Safety in El Paraiso, 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
We never ran into any security or safety concerns in El Parisio. We were always back to our hosts by 7:00 PM which is shortly after it gets dark here. On nights when we wanted snacks, we felt safe walking to the corner pulperias (stores) for cookies and such.There are a few streets and neighborhoods our hosts told us to stay away from after dark so always be sure to ask.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in El Paraiso, 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 ministry was Mision Caribe, their office is in Tegucigalpa but they support local churches all over Honduras. We worked with “Fuente de Agua Viva” and stayed with Mike & Teresa who work for Mision Caribe.Three days a week we taught in schools. Three evenings a week we helped with classes at the church. Sunday’s we helped teach Sunday school. We organized and hosted community events for women, children & people from the church. We also did house visits once a week.Mike and Teresa are very open to feedback (we were their first team) and desire the best for their ministry in El Parisio. Yes, I would recommend another team to go to this ministry because the variety of ministry is really good but they are also open to hearing ideas on new types of ministry.Our biggest breakthroughs happened during the events we hosted for the community. IE: a women’s retreat at Mike & Teresa’s house and a “Dia de Divercion” (Fun day) for kids and adolescents at the church.
Lodging
Lodging in El Paraiso, 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
We stayed withe Mike & Teresa in their home during our entire month in Honduras. (Travel days were spent at the Mision Caribe mission house in Tegucigalpa.)There are two showers & two western style bathrooms. We slept on cots with mattresses. They have three extra bedrooms in their house where teams sleep, you can split up any way you wish. We used one room for our packs and luggage, and the other two for sleeping.Mike & Teresa’s house is very WR friendly!! There is a lot of space for teams and their house is set up like a hostel with an open patio area, working kitchen, dining room and office area. Although the power and water sometimes get shut off.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in El Paraiso, 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
We bought all our food and cooked our own meals this month. There is a grocery store called “La Dispensa” (near the plaza) we shopped at in addition to trips to Danli once a week for things we couldnt find in El Parisio.Mike and Teresa ate each meal with us but contributed their own food. This can get confusing at times but it is what we found worked best for our team.
Transportation
Transportation in El Paraiso, 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 walked everywhere.Took buses to Danli to grocery shop and a bus back to Tegucigalpa for travel day.Mike and Teresa were very helpful when we needed to find buses, etc.
Medical
Medical in El Paraiso, Honduras Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
There is a medical clinic one block from Mike and Teresa’s house if teams need it.
Communication
Communication in El Paraiso, Honduras Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
HOTEL MARIO CHAVEZ!!!Mike and Teresa have internet at their house but it is not fast enough for more than one or two devices to connect at once.At the end of our month we discovered Hotel Mario Chavez which is only a 5 minute walk from Mike and Teresa’s house.They have a restaurant with wifi, delicious food, coffee and blended lemonades. In addition to the restaurant and wifi, if you spend $5 (100 limepera) on a meal you can use the pool for free! Wish we would have discovered this place sooner. Plus the staff is extremely friendly!
Financial
Financial in El Paraiso, Honduras Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
There are banks and ATMs (cajero in Spanish) all over the place. We did not have a problem with that, many local places accept debit/credit cards as well.
Translators
Translators in El Paraiso, Honduras List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Mike & Teresa spent 14 months at a Spanish learning center in Guatemala before coming to Honduras. Mike is pretty much fluent Spanish and Teresa knows enough to communicate with the locals.We also had a couple girls on our team who spoke Spanish and translating was not an issue.Also, know that at most schools you will teach alone WITHOUT a translator. It is best to have lessons and things planned before hand.
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in El Paraiso, 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
We went on one adventure day while in El Parisio with Giovani who owns the local grocery store. He is trying to develop tourism here and took us places for next to nothing; although they are not your typical adventure day.We went on a 2 hour hike to waterfalls, visited a local El Parisio farm and spent time at a coffee plantation; it was a really fun day but definitely not what we expected.Danli is about 20-30 minutes away on a bus and we went there a couple times. They have more restaurants and places to go than El Parisio.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in El Paraiso, Honduras Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
Giovani Chavez3238 5583Giovani is very friendly and was a friend of our ministry contacts. He knows literally everything and everyone! He took us all around Honduras for next to nothing. He is a good contact if you’re looking to go exploring.
Tips
People’s Opinions
The Plaza, which is located in the middle of town, is a great place for spontaneous ministry. Many times in the evening a few team members would venture down to The Plaza to meet new people, play soccer with the kids. It’s only a few blocks from Mike & Teresa’s house and is a great place to meet locals.
Additional Info
Additional Info in El Paraiso, Honduras Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?