Is Tegucigalpa as terrible as it is made out to be? Tegucigalpa - the dangerous capital of Honduras Tegucigalpa what country
To the north of Morazan Square are the old suburbs, which were once the area where wealthy emigrants lived. The hillsides of Cerro el Picacho are dotted with old buildings, reminiscent of the capital's colonial past. In the Parque de las Naciones Unidas stands the capital's youngest monument, the massive Cristo del Picacho Monument (1997), from the foot of which a breathtaking panorama of the city and surrounding area opens up. To the east of the center begins a respectable area called Colonia Palmyra, where most of the foreign embassies, luxury hotels and rich residences of the capital are concentrated. In the east of the capital is Morazan Boulevard, the entertainment center of Tegucigalpa. It is often also called La Zona Viva. The boulevard borders the country's main stadium - Estado Nacional.
The La Paz Monument, visible south of the stadium, was built to commemorate the end of the 1969 "football war" in which approximately two thousand people died. Noteworthy are the Museum of Military History in Valle Park - a private collection of objects from pre-Columbian cultures of America - Sala Bancatlán (open from 9.00 to 15.00) on Miraflores Boulevard, the Museum of Natural History in the complex of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) with an extensive exhibition of the various ecosystems of the country.
The main market of the capital, San Isidro, stretches between the 6th Avenida and Calle Uno from the Puente Carias river bridge.
Administration
The city administration consists of a mayor and five councilors from different political parties. A representative of the National Party of Honduras, Ricardo Alvarez, was elected mayor of the city.
Transport
Airport
Toncontin Airport
Toncontin International Airport serves as the main airport for arrivals and departures from Tegucigalpa. The origin of this name is unknown. This airport is often criticized for being one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. Because of its location next to a mountain range, its runway is too short, and its difficult approach that requires large commercial aircraft to make a tight hairpin turn to the left. Due to the terrain, the turn maneuver is performed at a low altitude. Efforts have been made for many years to replace Toncontin with Palmerola Airport in Comayagua, which is currently a US-Honduran Air Force base.
On May 30, 2008, a plane crash occurred at the airport in which a TACA plane skidded off the runway and crashed into an embankment, destroying several vehicles. The crash killed 5 people and injured 65 people. Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has announced that within a few years all commercial flights will operate through Palmerola Airport.
Notable residents
- Manuel de Adalid y Gamero - composer, conductor and teacher
Twin Cities
- Madrid, Spain
- Lima, Peru
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Bogota, Colombia
- Belo Horizonte (port. Belo Horizonte), Brazil
- New Orleans , United States of America
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Guatemala, Guatemala
- Kansas City , United States of America
Notes
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Tegucigalpa has been the capital of Honduras since 1880 and is known locally as Tegus. More than 1 million inhabitants live here. The population is growing rapidly due to migrants coming to the capital to work. Not everyone manages to get a job, so the crime rate is quite high. You need to be especially careful at night; during the day the city is more or less safe. The city has decent, expensive areas where you can live comfortably without encountering crime.
The city was founded in 1578 on the site of an Indian settlement. In translation, the name of the city is translated as “silver hills”. During colonial times, this was the center of gold and silver mines. However, the city was small and provincial. In 1930, Tegucigalpa was annexed by the neighboring city of Comayagüela, located on the other side of the Choluteca River. Only after almost 100 years after the capital was moved to Tegucigalpa, starting in 1960, did it begin to develop rapidly.
The city has a small colonial center. It is recommended to visit the Museum of National Identity. Usually tourists do not stay in the capital, but go to Copan or the islands of Utila and Roatan to go diving.
The photographs in this article were taken in one of the safe areas of Comayagüela.
Safety in Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa is considered a dangerous crime city. However, during the day in many areas you can walk and you only have to be wary of pickpockets. In the evening and at night it is better to travel by taxi. In Tegucigalpa, the Colonia Palmira area is considered relatively safe. For safety, some expensive areas close roads at night and only residents are allowed to enter. Many shops and banks have armed guards. Areas near intercity bus stations, usually located in Comayagüela, are considered particularly dangerous.
Where isand how to get to Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa has an international airport, which is located 6.5 kilometers from the city. You can also travel to the capital of Honduras by international buses connecting the country with its neighbors Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Each bus company has its own bus station.
Read notes about your visit to Tegucigalpa in “Diary: a year-long journey through Latin America” - see Day.
Independent travel route around Honduras - read.
Read how to buy cheap tickets to Honduras.
Honduras: visa, money, transport, embassies - read.
