Montage Resort

LOCATION

Located in the north of Honduras on the edges of the fertile Sula Valley, San Pedro Sula is Honduras’ second largest city with approximately 800,000 citizens. It is the business and commerce capital of the country and home to a modern airport, which is serviced by International Airlines. These include TACA, American Airlines, Continental, Iberia, Copa, Sol Air, Atlantic Airlines and others. The city is also situated close to the Merendon Mountain Range, which creates an impressive backdrop when you are downtown looking north or when you are flying into the city’s airport.

LOCAL HISTORY

Nomadic people are believed to have traveled in the Sula Valley from before 1500 BC. Around 700 BC groups began to settle in the valley and agriculture began. Squash, corn, beans, wild chilies, herbs, bell peppers and cacao are believed to have been the first plants cultivated while turkeys, ducks and dogs were domesticated.

Objects of clay, stone, bone and shell from this period have survived until today. During 200 AD until 900 AD numerous villages existed in the Sula Valley. During this period, the area’s art reached its highest point technically and aesthetically. Pottery and ceramic vessels were taken to Copan and further afield into Central America. Also, during this time, the major architectural structures were built in the valley.

During 900 AD and 1500 AD the local population began to decline. No one is certain why, but recent discoveries have pointed towards the possibility of a plague, severe erosion, soil degradation and/or a long drought as possible reasons.

Pedro de Alvarado founded the city of San Pedro Sula in 1536. The city was to serve as a warehouse for goods flowing to and from the Honduran North Coast Ports to Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. It was also a collection point for cocoa, indigo, leather, sarsaparilla and canfistula (a plant used medicinally).

Due to continual attacks of the city by pirates, the local residents decided to move away from the city into the countryside where they lived a self sufficient life. The city was nearly deserted until the later colonial era when it became a base for cattle ranchers.

In the mid 19th century, San Pedro Sula’s fortunes changed when commerce picked up at the port of Omoa and San Pedro Sula again became an important commerce spot in Honduras. But it was the growth of the Banana Industry and the reopening of Puerto Cortes that really set the city in motion to become Honduras commerce center.

Today San Pedro Sula is one of Central America’s fastest growing cities. Business and commerce continue to grow to today as does the city’s modern facilities and services.

ATTRACTIONS

The Museum of Anthropology and History is located a few blocks from Central Park on 3a Avenida between 3 and 4 Calles NO. The museum is a must see for anyone visiting San Pedro Sula. Its displays will take you through the Pre-Columbian to modern day history of the Sula Valley. The museum has a wide range of Mayan artifacts that have been found throughout the area and is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm, is closed all day Tuesday, and Sunday it opens from 9am to 3pm. The entrance fee is $2 for foreign visitors and 20 lps (lempiras) for national visitors.

Guamilito Market is one the Honduras’ best handicraft markets. The market is between 8 and 9 Avenida and 6 and 7 Calles NO. The market is open daily, usually until around 5pm. The market is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Items of note are Honduran cigars, mahogany carvings, Mayan replica pottery, woven baskets, hammocks and a range of colored T-Shirts. Spend some time browsing and do not be afraid to bargain on the prices.

The Central Park of San Pedro Sula and the main Cathedral are definitely worth a look. The Cathedral, which was built in 1949, has just been remodeled and restored. The new Central Park (Parque Central) is open, fresh looking and at well lit at night. The park is always busy, with people coming and going and moneychangers and street vendors plying their trade. It’s a great place to sit back and people watch or to strike up a conversation with some locals. If it is a little hot outside, a popular place to hang out is the Espresso Americana Caf

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