Happy to inform you that there are several different options if you want to golf in Atlantida. Yes, I know that anyone who is a serious golfer will always plan his vacations around the chance of playing golf. Why would you want to travel to a destination that has lovely beaches, friendly people, outstanding nature but no golf? We read you loud and clear in Atlantida! Fortunately, we can cater to your needs and offer several different alternatives!
The golf course at Telamar Resort is the oldest golf course in Honduras
As you probably already know, Atlantida developed as a result of the influence of the fruit companies that established themselves in the area at the turn of the XX Century. The two main cities in Atlantida grew as a result of a fruit company having its headquarters there. Thus, La Ceiba became home to the Vaccaro Brothers Company and Tela to the Tela Railroad Company. The Vaccaro Brothers Company eventually became the Standard Fruit Company. Coming to work in a remote, undeveloped region in the world was not an easy decision. As such, the banana companies tried to provide as many extra perks as possible to make the job attractive. Golfing was one of those perks. As such, they each designed and built a Golf Course withing their areas of influence.
Panoramic of Gary Player golf course at Indura. Photo: courtesy of Isis Castro
In the case of Tela, the Tela Railroad Company sold its residential quarters and the golf club to a group of investors that created the Villas Telamar Resort hotel. Inadvertently, Villas Telamar became the first Golf Resort in Honduras. The Telamar Beach and Golf Resort offers a 9 hole and can tee off times can be arranged through Telamar Resort. The Golf Course is reputedly the oldest in the country and is only 5 minutes from the resort. You will love the tropical feeling in the golf course that has many different types of palm trees.
The Gary Player par 71 course has the Caribbean as a backdrop. Photo Courtesy of Isis Castro
And while we are in Tela, a new addition for golfing in Tela can be found at the Indura Beach and Golf Club. This golf course is a par 72, 18-hole designer course by Gary Player. This is a magnificent Championship golf course and by far the best and most challenging course in mainland Honduras. Although priority for tee times is offered to guests at the hotel, there is usually plenty of space to golfers who are not guests at the hotel. For more info on the golf course, email them at: golfshop@indura.hn.
Finally, La Ceiba also offers its very own golf course. This is part of the D’Antony golf Club. This golf course is not part of a resort, but rather a private club. However, some hotels, such as La Quinta, that is across the street from the golf club offers access to the golf course through their own memberships. The D’Antony Golf Course is a 9-hole course that was originally designed and built by the Standard Fruit Company. As you know, this company was very active in the development of La Ceiba. In addition to the Golf Course, they established Banco Atlantida, the first bank in Honduras. They also founded the Compañia Industrial Ceibeña that brewed the Salva Vida beer. So, it is now clear that you certainly can golf in Atlantida!
For a more complete history of the Standard Fruit Company in La Ceiba, I suggest you visit the Swinford Park. This park is an open air museum that provides you an idea of what La Ceiba was all about in the early part of the twentieth century.
