Honduras Travel Guide

Overview

Capital:

Tegucigalpa.

Geography:

Honduras shares borders in the southeast with Nicaragua, in the west with Guatemala, and in the southwest with El Salvador. To the north lies the Caribbean, with which it has 669 km (416 miles) of coastline and to the south, the Pacific Ocean. The interior of the country comprises a central mountain system running from east to west, cut by rivers flowing into both the Caribbean and Pacific. The lowlands in the south form a plain along the Pacific coast, while the highest point in the country is Cerro Las Minas at 2,870m (9,416 ft) above sea level.

The Gulf of Fonseca in the southwest contains many islands which have volcanic peaks. The large fertile valleys of the northern Caribbean lowlands are cultivated with banana plantations. However, large areas of land in Honduras are unsuitable for cultivation. The majority of the population lives in the western half of the country, while the second-largest concentration of people is in the Cortés area which extends northwards from Lake Yojoa towards the Caribbean.

Along the Caribbean shore is the virtually uninhabited La Moskitia Coast. The Bay Islands, which consist of Roatan, Utila and Guanaja (along with Cayos Cochinos) are located to the north of the country, a few miles off the coast of La Ceiba. They are low-lying islands, surrounded by many cays, and are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Getting There

Getting There By Air

United (www.united.com) flies direct from Houston to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, while American Airlines (www.aa.com) operates flights from Miami to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Delta (www.delta.com) flies from Atlanta to Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.There are no direct flights from the UK; connections are generally via the USA.

Avianca (www.avianca.com) offers flights from Honduras to Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala, with onward connections to other destinations in North, Central and South America.

Departure Tax

US$45, which should be included in the air fare. If not, you need to pay in cash or by credit card.

Flight Times

To Tegucigalpa: from London - at least 17 hours (including stopovers); New York - 6 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Houston - 3 hours 10 minutes.

Getting There By Road

The main road routes into Honduras are from Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. It is possible to drive across the borders but long-distance buses are the most common form of travel.

From Guatemala the most popular borders are Corinto (Puerto Cortes) and El Florido (Copan). Crossing with a vehicle is usually straightforward and involves a small fee and presentation of paperwork, although very few rental agencies permit their cars to cross borders.

From Nicaragua the main border crossing is Guasaule, Honduras to Somotillo, Nicaragua. Entering Honduras by car you are asked to fumigate the vehicle and to present all relevant paperwork (car licence, driving licence and passport) and purchase insurance and a standard tourist card.

Long-distance bus companies are of high quality and offer executive coaches, meals, air conditioning and televisions. Hedman Alas (tel: +504 2516 2273; www.hedmanalas.com) runs from several destinations in Honduras to Guatemala City and Antigua. Tica Bus (www.ticabus.com) has routes from San Pedro Sula to Managua, Nicaragua, and from Tegucigalpa to Managua and San Salvador.

Local minibuses stop at the borders from where you can get a connection on the other side. Some private minibus shuttles offer routes from Copán Ruinas to Guatemala.

Getting There By Water

Honduras’ main ports are Amapala, El Henecan, La Ceiba, Puerto Cortés, and Roatán. Passenger ferries operate shuttles between Belize and Puerto Cortes, and many small, private vessels enter Honduras from the USA and other parts of Central America and the Caribbean.

Getting Around

Getting Around By Air

Avianca (www.avianca.com) and Aerolíneas Sosa (www.aerolineasosahn.com) operate daily services linking Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and other principal towns. Aerolíneas Sosa runs services to the Bay Islands which connect in La Ceiba. It is not usually necessary to book these in advance.

Bike

Cycling in Honduras is uncommon for visitors and there are few places to rent a bike. Tela, La Ceiba and the Bay Islands have mountain bike rental outfits.

Breakdown Services

In the event of an accident call the Transit Authority on 199.

Car Hire

Self-drive cars are available at the airport.

Coach

There are several coach companies offering short- or long-distance travel between major destinations. Prices and conditions vary from budget options to executive class coaches.

Transporte Rey Express (tel: +504 2237 8561 or 2516 2014; www.reyexpress.hn) runs between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Diana Express (tel: +504 509 4886; http://transportedianaexpress.jimdo.com) runs between Tela, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba. and Hedman Alas (tel: +504 2516 2273; www.hedmanalas.com) is an executive service that connects all the main cities and Guatemala.

Departure Tax

US$2.

Documentation

Both international and foreign driving licences are accepted for up to 90 days.

Getting Around By Rail

There are only three railways and they are isolated, unreliable and limited. Visitors can take a trip from San Pedro Sula on a banana train, and, with some planning, to Cuero y Salado National Park on a coconut train.

Regulations

All drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt. No vehicles involved in an accident can be moved until the Transit Authority arrives. You should carry identification, including your driving licence, passport copies, and your vehicle registration while driving.

Getting Around By Road

The majority of travel within Honduras is by road. Major highways connect the main cities, but driving conditions tend to be fast and erratic and there is heavy commercial traffic.

Road Classification

Most of the main road network consists of two lanes, although work is under way to widen major routes. Many secondary roads are unpaved.

Road Quality

An all-weather road exists from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortés, La Ceiba and towns along the Caribbean coast, as well as to the towns around the Gulf of Fonseca in the south. Otherwise road conditions are poor.

During the rainy season, even highways may be closed due to rockslides and flooding. Travellers are advised not to drive at night as many vehicles drive without lights on, streets are badly illuminated and animals wander onto the road.

Side Of Road

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Taxi

Taxis are not metered, and run on a flat rate within the cities. For all other journeys, be sure to negotiate the fare before setting off. Tipping is not common practice.

