The history of Tela

Tela was founded on May of 1524 by Cristóbal de Olid. This date in history agrees with the day of La Santa Cruz, so the city was baptized Triunfo de la Cruz (triumph of the cross). But, since this era a very long name, was brief the name to T +, that was possibly simplified to Tela.  Where Tela was founded, was settled down near an Indian community known as Tehuacán, where it abounded the water, the food and the medicine. Although of this it changed much, the beauty of the Tela location has not done it. The city and the environs offer access to three national parks, garífuna towns and kilometers of spectacular beaches.

General Information

Tela is located within the department of Atlantida, of which La Ceiba, located 100 km. east is the capital. Tela has become famous for its beaches, however, there is much more to Tela than beaches. The home base for the Tela Railroad Company for many years, owners and producers of the famed Chiquita bananas, Tela retains the air of a true banana town. The Villas Telamar hotel complex was actually the living quarters to many the executives of the banana company. The Lancetilla Gardens is but one of the many assets left behind by the company that has since moved its quarters to La Lima, just outside of San Pedro Sula.

It is very easy to get around town, as it is quite small. Locals use bicycles as the preferred mode of transportation. Banking in Tela is easy. There are several banks, at many of which you can change your dollars into local currency, as well as getting cash advances from your Visa and Mastercard credit cards. If you are carrying Travelers Checks, try cashing them before heading out to Tela, as it is difficult to cash these in town.

Jeanette Kawas National Park (Punta Sal)

Located on the western end of the Bay of Tela, the Jeanette Kawas National Park is named after a Honduran ecology activist who lost her life while protecting this National Park, previously known as Punta Sal National Park. Based on its size and biodiversity, the park is one of the most important national parks in Honduras. The small bays within the park served as havens to the pirates and buccaneers of yesteryear. The peninsula forms a natural barrier that protects the bay and port of Tela from the "nortes" that blow during the winter months. The park has two separate, well defined areas: the peninsula and the lagoon.
The peninsula is only accessible by sea, and there is a symbolic fee of Lps. 30.00 (approximately 2 USA dollars) that is collected upon your arrival to the park. The fee is handled by the pro-ecology group PROLANSATE, a non profit private organization dedicated to the preservation and development of the park. The trip itself takes about one hour before arriving at the park. A vast natural beauty awaits the traveler: white sand beaches, an exotic and very exuberant jungle and a very attractive coral reef are the main attractions. During the tour, it is quite possible to encounter different animals, such as dolphins, monkeys and of course a large variety of tropical birds, giving an added spice to your tour.
The Lagoon, known as the Micos Lagoon, is the area with the highest population of birds in the park. During the "summer" (In Central America, the dry season is referred to as the summer, being in fact the months of December through May) you will find up to 350 different species of birds living within the lagoon! The lagoon is surrounded by mangroves, forming canals and cayes where other types of tropical plants and trees coexist. To the east, the lagoon is separated from the sea by a narrow tongue of sand, forming an extensive and very beautiful beach.

The Garifuna village of Miami

Is built precisely on this sand bar, and offers a true cultural patrimony of the Bay of Tela, allowing visitors to experience life the way these villagers have lived for over two hundred years, since they established themselves on the North Coast of Honduras. The village, built entirely of thatched huts, makes the tour to Punta Sal both a natural as well as a cultural experience. Although there are several different operators and individuals who can take you to Punta Sal National Park, we wholeheartedly recommend Garifuna Tours, whose offices are located almost in front of the central park in Tela. There professionalism stands out above all others.
Punta Izopo National Park.
Located on the eastern end of the bay of Tela, only 12 km from town, this unique area takes its name from the small mountain that dominates the area and comes out into the Caribbean: Izopo Mountain. The exuberant vegetation of the area. which is irrigated by the Platano and Hicaque rivers, is home to large variety of wildlife, including tropical birds such as parrots and toucans, monkeys, alligators and turtles. The canals, formed within the mangrove forests are accessible to sea kayaks, which permit you to silently enter the area without disturbing the natural beauty, and come close to the birds and other wildlife. This tour also includes the opportunity of visiting the Garifuna town of Triunfo de la Cruz, where the Spanish Conquistador, Cristobal de Olid first disembarked on his quest to conquer Honduras, following orders of Hernan Cortes.

Lancetilla Botanical Garden

Located only a few kilometers from Tela, the Lancetilla Botanical Garden is the second largest tropical botanical garden in the world. It was established in 1926 as an experimental site by the Tela Railroad Company. The park boasts a very large variety of plants from the Central American region as well as from other tropical lands from throughout our planet. A large number of tropical birds have made the garden their home, due to the many fruit trees that abound here. There is a well marked trail that you can follow. In addition, if you follow the road that leads into a fascinating bamboo forest, you will arrive at a very pleasant swimming hole in the Lancetilla river, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim after your hike throughout the park. The entrance fee to the park is Lps. 50.00 and includes a guided tour. For Hondurans, there is a substantial discount. The best way to get to the park is by bicycle, which you can rent in Tela. If you have a car, you can easily reach the park.

Garifuna Villages

All along the Bay of Tela there are several different Garifuna communities, and perhaps some of the most interesting ones in all the country are right here. From west to east, you will find the Rio Tinto, Miami, Tornabe, San Juan, La Ensenada and finally Triunfo de la Cruz. Amongst these, without doubt, the most interesting and unique is Miami, the only one that to this day is still completely built of thatched huts. You can eat typical foods at all the villages, and learn some of their traditions. Outstanding, and definitely fun, are the "punta" and "yancunu" dances, that have origins in their African roots. With the exception of Rio Tinto and Miami, all of the villages are easily reached, with good public transportation readily available. You can also rent a bicycle and have the added advantage of free time to discover all the interesting facets of these villages and their people at your own pace.