San Lorenzo is located on the southern coast of Honduras, right on the Gulf of Fonseca, that Honduras shares with El Salvador and Nicaragua. It is the most important city in the department of Valle and home to the port of Henecan, Honduras’ port on the Pacific. San Lorenzo is a relatively young city. It was originally founded in 1522, but did not receive the status of city until 1909, when the National Congress declared it a city and municipality. Its development was without doubt accelerated with the construction of the Port of Henecan, which took over the port activity from Amapala, that is the historical port in Southern Honduras and is located on the Isla del Tigre, also within the department of Valle. The old port had the handicap of being located on an island, and therefore required that all merchandise be shipped from the mainland to the port or vice versa, making the process expensive, risky and lengthy. The new port has generated a series of opportunities, both in the department of Valle and neighboring Choluteca allowing local produce access to international markets. Thus, the agricultural and industrial development of the area has surged.

San Lorenzo is a very progressive city; amongst its assets is a modern market that is commonly referred to as the Southern Mall, not only because of its size and architecture, but because of the cleanliness making it without doubt the envy of all other cities in Honduras. In addition, the Casa de la Cultura, located across the street from Central Park offers a large auditorium, as well as a library and a series of mural paintings depicting the most important historical moments of the city and municipality of San Lorenzo. Another important asset to the city is the friendliness of its inhabitants. San Lorenzo is famous for the hospitality of its people, the seafood served in its restaurants and its night life. Inhabitants from neighboring Choluteca prefer to make the 34 km. ( 20 miles) to have lunch or dinner, despite the fact that there are good restaurants in their city. The fact is that people have fun in San Lorenzo. Without doubt, the “funnest” time in town is in August when the city celebrates its patron saint and the culminate with the Gran Carnaval del Pacífico.

Perhaps the most prominent tourist attraction in the area is the island community of Amapala, located on the Isla del Tigre in the Gulf of Fonseca. The island, which is of volcanic origin has an almost perfect conical shape and was the main entrance to Honduras from the Pacific since colonial times and until the port of Henecan was put into operation in the middle of the past century. The town retains a unique architecture, which unfortunately has become somewhat dilapidated due to the economic slump suffered by the community after the port was moved. Recent efforts to restore the economy within the community have been based in tourism, and today there is a large list of privates homes that are operating as bed and breakfasts that have been upgraded and owners trained for the purpose, resulting in the possibility of home stays for tourists allowing them to have more that a glimpse of the local way of life. There are also a series of hotels in the island, the most outstanding being the Hotel Playa Negra. Getting to Amapala is only possible by boat, and the usual route is through Coyolito. Coyolito is a beach side community that has gained fame in Honduras as the beach resort for the “rich and famous” from Tegucigalpa. The access to Coyolito is via a paved road, through a detour clearly market on the Pan American Highway CA1 between Jicaro Galan and San Lorenzo. At Coyolito you can hire a boat to take you across the calm waters of the Gulf of Fonseca to Amapala. The gulf has a series of islands some of which belong to Honduras and others to El Salvador. From both, Coyolito and Amapala you can actually be standing on Honduran territory and see El Salvador and Nicaragua! For anyone looking for a breathtaking view of all of the Gulf of Fonseca, and worth taking a walk in the sun, the hike to the top of the island will reward you a fantastic view that includes these three Central American countries.

An important part of the Gulf of Fonseca’s coast is actually covered with mangroves, and the Bahia de Chismuyo Wildlife Reserve, located west of Coyolito. You can actually visit this area hiring a boat at Coyolito. In addition, you will find many shrimp farms and salt producing fields around the area. Watermelon and melons are also massively produced in the region in the fertile lowlands above the marshes.

The department of Valle has a strong Spanish Colonial heritage, with many interesting towns with colonial architecture as well as a variety of locally produced handicrafts, mostly consisting of bright colored ceramics as well as a more sober and unique two tone ceramic pieces. Amongst the most interesting colonial towns, you will find Nacaome, which is the department capital, as well as Langue, with a unique and very well preserved colonial church and finally the town of Pespire, with the most distinguished colonial atmosphere in the country and located right on the road between San Lorenzo and Tegucigalpa.

Although it is possible to visit San Lorenzo for the day if you are based in Tegucigalpa, there are so many places to see and visit, that you are better off if you plan on spending the night here. There are a variety of good hotels in the area, including the Hotel Club Morazan, the Gran Hotel Miramar and the Condominios Villa Concha Mar.