Tela, Honduras

Tela, Honduras
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tela_centro_3.jpg
Author: Castillo1604


Tela is a small coastal town along the Caribbean coast of Honduras. Located within the Atlantida Department, it has a population of 35,000 people (2011 estimate). The town was originally an agricultural community but over recent years have developed into a beach resort.

Tela traces its history of 1`524, when Spanish conquistador Cristóbal de Olid established it, originally clling it Triumfo de la Cruz, which means "triumph of the cross". That name remains today to denote a promontory in Tela. The name Tela itself is said to be a contraction of Tetela, which means "land of rocky hills" in the local Nahuatl language.

Iglesia San Antonio, Tela
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iglesia_San_Antonio_in_Tela.JPG
Author: Rngadam


In the past centry, Tela was where the United Fruit Company established a major farm for producing bananas. It brought in English-speaking workers from the Caribbean, particularly from Jamaica and Belize. These caused animosity and friction with the locals that led to racially biased laws against the newcomers. Eventually the English speaking Caribbeans immigrated out of Honduras, for the United States and Canada or returned to the Caribbean.

Today Tela has found a new source of revenue through its beaches, which are slowly gaining popularity among vacationers. Those wanting to see Tela at its most happening should visit during Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and Easter, when there would be street processions. Tela also erupts into festivity during the feast day of San Antonio, its patron saint, which happens in June.

Visiting Tela

Tela is about 90 km to the east of San Pedro Sula. You can take a bus from San Pedro Sula to get there.

Places of Interest in Tela

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