Luxury nature resorts in the Caribbean often come with a steep price-tag. But Indura Beach & Golf Resort in Tela, Honduras—acquired by Hilton’s Curio Collection—provides access to some of the Caribbean’s finest and untouched attractions at a fraction of cost.
Wedged between two national parks—Jeanette Kawas to the west and Punta Izopo to the east—Indura guests can dive amongst endangered coral, snorkel alongside hawksbill turtles, and kayak through mangroves. And, a stone’s throw from one of the world’s largest botanical gardens (Lancetilla) and largest Garifuna communities, the resort caters to travelers seeking a taste of Honduran culture and authentic cuisine.
Here’s how to make the most of this wallet-friendly Caribbean retreat.
Accommodations
The Indura Beach & Golf Resort—Hilton’s first Curio Collection property in Central America—offers eco-friendly five-star accommodations (rooms from $139 per night). The property is set on a 26-mile stretch of Tela Bay within the Jeannette Kawas National Park (one of the country’s largest) and includes a spa, the 18-hole Gary Player golf course, and four restaurants. Its sixty suites feature locally sourced bamboo floors, pine walls, and accents of Guanacaste wood; and the décor showcases handicrafts and furnishings created by local craftsmen.
Dining
Got the munchies? Indura sources most of its produce from nearby vendors and farmers. The property has four restaurants, including a beachfront lounge and one that offers a mix of local and international fare. Try the homemade bread with sauce made from coriander and cheese, as well as the baleadas (flour tortillas filled with mashed refried beans and queso seco).
The adjacent Garifuna village, Tornabe, offers a chance to take a walk or bike ride (there complimentary bikes at Indura) and explore the local culture for free. While there, stop by a local food stand and try coconut bread made fresh daily from local bakers (up to $5 per bag).
Diving
Scuba diving is relatively new to Tela Bay. The sole dive shop and school, Tela Marine was started by Honduras-born Hungarian, Antal Borcsok. Guides take small groups to view the Caribbean’s only thriving coral reef system—according to the company, the reef in Tela Bay might be the last example of what reefs looked like before the effects of global warming, over-fishing, and pollution. Outings are inexpensive, at only $45/tank (similar dives in neighboring Costa Rica charge $65/tank), and you can expect to see manta rays, angel fish, and sea urchins. If you’re a newbie, Tela Marine also offers a PADI course (the Open Water certification is $320).
Snorkeling
Don’t leave without snorkeling at Punta Sal, which has the highest density of critically endangered elkhorn coral in the Caribbean (Tela Marine leads six-hour tours for only $35 a person). In addition to snorkeling, the tour stops at Punta Sal National Park, where you’ll see howler and white face monkeys, as well as Punta Sal’s private beach.
Golf
The 18-hole Gary Player course—which hosted the PGA Tour Latinoamerica Honduras Open in 2016 and 2017—offers a round of golf for $125, including golf cart rental, tees, and water ($62 to play just nine holes). Compare that to Barbados, where a similar package costs $132, and Costa Rica, where the average cost for an 18-hole round with rentals is $180.
In the evenings, the course becomes active with wildlife, and an Indura staff member can take you to see the monkeys, lazy storks, and egrets that inhabit the property. You may even catch a glimpse of Pancho and Toasty—two small crocodiles that reside in the course’s lakes.