Municipality of San Rafael
San Rafael is a municipality in the Department of Lempira in Honduras.
In the population census of 1887, it appeared as the hamlet «El Conal» in the municipality of La Iguala, and on July 17, 1900, it was granted municipal status.
During the administration of President Terencio Esteban Sierra Romero, it was officially recognized as a municipality.
Geography
To reach the main town, there are many steep mountains. As you ascend and descend these mountains, the vegetation changes, but pine forests predominate, and there are also areas with broad-leaved trees that provide shade for coffee cultivation.
The climate of San Rafael is quite cool, except during the dry season. Due to its relative proximity to the Yojoa Lake area, it receives slightly higher rainfall than the rest of the department.
Location
The best route to reach San Rafael is through the department of Santa Bárbara, as the road is in better condition, passing through El Níspero and San Jerónimo in that department. From the main town of Santa Barbara, the journey takes approximately 2 hours. The other way is through Gracias, Lempira.
You take the common road that leads to La Iguala and La Unión. The total distance from Gracias is approximately 60 km, initially circumnavigating the «Puca» mountain and then traversing very steep mountains. The disadvantage of this second route is the poor road condition, which is quite neglected.
The coffee landscapes and the grand mountains leading to the main town, including those on the Santa Bárbara side, are remarkable. The hospitality of its inhabitants is also well-known, as reflected in the motto «In San Rafael, Nobody is a Stranger,» as shown in one of the photographs in this article.
- Patron Saint Fair: October 24th, in honor of Saint Rafael.
- Customs: Celebrating the Week with the exchange of typical foods, as well as Christmas traditions of «stealing» and giving away children.
- Traditional Games: Top spinning, candle cups, ring toss, «ron ron,» hoops, wooden carts, arm wrestling, marble in the hole, clay and wooden whistles, horse ribbon races, wooden pole ribbon races, etc.
- Traditions: A 9-day prayer for the deceased or Novena, held at 40 days or one year after the passing.
- Visits to the cemetery on Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, praying to the saints to intercede with our Almighty God.
Boundaries
San Rafael has the following boundaries: to the north with the municipality of La Unión and the department of Santa Bárbara; to the south with the municipality of La Iguala. To the east with the department of Santa Bárbara; to the west with the municipality of La Iguala.
- Land area: 101 km²
Population
In the case of San Rafael, mestizos make up 80% of the population, with a significant number of individuals with fair skin. The rest of the population consists of descendants of indigenous people.
- Population: In 2001, this municipality had a population of 10,468 inhabitants, and a projection estimated a population of 12,347 inhabitants for 2008.
- Hamlets: 9
- Hamlets: 53
Resources
Coffee cultivation is the primary activity in this municipality. The production of beans and corn is mainly for local consumption. Cattle raising follows, and there is a minority of artisanal producers who craft hats, mats, and other items from the material known as «junco.»
The locality has access to electricity and mobile telecommunications services. There are several water sources in the vicinity that contribute to the local water supply. Internet access is available at the municipal office. Transportation services come from the department of Santa Bárbara.
Service Infrastructure
Drinking Water
The potable water service is quite deficient. There is no water board in the main town, and the water system is still managed by the municipality, which lacks the necessary resources to improve and operate it properly. When potable water is lacking, it can be unavailable for 2 or 3 weeks, and then it may return for a day, but the maintenance of the system is neglected by the municipal personnel responsible for it.
Latrines
There is a sewage system in place, but it is a failure as the pipes tend to burst, and the terminal septic tank is located among the population in the Inmaculada neighborhood.
Tourism
There are several tourist attractions in the area, including:
- Quiscamote Caves, 6 km away, owned by the neighboring municipality of La Unión Lempira, which are visited by people from San Rafael.
- «Virgen de Suyapa» Thermal Springs, 6 km away.
- Poza del Chacón in Rio Cárcamo, 5 km away.
- Cerro Parchapá, the start of the hiking trail is 2 blocks away.
- «El Chorro» Waterfall in the town center.
- Hike to Cerro de Lirios, 1 km away.
- Petrified Stone Mounds, 1 km away.
- San José Waterfall, 4 km away.
- Montaña Verde Wildlife Reserve, 9 km away.
- Laguna del Playón, 1 km away.
