Introducing San Pedro Sula

San Pedro Sula may be second to Tegucigalpa in size, but it is the alpha male in most other respects: Honduras’ booming export industry is based here, the majority of agricultural products pass through here, the airport is larger and more modern, even the nightlife is better. It is also the capital of Honduras in some less-appealing aspects, including HIV infection and gang violence.

Travelers tend to see San Pedro as a necessary evil. Most international flights land here because the city lies right between Honduras’ top destinations, Copán Ruínas and the Bay Islands. You wouldn’t be alone in trying to get in and out of San Pedro as quickly as possible.

That said, San Pedro does have a very good archaeology and history museum, a pleasant downtown area, some excellent restaurants, and a hopping bar and club scene, including gay and lesbian spots. If you’ve been on the road a while, you may appreciate San Pedro’s urban amenities, including movie theatres, ultramodern malls, fast food, and clothing and electronics stores.

San Pedro can get extremely hot and humid, especially April to September. The rain starts around May, which helps cool things off.