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There aren’t many top secrets left about where to go on holiday. In an age where information is being doubled with new AI tools, it seems we have an answer for everything.
But I’m here to tell you that there is at least one more secret in the Caribbean.
As someone who just tried to visit and failed – yes, even travel experts make mistakes – I know one thing for sure…
The locals rave about this place.
I just got home from Honduras where I visited incredible Mayan ruins and timeless streets in Copan Ruinas.
The one notable missing hole on my itinerary was the secret Caribbean beach town Tela, with vibrant blue waters and affordable resorts.
Get over Roatan! Discover the hidden beach of Honduras
If Honduras is famous, it is undoubtedly Roatan, a beautiful Caribbean island.
This is popular on many cruise itineraries and is usually the only way to entice travelers to come here, as Honduras is often left aside in favor of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.
While I have indeed seen some unfortunate, ugly things while exploring the country, the majority of Honduras is absolutely breathtaking, despite being known as a poor, crime-ridden country.
The people I encountered couldn’t have been more friendly and welcoming.
They asked genuine questions without a sales pitch only to end up buying a useless souvenir.
I really enjoyed the visit and planned to end my trip with a visit to Tela, just a two-hour drive from the bustling town of San Pedro Sula, my base for a few days.
Well, it depends who you ask. As to why I missed my ride, I was told that a bus ride could take four hours due to ongoing road projects.
The next day my hired driver told me that was ridiculous, and that it was actually much closer to just an hour and 45 minutes.
After further confirmation it turned out that he was right. Expect a drive of about two hours, a worthwhile journey to a lesser-known paradise.
When I asked which beach to go to, no one said Roatan. Every answer was “Tela”.
Why doesn’t Tela bloom like Punta Cana?
What does Punta Cana have that Tela doesn’t?
Reputation. That’s it.
The Dominic Republic’s positive reputation was key to attracting investors. That’s why the Caribbean’s popular holiday destination is now packed with luxury resorts.
The same can be said for Tela, a small coastal town in a country with a bad reputation.
But it’s nowhere near the level of Haiti or Venezuela and offers some truly incredible resorts without breaking the bank.
Although there is little choice at the moment compared to popular holiday hotspots.
There was once a time when Punta Cana wasn’t touristy. It was the locals’ favorite escape until the secret was exposed.
Time will tell if this also applies to Tela, but the potential is undoubtedly there and it already has a head start with affordable resorts such as:
- Indura Beach & Golf Resort Curio Collection By Hilton
- La Ensenada Beach Resort & Conference Center
- Indura beach and golf resort (only $145 for last-minute holidays in August!)
- Beach Club Playa Escondida
- Telamar Resort
Vibrant blue water and decadent seafood
You can take a page out of Roatan’s book and pretend that mainland Honduras doesn’t exist, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice.
Additionally, the way some vacationers choose Roatan can be quite a hassle, but Tela is just a 2-hour drive from San Pedro Sula, a popular gateway to the country.
Whether you travel by bus, Uber or private driver, Tela is no harder to get to than wherever your favorite day trip or weekend getaway is.
Just don’t make the same mistake of listening to rival bus companies trying to stop me from taking their rival bus (timesheets are usually posted at the ticket counter).
Exploring the vibrant city center makes for a perfect entry point to get a sense of the local culture, especially through food like the acclaimed 7 Seas Beach Bar & Restaurant.
Ultimately, Tela is a beautiful beach destination because it is much less touristy than the islands of Honduras.
Don’t sleep on the magic of either Punta Sal National Park.
Tip: Hire my private driver Angel Alvarez for cheap, safe transportation to Tela from San Pedro Sula. His contact details are +504 99750989 (best reached via WhatsApp).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
