Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 01/19/24
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?
Nope. Too many African countries to list, plus Iraq, Afghanistan, Romania, Belize, and Guyana.
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?
From the US. Came from Miami and the flight is short but airport is in Comayagua which is 75 minutes away up and down 2 mountains. Imagine flying in with 2 kids and then spending an hour going through immigration (they've gotten better) and then driving on mountain roads for 75-90 minutes. It's a full day of travel.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What years did you live here?
2022-2024
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Dip Mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Decent housing. No backyards A lot of cards park on the street so don't be surprised to weave through a lot of stationary cars on you way home.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Have most of what they have in the states but inconsistent with stocking specific brands.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Medicine
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
We use Hugo for meal delivery. Most of the restaurants are not very good so we sticks with a handful of restaurants we like.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Not that I've seen.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Embassy has a DPO and pouch. Have not used any local facilities besides DHL.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Expect to spend around $500-600/month for full time non live-in household help.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are gyms/soccer field but I work out at the Embassy. Know there is a crossfit gym and a bjj school here but classes are during peak traffic times.
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?
CCs are widely accepted but I would stick with visa/mastercard. My US debit card works here and there is minimal concern with identify theft from using them.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
N/A
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Learn as much Spanish as you can before and during your stay.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I guess. Not a lot of sidewalks.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Embassy community is prohibited from taking local buses but Uber is availble.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Kia Picanto
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Reliable and you can get it installed within a day of arrival
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Have an international plan.
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?
N/A
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?
Can only speak for the US Mission and there are an abundance of employment opportunities but you have to be part of the Mission.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Tons but they might be in some not nice places of the city.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Same as the States.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yup. This is a critical crime post so but if your aware of your surroundings and stay alert (most Americans aren't) then you'll be fine.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Lot of the younger mission kids got sick but medical care here is amazing and cheap.
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?
Air quality is decent but March/April it's terrible (burning season).
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
N/A
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
N/A
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
November-April 75-85F
April-November 80-90F
Not as much humidity as up north.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Lot of options and they seems to be really decent.
Our experience has been decent but three things of note:
1. Some schools have a registration fee and it's thousands of dollars;
2. Schools will put our info last minute (an activity that is told to you one day before the event); and
3. They tend to inform parents of an activity and expect you to provide money for this. What am I paying tuition for? I would rather them look at their yearly calendar and have total sum that I would pay at the beginning of the school year or monthly.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
N/A
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?
Yup. Our is about $300/month. See section one for Schools and Children.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Tons. My oldest as in gymnastics/soccer/t-ball/ballet. They also have swim lessons and there are school sports.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Morale here has been decent. This is a good post for families with small children and we get along great with them.
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?
The bounce house at the Galeria/going to the movies/sports clubs/bars.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Good for all of the above. Whether you're social/anti-social, you can do it here.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
We've found it to be easy. One thing to keep in mind that that a lot of the affluent families in Honduras are kind of inconsiderate and entitled so we prefer to hang out with some third country nationals that we've met.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
N/A
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I've noticed.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Going to Tela/El Sal/Comayagua/Omoa/Tigra/Valle
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Recommend staying at an A-Frame AirBnB in Zambrano. We spent the day doing in Comayagua doing a labyrinth trail, eating good food, and then going back to the A-Frame for a night of karaoke (they had a machine) and making smores (we had our own personal fire pit equipped with enough wood to last for 12 hours)
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Yup
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The climate
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How far XPL is from Teg
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yup. I wanted to learn Spanish and this gave me an opportunity to not only learn Spanish but use it in everyday life.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Love of good food. Seriously is slim pickings.
4. But don't forget your:
Hiking boots
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Go to YouTube or reach out to the Embassy Community Liaison Office (CLO) for more info.
