Honduras Travel Update August 1996

Reflections from my visit to Honduras -

From Marc Lefken, Telimo@aol.com

“-There is an excellent new hotel in La Entrada (of course I forget the name, but it is exactly on the inside corner of the crossroads between SPS and Copan Ruinas). Brand spanking clean, A/C, cable, hot water, and very comfortable, large rooms for L100.

I highly recommend renting a motorcycle on Roatan. Avis, right across from the airport, has 185's for $37.50 a day. The one main road that winds up the island is beautiful, letting you see both shores at your sides, while allowing you to drop down (steeply) into the few non-touristed little towns that dot both coasts. The full ride would have taken us the complete day, had we started out early enough. Oh well, next time.

One hotel to NOT recommend is the Costa del Mar on Coca Cola Beach in Puerto Cortes. A disastrous experience all around. Hostile hotel staff to our every request (not that they even did anything we asked). They also did a room switch on us to make us pay a higher rate once they had us there.

The train between Puerto Cortes and Tela was one of the highlights of the trip. Beautiful and relaxing, even on one of those rigid wooden train benches. The only problem is the infrequent service: leave Tela Friday afternoon, then leave Puerto Cortes Sunday morning - these are the only trips during the week.

There is a water falls/swimming hole about 6 miles from Copan Ruins called El Rubie (sp?), 1/2 hr up a pleasant trail directly opposite the town of Santa Rita on the main road to Copan Ruins. This was easily the highlight of going to Copan along with the ruins. One psycho-student even liked jumping from the falls (30-40 ft) into the swimming hole.”

Cave of the Glowing Skulls -

“Cronkite/Ward Film Production Company along with James Brady (of National Geographic and Cueva De Rio Talgua in Catacamas fame) are filming a documentary on the fringes of Mosquitia in Olancho. The documentary will focus on "The Cave Of The Glowing Skulls" archaeological find near Catacamas. I talked to James last summer about a large archaeological site I found in the Rios Patuca/Wampu region in early 1995. He works out of George Washington University in Washington DC.”

“This month, James has a large expedition of tourists flying into Rio Talgua to see "Glowing Skulls Cave", then the cave will be closed indefinitely for serious exploration. This cave and surrounding area is the largest pre-maya site ever found in Honduras, dating about 3000-3500 years old!”

From: Derek A Parent, derekp@vir.com

author of “La Mosquitia - A guide to the land of savannas, rain forests and turtle hunters” (this is the definitive work on Mosquitia).

Passport idea -

While surfing the web I found this statement, what do you think about it? Have any of you used it? Sounds like a good idea...

>Passport Photocopy - A photocopy of the pages showing your details plus

>relevant visas is a good idea. If your hotel room has a safety deposit box, >leave your passport in it and carry your photocopy as identification.

Holbrook Travel -

Holbrook Travel announces a tour entitled “Honduras - A Platano Adventure” with Tom Carr, April 5-15, 1997. For information contact them at 1-800-451-711 or see their web site at http://www.gorp.com/holbrook.htm

Copan Museum set to open -

From: redwing@tiac.net (James H. Barton)

To: honduras1@aol.com

>We will be going to SPS on July 13 and then to Copan on July 17 for >the opening of the new museum on July 20. We're informed by people >intimately concerned that the museum will indeed open on that date. I hope they are right! Let us know if you have seen it!

Mega-resort???

Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta have purchased property on Roatan to develop a resort. So far, no details, but I can imagine it will cause Roatan land prices to rise considerably. (Oh Julio, see the article below “Buying Bay Islands property”).

Visiting Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands)- thanks to Javier Pinel for this report:

We left early in the early morning to go to Cayos Cochinos. The Hog Keys can be reached from La Ceiba, driving east toward Trujillo, at Jutiapa, turn left just before the bridge and after the gas station, go through town and under the railway overpass. By following the good gravel road, it will take you to Armenia, the village on the river Papaloteca.

