San Lorenzo

A hot, modern town of 17,000 on the gulf, San Lorenzo’s main reasons for existence are nearby Puerto de Henecán, the country’s third-largest port after Puerto Cortés [1] and Puerto Castilla [2], and the shrimp-packing plants in town. Visitors to San Lorenzo are generally there for one of two reasons: for business or to feast on the freshest seafood in southern Honduras [3]. Check out the random assortment of cement sea creature statues along the highway.

The beaches in San Lorenzo are a bit drab, but El Guyabo, 26 kilometers away and easily accessible by bus, has many hammocks and lots of relaxation (US$1 entrance fee to private beach).

Should you need to stop in San Lorenzo for the night, one of the better hotels is the American-owned Villa Concha Mar (tel. 504/781-2332), which has a wide variety of rooms ranging from US$21 for the most basic single to US$57 for an apartment. The hotel has a clean pool, Internet available, and a rooftop restaurant with a great view (serving international and Honduran fare). They can also arrange very expensive (US$350–400) yacht trips for up to 12 people through the gulf.

The waterfront Hotel Miramar is in serious disrepair, outrageously overpriced, and cannot be recommended at this time. The public pier next door is a pleasant little spot, however.

One decent midpriced option by the town square is Hotel San Lorenzo Rivera (tel. 504/881-3025, US$26), with spacious, albeit barren, rooms, TV, air-conditioning, and private baths.

Several restaurants beyond Hotel Miramar in a waterfront area called La Cabaña serve up great seafood, about the best of which is the lively Porto del Golfo. The business, owned by the packing company Empacadora de San Lorenzo, is now a co-op of sorts where the same employees that staff the daily operations also make administrative decisions as well. Because the packing and shipping is their main business, the eatery has a very warehouse feel. If they sense that you will be staying for a while, they also serve complimentary seafood appetizers. There are plenty of basic, cheaper comedores in the center of town.

The owners of Las Arenas Discoteque claim it is “the most” popular dance club in southern Honduras [3]—if you enjoy women wrestling in chocolate.

Both Banco Atlántida and Banco de Occidente will change dollars.

Buses running between Choluteca [4] and El Amatillo [5] pull into the town market. If you’re looking to catch a Tegucigalpa [6] bus, it’s best to go out to the highway and flag down one coming from Choluteca.

Many casual travelers may end up in San Lorenzo in order to get a bus to Coyolito, where boats cross the bay to Isla del Tigre [7]. The buses leave the town market daily every 90 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (US$0.50).