About City :
More popularly known as Tegus, Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras. It forms the Central District along with Comayagua and together, the two forms the seat of the government. It has a population of over 1 million and is the country’s administrative as well as political center. Spanish and English are widely spoken here.
Tegucigalpa was originally founded as a mining center named “Real de Minas de San Miguel de Tegucigalpa” in the year 1578 by the Spanish on the slopes of Mount Picacho. Almost 200 years later, Spain renamed it as “Real Villa de San Miguel de Tegucigalpa y Heredi” in the year 1762. Due to political disruptions in the local government, it was combined with Comayagua in 1791 and it returned to self-governance in 1817. In 1821, Tegucigalpa has legally declared a city, and later in 1830, it became the capital of Honduras.
In 1998, the city, as well as the rest of the country, suffered under the devastating onslaught of Hurricane Mitch which caused heavy deforestation, floods, and landslides as well as extensive damage to life and property. However, over time, the city has rebuilt itself and is now a developing urban area.
Geography :
Tegucigalpa stands at a height of 975 m on the slopes of Mount Picacho, surrounded by a ring of mountains. Comayagua lies 56 km away from the city on the west bank of the Choluteca River which runs from the north to the south of Tegucigalpa. It is located on the Pacific Ocean with the Gulf of Fonseca about 95 km from the city. It is the largest city in the country with a total area of 77 sq km and is located in the southern-central region of the country, cocooned by a valley. The city of Tegucigalpa is divided into five sections, namely Centro Historica, Centro Contemporaneo, North Tegucigalpa, South Tegucigalpa and East Tegucigalpa.
How to Reach (Transport) :
Tegucigalpa is served by the Toncontin International Airport which is situated at a distance of 6 km from the city center. It is served by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Copa Airlines which connect the city to several cities in the United States and Honduras. The city is connected to other capital cities of Central America like Managua, Tapachula, and Guatemala City by an extensive network of both luxury and regular buses. Inside the city, one can avail of taxis, motorcycles, buses, etc.
When to Visit :
Tegucigalpa features a typical tropical climate. From October to January, the city experiences heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The months of March and April are the hottest with temperatures rising up to 40 degrees Celsius whereas the months of December and January are the coldest with temperatures as low as 14 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit Tegucigalpa is from February to June when all the important fairs and festivals are celebrated in the city including the Holy Week of Easter in April.
Fairs and Festivals :
The people of Tegucigalpa are highly religious and their festivals reflect their belief in trying to strengthen their relationship with the supreme. Some of the widely celebrated festivals are as follows:
- The Virgin of Suyapa Festival, celebrated in February, is hosted in the Basilica de Suyapa in the Tegucigalpa suburb of Suyapa, to commemorate their patron saint, the Virgin of Suyapa or the Virgin Mary. This annual festival attracts several devotees and pilgrims who arrive here to offer prayers and gratitude to their beloved patron.
- Easter celebrated during the first week of April, is the largest festival in the city. The city buzzes with activity from Good Friday to Easter Sunday which includes several church services and grand processions.
- Christmas, celebrated in December, is also a prominent festival of the people of this city. Celebrations include decorating the city with lights and also hosting several music concerts across the area.
Other festivals include the Fair of the Capital (September) and the Fair of the Horse and Culture (November).
Points of Interest (Places to Visit) :
Tegucigalpa houses several museums and parks. The following are the points of interest in the city.
- National Identity Museum, also called Museo para la Identidad Nacional, was founded in 2006. It is located in the city center and houses historical Honduran artifacts.
- The National Anthropology and History Museum, also called Villa Roy National Museum were founded in 1976. It was built upon the residence of former President Julio Lozano Diaz. In 1997, the museum reopened after a complete restoration.
- The National Zoo, situated to the north of the city, is located inside the United Nations National Park in El Picacho. It houses several tropical animals, various reptiles, etc.
Other places to visit are the National Art Gallery, Central Numismatics Museum, the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History, Republic History Museum, St. Michael Archangel, La Tigra National Park, Parque La Leona, etc.
Accommodation :
Tegucigalpa offers both expensive luxury hotels and cheap budget hotels. The most popular budget hotels include Granada 1, Hotel and Casino Excelsior, Hospedaje Cosmopolitan, and Hotel Capital. Luxury hotels include Honduras Maya Hotel, Tegucigalpa Marriott Hotel, Clarion Hotel Real Tegucigalpa, and Real InterContinental Tegucigalpa which offer services like satellite television, spacious rooms, Wi-Fi, beauty salons, and health services.