Tela Travel Guide

City City in Atlántida Department, Honduras by the coast

On Honduras’s northern coast, Tela draws beachgoers to long sandy bays, coral-fringed snorkeling, Garifuna drumming and the Lancetilla Botanical Garden’s tropical plant collections.

Costs

Moderate beach-town prices

Moderate coastal budget: $40-80/day for beachfront guesthouses, meals, and local tours.

Safety

Relatively safe for tourists

Generally safe in tourist areas; standard petty-theft precautions apply on crowded beaches.

Best Time

December to April

Dry season December to April is best for beach and diving activities.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

1:10 PM

GMT-6

Weather

87°F

Mostly Clear

Population

29,325

Infrastructure & Convenience

Good coastal roads, local buses, hotels and dive shops; tourist information modest but adequate.

Popularity

Popular with Honduran and regional beachgoers; quieter than major Caribbean resorts.

Known For

Caribbean beaches, Garífuna culture, Lancetilla Botanical Garden, coral reefs, seafood, colonial-era architecture, nearby national parks, relaxed beach life

Tela hosts the Lancetilla Botanical Garden, established in 1926, one of the largest tropical botanical gardens globally.

Why Visit Tela? #

Tela is a coastal draw for its beaches, Afro‑Caribbean culture and extraordinary Lancetilla Botanical Garden. Seafood restaurants and Garífuna communities bring music, traditional dishes like fish with cassava (machuca) and vibrant dance to the waterfront, while the botanical garden offers one of the largest tropical plant collections in the hemisphere. These contrasts - culture, cuisine and nature - make Tela a relaxed but rich Caribbean Honduran destination.

Best Things to Do in Tela

All Attractions ›

Jeannette Kawas National Park

Caribbean coastal park protecting mangroves and biodiversity

Park

Tela Bucket List

Don't Miss

Lancetilla Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico Lancetilla) - Large tropical botanical garden with shaded trails, palms, and an on-site research station.
Jeannette Kawas National Park (Punta Sal) - Coastal protected area of mangroves, beaches, and lowland rainforest for wildlife viewing.
Triunfo de la Cruz Garífuna village - Nearby Garífuna village with traditional drumming, seafood eateries, and cultural demonstrations.

Hidden Gems

Tela Central Market (Mercado Municipal) - Bustling market where local produce, fresh seafood, and Honduran snacks are sold.
Punta Sal beaches - Quieter stretches of sand near the park, ideal for relaxing and low-key swimming.
Birding along Lancetilla Reserve trails - Early-morning trails near the gardens offering excellent chances to spot tropical birdlife.

Day Trips

Cayos Cochinos - Boat trip to coral islands for snorkeling, reef walks, and visiting local island communities.
La Ceiba and Pico Bonito National Park - Full-day trip to La Ceiba gateway for rainforest trails and waterfall excursions.

Best Time to Visit Tela #

Tela's best weather runs November through April with sunny beaches and calmer seas ideal for snorkeling and coastal trips. The rainy season brings lush jungle and spectacular waterfalls but also interrupted ferry services and storm risk.

Dry Season

November - April · 24-31°C (75-88°F)

Best beach weather: sunshine, gentler seas and lively seafood scene. Expect fewer mosquitoes than rainy months and perfect conditions for snorkeling and coastal hikes.

Rainy Season

May - October · 25-33°C (77-91°F)

Frequent heavy rain and tropical downpours, but waterfalls and jungle trails are spectacular; some ferry services and excursions are interrupted by storms.

Hot Season

March - May · 26-34°C (79-93°F)

Muggy, oppressive midday heat; early mornings are pleasant, but plan water activities carefully and use sunscreen - afternoons become sticky quickly.

Best Time to Visit Tela #

Climate

Tela's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 34°C. Heavy rainfall (2587 mm/year), wettest in October.

Best Time to Visit

AprilFebruaryJanuary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

34°

Warmest Month

19°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (233 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

20° – 29°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

233 mm

Rainfall

2.5 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.2h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (190 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 30°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

190 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

21° – 32°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

112 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

April

April is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

23° – 33°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

73 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

May

May is the hottest month, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

24° – 34°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.7h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

34°

Feels Like Hot

29°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

145 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (183 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

183 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (203 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

203 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

12.5h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (221 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

33°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

24° – 33°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

221 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (388 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

388 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (387 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 30°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

387 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.3h daylight

December

December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (365 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 29°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

365 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

11.1h daylight

How to Get to Tela

By Air

By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Tela #

Tela is a coastal town where the central beach areas and main streets are easy to explore on foot. Local buses and mototaxis connect neighbourhoods; for day trips (Caracol, national parks) tour operators and colectivos are common. Expect low fares for short trips and bargain mototaxi prices.

Where to Stay in Tela #

Budget

Central Tela / beachfront - $12-35/night

Hostels and small beachfront guesthouses are the norm. Budget options are basic but convenient for beach access and local restaurants.

Mid-Range

Amapala Road & Waterfront - $40-90/night

Several comfortable hotels and boutique guesthouses offer better rooms and seaside locations. Mid-range stays provide improved amenities and easier access to national parks.

Luxury

Limited luxury - beachfront boutique options only

Tela has few true luxury resorts; most higher-end options are small boutique properties. For full resort services, consider La Ceiba or island resorts nearby.

Where to Eat in Tela #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Tela's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional

Chicken

Juice

Pizza

Chinese

Buffet

Italian

International

Italian Pizza

Nightlife in Tela #

Tela’s nightlife is relaxed and beach-oriented: a handful of beachfront bars, casual restaurants and occasional live-music nights during high season. It’s not a major party town-most evenings are low-key and focused on dining or small bars near the shore.

Shopping in Tela #

Shopping in Tela revolves around local markets, artisan stalls and small shops selling beachwear, produce and souvenirs. For larger supermarkets or a wider selection, head to La Ceiba or regional centres, but local markets are good for handicrafts and food.