Tela | Honduras

Tela is a secondary port city and a major domestic tourism hub on the northern Caribbean coast of Honduras. It serves as a center for agricultural processing and palm oil production, functioning as a primary gateway to several major national parks and Garifuna cultural sites.

Historical Timeline

Tela was founded on May 3, 1524, by Spanish conquistador Cristóbal de Olid as "Triunfo de la Cruz." The town's primary era of governance began in 1912 with the establishment of the Tela Railroad Company, a subsidiary of United Fruit Company, which transitioned the city from a colonial outpost to a global banana export hub. The most significant political reconstruction followed the nationalization of the railway in 1975. The 1912 land grants to American fruit companies is the primary event that dictated the modern layout, separating the residential company barracks from the public town.

Demographics & Population

The population within the urban town center is approximately 39,920, with the broader municipality containing roughly 110,255 residents. The top three demographics are Mestizo (85%), Garifuna (12%), and European/North American expatriates (3%). The median age of the population is 25.2 years.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

The city is divided by the Tela River into "Tela Viejo" (Old Tela) and "Tela Nuevo" (New Tela). Tela Viejo serves as the traditional commercial core and administrative center. Tela Nuevo, formerly the United Fruit Company compound, contains the most significant historic wooden architecture and modern tourism infrastructure. The 1st Street waterfront (The Boulevard) is the primary district for visitors.

Top City Landmarks

Lancetilla Botanical Garden (Second largest in the world)

Tela Railroad Company Museum

Municipal Public Beach (Playa de Tela)

The Old Steel Pier

Tela Marine Research Center (Aquarium)

Transportation Network

Movement within the city relies on white route taxis and "moto-taxis" (tuk-tuks). There are no metro or tram systems. Ride-sharing is limited; "InDrive" is the only app with sporadic availability. Official taxis are white and identified by a red number painted on the door. Traffic density is moderate, peaking significantly during the "Semana Santa" (Easter) holiday period when domestic tourism surges.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is moderate. Visitors should avoid the neighborhood of El Estrecho at night and the isolated stretches of beach between Tela and the village of San Juan after dark. Common scams involve unregulated "tour operators" at the bus terminal and opportunistic theft of unattended bags on the public beach.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Average internet speed is 40 Mbps via fiber. Main mobile carriers are Tigo and Claro. Card acceptance is high in the larger resorts and restaurants, but cash (Lempira) is mandatory for market vendors and transportation. ATMs are available in the city center at Banco Atlántida and BAC Credomatic.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C year-round. Tela has a tropical wet climate with high humidity and significant rainfall from October to December. Weather risks include seasonal hurricanes and localized flooding of the Tela River. Air quality is very high due to the lack of heavy industrial pollutants and proximity to coastal forest reserves.

Culture & Social Norms

Tipping of 10% is standard in restaurants and often pre-added to the bill. Standard greetings involve a handshake and "Buenas" or "Hola." Dress code is casual, but shirts and footwear are required in government offices and churches. Public smoking is generally discouraged in indoor public spaces.

Accommodation Zones

Tela Nuevo: Recommended for historical interest, quiet colonial-era streets, and high-end resort access.

Beachfront Central: Recommended for proximity to public dining, nightlife, and immediate beach access.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: L45.00 ($1.82)

1 Standard Lunch (Sopa de Caracol): L220.00 ($8.90)

1 Taxi Trip (Local/Collective): L30.00 ($1.21)

Nearby Day Trips

Jeannette Kawas National Park (Punta Sal): 15 km by boat (45 mins)

Punta Izopo National Park: 12 km (20 mins)

Triunfo de la Cruz (Garifuna Village): 8 km (15 mins)

San Juan (Garifuna Village): 5 km (10 mins)

Facts & Legends

A verified historical oddity of Tela is the Lancetilla Botanical Garden, which was originally established by the United Fruit Company as an experimental site to test tropical crops from around the globe; this resulted in the presence of rare Asian and African tree species in the middle of a Central American jungle. A local legend concerns the "Lady of the Pier," a spectral figure said to be the ghost of a woman who waited decades for a lover to return from a banana steamer. Residents claim she can still be seen on foggy nights at the end of the old abandoned steel pier, staring out at the horizon of Tela Bay.