Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 07/10/18
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?
No.
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?
United States, Virginia. Two hour flight to Miami, 2.5hr flight to IAD or DCA. Also connections through Houston and if you fly a Latin American airline, through El Sal and Panama City.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Houses are large but dated. Apartments are more modern. Backyards are small or nonexistent. Commute to embassy is long (20-40min for 2-3miles) because traffic is bad and Honduran drivers are aggressive and rules aren't enforced.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Many American-style grocery stores. Open market at the stadium on the weekends. Fruit stands on the side of the road. Produce is cheap. You can find most things you would find (different brands) at the store. Also hardware stores, Walmart, and Pricesmart (costco).
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
You can get most things here. Luxury items or specialty items are harder to find.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The food is not great, mediocre at best. The food is better up north on the coast. Everything is bland or too salty.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Full-time maid is about $150-200/month. Gardener is about $20/week. People also hire live-in help and nannies.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Gym at embassy, AJ fitness, crossfit gym, places to do karate and yoga, etc.
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?
Cards are accepted in stores. For markets and street vendors you need cash.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
The wealthy speak English. Most locals you encounter day-to-day do not.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. Specific taxi guidance is given. Affordable, yes.
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?
SUV.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. One week.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Tito or Claro.
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?
Mediocre vets. No good kennels we've found. No quarantine if vaccines are up-to-date.
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?
Secretary and consular assistant jobs mostly.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots of mission work, medical missions.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Critical for crime (opportunistic crime). There seem to be lots of robberies at gunpoint, and from what I've heard, even within the embassy community. Always be aware of your surroundings. No walking in the streets. Tinted windows.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Pika, dengue, chikungunya, and malaria when you are not in the mountains.
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?
Bad during burn season. Pollution in city. No recycling. There seems to be trash everywhere.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Climate is good. Cool at night. Hot during day. Rainy season and dry season.
Expat Life:
1. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
The embassy hosts lots of family activities.
2. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No.
3. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
It seems very sexist against women.
4. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Copan ruinas, roatan, Lago Yojoa, Pico Bonito.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Maybe not.
2. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Lost City of the Monkey God.
