My third planned destination, after Guatemala and El Salvador was Honduras while in Nicaragua I stayed to take morning Tica bus for San Jose, Costa Rica, and in San Jose I spent the night because from there I had a flight for Europe.
To San Pedro Sula I arrived by King Quality bus from San Salvador, paying for ticket 44 dollars. The night before visiting Roatan and the night after returning from Roatan I stayed in San Pedro Sula in hotel Maya Copan Guamilito (there is another Maya Copan hotel-Maya Copan Centro near Central park). I payed 39 dollars for room and I found it nice, clean and comfortable, although last year I got for the same price at same hotel much bigger and better room. The staff at hotel was polite and helpful. From hotel you can easily walk to Central Park (about 10 minutes or less) and one block from hotel is Guamilito market where you can buy cheap and nice craftworks and have a meal. Once I had a lunch in Guamilito (for less than two dollars) and another time I had lunch at Cafeteria Pamplona at Central Park for five dollars. I liked both places-food as well as a service was very good. To drink afternoon cofee and take some dessert there are two „Expresso Americano“ in the area, as well other „cafeterias“ and „pastelerias“. When you cross the street, opposite of the hotel Maya Copan Guamilito is very nice place Bar-grill where you can eat until late, drink a beer or watch footbal match. Nice atmosphere, great music, friendly staff working there. There is another bar near called Sport bar with billiard pool and they also serve food. So, while going to eat and drink at night you do not need to take a taxi to Zona Viva if you stay at Maya Copan Guamilito.
Arriving from San Salvador to San Pedro Sula at 2PM there is also option to take afternoon Hedman Alas bus for La Ceiba, but after one hour and half travelling from Juayua to San Salvador and seven hours travelling from San Salvador to San Pedro Sula, I prefered spent the night in San Pedro Sula. At 6AM next day I take Hedman Alas bus to La Ceiba and I was able to catch ferry at 9:30 AM for Roatan, although it was risky. If you want to be sure to make it, is maybe better to spend the night in La Ceiba, or try to find another, earlier bus from San Pedro Sula.
In Roatan I stayed at Las Orquideas (West End) for about 63 dollars for big room with air conditioning, ventilators, balcony with see view and refrigerator. Every day I took a taxi for West Bay paying 80-90 lempiras (to be honest I do not know if this is a good price or I could arrange better) but there is also option of taking a water taxi which is more cheaper (I think about 50 lempiras). I was returning from West Bay to West End walking on the beach (45-50 minutes). For European standards I do not find island very expensive, but if you compare it with other places in Honduras or Guatemala some prices are 3-5 higher. But I was not so surprised… I ate at Kanibal Kafe (West End), Beach house (West End)-good breakfast with nice sea view, Bananarama (West Bay). And many other places which names now I do not remember… Some of them were cheaper, some more expensive.
In Managua I arrived by Tica bus from San Pedro Sula. Although is option to spend a night at Tica bus hotel at Tica bus terminal, I decided to stay at nice hotel/hostel Dulce hogar for 34 dollars (TV, air conditioning, ventilator, very clean, staff very helpful). Hotel is also in nice neighborhood, walking distance to one pupuseria where you can have great dinner.
In San Jose the same story has repeated as many times I stayed in this city. Taxi told me that hotel I wanted (Aranjuez) was full (he „called“ them), and he took me to hotel Classic. I did not believe him, but after all, it was last day of my trip and everything for me was „ok“, even when somebody lied to me. Hotel wasn't bad, I payed 40 dollars. Room even had air conditioning what you do not need in San Jose. Two block from Paseo Colon, so really in the center of the city. If you stay in san Jose, and do not want to eat fast food, I recommend La Casona. They serve Costa Rican food (at least they cold it „tipico“). Restaurant is located opposite of the hotel Talamanca in city center.
Well, this is it. I stayed in San Jose only one night because next day I had flight for Europe.
I hope this trip report will help you. I did not write a lot about Roatan, beacuse about it, seems everybody is well informed.
Have a nice time while travelling in Central America!