When is the best time to go to Honduras: weather, tourist seasons, holidays and events - read.
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The most common version of the name Tegucigalpa comes from the words Tegus-galpa of the Nahuatl Indian language, which means “silver hills”. The Guatemalan researcher, Favio Rodoso, put forward the version of the origin of the name Tegucigalpa that Tegucigalpa means bird in the Nahuatl language. There were other hypotheses put forward by two Mexican experts, Ignacio Davila Garibi and Alfredo Barrera Vazquez, that the word Tegucigalpa comes from the Nualta Tecuztlicallipan, or “Residence of the Rich” or Tegutzincalpan or “Place of the House of Señor Amando.” But none of the versions other than the official one have become widespread.
Story
Tegucigalpa was founded on September 29, 1578 on the site of an existing Indian settlement. The original name of the city was San Miguel de Tegucigalpa de Heredia. At that time it was a center of silver and gold mines. The first capital of Honduras was the port city of Trujillo. The capital was later moved to the city of Gracias in the western department of Lempira. Subsequently, the capital was again moved several times, either to Tegucigalpa or Comayagua. Tegucigalpa finally became the capital in 1880. One of the reasons for the final transfer of the capital to Tegucigalpa was the desire of then President Marc Aurelius Soto to be closer to his mining business, which was located 40 km from Tegucigalpa.
The city remained small and provincial until the 1960s. In the 1930s, the city of Comayagüela, on the other side of the Choluteca River, was incorporated into Tegucigalpa. The city is now booming, expanding beyond the boundaries of the colonial city and continuing to grow at a rapid but chaotic pace. Today, the city is also growing thanks to economic migrants who come to the capital from the provinces in search of work and a better future.
Georgiafia
The capital of Honduras is conventionally divided by the Choluteca River into two halves - mountainous and flat. The plain refers to the part of the city located on the slopes of Mount El Picacho, and several areas on the Comayagua plateau. The main feature of Tegucigalpa is its mild climate and fresh air. The city is constantly blown by mountain winds, and in addition, pine forests have been preserved on the slopes of nearby mountains, bringing coolness to the residents.
Hurricane Mitch
On October 22, 1998, the waters of the southwestern Caribbean Sea gave rise to a tropical depression, which a day later developed into a tropical hurricane, called Mitch. Gaining strength, Mitch rushed north and by October 26 its strength exceeded 12 points, generating continuous winds of up to 290 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 320. On October 30, 1998, as a result of this hurricane, the city of Tegucigalpa was badly damaged. Parts of the Comayagua area, as well as some other places along the Choluteca River, were destroyed. Rains and downpours accompanied the hurricane for 5 days, saturating the soil with water and leading to landslides throughout the country, but most of all in the capital along the Choluteca River.
Attractions
The main attraction of the city is the Iglesia de San Francisco church. Most of the modern church was erected in 1740, although the building itself began construction in 1592. It has a majestic appearance and interior in a traditional Spanish style. In front of the Parque Central parkland stands the Cathedral of San Miguel, which took almost 20 years to build, from 1765-1782. It has a gilded altar and a carved stone cross, which are still objects of pilgrimage for tourists. The premises of the old University of Antigua Paraninfo-Universitaria are currently used as an art museum. South of Parque Central, stands the National Art Gallery, or Paraninfo, complex with a huge collection of Central American art. The National University was originally built as a convent. Next door to the National University is the huge National Congress complex, the main government building of the country. In the block to the west you can find the Presidential Palace, which houses the Historical Museum of the Republic. Calle Peatonal or Pedestrian Street deserves special attention, literally crammed with shops, cafes and street stalls. To the west lies the cozy and shady Parque Herrera, on the south side of which is the Manuel Bonilla National Theater complex, built in 1915 and an almost exact copy of the Parisian Athény-Comique building. Parque La Concordia displays replicas of Mayan sculptures from the Copan culture, kept in museums across the country. In the northwest you can find the small domed church of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores, built in 1732. Its facade is decorated with biblical scenes, and inside there is a unique altar, which, according to some residents, has miraculous properties. Two blocks west of Los Dolores is the Villa Roy mansion, home of President Julio Lozano Díaz, which now houses the National Museum of Anthropology and History with an extensive exhibition on the country's history and a small library. Plaza Morazan is also considered one of the central parts of the city and is used as a popular meeting place and venue for social events. The statue in the center of the square honors the national hero Francisco Morazan. The National Library is located in his home today. At the eastern edge of the square stands the snow-white façade of the Cathedral of San Miguel, built in 1782. To the north of Morazan Square are the old suburbs, which were once the area where wealthy emigrants lived. The slopes of Cerro el Picacho are literally crammed with old buildings, reminiscent of the capital's colonial past. In the Parque de las Naciones Unidas stands the capital's youngest monument, the massive Cristo del Picacho Monument (1997), from the foot of which a breathtaking panorama of the city and surrounding area opens up. To the east of the center begins a respectable area called Colonia Palmyra, where most of the foreign embassies, luxury hotels and rich residences of the capital are concentrated. In the east of the capital is Morazan Boulevard, the entertainment center of Tegucigalpa. It is often also called La Zona Viva. The boulevard borders the country's main stadium - Estado Nacional. The La Paz Monument, visible south of the stadium, was built to commemorate the end of the “football war” of 1969, in which about two thousand people died. Noteworthy are the Museum of Military History in Valle Park - a private collection of objects from pre-Columbian cultures of America - Sala Bancatlán (open from 9.00 to 15.00) on Miraflores Boulevard, the Museum of Natural History in the complex of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) with an extensive exhibition of the various ecosystems of the country. The main market of the capital, San Isidro, stretches between the 6th Avenida and Calle Uno from the Puente Carias river bridge.
