On the Town in Tegucigalpa

While San Pedro Sula [1] and La Ceiba [2] have bigger reputations as party towns, there is plenty happening in Tegucigalpa [3] if you know where to look. Weekends are naturally the busiest nights out, while on Sundays and Mondays you’re better off just getting a good night’s rest in your hotel room. Here are a few places to pop into on the weekend:

Budget: For a cheap beer and meal, hop a cab to Pupusería El Patio [4], where locals pack the place on weekends for a casual beer accompanied by live music, dancing, and karaoke. Those really wanting to get their Latin groove on should check out the salsa dancing (no cover!) and mojitos at Sabor Cubano [5].

Cultural: The first order of business is to check if anything is playing at the Teatro Nacional Manuel Bonilla [6], a beautifully restored theater that hosts performances from jazz to opera, ballet to classic theater (the best way to do this is by stopping in). Barring a performance at the theater, poke into Café Paradiso [7] in the center, which hosts film screenings, poetry readings, and the like. Still haven’t found something to grab you? Check with Caramba [8], a bar a few blocks south of Boulevard Morazán, for live music, hosted regularly on the weekends.

Glam: Head to the outdoor patio of the Honduras Maya Hotel [9] at twilight to enjoy a drink with the backdrop of glittering city lights. From there head to El Rincon [8] and dine on pizzas and pastas accompanied by fine wines or apple martinis. If it’s still early, make one more stop at the stylish Río [8] bar in Los Proceres shopping center, for the ubiquitous lounge experience. When you’re good and ready, head to one of the city’s several discos; one hot spot is Light [5], on Boulevard Morazán.