Shopping

The sprawling Guamilito Market between 8 and 9 Avenida and 6 and 7 Calles NO has products from around the country, as well as El Salvador and Guatemala, which fill up literally hundreds of small stalls. You'll find everything from hammocks, T-shirts, and pottery to cigars, Maya figurines, jewelry, coffee, and Garífuna coconut carvings. Expect to bargain and never accept your first price. Of special note is the small section of women that make tortillas not far from the food stalls -- even if you don't buy anything, the market is worth a visit to see these women at work. The market is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

For high-quality handcrafted leather handbags and purses, try Danilo's (Av. 18 SO and Calle 9; tel. 504/552-0656; www.danilos.com). Maymo Art Gallery (2 Calle SO and 7 Av. No. 24; tel. 504/553-0318) exhibits and sells paintings from numerous Honduran artists, such as Benigno Gomez, Roque Zelaya, and Maury Flores.

The best malls in Honduras can be found in San Pedro. City Mall (Circunvalación and Carr; no phone), opened in late 2005, is home to more than 200 shops, a Cinemark movie theater, seven banks, and almost 30 restaurants.