Punta Sal Tela Day Trip from San Pedro Sula with Private Beach Time

Summary

Private day out from San Pedro Sula to Punta Sal beaches and Garifuna flavors

You’ll leave San Pedro Sula early for a private day trip to Punta Sal Tela: drive through lush countryside with your local guide, relax on Garifuna beaches, swim or snorkel if you feel like it, then taste fresh Honduran seafood for lunch before heading back. Expect warm sand between your toes and small surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I still laugh thinking about how our driver, Carlos, warned us not to eat too much breakfast before the drive — “Tela food is better,” he promised. I didn’t totally believe him until we rolled down the windows and that thick, salty air hit me somewhere past La Lima. The road to Punta Sal isn’t exactly smooth (bring snacks if you get carsick), but it’s green and kind of hypnotic, with banana trees flashing by and the occasional burst of music from roadside stands. We left San Pedro Sula early, just as the city was waking up — I remember a woman balancing a crate of mangoes on her head at a red light. She smiled at us like she knew where we were headed.

When we reached Punta Sal, our guide Li met us right by the entrance — sunglasses on, already waving. He grew up near Tela and seemed to know everyone: he’d call out greetings in Garifuna and Spanish every few minutes. The sand here isn’t powdery white but soft enough to sink your toes in, and there’s this weird hush under the palm trees that makes you want to nap or just listen. Li pointed out a line of pelicans gliding over the water while some kids played soccer barefoot nearby. We tried snorkeling for a bit (the water’s clear but not glassy) and then just floated around because honestly, doing nothing felt right.

Lunch was at this tiny spot tucked behind some coconut palms — no menu, just whatever they’d caught that morning. I ordered shrimp cocktail and fried conch; both came with plantains so hot I nearly dropped one trying to peel it open. There was a faint smell of wood smoke drifting over from another hut where someone was grilling fish. I tried saying thank you in Garifuna (Li laughed — apparently my accent is hopeless). We had an hour or so after lunch to wander or shop; I bought a woven bracelet from a woman who told me her cousin made it in La Ceiba. She tied it on my wrist herself.

The ride back felt slower somehow, maybe because everyone was sun-drunk and quiet except Carlos humming along to old bachata songs on the radio. By the time we got dropped off at our hotel in San Pedro Sula, my shoes were full of sand and my head was full of those lazy beach sounds — waves breaking somewhere far off, someone laughing behind me as we left. It’s funny how quickly you can slip into another rhythm for a day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour to Punta Sal Tela

• Depart San Pedro Sula city center
• Travel 2 hours to Punta Sal Tela
• Explore Punta Sal National Park hiking trails
• Swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and relax on beach
• Enjoy 1 hour free time for lunch and shopping
• Return 2 hours to San Pedro Sula

Top questions

How long is the drive from San Pedro Sula to Punta Sal Tela?

It takes about 2 hours each way by private vehicle between San Pedro Sula and Punta Sal Tela.

Is hotel pickup included for this Punta Sal Tela day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your hotel or city center in San Pedro Sula are included.

What kind of food is served for lunch during the tour?

The tour includes local Honduran dishes such as shrimp cocktail and fried conch with plantains.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No details are given about gear; check with your guide ahead if you want specific equipment.

How much free time do we get at Punta Sal Tela?

You’ll have about 1 hour of free time for shopping or relaxing after lunch.

Is this tour suitable for families or people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and infant seats are available if needed.

Are there opportunities to interact with local Garifuna communities?

You’ll visit Garifuna Cove Beach and can meet locals during your time there.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup directly from your hotel or city center in San Pedro Sula, round-trip private transportation with air conditioning, guidance from a local expert throughout Punta Sal Tela, an hour of free time for shopping or wandering after lunch, plus traditional Honduran seafood dishes served fresh by the beach before heading back home in comfort.