIDS Program, which at the time, was led by a good friend who has since passed. Visiting with a friend who lived there made a huge difference in how I experienced Honduras. However, this doesn’t mean that you will not experience a wonderful country if you go alone or as a tourist.
Tegucigalpa, or Teguz, as the locals call it, and Comayaguela, it’s twin city, are filled with surprises. Walking around the old town of Teguz was a great way to understand the people of the country. The streets are filled with stores, food vendors, and my favorite, bookstores! There is a small hotel district on the modern part of the city, where visitors can stay with low or no concerns about violence reaching them. (But always remember that all big cities have violence and crime, this is not exclusive to Latin American big cities.) The district has great cafés and bars which offer great places to meet locals and learn more about their culture. Every morning, I would walk to the little café near my hotel to get some delicious local coffee and just relax by taking in all the beauty of the district, it’s public art, and to watch as people made their ways to work, school, and engaged in their daily routines.
The second time I was in Honduras, the people were hosting almost daily marches demanding their government to be more transparent and accountable to the people. Of course, I could not just stay by the sides while my siblings were doing the right thing, and I joined the marches and protests for a bit. This is not something I would encourage people to do, of course, as it could be very dangerous. But I was moved to doing it, and I knew I had the privilege of “passing” and not calling to much attention to my participation as a foreigner.
Visiting the mercados, or markets, should be on everyone’s list when traveling to Latin América. We visited a couple of them, and although I cannot remember their names or exact location, I do remember eating some of the best meals there. I was also excited to eat the traditional baleada, a must-have of the Honduran culinary tradition. It was also interesting to see the many fast foods restaurants dedicated solely to baleadas.
One evening, a small group of consisting of my friend, a few of her coworkers, and I took time to enjoy the nightlight. It was great visiting a local establishment with live music and dancing as well as good food. After this, we attended a wonderful concert from Honduran singer-songwriter Guillermo Anderson at the National Theater in Tegucigalpa. Anderson’s music spoke to my soul! He blends some trova with other traditional Latin American music, all with lyrics that speak to the reality of people’s lives, from falling in love to emigrating. I had never heard of Guillermo Anderson before this trip, and now I am obsessed with his music. His song “El encarguito” speaks of the yearning that we all have as we leave our countries and ask whomever can send something to us, to do so. Joining cultural events such as this are important when I travel because it shows me a side of the country which I would not know if I only stayed at hotels with no interaction with the arts scene of the places I visit.
Finally, I would highly recommend a day road trip to Valle de Angeles. This beautiful mountain town is a must-see for any person visiting the area near Tegucigalpa. Valle de Angeles is a quaint, rural town with cafés, craft shops, lowkey bars, and beautiful traditional Honduran architecture. It offers an opportunity to leave the hassle and bustle of the big city to join the quietness of rural life. The road itself is beautiful and a great way to experience a part of the country that very few get to experience. To my surprise, as we
were approaching Valle de Angeles, we ran into a Puerto Rican restaurant with very traditional dishes from the Island! A veteran who was at some point stationed in Honduras and married a local woman, decided to stay after service, and they decided to open this restaurant as their way to bringing a piece of home for him, while also generating income during their retirement. Their food was delicious!
Honduras is a beautiful country, with wonderful people and places to visit. It is a shame that people have listened more to the news than to the people of the country. Although I knew I had to take extra precautions while visiting, I also got to experience a country that is thriving with culture, nature, and natural beauty. I can’t wait to visit once more, and I hope you get inspired to visit it too.
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