Safety in Tegucigalpa, Honduras What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
You are not ok to walk around by yourself, take the bus, or do as you please. Listen to your contact. If taking public transportation, go in groups. It is good to have a local with you if possible. Stay aware.
For teams working with Moises and Star:
You will be living in one of the most dangerous colonies, it will be common place to to see military personel
Do not go outside after 8 PM and never travel alone
Do not go to the the “regular market” it’s unsafe. Instead go the super market. As a tip always check your change.
Always wear tennis shoes when you leave the house, the terrian is super sketchy
Do not eat from street vendors
Both malls in the area are considered safe. However use caution.
Our team was with Loyalty School. We are the first team they have had. The area seemed rather safe but I would still stick with 3 people together. Our host said in the city theft/pick pocketing is a common thing.
When you are working with Tony at Zion’s gate you may have an opportunity to work with an amazing ministry for abused women and children, run by a woman named Gracie. You will have an amazing time, but to avoid illness on site make sure to follow the following suggestions. It is important to not share any utensils or water bottles. It may sound like a good idea but it is not. Make sure you are washing your hands constantly and are aware of how your food is being prepared (ex: are there lots of flies, are the cooks washing their hands and using clean utensils to prepare the food)
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
Our team was with Loyalty School. We each took a different class and taught english and some other subjects. They gave us book information and guidelines to how they teach but gave us a pretty free range on how we wanted to teach. One day we also went to a hospital to pray with people and visit. They also have church on Sundays at the school. If anyone on your teams sings or plays an instrument they would love for y’all to play one service. They also asked us to share a message one Sunday.The school is small and so is the staff. They work extremely hard and are very dedicated. Taking over the class while teaching English is considered a huge blessing to them. Its gives them time to get other things done in the school that are needed. 4 help from others is extremely appreciated.
Lodging
Lodging in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
Our team stayed at Loyalty School. There, one of the classrooms were transformed into a bedroom with 6 beds with a mini fridge. The toilets are outdoors downstairs. The shower is in the office with a sink and toilet. When we were there the toilet and sink in the office were not working(they just made this area the first week we were there)
My team did UH in Hondo. We had a hard time finding a hostel under our $5 budget. We stayed for our first few nights at Palmira Hostel, just behind the US Embassy (safe district), but the cost was $10/person/night. The staff was friendly, a kitchen was available (we used it daily), and the place was well kept. We were within walking distance of a supermarket and ATM’s. The WiFi at the hostel worked most of the time but wasn’t always super fast. If you need a higher speed connection check out Galeano cafe (ask hostel for directions).
When you arrive at Tica bus station in Tegucigalpa, don’t be so quick to leave, They have 3 rooms with 4 beds in each. It was some of the better housing, clean restrooms, cold showers and a TV they charged us 10 dollars per person per night.The bus station is gated and has a security guard make sure to talk to him if your coming back after dark. Also turn left from the bus stop and try food next to car wash some of best food I’ve had for cheep in country. The owner joe is German and speaks English and Spanish.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Tegucigalpa, Honduras What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
Mrs. Sanchez ( our host sister/ a teacher that lives at the school) prepared our meals for us each day. If you are wanting to go to eat somewhere, it is easy to take the bus to City Mall and go to the food court. There is also a grocery store in the mall and La Colonial (a big grocery store) is next to the mall.
Transportation
Transportation in Tegucigalpa, Honduras What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
We used a wonderful taxi company while we were in Tegucigalpa-very safe and affordable. Call the Tica Bus company and ask for Suzana. She will give you the English speaking taxi driver’s information. She is very helpful if you need to know anything about Tegucigalpa.Taxi Driver’s Info: (oct 2016)David: 504-9670-3496Luis: 504-9996-0492
We took a Tica Bus in from Nicaragua. To travel throughout Tegucigalpa from Loyalty School our host usually drove us (if it was for free days or long distance we would pay him for diesel) or we took the bus for 10 lempiras to City Mall.
Our team came in right before Semana Santa. The whole town really shuts down so make sure you enough water and food because you don’t know when things will open up.