Administration
The city administration consists of a mayor and five councilors from different political parties. A representative of the National Party of Honduras, Ricardo Alvarez, was elected mayor of the city.
Airport
Toncontin International Airport serves as the main airport for arrivals and departures from Tegucigalpa. The origin of this name is unknown. This airport is often criticized for being one of the most dangerous in the world (due to its location next to a mountain range, its too-short runway, and a difficult approach that requires large commercial planes to perform a tight hairpin left turning at a very low altitude to land on a very short runway. For this, even qualified American Airlines pilots receive an additional one, specialized for takeoffs and landings at Toncontin. For many years, efforts have been made to replace this with Palmerola Airport in Comayagua, now a U.S.-Honduran air force base. On May 30, 2008, a plane crash occurred at the airport in which a TACA aircraft skidded off the runway and crashed into an embankment, destroying several vehicles. The crash killed 5 and injured 65 people were injured.Honduran President Mel Zelaya announced that within a few years all commercial flights would be transferred to the safer Palmerola Airport.
The capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, is one of the largest cities in Central America, which is increasingly attracting tourists from all over the world. The city is located in the valley of the Choluteca River and on the slopes of Mount El Picacho. Even the name Tegucigalpa means “silver hills” in the Nahuatl language.
Tegucigalpa is famous not only for its rich recreational resources, but also for its mild climate and fresh air. The city is blown by refreshing mountain winds and brings long-awaited coolness to residents and guests of the capital. Here you can walk for a long time along the narrow streets, which sometimes seem simply endless, and observe a rather interesting picture: sights from the world of ancient Mayan civilizations are in harmony with modern glass multi-story buildings.
The visiting card of the capital of Honduras is the Iglesia de San Francisco church. Built in the mid-18th century, it has still retained its majestic appearance and interior in a traditional Spanish style.
Church of the Iglesia de San Francisco.
No less famous is the Cathedral of San Miguel, which, thanks to its gilded altar and carved stone cross, is an object of pilgrimage for tourists.
Cathedral of San Miguel.
Antigua Paraninfo-Universitaria used to be one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Latin America. But later it was decided to place an art museum in this building.
Monument to Francisco Morazan.
The central place in the capital of Honduras is occupied by Morazan Square, where there is an equestrian monument to the national hero - General Francisco Morazan.
Tegucigalpa has many interesting museums, including the National Museum, the Mint, and the Museum of the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Honduras.
a - the largest city and capital Honduras with a population of 1.7 million people. Tegucigalpa is the third most populous city in Central America (after Guatemala City and San Salvador). The city is located at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level in the valley of the Choluteca River.
Due to this location, Tegucigalpa always has clean and fresh air, and its climate is very mild and pleasant.
Tegucigalpa became the capital of Honduras in 1880; until that time it was an inconspicuous town that lived by extracting silver and gold from nearby mines. The capital is currently experiencing a migration boom. Many Hondurans come to the capital to work and settle here.
How to get there
Of all the major cities in the nearby countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, Tegucigalpa can be reached by international by bus. The cost of such a move will cost about 40-70 USD. Usually these are overnight transfers, the price includes food, a blanket and other services. We traveled with a company that provides transportation throughout Central America and Honduras in particular.
