Valle de Angeles, about 25 minutes from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, has not only one of the best artisan shopping in the country, but it also has great family friendly facilities. La Florida is a great place for pony/horseback riding, lounging at the pool or just enjoying the grounds.
The price for admission is 50 lempiras for adults and 25 lempiras for children (an equivalent to about $2.50 and $1.25).
The Food: Guests will enter through the restaurant, where they can enjoy "platos tipicos," or Honduran dishes. Anafres, a melting pot of refried red beans and "quesillo," a Honduran cheese, topped with fried flour tortilla chips, make a good starter. For bigger meals, there are choices of broiled meats, sausages and fish, accompanied by refried red beans and rice. Children may be too excited to eat inside as there is clear view of the playground and horses, so thankfully, eating outdoors is an option.
The Grounds: The backdoor to the restaurant leads to an outdoor eating area, a pool and two large wooden playgrounds. Behind the playgrounds are the stables for horses, ponies and donkeys. For about 20 lempiras, an equivalent of about one dollar, children can ride the ponies around the field, with a guide and a parent present. The adults, in turn, can ride the horses in the practice arena.
The Zoo: Take a walk away from the stables and you and your family can view a zoo-type area that houses exotic birds, and animals such as tapirs, deer, goats and sheep.
Tips: My family and I always enjoy coming here for the variety of things to see and do. However, bear in mind the potential of being bitten by mosquitoes and insects. Arm yourself and your family with plenty of bug repellent. We've forgotten to do this critical step and my 2-year-old was bitten pretty badly.