During Semana Santa you could not get on a bus. I would bet most holidays are that way.
Medical
Medical in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
There is nearby hospital in Santa Ana. It is a clean, semi-private hospital.
$5.5 USD (110 limpiras) for a full check up by MD. I had a ‘3 view’ lower back x-ray for about 23 US dollars, and Complete Blood Count for 5.5 US dollars.
$5 USD[round trip] to pay for gas
Please take an interpreter with you since the doctors and staff don’t know English
Pharmacy on site. The cost of the meds vary, from cheap to expensive.
Some of the meds ordered are not available. Go to a pharmacy in Cascadas mall
There is a bus that goes straight to the hospital- 10 limpiras each way.
Bring cash, they do not take cards
x-ray or lab work hours: M-F from 7am till 2pm, but on the day I went, they were closing at noon. There is a doctor in the hospital for after hours.
In Talanga I went to a medical clinic. The doctors are a married couple with the last name Galindo. They are so nice. It’s on the main street of Talanga.
In order to reduce the risk of contracting pinkeye, wash your hands and do not touch your eyes. All medicine was under 100 Lempira (5 USD).
Communication
Communication in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
Cell phone SIM cards cost $2 (USD) each.
Any of the malls have wifi. Spread out to have better internet, but buy something wherever you are.
At Cascadas Mall look for Orbit, the internet works well there.
The Wendy’s by the City mall is a good place for free wifi.
Our team used Tigo as our carrier. We got minutes at City Mall. 1 Lempira per minute.Our host(Loyalty School) got wifi while we were there but it was pretty iffy; it only worked on and off about a week of us being there. But City Mall has multiple locations with wifi and also Wendys next door has wifi.
Financial
Financial in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
In City Mall there is a whole floor full of banks and ATMs
Translators
Translators in Tegucigalpa, Honduras List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
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Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Tegucigalpa, Honduras What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
The two local malls have lots of restaurants
Circle K is a minimart downtown and has a lot of good drinks and snacks that are hard to find anywhere else.
There is friendly armed security at almost every store
Valley of Angels is about an hour away from Tegucigalpa. It was such a fun off day for us. It is a very touristy/artsy town with great food. Get the pupusas at Pupusas Tonita 😉 There is a bus from the gas station next to Nova Center mall to Valley of Angels for 23L ($1) We used a taxi to get to Nova center. We felt very safe with both modes of transportation.
We went to the Cascadas Mall and the City Mall. Both have free wifi spots and theaters. Typically the movies don’t start until 4 or 5 but sometimes they have a 1 pm showing of something. Movies are around 85 L which is almost $5. They have a premier theater too which costs more but you can order food and drinks during the movie. Our girls did a girls night in the Valle of Angels. It was fun and we ended up using the hotel for debrief.
Take a trip up to Cristo de Picacho on the north side of town. There are a few parks to visit, could make a half-day trip of it. Cost 30L to get in the main park and 10L more to walk up to the statue. Make sure to communicate with your taxi/micro-bus driver a time to pick you up or get their phone number as there are no taxi’s returning from the mountain top.
MultiPlaza has matinee movies for $2.50 American.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
Drink plenty of water. You can think you are doing fine doing fine, but end up suffering from dehydration: vomiting, nausea, couldn’t keep any water down, diarrhea, sweats, exhaustion, etc. miserable
Bring sunscreen, Tea tree oil, and a bathing suit. Days off can be shoe varied and are a ton of fun!
Additional Info
Additional Info in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?
People’s Opinions
LOGISTICSWe flew into Honduras and the border control was very easy here. Make sure people have their forms filled out correctly and they won’t give you any trouble. TL’s planned transportation from the airport to the ministry locations.You can buy sim cards in the airport for super cheap — just make sure you have them test the cards in front of you or they might not work.We traveled with TICA bus and had the entire squad meet in Tegucigalpa so that we could make the early morning bus. Hire taxi’s or private buses from the hostel — they are much cheaper and much more reliable than the taxis.
At Zion’s Gate.Henry’s mom likes to do nails.Amalia’s mom makes and sells earrings.