Upon arrival in Armenia, take an immediate left at the end of the road, second house belongs to Rene Cardona, a big Garifuna fellow who will rent and take you to Hog Keys in one of his canoes. These are large dugouts with a diesel engine. They are about 20 feet, noisy and very slow. They have one forward speed and that is it. The dugouts are unstable but safe. Two men went with us and it took one and a half hours to get there.

We had to negotiate the bar of the river and there were some 10 men who helped to push the dugout through the thin surf and sand. We alighted and also re-boarded the boat as it gained water depth. It is important to be dressed in swim suits and have your belongings, camera, etc in plastic bags. The ride was great and uneventful. Little by little the keys came into view. There are two major keys and about six smaller ones.

We alighted at Chachahuate or upper monitor Key. There are some 20 huts in which Garifunas live. They fish and have no water. The government is trying to kick them out and resettle them on the larger key. It is a beautiful beach with blue ocean, great coral, brain and tree coral. Lots and lots of colorful fish. We were asked if we wanted to have some lunch and I guess it would have been fried fish, rice and beans. However, we brought water, drinks and something to eat.

We got off the boat and spent about 3 hours basically snorkeling. There is also diving if you bring all your own equipment. No doubt the diving would be excellent.

We then travelled to the main key and anchored at the Plantation Beach Resort, they have been around for a long time. You can reach them by radio telephone in La Ceiba (radio handle is “Trinity”). They have one week stays for divers at $750.00 us per person. The clients are picked up at La Ceiba and then go by their 30 foot boat twin diesel and spend the time in this paradise. Their telephone numbers are: 1-800 628-3723, 42-0974 (tel/fax). Email hkinett@hondutel.hn

The island is famous for its pink boas. We returned to Armenia at about 3:30 in the afternoon and had to get off for the boat to be pushed through the bar. We then paid for the trip, which cost 600 lempiras. Beforehand I negotiated for the trip without Rene seeing the Americans coming with me. I told him there were three of us. After he saw the Americans, he was all hot to charge me more with some lame excuse he was sending his brother and had to pay him. I then said I was not interested and then changed his mind and the price remained the same.

Javier Pinel offers tours throughout Honduras, you can reach him at mayaeco@globalnet.hn

Beach lots available near La Ceiba -

Ron Dickman reports he still has several lots available, some with beach access. Also a 3 bedroom 2 bath home for rent on the beach for $250 per week. For more information contact him at 1-970-945-6567 or write 1517 Blake Ave. Ste. 101, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.

Cayos Cochinos and Jan Jones, R.N. -

Few places are distinctively noted for one person, but Cayos Cochinos and Jan Jones is one of them. Jan is a registered nurse that opened a medical clinic (Pelican Point Clinic) there in 1975. It's a free clinic for islanders, many of which have never seen a doctor. Over 2000 patients are on her records.

Like most of us Jan still has to work for a living, she tries to get to her island as often as possible and always spends June and July in the Cayos. All supplies are taken with her. Just this past year she took 1850 lbs of supplies with her. She gives lots of tetanus/diphtheria shots and worm pills for everyone. She sees lots of children. Several doctors, dentists and medical assistants also donate their time.

Any who would like to help can contact Jan Jones at the Pelican Point Clinic, Apartado Postal 245, La Ceiba, Honduras, Central America or her U.S.A. Address at 3507 Tanglewood, San Angelo, TX 76904, telephone 915-944-8015 or her work number 915-659-3450.

New restaurant in La Ceiba -

Linda Schnaithman, LindaS9208@aol.com writes:

>Did you try the new restaurant on the beach - Meson del Puerto? Very, >very good.

TACA forms alliance with American Airlines -

TACA and American Airlines have formed a code-sharing agreement allowing a computer and scheduling infrastructure to funnel passangers to each other. This is combined with a similar and separate agreement with Continental Airlines.

The agreement with American would give TACA a share of at least 80% of the traffic between Miami and Central America and some 50% of the traffic with Texas.

