Essentials
- City
- Tela, Atlántida, Honduras
- Population
- 98,000 (approximate municipal population)
- Internet Speed
- 15-50 Mbps (Fiber available at Telnet or via Starlink)
- Currency & Banking
- Honduran Lempira (HNL); 1 USD ≈ 24.70 HNL
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 5-gallon purified water jugs cost approx. 45 HNL ($1.80)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard); occasional outages are common
- SIM Card
- Tigo or Claro; 10GB data package for 30 days costs approx. 550 HNL ($22)
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Atlántida and BAC Credomatic have ATMs; primary cards accepted in upscale hotels
- Accommodation
- Oceanview condos at Indura (high-end) or local apartments in Barrio El Centro
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; carry cash for local eateries and markets; cards accepted at Indura and La Ensenada
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options range from $40/night (town center) to $250/night (resorts)
- Budget Accommodation
- Grissy's Hotel (approx. $30/night) or Coco Cabañas
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- La Ensenada or the beach zone near the Municipal Pier
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Barrio Líbano or private villas in the Villas del Mar area for better security and quiet
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; Indura Beach & Golf Resort offers business lounge facilities for guests
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafetería y Repostería El Centro (reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at the Tela Chamber of Commerce or expat gatherings at César Mariscos
- Social Events for Expats
- Volunteering events with local conservation groups like PROLANSATE
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; use local yellow taxis (negotiate price first, usually 30-50 HNL within town)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Available through local hotels or G-Force Rentals (approx. $15/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Tela (Main beach) or the pristine shores of Punta Izopo
- Top Regional Airline
- CM Airlines (flying into San Pedro Sula SAP, 1.5 hours away)
- Top International Airline
- United, American, or Spirit (via SAP Airport)
- Highway Access
- CA-13 Highway connects Tela to San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Hedman Alas Bus Terminal (luxury coach connections to SAP and Tegucigalpa)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per ride on 'Rapitrans' vans (approx. 15 HNL)
- Regional Travel
- Direct shuttles to Copán Ruinas or the ferry to Roatán via La Ceiba
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Tela (Public) or private clinics like Clínica Médico Quirúrgica Tela
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Mainly offered at Indura Resort Spa (Maina Spa)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gimnasio Municipal or Iron Gym (monthly rates approx. 600 HNL)
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería El Centro (approx. 150 HNL per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Local delivery via WhatsApp; use ‘Mandaditos’ (courier services)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sopa de Caracol (Conch Soup) at César Mariscos (approx. 250 HNL)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Bella Vista Restaurant (offers fresh salads and vegetable bean soups)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Panadería El Buen Gusto for traditional Honduran sweet breads
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal (Fresh fruit, seafood, and staples)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Facebook Marketplace is widely used; Amazon shipping via 'Freight Forwarders' in SAP
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermercado La Antorcha (delivery available via local couriers)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The beach strip near the pier (Bulevar Costero)
- Local Brewery
- National brands Salva Vida and Barena dominate; no local craft brewery in Tela
- Wine Bars
- La Ensenada Resort lounge bar
- Street Food Stalls
- Baleadas at 'Baleadas de la Linea' (approx. 25-40 HNL)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizzeria El Bambino (Italian-style pizza)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lancetilla Botanical Garden (second largest in the world)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Tela Railroad Company Museum (Historical artifacts)
- Historical Sites
- Old Fruit Company houses in the 'American Zone'
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia San Antonio de Padua
- Annual Events
- Feria de San Antonio (June festivities)
- Cultural Districts
- Garifuna villages of Ensenada and Triunfo de la Cruz
- Theater Venues
- None; local events held in the Casa de la Cultura
- Local Markets
- Mercado Municipal for local crafts and fresh produce
- Music Scene
- Garifuna Punta music drumming sessions in Triunfo de la Cruz
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the Bulevar Costero
- Cooking Classes
- Garifuna cooking demos (Machuca making) in Triunfo de la Cruz
- Art Galleries
- Local artisan shops near the Central Park
- Historic Buildings
- The old Customs House (Aduana)
- Local Heritage
- Strong Garifuna (UNESCO Heritage) and Banana Republic era history
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Punta Sal (Jeannette Kawas National Park)
- National Parks Nearby
- Pico Bonito National Park (approx. 1 hour away)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Trails within Lancetilla Botanical Garden
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The hilltop views overlooking the Garifuna villages from Punta Izopo
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lancetilla Garden (over 300 species recorded)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beaches of Triunfo de la Cruz (with local permission)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (located in San Pedro Sula with pickup points in Tela) or CAEX
- Tech Repair Services
- Small kiosks in the town center near the park
- Table Tennis Spots
- Recreational areas in La Ensenada Resort
- Language Classes
- Spanish tutors available through local schools
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Basic facilities)
- Community Centers
- Casa de la Cultura
- Gaming Lounges
- Vortex Game Center (Local gaming hub)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Small slot halls near the city center (limited)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $34,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,050 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $84,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% standard corporate tax
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (income earned within Honduras is taxed)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for income over approx. 700,000 HNL
- VAT
- 15% (Sales Tax / ISV)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules
- Property Tax
- Yes, calculated by the Municipality based on property value (Bienes Raíces)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% to 4% (Tradition of ownership and stamps)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Income sourced from outside Honduras generally not taxed for non-residents