East of San Pedro, highway CA-13 runs through fertile lowlands, past serried ranks of banana trees which stretch for mile after endless mile. La Lima , 15km from San Pedro, is the definitive company town, headquarters for United Fruit ("Chiquita" brand) operations in Honduras. At El Progreso , a dusty town a further 15km east, the highway swings north to enter the stunning scenery of the coast .

With its magnificent natural setting midway round the Bahía de Tela, surrounded by sweeping beaches, TELA should be a dream getaway. The town is a magnet for Hondurans and young European travellers alike, and though the police have reined in some of the gangs of would-be lotharios, there remains something of a seedy undercurrent about the place that can either add to its charm or bring a sense of unease, depending on your point of view. However you feel about Tela itself, the wealth of fantastic natural reserves within just a few kilometres of the town make it well worth a visit.