Cruises to Banana Coast (Trujillo)

35 Reviews
Banana Coast (Trujillo) (Photo:Ksenia Ragozina/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Banana Coast (Trujillo)

If you're the type of cruise passenger who is looking for that elusive Caribbean-before-tourists-arrive type of vibe, someone who wants to go beyond the beach to discover history, culture and a bit of adventure, then Banana Coast is the port stop for you.

The privately-owned tender port, on the north coast of Honduras, lies on what's known as the Banana Coast (hence the name), and opened in October 2014. It was built to relieve some of the pressure on the nearby island of Roatan, whose two ports -- Mahogany Bay and Coxen Hole -- are served by Carnival and Royal Caribbean, respectively.

The port lies at the base of the town of Trujillo, which sits above a crescent-shaped, picture-perfect bay that's two miles long and backed by the breathtakingly beautiful Cordillera de Dios mountain range.

Trujillo has a long and dramatic history, having been subject to various pirate raids over the centuries and an attempted coup in 1860 by notorious U.S. adventurer and would-be enslaver of Central America, William Walker.

It was here that Columbus first made landfall in the Americas in 1502 (there is a spot to mark it); his deputy Juan de Medina founded the town 23 years later, and you can pick up T-shirts which says "Trujillo -- Established 1525." It also marks the gateway to the Camino Real, the Spanish-built road which runs through the heart of Central America, and from which the Conquistadores plundered its wealth.

Trujillo was frequently abandoned due to the ever-present threat of European pirate attacks, but became a more permanent settlement in the late 18th century, largely due to the arrival of several hundred Garifuna people from Roatan. They still make up the majority of the population.

The town itself is compact, and will not take you long to walk around. It's split into two parts: The restaurant strip extends from the port entrance to below the fort, while the main town itself is centered on the very pretty square, Plaza de Espana, home to all the main sights including Fortaleza Santa Barbara.

Trujillo's future depends largely on its first cruise season. If it is a success and more ships choose to call here, then there are firm plans to build a dock (ships currently tender in). The small runway will also be extended to allow for travel deeper into the interior.

But at present, the Banana Coast is still a wonderfully sleepy place, a real glimpse into Honduras' fascinating past.

  • More about Banana Coast (Trujillo)

  • Why Cruise to Banana Coast (Trujillo)?

  • Banana Coast (Trujillo) Cruise Port Facilities?

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More about Banana Coast (Trujillo)

Why Cruise to Banana Coast (Trujillo)?

Pros:

This is a great spot for cruisers wanting a Caribbean-before-tourists-arrive type of vibe

Cons:

There's no dock, so passengers must tender ashore

Bottom Line:

Although Banana Coast is purpose-built, it's got more culture than most privately owned ports

Banana Coast (Trujillo) Cruise Port Facilities?

Banana Coast is a privately-owned cruise port, similar to many others in the region. There are several bars and cafes, including the popular Bahia Bar, right by the tender stop. The port itself has numerous craft stalls, a liquor and duty-free shop and a small Mayan museum; it also has free Wi-Fi. It's located directly on the beach so you could just hang around here if you wanted to, but you'd miss the very pretty town of Trujillo.

Good to Know?

At this stage, Trujillo is so new to tourism that you won't find the hassle you get at many established Caribbean cruise destinations. It's so small that you'd be hard pressed to get lost, and the vibe here is genuinely friendly and welcoming.

But as you would in any unfamiliar place, keep all unnecessary valuables onboard in your cabin's safe. You'll also notice a lot of heavily armed guards, especially at banks, the port and at gas stations.

Getting Around?

On Foot: A road runs from the port entrance along the beachfront to the town center; it's about a five-minute hike from where you're docked.

Renting a Car: There are no rental car offices in Trujillo.

By Taxi: If you choose to take a cab, there is a lineup just outside the entrance to the port. Make sure you agree the fare beforehand; it should be no more than $1 (approximately 20 Lempiras) into town.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The official currency is the Lempira, named for a martyr who fought the Spanish. U.S. dollars are widely accepted, however, as are credit cards and traveler's checks. In the main square Plaza de España, Banco Atlantida (open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon) provides cash advances on credit cards and has two 24-hour ATMs. For the most up-to-date conversion rates, check out www.xe.com.

Language?

Spanish is the official language of Honduras. In this sleepy town, not many people speak more than very basic English.

Where You're Docked?

You'll be tendered into the brand-new port of Banana Coast, just to the west of the Trujillo town center.


Banana Coast (Trujillo) Cruise Reviews
Took the ship's shuttle into Trujillo. Plaza de Armas has lots of great colonial casonas, many with exhibits open to the public (including the blue building just to the right of the Cathedral, and the Casa de la IdeRead More
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babysteps
Not much history in Trujillo. Sad to see the poverty.Read More
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mgran123124
As mentioned work is needed at the dock but the shopping is excellent if you're searching for homemade items of the culture.Read More
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Pancha Villa
When you are past the pier, the port itself had breathtaking views of the water from behind tropical trees and flowers. We walked along the main road out of the port and there were plenty of restaurants, each of whiRead More
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Ginniandwillie

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