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(Courtesy of the Honduran Ministry of Tourism)
Located in the northern part of the country, San Pedro is only a few miles from the coast and has always played a major role in Honduran history. The city was founded the 27th of June, 1536 by Don Pedro de Alvarado himself. The Spanish conqueror founded it with the name of "Villa de San Pedro de Puerto Caballos" and within the next 5 years it was known as San Pedro Sula, with the name Sula deriving from the local dialect Usula, meaning "valley of birds".
The main airport serving the area is the San Pedro Sula International Airport. Serviced regularly by TACA, American, Continental and Iberia, San Pedro Sula is easily reached from the following North American gateways: Miami, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Cancun. In addition, there are excellent connections via the Central American Airlines through San Jose, Costa Rica; San Salvador, El Salvador and Guatemala City, Guatemala. There is also daily air service by Isleña airlines, Aerolinas Sosa and Atlantic Arilines to San Pedro from La Ceiba, Roatan and Tegucigalpa. In addition, there is a first class bus service between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. The highway connecting both cities is one of the best in Central America and it will take you less than 4 hours to travel by land between both cities. The three bus lines that offer first class non stop executive service are Saenz Primera Clase, Empresa Hedman Alas and Viana Clase Oro. (For more information, check our listing of bus schedules).
Getting around San Pedro Sula. San Pedro is an easy city to get around in. It is divided into four quadrants following the old Spanish system of building cities: Northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. All the streets are numbered, with avenues leading from north to south and streets east to west. Downtown is marked by the 1st Street. The most important commercial street is Third (tercera) Ave. Although there are plenty of public buses, you will find that taxis are plentiful and very reasonable. Whatever the case, make sure that you negotiate the taxi rate before getting into it. It is a good idea to ask the bell boy at your hotel (or any other reliable source) what the going rate for a taxi to where you are headed for costs. Another alternative is to rent a car. Most of the US car rental franchises have offices in San Pedro Sula: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz all do, in addition there are local rent a car companies. Most have offices at the airport. and there is usually one in the lobby of the better hotels.
Perhaps one of the greatest attractions of San Pedro Sula is it's location within the lush, verdant Sula Valley. Whether you gaze at the rain-forest covered mountains that encirle this enormous valley, or wonder at the enormous banana plantations, or visit one of the large meandering rivers that course through it, there is much to do and soak up here in the Sula Valley. Best of all, you are wonderfully located to see the best Honduras has to offer, all an easy day tour away... the Mayan Copan Ruins, the pristine North Coast beaches, rain forest parks, Lake Yojoa and the Puhlanpanzak waterfalls, and much more.
The Guamilito market, within walking distance from the central plaza on between the 8a and 9a Avenidas and 5a y 6a Calles N.O. offers the most complete selection of Honduran handicrafts in San Pedro Sula. The market is also a good place for vegetables and flowers. When shopping at the market, always remember to barter, as prices here are not fixed and everyone barters the price down,
The Museum of Anthropology and History of San Pedro Sula is located at 3a Avenida corner with 4a Calle N.O. Entrance fee is Lps. 10.00 per person, open Monday through Satruday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. (closed on Tuesdays) and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. Children and students with credentials pay Lps5.00 and elderlies pay only Lps. 2.00. A good tip, the first Sunday of every month entrance is free for all!
The Centro Cultural Sampedrano, where the public library is located, also hosts and organizes most of the cultural events going on in San Pedro Sula. It often has exhibitions and events scheduled, and you may visit the center to obtain more information. It is located on 4a Avenida with 3a Calle N.O. Telephone is 553-3911
(See our San Pedro Sula day tours - click here)
There are many banks in San Pedro Sula, as well as currency exchange houses. Most banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and only in the morning on Saturday. There is also a "black market" that usually operates out of the airport as well as from the main square in San Pedro Sula. There is very little difference in the rates offered by the black market, and therefore, it is safer to exchange your money at a bank. At time of press, the exchange rate is approximately 16.50 lempiras for 1 USA dollar. Most major hotels also have money exchange service, some with very competitive rates and others with rather unfavorable ones. It is a good idea to check around prior to exchanging your dollars. International credit cards are widely accepted in San Pedro Sula. Visa, MasterCard and American
Express are the preferred cards. Your purchases with credit card will be charged in lempiras. Cash advances from your Visa or Mastercard can be arranged while in San Pedro. Banco Atlantida, with several offices in San Pedro offers cash withdrawals from your Visa card. In addition, there are three different companies that represent Visa in Honduras, and you can get a cash advance from any of the three: Credomatic, located on the corner of 5a Avenida and 2a Calle N.O. is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 7:00 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 p.m.. Aval Card, located at 14 Avenida N.O. corner with Avenida Circunvalacion, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00 to 12:00, Honducard, located on the corner of 5a Avenida, 2a Calle N.O. is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays from 8:00 to 12:00pm.
Mastercard cash advances can be obtained through Credomatic at the same address and times as Visa. American Express is now represented in the country by Credomatic, so any assistance you might requeire as an American Express card holder can be found at their offices.
Tap water is generally unsafe to drink in all of Honduras and San Pedro Sula is no exception. Most of the better restaurants and hotels treat their water, making it safe for you to drink. Purified water can be purchased at different places throughout the city. Another safe alternative is to stick to bottled soft drinks or beer.
There are plenty of telephone booths around San Pedro Sula streets. These function with 20 and 50 cent coins. Long distance calls can be arranged only from those located by the phone company. Hondutel, the local telephone company is located at 4a Avenida corner with 4a calle S.O. Many of the better hotels have direct international dialing from your room, however, it is important to note that telephone service is not cheap in Honduras. AT&T USA direct is available with your AT&T calling card from Honduras by dialing #123. Sprint also offers long distance calls to the USA from Honduras. The local mail office is located on 3a Avenida corner with 9a Calle S.O. Correos, or the local mail office is located on 3a Avenida and 9 Calle S.O.
Immigration offices in San Pedro Sula are located within the Calle Peatonal, just off the central park. Open Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 4:30 every local immigration procedure can be done from this office. Another alternative is to go to the immigration offices located at the San Pedro Sula airport.
The dry season, or verano in San Pedro Sula is from December through April inclusive, with March and April being the hottest and driest months. The rainy season or invierno is from May through November and the wettest months are August and September.
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