Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 06/03/14
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. Africa.
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?
About 3 hours from Houston.
3. How long have you lived here?
3 years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Employment.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
10 to 20 minutes from most housing.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Reasonable.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing really.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Sadly, there are many fast food places but also a good variety of other options.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Few.
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?
Quality is sketchy.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes AID and 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?
Safe in Mission or inside a bank.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You do need some Spanish but can learn here.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
YES!!!!!
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
NO. Yes.
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?
Any.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, but go with Cable Color as other companies have poor customer service.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Use Embassy plan?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Suit and tie.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Security around the Embassy was bad but they have added guards.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Few in Tegu.
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?
Depends on the time of year.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Great.
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?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Medium. Varied.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Clubbing, BBQs.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Ok for single guys.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Don't think so.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Touring.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Copan, Roatan.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not much except local pottery.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The Copan ruins and the beaches.
10. Can you save money?
Yes, if you don't take too many trips.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Embassy parking under the current management has absolutely no logic -- many officers are on the street or paying US$80 to park in lots while several secretaries have free parking inside. And the CLO has a reserved parking spot outside. Apparently parking used to make sense here so I am not sure what happened.
EFM hiring is perceived as unfair and apparently people have been hired even though they have flunked language tests so don't count on your MOH or EFM getting a job.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Not sure.
3. But don't forget your:
Patience. Defensive driving skills.
