Day 2 - We left Miami Marriott at 10 a.m. and got to the airport terminal with plenty of time to spare. The flight is international but only two hours short hours to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. There was food for purchase but thankfully we grabbed a salad from the nearby café before boarding. We arrived into San Pedro Sula early, around 12 local time. We got through customs and immigration quickly, and immediately spotted the sign for Hacienda San Lucas. Our driver, Miguel Marteal with Honduras Real Expeditions was tall and had kind eyes, we liked him right away and knew we were in good hands. This arrangement had been made through the hotel and arranged for him to be our tour guide for the next day through Copan as well. When traveling with young kids we knew we needed to put their safety first and hiring a driver seemed like the best way to travel through a country with an international reputation for crime.
Miguel pulled his van (affectionately named Juanita) to the front door, showed us to the car, and told us to lock the doors and windows while he left with Steve to get money exchanged. I asked him if it was safe for me to get an ice cream for the kids at the Baskin Robbins just inside the airport. Maybe this was risky, but he assured me the kids would be safe. So off I went to buy five cones. It was my first foreign transaction where I tested out my Spanish speaking skills and money conversion in my head. I ended up with five cones of strawberry ice cream and three excited children. Baskin Robbins ice cream in Honduras tasted like a piece of heaven.
Small US bills can be exchanged at the airport for Honduran money called the Lempira. We used cash mostly for tipping. Anyone accepts US dollars as long as the bill is under $20. Everyone is too nervous to use $20 bills since that is what drug gangs use and it brings unwanted attention.
We had to tackle a three hour drive first skirting the city of San Pedro Sula then the rest through the country side. I was feeling a bit on edge each time we passed a police check point, but we easily passed through with the big "Tourisimo" sign on the front of the van and registration sticker in the front window. This point alone made me glad we didn't drive ourselves.
The kids and I fell asleep on the bumpy road to Copan. When we woke the landscape began to change and we started our ascent into the cooler coffee country. As we got closer to Copan the roads got smoother and a sidewalk suddenly appeared, a few people were actually out jogging. Tourist were gathered in small groups on the side of the cow pastures taking pictures of tall ancient Mayan statues randomly spotted throughout the landscape.
We entered a charming village with the original cobblestone streets and colonial style buildings. I almost felt like we had stepped back in time. Tuk Tuks weaved in and out of small streets, tourists and locals all mingled in the market square, and tropical plants peeked out of iron gated courtyards.
Our driver drove us through the main town of Copan before driving us the last fifteen minutes to Hacienda San Lucas. We followed a picturesque winding river and passed people on horseback then began our ascent up a steep dirt road to the Hacienda. The drive up was nerve wracking as the bald tires spun in the gravel but the views waiting for us at the top were well worth the trip.
The moment we arrived we felt like important guests. Our family was greeted at the van by two labs and friendly staff. I felt myself unwind the moment we started walking to our rooms. Hacienda San Lucas has rustic charm and a secluded nature which melts away the day's stress. The rooms are thoughtfully and intentionally rustic, and spotlessly clean. Cold purified water and fresh tropical flowers sat on a small table in our room. Just outside our room on the veranda are spots to sit or recline in a hammock. Every corner beckoned me to sit and rest.
We settled in and ordered a margarita from the small bar and walked to the end of the lawn to watch the evening views overlooking the town of Copan. From there I could see the winding river and a bit of the ruins peeking out from the tree canopy below. Two nights weren't long enough. I knew the moment I arrived we should've stayed longer. This place is the perfect get away for romance, adventure, and dreaming.
Miguel pulled his van (affectionately named Juanita) to the front door, showed us to the car, and told us to lock the doors and windows while he left with Steve to get money exchanged. I asked him if it was safe for me to get an ice cream for the kids at the Baskin Robbins just inside the airport. Maybe this was risky, but he assured me the kids would be safe. So off I went to buy five cones. It was my first foreign transaction where I tested out my Spanish speaking skills and money conversion in my head. I ended up with five cones of strawberry ice cream and three excited children. Baskin Robbins ice cream in Honduras tasted like a piece of heaven.
Small US bills can be exchanged at the airport for Honduran money called the Lempira. We used cash mostly for tipping. Anyone accepts US dollars as long as the bill is under $20. Everyone is too nervous to use $20 bills since that is what drug gangs use and it brings unwanted attention.
We had to tackle a three hour drive first skirting the city of San Pedro Sula then the rest through the country side. I was feeling a bit on edge each time we passed a police check point, but we easily passed through with the big "Tourisimo" sign on the front of the van and registration sticker in the front window. This point alone made me glad we didn't drive ourselves.
The kids and I fell asleep on the bumpy road to Copan. When we woke the landscape began to change and we started our ascent into the cooler coffee country. As we got closer to Copan the roads got smoother and a sidewalk suddenly appeared, a few people were actually out jogging. Tourist were gathered in small groups on the side of the cow pastures taking pictures of tall ancient Mayan statues randomly spotted throughout the landscape.
We entered a charming village with the original cobblestone streets and colonial style buildings. I almost felt like we had stepped back in time. Tuk Tuks weaved in and out of small streets, tourists and locals all mingled in the market square, and tropical plants peeked out of iron gated courtyards.
Our driver drove us through the main town of Copan before driving us the last fifteen minutes to Hacienda San Lucas. We followed a picturesque winding river and passed people on horseback then began our ascent up a steep dirt road to the Hacienda. The drive up was nerve wracking as the bald tires spun in the gravel but the views waiting for us at the top were well worth the trip.
The moment we arrived we felt like important guests. Our family was greeted at the van by two labs and friendly staff. I felt myself unwind the moment we started walking to our rooms. Hacienda San Lucas has rustic charm and a secluded nature which melts away the day's stress. The rooms are thoughtfully and intentionally rustic, and spotlessly clean. Cold purified water and fresh tropical flowers sat on a small table in our room. Just outside our room on the veranda are spots to sit or recline in a hammock. Every corner beckoned me to sit and rest.
We settled in and ordered a margarita from the small bar and walked to the end of the lawn to watch the evening views overlooking the town of Copan. From there I could see the winding river and a bit of the ruins peeking out from the tree canopy below. Two nights weren't long enough. I knew the moment I arrived we should've stayed longer. This place is the perfect get away for romance, adventure, and dreaming.
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| Steps leading up to our room |
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| The view |
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| Dinner by candle light |
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| The best view is from the yoga pavilion |
Sounds lovely!!
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