El Progreso

El Progreso is in western Caribbean Honduras. It is the fourth largest city in Honduras after the capital Tegucigalpa. It rests at the base of a mountain range in the Valle de Sula in an important agricultural area of Honduras. It is a good base for entering the country and visiting other parts of the country. It is on an important crossroads of Honduran Highways that go towards Tela/La Ceiba, Comayagua/Tegucigalpa, and San Pedro Sula/Copán Ruinas. Because of the importance of El Progreso it is known as the Pearl of the Ulua. The river Ulua passes through El Progreso and is known as one of the country's largest and most important rivers.

Get in
El Progreso is located 20 minutes south from the International Airport Ramón Villeda Morales, located outside of San Pedro Sula. International flights come in from Houston, Atlanta, Miami and San Salvador. Taxis can be taken from the airport to El Progreso. Bus services, of varying quality, are easily accessible throughout the region. The regions main bus station is on the outskirts of San Pedro Sula, which is only a 45 minute ride from El Progreso.

Get around
A very efficient local bus system operates in most major areas of El Progreso. Buses will commonly feature the destinations "Quebrada del Yoro" and "Pallermo," two far-ends of El Progreso whereby most buses will do a circuit, traveling back and forth from these two locations.

Taking a bus mid-day can be tricky, as many local buses travel primarily during the morning and evening hours, when everyone goes to and from work and school.

Taxis and city buses are plentiful, making it easy to use to travel around the city.

See
While El Progreso is mainly a commercial city, the central plazas, main cathedral and downtown area provide tourists with a window into the soul of Honduran life. Local produce, hand made goods and everyday essentials can be purchased from the dozens of small stands and shops in the center of town.

The town used to be a key logistical center for the United Fruit Company's Honduran banana trade. In the 1920s the area was a booming rail center, and the legacy of this time period can still be seen today. The train cars can be found at the train station (now the site of Sunday markets), just off of the boulevard towards Tegucigalpa.

To the west of the city lies the scenic drive to Tela and La Ceiba. Along the way travelers can see the protected mountain range called Pico Quemado

Do
El Progreso is home to one of the largest tourist shops in the area called Turiplaza. It is located a mile from the city center on the way to Tela. There, and at stores throughout the central city markets, one can purchase hand made crafts typical of the area. Honduras is known for its wooden carved boxes and the ones found in El Progreso do not disappoint.

Mega Plaza The new mall in El Progreso is large, clean and comforting. Shopping in Honduras is a cultural experience, and a trip to El Progreso is not complete with out a trip through the new mall. It also houses a 3-screen movie theater where new movies can be seen for US$3 (or $1.50 on Tuesdays).

Day trips can easily be made from El Progreso to Tela (a beach town) or to the beautiful mountainous region of Lake Yojoa.

Eat
El Progreso offers a number of dining choices.

Throughout the center of town, visitors can find fast food chains such as Dunkin Doughnuts, Popeye's Chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Pollo Campero and Pollo Hondureno. The mall also has an Applebee's and a food court with a wide variety of fast food and regional eating options.

La Parrilla, Las Tejas, and the Uruguayan Grill are some of the areas better steak and grill options. Las Tejas and the Uruguayan Grill are located off of the main boulevard. While La Parrilla is located about a mile outside of town, towards Tegucigalpa.

For those on a tight budget or looking for the true Honduran cuisine experience, Pollo y Mas provides a large variety of tasty and affordable dishes typical to Honduras. Another option is the tasty chicken of Auto-pollo. The restaurant is an adventure in its dining experience, but the food (only rotisserie chicken) is outstanding.

A new dining option is Catrachitos in the center of town, 4 doors down towards the main boulevard from the Centro Pizza Hut (not to be confused with the Pizza Hut on the boulevard). This new restaurant offers gourmet Honduran typical food, freshly-prepared. Always packed during lunch-time with locals. They also do catering.

Drink
Like any city, there are a number of bars or restaurant bars through out the village. Of specific note are the following:

H2O Located in the center across from Wendy's. A new lounge that has a refreshing, relaxing atmosphere (though there is no dance floor for those looking for an evening of dancing).

Something Different Located a block from the Pizza Hut, off of the main boulevard. A large lounge, great for watching a sports game, relaxing or waiting for the late crowd to mix it up on the lounge's dance floor.

Coco's A karaoke bar located a block from Wendy's in the center of town. The bar is often crowded and filled with smoke, but it has a decent dance floor and is free to enter.

Zona 504 A disco located a block from Wendy's in the center of town, below Coco's. It usually costs US$7.50 to $10 to enter (unless you go before 9PM). Weeknights are usually slow, but on Friday and Saturday nights the place is usually filled with Progresenos, as it is known as the main place to go and be seen on the weekends. It has a large dance floor and a VIP section up stairs for parties or special occasions.

Sleep
There are a number of small hotels through out El Progreso, however there are two main ones that are recommended for international tourists.

Hotel Cascada is a new hotel located about 3 km (2 miles) out of town, on the way to Tela. The hotel is made up cabins that can be rented for the night. It is peaceful and clean. There is a pool, internet access and the option to have meals cooked for you at the hotel. The hotel has high walls surrounding the property and a 24-hour guard on duty, for those concerned about security. The owner and his wife speak English, making it a great place for those traveling Honduras with limited Spanish. Honduras Phone number: (504)648-2515

Hotel Casa Blanca is a hotel located a 800 m (half-mile) from the center of town, across from Turiplaza. It is a clean and upscale hotel, with a pool, internet access and a restaurant. The hotel also rents cars for those wishing to drive while they are in the area. The hotel has high walls around the property and has several night guards on duty. Honduras Phone number: (504) 647-1520

Stay safe
El Progreso is a poor region of the country, but it has remained relatively free of the violence that some larger cities have faced throughout Central America. Hotel La Cascada and Hotel Casa Blanca provide very safe lodging (with full time security) for travelers concerned about safety.

In addition the local mayor and police are very supportive of the tourism industry and go out of their way to ensure the safety, as best they can, of those traveling through the area.