(Source: Wall Street Journal)

Nicholas Crowder of the “Latin American Journal” -

Nick just returned from a short visit to Honduras and had a few travelers tips. One is the Aparthotel Del Rio in downtown Tegucigalpa. He spoke enthusiasically of the garden and terrace and their basic accomodations. Rates are economical at $20 to $30 a night. Don Drysdale is the owner and does speak English also I found the hotel to be very safe and the residents that live there quite friendly.

He spent part of his time in the Valle de Angeles and Santa Lucia mining areas. Pleasant forested areas with charming villages make this a must see. Nick is planning to do some writing on this area, look for it in his publication “American Travel Journal”. You can reach him at nbc@primenet.com for more information.

Caminos S.A. operating from La Ceiba -

Two German bikers are offering motorcycle tours and adventure sports with a variety of itineraries, as well as providing accommodations in their La Ceiba home.

They have:

4 (brand new) Yamaha XT 350 cc bikes on guided tours (bigger bikes may be available on request) Hanggliding and paragliding Bed and breakfast for individuals Good local contact for bike travellers (complete repair shop and friendly attention)

c/o Tel/fax 011-504-42-2222

Claus Rumm & Jorgen Schafer (English, Spanish and German spoken)

Hummingbird Haven Bed @ Breakfast -

Nestled in a private colonia, surrounded by pine forests 8 km from Tegucigalpa. It is a 10 minute drive from Valle de Angeles to an artisan village and 5 minutes from Santa Lucia, a quaint old mining village perched on a steep mountainside overlooking the wide valley with Tegucigalpa below. 30 minutes away is La Tigra cloud forest, a national park that offers breathtaking scenery and hiking trails. Hummingbird Haven is operated by a Canadian and has the amenities of a North American home. Large rooms with private bath, mountain view, breakfast and tax included. $50.00 per person/night

Susan Hasse Tompkins

Apartado 1293

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Central America

telephone/fax 504-21-0071

World Neighbors in Honduras -

World Neighbors has had a significant influence on the teaching techniques at the Pan-American Agricultural School in Zamarano.

Just a decade ago, most of the agricultural courses at Zmarano were teaching Iowa style farming - even though less than 10 percent of the land in Honduras is flat. And most of that land is held by only a handful of wealthy corporate farms. There was virtually no instructions on appropriate farming techniques for the land where most Honduran farmers eke out a living - small, rocky farm plots on steep mountainsides.

Today that has changed. The success of World Neighbors programs surrounding the school at Zamarano has influenced how they teach. Many courses at the school now use farm plots of subsistence farmers for practical field trips.

You will actually see subsistence farmers with little more than a couple of years of formal education training master's candidates in uplands agriculture.

Quoted from “Neighbors”, Summer 1996, page 4, for more information on World Neighbors see their web page at http://www/halcyon.com/fkroger/wn.html

Visit Central America Program -

Derek Parent forwarded on to me a rather interesting web address:

http://www.flylatinamerica.com/taca_specprog.html

TACA, AVIATECA, COPA, LACSA, and NICA airlines are offering a coupon multi destination program that offers up to 35% off. Ticketing is done through your local travel agent. Rather interesting concept, let us know if you use it. Worthwhile to check it out. This may be what is sometimes advertised as the “Central American Pass”.

Institute of Tourism 800 Number -

The Institute of Tourism now has an 800 number, if you call they well send you a an excellent picture book covering just about the whole country. Ask for “Honduras - A Picuture Book in English and Spanish”. It was sent free when I called. You can reach them at 1-800-410-9608, if you call after hours, leave a message on their answering machine.

Real Estate and Investment Seminars -

The Latin American Tourism & Information NetworkTM announces real estate and investment opportunity travel seminars to sunny Honduras. The informative travel seminars take participants on specially guided country tours to introduce them to a variety of beachfront, mountain and city investment properties. For information call: 610/649 3891 or write: P.O. Box 373, Narberth, PA 19072.

