Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 07/15/15
Personal Experiences from Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Only studied/interned abroad before.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Chicago, ~7 hours with connections.
3. How long have you lived here?
I've been here for one year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Embassy work.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is decent, but there is barbed wire and bars even on the windows of my third floor apartment due to security standards. The housing can also be not so decent in certain instances: I've heard of leaky roofs, insect infestations, etc. Commute time is no more than 15 minutes from any Embassy residence if one leaves before major traffic begins.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Vegetables and fruits are cheap, but imported products can be much more expensive than relatively good Honduran counterparts. Seafood can be cheaper here, but not shrimp.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Trader Joe's stuff and certain spices that are hard to find here. Generally, however, you can get whatever is needed here as long as it is not for the more complex meals.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The good restaurants are at US prices. I'm a picky eater, so I don't really go to the middle range or fast food restaurants.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Not many in my apartment, though I've heard of a few problems from those who have houses.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Through the Embassy DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very cheap. For me it's $90 a month for someone to come 2 days a week full time to clean my apartment.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There's a Gold Gym and a Crossfit, as well as some local gyms. USAID and the Embassy also have gyms.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
I have only used the ATM at the Embassy, as well as (extremely rarely) those at the Intercontinental Hotel and the Mall Multiplaza. I experienced the first debit card fraud ever in my life here.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Most religious services that I've heard of are in Spanish. I haven't heard of any English-speaking congregations here in Tegus. That might be more common in the north of the country.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Not much if you are hanging out with Americans all the time. It's extremely useful to have Spanish if you want to interact more with the local population. In many cases it's required.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Absolutely. The terrain is mountainous, and I haven't seen any special accommodations for the disabled except for the occasional reserved parking spot.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Vetted taxis are essential. Sometimes I use a private company in a pinch or when I have to go a long distance and don't feel like paying the inflated prices of vetted taxis. Public transportation and white taxis are to be avoided for safety reasons.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
One that you don't mind getting beat up.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes it is, and it is relatively cheap (around $50/month).
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
The Embassy provides work cell phones, although it's easy and cheap to have a personal plan or a SIM card.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No and yes.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
I don't think so.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Formal at the Embassy, casual in public.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Absolutely. It's a part of daily life here and cannot be ignored or avoided. I cannot just walk to the neighborhood cafe that's just five minutes away without making sure I have around 100 lempiras in my pocket with my other valuables in other places (like my phone in my sock, credit cards in another sock, etc.) in case I get robbed. There are some people who occasionally walk to the Embassy from their homes, but they certainly do so at their own risk.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Dengue and Chikungunya are common, even in Tegucigalpa. Medical care varies, but there are a couple of decent places in Tegus.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Decent, except when people burn things during the Spring (makes me cough a lot).
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
People burn the bush here in the spring, so watch out because it can get really smoggy.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The weather in Tegucigalpa is almost always temperate. There are a few hotter and/or rainier days, but generally it's eternal spring here.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I'm single, but I've heard that the American School, Discovery School, and DelCampo International are the most used.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Not sure about this at all.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
No experience in this either, although I've heard that Abejitas and Happy Faces are used often.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
I don't have any experience in this area.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The expat community here is fairly sizable. On the American end, morale can fluctuate based on who you speak to. Some people here like it (though very few REALLY like it), and some people do not like being here so much. Overall, there's a general feeling of OK-ness. The ambassador is nice/cool, so that helps things along a bit I think.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Going out to the same restaurants over and over again, and occasionally going to some of the subpar clubs/bars.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For families it can actually be better, since they already have a built-in social network upon arriving home. For single people, social isolation can set in. I consider myself pretty outgoing, but sociality here (both among locals and American expats at least) revolves mainly around the family. Although for families that actually like getting out of the house, this place could be tough as well.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
There are actually three gay bars (that I know of) in Tegus, and they are not underground or really sketchy. At least two of them are frequented by even a lot of straight people from my experience. However, it's been personally hard for me to make good LGBT friends around my own age here, as eventually I've almost always been asked for money. Overall, there is a weak social gay scene here, and I don't venture out too much --- and that's not from lack of wanting to. It's because I don't know who I can and cannot trust, and I don't feel like spending my time sniffing it out.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There are some nascent issues in these areas here, but they are not extremely obvious or overpowering to someone who is living as an expat.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Unfortunately, there have not been too many highlights.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
In Tegus there are not really any 'hidden gems' that I've noticed. Roatan, Tela, and La Ceiba are known for tourism. The one '"hidden gem" that I can think of might be the island of Amapala, although even the best hotel there is subpar.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Lenca pottery is a favorite of mine.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The weather is nice in Tegucigalpa. Roatan, La Ceiba, and Tela in the north are fun, and one can find relatively cheap flights up to those places for weekend/holiday getaways.
10. Can you save money?
If you never travel anywhere (not too improbable) and cook for yourself (also very likely after getting tired of the same restaurants constantly), then yes.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The effects of crime on movement.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely not
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
high expectations.
4. But don't forget your:
flask.
5. Do you have any other comments?
If you're a single person, avoid this place. There might be a cool group of people already at post for you to hang out with, but more often than not, that group is not there or you don't know about it.
