Tegucigalpa's entry to the list of country capitals came to be by chance. It is said that the society of Comayagua, the long time colonial capital of Honduras, publicly disliked the wife of president Marco Aurelio Soto, who took revenge by moving the capital of the republic to Tegucigalpa.

A city with very pleasant climate, Tegucigalpa is nestled in a valley at about 3000 ft making its climate ideal. A gateway into Pacific coast, as well as to the numerous attractions that are located in central and southern Honduras.

Getting around Tegucigalpa can be a confusing experience. Despite the colonial history of the city, it does not have the typical layout of square streets around the central park. This is mostly due to the fact that terrain around the city did not allow this. Originally, two separate cities, Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela have grown into one big city. The Choluteca river is still the official boundary between the sister cities, and Tegucigalpa is by far the better of the two. The majority of colonial buildings and higher end neighborhoods being located within its boundaries. Today, both cities have been officially joined, sharing the same city mayor, etc.

The commercial heart of Tegucigalpa is located within the Boulevard Morazan, a modern bustling district also known as "la zona viva". In this area you will find many of the restaurants, shops and offices of the higher echelon of all Honduras. In addition to this pleasant area, you will also find the old historical center of town very interesting. Within the Historical center you will find old buildings, such as the Cathedral, dedicated to the patron saint of Tegucigalpa, Michael Archangel. Built between 1765 and 1782, it has an exquisite baroque altar. Another interesting old church is the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores, located only a few blocks from the Central Park. This church is living proof of the importance that Tegucigalpa had during colonial days as a mining center.

The buildings around the Plaza de la Merced all built during the 17th century, were all part of one unit, the Mercedian monks called this home. During the 19th century these buildings housed the National University of Honduras, and today it houses the Museum of the Honduran Man, known in Spanish as the "Museo del Hombre Hondureno" . The Manuel Bonilla Theater, whose interior decoration was inspired from the Athenee Theater of Paris. The "Museo Nacional Villaroy", home of Don Julio Lozano Diaz, one of the late presidents of Honduras, houses an interesting collection of artifacts dating back from pre colombian to contemporary times. The old presidential house, which dates back to the beginning of the century houses a new Museum depicting the lifestyles of the country's presidents.

Dominating the valley below, the "parque de La Leona" as well as the "parque de Las Naciones Unidas" or United Nations park offer green pockets where the locals enjoy their days off. In addition, the "parque de la Concordia" offers you replicas of Mayan temples in miniature size.

ATTRACTIONS

Museo Nacional Villaroy. Located in the Buenos Aires district of Tegucigalpa, it houses pre-Columbian archaeological objects, as well as a colonial, natural history and ethnographic rooms.

Museo Historico de la Republica. The old presidential palace of Honduras is now a museum depicting the modern history of Honduras spaning from the Independence from Spain.

Museo del Hombre. Located on Avenida Cervantes, in the old building that housed the Supreme Court of Justice in downtown Tegucigalpa. This museum houses a selection of artifacts pertaining the evolution of man, as well as an antique painting restoration room.

Museo Historico Militar Located at the Valle park in Tegucigalpa, this museum houses a selection of personal objects as well as photography's of various illustrious military heroes and strongmen of Honduras. Also on display antique and modern firearms.

Sala Bancatlan A private collection of valuable pre Hispanic artifacts, coins and some of the best contemporary paintings by Honduran artists. Located at Plaza Bancatlan, on Boulevard Miraflores in Tegucigalpa.