2 Best Hotels in Tela, Honduras' Caribbean Coast

Peace, quiet, and boldly seasoned seafood at its restaurant ($$) make this beachside hotel a great retreat after a day of activity-packed excursions. The armoires are handcrafted by local artisans, and Garífuna-themed paintings hang from the walls. Conversation is lively in the casual outdoor restaurant, as members of local cultural and ecological groups often stop by for a bite of zesty panfried yellowtail, oily shrimp dunked in garlic and herbs, or coconut-infused rice. Town native and hotel owner Carlos Aragón is a member of the local tourism chamber and an excellent resource on all things Tela.

There's a stunning view of the bay from the Maya Vista, which enjoys a vantage point high above the city. Clean and comfortable rooms have wide terraces where you can lounge in a hammock as you enjoy bay breezes. In the popular restaurant ($), entrées such as Chinese noodles with peppers are tasty and reasonably priced. You can also order wines by the glass—a rarity in this part of the country. The Canadian owners make sure there's a warm, friendly atmosphere. They know what's going on in Tela, so it's good to check with them.