Things To Do in San Pedro Sula
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San Pedro Sula Attractions
Parque Central (Central Park) is the heart of San Pedro and located smack in the middle at 1 Calle and 3 Avenida. Most of the city's attractions, as well as restaurants and shops, are clustered around this park. Though the park lacks the charm of colonial centers in Tegucigalpa and Comayagua, it's still the most identifiable landmark (apart from the giant Coca Cola sign on one of the hillsides) and most popular meeting place in the city. Recent efforts have cleaned up this square and the pedestrian-only streets near it quite a bit. The Cathedral at the 3 Avenida side, built in 1949, doesn't have the history or elegance of some of the country's better-known churches, but nevertheless, it is worth a peek when it is open during Mass in this attraction-starved city.
Parque Nacional El Cusuco
While it is difficult to reach and not nearly as majestic as Parque Nacional Celaque, El Cusuco is well worth the time and effort if you're in the San Pedro Sula area for a few days and have some time to spare. Set in the Merendón Mountain Range--45km (28 miles) away -- the park is dominated by lush, unspoiled cloud forest and some of the most diverse avian life of any national park in the country. If you arrive early, you have the chance to spot quetzals (they're easiest to spot between Apr and June), toucans, parrots, and even a few mammals. There are two trails from the visitor center, Quetzal and Las Minas, which take no more than a few hours to explore. You can usually hire a guide from the visitor center for L90. Admission is L285, and the park is open daily from 8am to 4:30pm.
Jungle Expedition (tel. 504/9762-6620; www.junglexpedition.org), based in San Pedro Sula, organizes various tours in and around the park, including night hikes, village visits, and waterfall rappelling that range from 6 hours to 3 days (beginning at L570 per person). Your best option for staying overnight here is in one of the cabins in Buenos Aires run by Fundación Ecologista HR Pastor (Av. 12a NO and Calle 1a, San Pedro Sula; tel. 504/2557-6598). Cabins run L230 per person and must be reserved in advance.
San Pedro Sula Shopping
The sprawling Guamilito Market, between 8 and 9 Avenida and 6 and 7 Calles NO, sells products from around the country and from El Salvador and Guatemala, which fill up literally hundreds of small stalls. You'll find everything from hammocks, T-shirts, and pottery to cigars, Mayan 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 who 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 hand-crafted leather handbags and purses, try Danilo's (Av. 18 SO and Calle 9, and also at the airport; tel. 504/2552-0656). Maymo Art Gallery (2 Calle SO and 7 Av. No. 24; tel. 504/2553-0318) 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), opened in late 2005, is home to more than 200 shops, a Cinemark movie theater, seven banks, and almost 30 restaurants.
San Pedro Sula Nightlife
While the consensus has always been that La Ceiba has the best nightlife in Honduras, San Pedro isn't far behind, and it's catching up fast. Along the Circunvalación and in the Zona Viva (at Av. 15a and 16a SO, between Calles 7a and 11a SO in Barrio Suyapa) are the majority of the city's many bars, lounges, and clubs. The two-level lounge and dance club B412 (9a Calle SO and Av. 16; Thurs-Sat 9pm-3am) is one of the favorite spots on the strip at the time of writing, particularly their open-air second level that overlooks the city. A block away, The Cube (8a Calle SO and Av. 16; Thurs-Sat 9pm-3am) attracts mostly young people intent on spending most of the night on a crowded dance floor.
The hottest late-night club in town is currently La Ceiba transplant Hibou (first floor of the City Mall; tel. 504/9536-0035; Thurs-Sat 9pm-4am). If you like DJs blasting loud house, techno, and salsa, crowds of hard-partying hip 20-somethings dressed to kill, and dancing until dawn, then this place is your best bet. Covers vary depending on the night, but usually range from L60 to L120.
If slinging back gin and tonics and playing roulette or blackjack are more your thing, check out Casino Copán in Hotel Copantl.
