As many other cities located along the Honduras Caribbean coastline, Tela is a city of contrasts. Architecturally speaking, it is characterized by two strongly differentiated sectors: the old and the modern.

The older section depicts the American neocolonial style, with wooden houses supported by concrete bases, isolating the construction from the ground to avoid the effects of flooding and mosquitoes. The modern section is more solid and, although conceived for the tropics, it is indeed colder and more impersonal.

Tela`s older sector is attractive, seductive and nostalgic. Most of the tourist attractions are located in this area. But Tela is well known not exactly by its architecture but by its splendid bay, where visitors can enjoy magnificent fishing experiences, as well as protected areas with secluded beaches and wildlife reserves.

Besides the culture, Tela has presence and preservation of natural & marine parks. Within the park, visitors will find the Punta Sal marine reserve with white sand beaches, coral reefs, manatees and a lot of rare flora & fauna. Also the Los Micos Lagoon, nearby the Garifuna villages and the Punta Izopo Wildlife refugee of plenty of species.

During the nineteenth century, as well as a few decades during the twentieth, Tela developed as a coastal corner from which banana and African palm trees were produced, processed and exported abroad.

Garifunas population, most of them preserving their cultural heritage as a group of African and indigenous mixture, inhabits the villages that surround Tela. Originating from the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, the Garifunas came to Honduras in 1797. They speak their own language, beautifully preserved throughout two centuries; however, the Garifuna is no longer a migratory group. They perfectly mingled with Honduran ethnic groups and in many ways is an important influence for its modern culture. The Garifuna contribution to the Honduras heritage is based on music, language, cuisine, and the very intense color palette that prevails in the Caribbean, its striking tones in red, yellow and other vivid colors. Cuisine and dances as well as religious and other celebrations tied to the agricultural cycle are part of the Garifunas contribution.

Some of the Garifuna communities are: Rio Tinto, Miami, Tornabe, San Juan, La Ensenada, and El Trinfo de la Cruz. We can offer special packages that take place in some of these communities involving food, dances and other unforgettable experiences.