Shopping in Honduras
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Yaba Ding Ding
Located on the ground floor of a two-story commercial center next to HB Warren, this friendly shop has a surprisingly complete selection of Honduran artesanía, including Lenca pottery, Garífuna paintings, glasswork from Tegucigalpa, junco baskets from Santa Barbara, even some talavera dishes and clay masks from El Salvador for good measure. Also on display – but not for sale – are several pieces of yaba ding ding, an island term for pre-Colombian artifacts.
reviewed
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Gunter’s Driftwood Gallery
The gallery and gift shop of Gunter Kordovsky – multimedia artist, accomplished diver, and Utila institution – is worth a stop. Most of Gunter’s art is made from materials he’s found on the beach or in the ocean – driftwood, shells, shark jaws – which are reworked and then shellacked to hell. Open every afternoon except Sunday; look for it near the Mango Inn.
reviewed
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A
Licuado Shop
There's an awesome licuado shop at the northwest corner of Parque Central next to Little Caesar's pizza. Literally a hole in the wall, there are a couple tables inside, but just as many people take their drinks to go, to enjoy in the park. A thousand combinations are offered, it seems, all made with fresh fruit and a base of either water, milk or fresh orange juice.
reviewed
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Outdoor Market
A noisy outdoor market winds its way along 6a Calle, Av 14 de Julio, and the area in front of the Hondutel office. There you'll find anything and everything: fruits and vegetables, grains and sun-dried food, fresh meats and fish, clothing, shoes, sunglasses, bootleg CDs and DVDs, toiletries, toys, kitchen utensils…you name it, it's probably there.
reviewed
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Crafts Market
Every afternoon, a small sidewalk crafts market sets up just off the Parque Central. You'll see Guatemalan woman sitting side by side with hippyish traveler-jewelers, each loaded down with shell necklaces, bead bracelets, feather earrings - boho wear. There's a fair amount of blah here but browse slowly and you're sure to find a one-of-a-kind piece.
reviewed
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PiQ' Art
A gem of a place, this tiny yellow house is brimming with beautiful works of Honduran art: the walls are laden with dozens of oil paintings, the floors are lined with intricately carved sculptures and furniture, and long tables display finely crafted pottery and a few pieces of seed jewelry too. It may be pricey but it's the best value in town.
reviewed
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B
Mercado San Isidro
You can find just about anything for sale, excellent artesanía included, in this chaotic market in Comayagüela. However, there’s a catch-22: pickpocketing and snatch-and-run theft are common, and the market is the last place you want to carry anything valuable, especially a wad of money.
reviewed
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Rain Forest
This boutique has a wide variety of handicrafts from around Central America. Don't miss the Garífuna rag dolls or the colorful tree-bark mobiles from La Moskitia. The prices are pushing the upper limit of reasonable, but the quality is good. Be sure to check out the English-language book exchange in back.
reviewed
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Ivis Gift Shop
The very friendly proprietor here has packed her small wood-shack shop with Honduran, Salvadoran and Guatemalan artesanía (handicrafts), plus T-shirts and other knick-knacks – some are good, some not so good, but it’s worth a browse if you’re in the market for souvenirs.
reviewed
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Artesanía Shops
There is a string of artesanía shops on Av Miguel de Cervantes a couple of blocks past the bridge that separates downtown from Colonia Palmira. Browsing them, you'll find the capital's largest selection of Honduran folk art, from Lenca pottery to homemade paper products from the Moskitia.
reviewed
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C
Casa del Sol - Multiplaza Mall
This place sells the highest-quality artesanía (handicrafts) in town. You'll find every type of Honduran handicraft - pottery, leatherwork, wood carvings, tree-bark pressings, baskets. The shop provides free delivery to your hotel so you don't have to lug your items around town.
reviewed
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Super Ceibeño Supermarket #2
Super Ceibeño Supermarket #2 is a full-on supermarket in the heart of the open-air market district. It's great for one-stop shopping. There is a second store across from the Parque Swinford, which is good for picking up a few items for a picnic in the park.
reviewed
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D
Centro Comercial Jerusalem
This small shopping center has a handful of cheap but clean eateries, most offering típica, sandwiches and snacks. Delitortas on the 3rd floor (mains L$20 to L$40) is known for its good daily specials, but be sure to check out the other options.
reviewed
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HB Warren
The largest supermarket on this end of the island, this is a good place to stock up on groceries. It also has a popular cafeteria (mains L$20 to L$60) with counter seating, low prices and possibly the best fried chicken on the island.
reviewed
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E
City Mall
An impressive shopping center with an enormous food court, this mall houses high-end boutiques and department stores. It also has several banks with ATMs, internet cafés with calling service, and a movie theater.
reviewed
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Eldon’s
The island’s largest supermarket is on the access road to French Harbour, just off the main cross-island highway. Dollars, traveler’s checks and credit cards (no commission) are all accepted.
reviewed
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Pabellones Artesanales
For a sampling of what the town – and country – has to offer, head to Pabellones Artesanales, a warehouse-sized artesanía market.
reviewed
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Mercado Viejo San Antonio
You’ll find everything you need – and don’t need – at this centrally located market. Great for last-minute items or just as a point of reference.
reviewed
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Souvenir el Buen Amigo #3
Although somewhat out of the way (near the eastern end of Calle 12), you’ll find a great selection of Honduran artesanía (handicrafts) here.
reviewed
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F
Souvenirs El Nasareno
Although this small shop may look like one of the pack, the tropical hardwood artesanía and the leatherwork are among the best around.
reviewed
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Aroma del Café
Has ice cream, coffee, international calling and internet (L$20 per hour). Banco de Occidente Exchanges US dollars. No ATM.
reviewed
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Out of the Blue Mini Mart
This small, expensive bodega at the north end of the beach is good for water, soda, and snacks, and has a limited selection of canned foods.
reviewed
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G
Artesma Garífuna
This place offers a good selection of Garífuna handicrafts and souvenirs. Try some guifiti (Garífuna-brewed fire water).
reviewed
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H
Mercado Municipal
The Mercado Municipal is a small but packed public market selling fresh fruits, veggies, breads, dried foods and seafood.
reviewed
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Centro Comercial Junior
Centro Comercial Junior is a good-sized supermarket on the main drag into town, one block north of Parque Central.
reviewed