Gifts and Handicrafts

Commonplace handicrafts stores are conveniently located next to one another at the far end of Avenida Cervantes east of the square (close to the Hotel Excelsior [1]). Similar-quality shops can also be found next to the Hotel Iberia near Iglesia Los Dolores [2], at the corner of Avenida Cervantes and Calle Adolfo Zuñiga, and in and around the Hotel Honduras Maya [1]. The gift shop at the Museo de Identidad Nacional [3] has a limited but interesting selection of higher-quality souvenirs, such as candles made by a women’s cooperative and stylish handmade leather purses.

High-quality souvenirs can be found in the upscale parts of town. In Vitro (2139 Av. República de Panamá, tel. 504/232-3452, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.) in Colonia Palmira sells finely made glass and wooden trays, placemats and table runners made of tuno, and handmade paper, among other items. All the products in the store are made by cooperatives, in San Juancito (near Valle de Ángeles [4]) and the Mosquitia.

The gift shop at the Marriott [1] hotel, Bahía (tel. 504/235-6949), also sells well-made products from both cooperatives and individual artisans. Look for the Lencan pots with tiny lizards, cloth handbags, shell necklaces, and leather cigar and passport cases.

On the street behind Los Castaños shopping center is Angel’s Store, which among the usual displays of Lencan pottery and Copán coffee also has some unique pewter pieces and Mayan motif jewelry.

At the Mall Multiplaza, Casa D’Oro sells beautiful silver jewelry with Mayan designs—a pair of fairly simple earrings can sell for US$30–35, while the more elaborate bracelets and necklaces go for several hundred dollars.

If your travels haven’t taken you to the cigar meccas of Danlí [5] and Santa Rosa de Copán [6], you can pick up top-notch smokes at Casa de Puros in the Casanoble shopping center opposite the Casa Presidencial on Juan Pablo II (there’s also a branch in the airport).