Hello to everyone,
I have seen some post recently concerning San Pedro Sula.
RE: 4 hours in San Pedro Sula
4 hours is not really enough time to warrant a visit to the city, as others have said due to customs time and the traveling time into town you will be left with very little time actually to do things. I would also recommend checking with your connecting flights airline to try to get an earlier flight, you can only try. The airport it self is ok.
I have spent the last 2 years living in San Pedro Sula and will be returning there in a few weeks time. The city has a very bad and in many cases unjust reputation. Over the past year or two there has been a large increase in security in the Central Park and the nearby downtown area. Also due to the new Central Park and the facelift of the church the whole downtown area is also a lot nicer.
For people who are passing through San Pedro Sula or if you get stuck with a long flight lay over there are a range of things to do. A must is the Museum of Anthropology and History, which is located a few blocks from Central Park on 3 avenida. The museum is home to some impressive displays that trace the Sula Valleys history starting from pre Mayan times till more modern times. There are some information cards in English explaining each display in detail or a small leaflet can be brought at the front desk that explains the areas history in. The museum houses some wonderful Mayan artifacts.
The people who want to shop the Mall Multiplaza offers a wide range of shops, or for local Honduran handicrafts visit Guamilito Market. The city has 5 or 6 cinema complexes, which run most movies in English with Spanish subtitles. There is a wide range of good restaurants from Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, Chef Marianos (Honduran and Garifuna specialties) Don Udos (International dishes) to a range of Mexican and Honduran specialties places such as Las Carnitas, La Espuela, Los Cebollines, El Fogoncito and Antojitos Mexicanos (Boulevard Circunvalacion) with live Mexican music.
For nightlife Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, El Fogoncito and Fridays all have entertainment on the weekends. Or check out the local disco scene at Kawamas Bay, Henrys or Confetis.
The Centro Cultural Sampedrano organizes cultural events and I am not sure but a new cultural center has been getting built for a while, not sure if it is open yet or if there are plans for it to be. Leave it with me I will see what I can find out in a few weeks time.
A good time to visit or organize a trip to San Pedro Sula is during the city carnival in June. Though not as famous as the carnival in La Ceiba there is though no shortage of street parties also the Expo Centro houses a business display and a range of bars and music during the evenings. The last weekend ends in a huge street party on the Boulevard Circunvalacion. Great fun.
Also the Folkloric Festival is held in late September on 2 Saturday nights (again leave the exact dates with me for a few weeks). A cultural event, which includes country food stands, music and national presentations of music and dance from different international cultural groups that have made their home in San Pedro Sula. The Brazilian and Honduran performances where fantastic last year. To top this off an international group also performs last year Enanitos Verdes played one week the other group I can not remember.
As you may of guessed I do like San Pedro Sula and honestly it has attractions, good facilities and events to offer for a visitor. At times there is a just a lack of information on the city out there. Recently a tourism office has been opened by the municipality in Central Park, and I believe they plan to open an office at the airport also.
In 2 years living in the San Pedro Sula I have never had a problem security wise. With a few basic travel precautions you should have no problems, always get a taxi at night most fares before 9.00 at night will cost 30 to 40 lempira (US$2) after 9.00 most fares will double so you are looking at around $US4. Do not wear or carry valuables around especially in the Central Park area or the market area of town. And if you need a place to stay in the downtown area stay in a place that is located Central Park side (or above) the railway line which runs near 1 avenida as this is the better section of town.
If anyone would like some more information on San Pedro Sula whatever it may be feel free to contact me.
Best Regards Dean Milverton
www.travel-to-honduras.com - Your Travel Guide to Honduras
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