Tela

Travel Guide
Tela showing a beach, tropical scenes and landscape views
With beautiful beaches, unspoiled parklands and lush botanical gardens, this charming town on the north shore of Honduras is the perfect spot to relax in a natural setting.

Enjoy a piece of paradise at Tela, a scenic, laid-back beach town on the north shore of Honduras. This area offers some of the country’s best beaches and fantastic scuba diving. You can also tour the national park and admire the gardens. 

Head to the sandy beaches and see the blue Caribbean on one side and thick rows of coconut trees on the other. Between Palm Sunday and Easter, tens of thousands of revelers flock here to party on the beach. However, for the rest of the year, it is fairly quiet.

Delve into the blue Caribbean waters with a scuba dive. The dive center, located in the Bay of Tela, offers diving courses and tours for all levels. See the brilliant creatures of Capiro Reef, one of the Caribbean’s healthiest reef ecosystems, right before your eyes. Try snorkeling at the charming island of Cayos Cochinos. 

Explore Jeanette Kawas National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Honduras. Formerly known as Punta Sol National Park, it was renamed in 1995 to honor environmental activist Jeanette Kawas, who was murdered for her efforts to keep palm plantations out of the area. Today, it is a testament to her hard work. See a huge variety of water and land animals, from howler monkeys to dolphins. The park is home to 14 different ecosystems, including rainforest, mangroves and lagoons. 

Visit Lancetilla Botanical Garden, one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Located just outside of Tela, the garden is spread over 4,150 acres (1,680 hectares) and is home to over 1,000 species of plants from four continents. Follow the walking trails that wind through the garden and arboretum.

Tela is a 90-minute drive from San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in Honduras. Tela is also a 90-minute drive from La Ceiba, a port city famous for its nightlife. From there, take a ferry to the tranquil island of Utila. 

Where to stay in Tela

Tela showing a beach, tropical scenes and landscape views

Barrio El Centro

While visiting Barrio El Centro, you might make a stop by sights like Municipal Market and Central Park.

Barrio El Centro
Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
4.5 out of 5
Desarrollo Turistico Bahia de Tela, Carretera de acceso a Tornabe, Tela, Atlantida
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,326 per night from Apr 15 to Apr 16
NT$4,326
per night
Apr 15 - Apr 16
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Tela. Enjoy free parking, a golf course, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (285 reviews)
"i really enjoyed my stay here ! it’s right off the beach and it’s beautiful and quiet ! very peaceful! the town is very slow but the resort has just enough to enjoy R&R"

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton
Telamar Resort
Telamar Resort
3.5 out of 5
Barrio Independencia, Tela, Atlantida
The price is NT$4,840 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
NT$4,840
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this beach resort in Tela. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (290 reviews)
"Very friendly staff good service"

Reviewed on 2024/3/5

Telamar Resort
La Ensenada Beach Resort - All Inclusive
La Ensenada Beach Resort - All Inclusive
3 out of 5
Tela, Atlantida Barrio Terencio Sierra, Tela, Atlantida
The price is NT$8,639 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$8,639
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Tela. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (96 reviews)
This is PARADISE!
"Speechless!!! It has been many years I have been to Honduras and Ensenada blew me away!! The location, the amenities, the beach front comfort, and safety made this visit unforgettable. If I can compare my stay, it would be like taking a cruise on Norwegian or Princess. That good! We stayed in a villa ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/15

La Ensenada Beach Resort - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa del campo
Casa del campo
3 out of 5
Barrio Venecia, Tela, Atlántida Department
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Tela. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and charcoal grills. Popular attractions Tela Beach and Central Park are located nearby. Discover ...
6/10 (1 review)
"NO HOT WATER."

Reviewed on 2023/11/5

Casa del campo
Playa Escondida Beach Club
Playa Escondida Beach Club
3.5 out of 5
Aldea triunfo de la Cruz, KM 98, Tela, Atlántida
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Tela. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Municipal Market and Central Park are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (9 reviews)
"Property is very nice and clean, the beach was clean when we got there but on following days lot of trash came, maybe not hotel’s fault but they do need to clean it everyday"

Reviewed on 2023/8/8

Playa Escondida Beach Club
Casa Trebol
Casa Trebol
3 out of 5
Frente al Mar, Tela, Departamento de Atlántida
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Tela. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Tela Beach and Central Park are located nearby. ...
Casa Trebol
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Tela

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
17
" "5 - Excellent 48.57142857142857%
4 - Good
12
" "4 - Good 34.285714285714285%
3 - Okay
5
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 2.857142857142857%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Nov 30, 2019

The city is overall safe to hang out.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 13, 2019

beautiful beaches

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Sep 3, 2019

Resort is in a great location, bring bug spray as there are lots of sand fleas!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 23, 2019

the beach is so clean, and the place is really quiet

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2019

I like tela this place is very different from the other resorts in the area and basically has no amenities except wifi. It is a beautiful place but be prepaired to bring all your own food and drinks if it is off season.

2/5 - Disappointing

DA
Dec 15, 2018

Tela isnt worth the stop not much to do and really not clean