Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 06/10/13
Personal Experiences from Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
3+ hours to Houston, Atlanta, Miami (and that is pretty much it, not many places you can go from Teguc)
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years 2010-12.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
US Embassy.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Good housing. We had a 5-20 min commute, depending on traffic
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is available, though some things can be expensive. Electronics are costly.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
You can pretty much get anything there. But bring all electronics/luxuries.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Every US chain you can imagine is there. Local food is not very good, except pupusas. Not a lot of variety available.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes that carry dengue.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available and affordable.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are two gyms at the embassy.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Plenty of people had their info stolen.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
I think so.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Some US-style channels with some English programming/movies.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You need to speak Spanish, though much of the population speaks some English learned during their time living in the US.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Tons.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. Just don't.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SUV, 4x4 is helpful for exploring. Roads are awful.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, fairly reasonable with many service outages, though normally short-term.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Super cheap, even to call the US with a cell phone.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
We found a pretty good vet.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
No, some teaching positions are available.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business at work.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Where do I start? Murder, robbery, gangs, narcos. This is the most dangerous country on the planet.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Dengue. Poor medical care in country.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Terrible during the burning season.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Moderate, warm climate in the city. Nice weather mostly.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Medium.
2. Morale among expats:
It was low and declining when I left.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Depends. During our first year there were lots of parties and such. Mostly dinners and house parties -- Marine House stuff. Some go to local bars here and there.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
No.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, they murder them there.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Typical Latin machismo.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
In Teguc, nothing. There are a couple of nice mountain towns 15-45 mins away that are nice to visit, especially Valle de Los Angeles.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Hammocks, travel to Roatan.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Copan Ruins, beaches of the Bay Islands and that is about it.
11. Can you save money?
Yes, if you don't only shop at the US-style stores
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Never. No one should go to Honduras.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Hope for mankind.
3. But don't forget your:
Gun.