Email: steplatn@trend1.com or P.O. Box 797 La Ceiba Honduras Ph: 011-504 / 41-1302 F: 504 / 43-0700

Email: poviedo@hondutel.hn

Buying Bay Islands property -

In the "Honduras This Week" 6/7/96 online issue http://www.marrder.com/htw/, this appears:

>..Foreign Relations Minister Delmer Urbizo Panting says...

>About reports of U.S. citizens losing property in Honduras, he said, >"article 107 of the Honduran Constitution say no foreigner can own >property within 40 kilometers of the coasts and borders." When a foreigner >buys beach front property without special authorization, often "these >sales are not protected by the law. It's a scam to trick people, but even >other U.S. citizens have scammed their own fellow Americans." My question to Jose Avila and about a half dozen others: Is this true? Do you have any additional information? For example, am I legally able to buy property on the Bay Islands or the coast of Honduras? Jose Avila <AVILAGROUP@aol.com> writes:

Unfortunately, it is true. Although Ex president Callejas did make the changes to allow foreigners to buy such properties, the Constitution was never amended, therefore, techncially such purchases are illlegal. However, Honduras has no choice but to recognize such contracts as they have recognized tourism as a means for economic development. Also, there's precedence if they decide not to recognize them, they must fairly compensate the purchasers.

Thanks to Jose for his forthcoming advice, most of the other replies simply said that I should contact a “good” Honduran lawyer.

New domestic fares within Honduras -

From: mayaeco@globalnet.hn (Javier Pinel) Fares in Lempiras with tax and the equivalent at 11.40 to 1 U.S. All one way fares, double for round trip La Ceiba to/from Roatan Lem.307.50 U.S. 27.00 La Ceiba to/from Utila Lem.215.25 U.S. 19.00 La Ceiba to/from Pto.Lempiras Lem.615.00 U.S. 54.00 La Ceiba to/from Ahuas Lem.615.00 U.S. 54.00 La Ceiba to/from San Pedro Sula Lem.307.50 U.S. 27.00 Roatan to/from Guanaja Lem.246.00 U.S. 21.60 San Pedro to/from Roatan Lem.553.50 U.S. 49.00 San Pedro to/from Guanaja Lem.615.00 U.S. 54.00 San Pedro to/from Utila Lem.522.75 U.S. 46.00 All other fares from La Ceiba, add the local from any other city.

Fuel prices have skyrocketed in Honduras, so that diesel is now 13.73 a gallon in San Pedro Sula. This is the reason for higher domestic fares.

(Thanks to Javier Pinel for this timely information.)

Thanks to Derek Parent for this information:

Derek is the author of “La Mosquitia - A guide to the land of savanas, rain forests and turtle hunters”. You can reach him at derekp@vir.com and http://www.vir.com/~derekp/index.html

New airfares into the Honduran La Mosquitia

The following airfares are an update to the pricing and schedules in my guidebook:

Sosa Airlines

From La Ceiba to Brus Laguna and back: Lempiras: 430.50 ;US dollars: $39.13 Departures on: Monday and Friday only Rollins Air From La Ceiba to Brus Laguna and back: Lempiras: 430.50 ;US dollars: $39.13 Departures on: Wednesday and Saturday only Isle–a Air From La Ceiba to Palacios and back: Lempiras: 307.00 ;US dollars: $27.90 Departures on: Monday through to Saturday only

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EUROHonduras S. de R.L.

Anaite Seibt of EUROHonduras tour operator and guest house is pleased to announce "their support of the local tourism committee run by the Miskito people: COVITUDENA. EUROHonduras also has a sturdy jungle-bus adapted for rough terrain access to the fringes of the Honduran Mosquitia region".

EUROHonduras may be contacted in La Ceiba, Honduras at: Edificio Hospital Centro Medico; con entrada por La Avenida Atlantida, La Ceiba, Honduras C.A. Telfax: (504) 43-0933

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Honduras “Travel Update” is sent to those we believe are interested in Honduras. It is posted approximately once every two months.

Brad Martin author of the “Honduras Travel Guide”

http://www.marrder.com/hw/travel/

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