Direct flights there is no connection between Russia and Honduras, so you will have to fly with transfers. The cheapest flights will be those that fly through the USA with a transfer to Atlanta, New York, Miami, Houston. There are flights via Europe, but they are more expensive.
All planes land at the city's main international airport, Toncontin, which, due to its terrain, is one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. But don't worry, pilots flying to Tegucigalpa undergo special training to land planes here.
Where to stay
The Choculeta River divides the capital into two parts quite different from each other: on the eastern bank it stretches Tegucigalpa with its business and commercial centers, colonial old buildings and wealthy areas. The West Bank is represented by poor neighborhoods of the twin city Comayagüela with its dirty markets, many cheap hotels and many transport terminals.
The best place to look for housing is in the Morazan boulevard area. This is a fairly quiet place, there are many shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels. From here you can easily leave and come and close to the sights of the capital.
Transport in Tegucigalpa
Getting around by public transport in Tegucigalpa is quite difficult, firstly, the city does not have a transport system such as a metro or monorail, and the second is that the public transport presented in the form buses(omnibus) and minibus taxis(busitos (micro-omnibus)) does not have any organization at all. It is unclear where the stop is, it is unclear where it is going and it is unclear when. You need to ask the locals or drivers for everything; you can’t do it without knowing Spanish. I think it's worth a penny.
If you live in the center, then such transport may not be useful, because... all attractions are within walking distance.
If you haven’t figured out the buses, then it’s better to move around the city by Taxi. There are a lot of them here - there are official and unofficial ones, unofficial ones are cheaper. The difference is very simple: official ones are white with a yellow number on the door, unofficial ones are just cars. All the cars are in varying degrees of ricketiness, sometimes you’re surprised that it’s still moving. It’s better to use the official ones, I think, negotiate the price with the driver.
Attractions of Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa offers its guests, first of all, a number of architectural buildings of the colonial period, fresh mountain air and passionate locals, a meeting with whom can end very badly.
Church of St. Francis. Iglesia de San Francicso.
Iglesia de San Francisco or Cathedral of Tegucigalpa is the main attraction of the city, most of which was built already in 1740, although it is known from facts that construction began as early as 1592. It is located in the main square of the city - Plaza Morazan. The traditional Spanish style and majestic appearance give it a special beauty. Inside, the church boasts a gilded altar and a carved stone cross.
Church of our Lady Dolores. Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores.
Another interesting church in the capital of Honduras is Iglesia de Nuestra Se?ora de los Dolores or simply Iglesia de Los Dolores (1732). Its peculiarity is that the facade is decorated with biblical scenes, it is built in the Baroque style, and the interior is represented by the styles of three directions: European, Indian and African cultures. There is a square and a park nearby.
Historical Museum of Honduras. Museo Historico de la Republica
This grandiose building was built in the second half of the 19th century. Today, entire collections of exhibits are presented here that reveal to visitors the secrets of the history of the local region: from the Mayan tribes to the times of the Civil War. In addition to an extensive exhibition on the history of the state, there is a small library.
Morazan Square. Plaza Morazan
This is the main square in the city - a place where friends and romantic couples meet and business meetings are held. The square is designed in honor of the first President of Honduras - Francisco Morazana, whose monument is in the middle of the square. In 1830, Francisco Morazan declared the independence of Honduras and set the country on a path of reconstruction and reform.
Pedestrian street Peatonal. Calle Peatonal.
The pedestrian street Peatonal is something like our Arbat or Khreshchatyk in Kyiv. Everyone walks here, there are many cafes and shops, street vendors and musicians. Various events and festivals are held on holidays. Nothing special at all, but interesting to watch the locals.
Parque la Leona
This is an observation deck, from here you can see the whole city, all its quarters. It is located a little away from the center, on a hill. There are wonderful views from here. If you decide to go here for sunset, it’s better to take a taxi; it’s not safe to walk in the evening.
Tegucigalpa is a very colorful and sometimes dangerous city. Here you can admire churches and breathe fresh mountain air, wander through dirty streets, go to the market and eat cheap food, or sit in a church and feel its antiquity and antiquity. The city has its own and only its own unique atmosphere; it lives its own life, such as it is.
Reference
- I would not recommend walking to remote areas of the city on your own. If you travel at night, it is better to use a taxi.
- When going to the markets of Tegucigalpa, carry small denomination bills with you to make it easier to pay traders. Don't take a lot of money with you.
- Discuss the cost of a taxi ride in advance
- Do not use photo or video equipment; after taking photographs, immediately put everything in your bag or backpack. It's the same with money.