Getting Around By Water

Ferries operate between ports on the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. The Roatan Ferry (www.roatanferry.com) sails from La Ceiba to the Bays Islands of Roatan and Utila twice daily (journey time - 70 to 75 minutes).

Travel Advice

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers 

• read our guide on disability and travel abroad 

• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers 

• read about safety for solo and independent travel 

• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

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This information is for people travelling on a full 'British citizen' passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government's understanding of Honduras current rules for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Honduras set and enforce entry rules. If you're not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Honduran Embassy in the UK (Spanish language website).

Passport validity requirements

To enter Honduras, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 2 blank pages. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Honduras.

However, passengers of cruise ships are permitted to enter Honduras under a "short pass". This allows passengers to disembark during the hours the ship is docked in Honduras (usually less than a day). If passengers remain in Honduras beyond the hours of docking a visa will be required. Check with your cruise line or with your nearest Honduran Embassy for further information.

Applying for a visa

 Find out  how to apply for a Honduran visa (Spanish language website) in London from the Honduran Embassy.

If you are not in the UK, contact the nearest Honduras Embassy for information and instructions about how to apply for a visa. You can also contact the National Institute of Migration (Spanish language website).

To work, study or for business travel, you must meet the Honduran government's entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Honduran Embassy (Spanish language website).

If you overstay, you may get a fine that you must pay before you leave Honduras. For information on how to extend your stay or pay a fine, contact the National Institute of Migration (Spanish language website).

You will get a 30-day visit entry stamp in your passport when you arrive. Make sure the border control officer puts a stamp in your passport otherwise you may get a fine. If your passport is missing a stamp, return to the immigration desk, or go to the National Institute of Migration in Tegucigalpa as soon as possible.

You can apply at an immigration office to extend your stay.

Travelling through Honduras

If you're travelling through Honduras to another country (sometimes called 'transiting'), you must follow Honduran entry requirements even if you do not pass through immigration. Contact the National Institute of Migration (Spanish language website) for information.

Travelling to El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua

Visitors can travel between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua for up to 90 days, under the Central America Border Control Agreement (also known as CA-4). However, from 15 August British nationals are required to have a visa. Check with the Honduran Embassy in London for information on how this CA-4 agreement would be applied to you.

The 90-day period starts when you enter any of these countries and does not restart when you cross borders. You'll have to go through immigration checks at borders. If you're expelled from one of these countries, you're also excluded from the other 3.

If you wish to extend your stay, contact the National Institute of Migration (Spanish language website) in Honduras. If you overstay, you may get a fine.

Travellers aged 20 and under

To enter or exit Honduras, people aged 20 and under travelling alone or with only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarised letter in Spanish from the parents or guardians not travelling with them. Contact the Honduran Embassy (Spanish language website), or if you're in Honduras the nearest National Institute of Migration (Spanish language website), for information about what documents you need. Single parents will need additional documents.

Airport tax

There is an airport departure tax for international flights of 48.44 US dollars (or the same amount in Honduran lempiras). This is normally included in the cost of your ticket.

There is also a departure tax for domestic flights of 54.13 Honduran lempiras (or the same amount in US dollars).

Land border fee

If you arrive at or depart from a land border, the immigration authorities will charge you a fee of 3 US dollars. Keep the receipt until you leave Honduras and make sure you get a stamp in your passport.

Vaccine requirements

You may need a yellow fever certificate for onward travel to some other countries, due to the risk of yellow fever in Honduras.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro's Honduras guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Honduras. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

You must complete the Government of Honduras' customs declaration form prior to entering or leaving the country. After completing the online form, you must present the QR code to the customs authorities, either on paper or electronically.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.   

Terrorism in Honduras

Although there's no recent history of terrorism in Honduras, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Political situation

Protests can happen anywhere in Honduras. Although normally peaceful, these can rapidly turn violent with a general breakdown in law and order, including looting. The police have frequently responded with tear gas and there have been deaths and injuries.

Although protests are normally restricted to the main cities (especially Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba), the authorities can set up roadblocks anywhere at short notice and these cause significant travel disruptions. Your travel plans may be affected at short notice.

It is illegal for foreigners to participate in political activities. If you take part in protests, you may be detained and deported. Avoid all demonstrations and protests and do not try to pass through blockades. Follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator or airline and monitor local and social media.

Crime

There are high levels of crime in Honduras. Most serious crime does not affect tourists, but there have been attacks on foreigners, including armed robbery and sexual assault. Attacks can take place anywhere at any time.

Protecting yourself and your belongings

Petty theft is a problem in cities and tourist areas, including the Bay Islands (Roatán, Utila and Guanaja). Avoid walking around Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and other main towns and cities in mainland Honduras. Be particularly careful at bus stations, airports, isolated beaches, tourist sites and on public transport. Keep your valuables locked away in a safe if possible. Avoid displaying valuable items like jewellery, cameras, tablets, laptops and mobile phones.

ATM crime

Criminals have robbed foreigners after they've withdrawn money at ATMs.

ATMs are available in the major towns. Check with your hotel which ATMs to use, especially in Roatán. It is safer to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres and to change money in hotels or banks. Check ATMs for evidence of tampering, although affected machines may not be easy to spot. Do not withdraw a lot of money at one time and avoid withdrawals at night.

People have been killed and injured resisting criminals. It is useful to carry a small amount of money to hand out if you're robbed.

Violent attacks against vehicles

There have been violent attacks on people in cars and buses. Using a reputable tour company for longer journeys may reduce the risks. For shorter distances, use radio-dispatched taxis or hotel taxis. It is generally safer to travel on main roads between major cities and tourist destinations.

Take precautions such as:

• locking vehicle doors
• keeping windows closed
• not travelling after dark
• travelling in convoy
• not picking up hitchhikers

Take care if you're travelling alone. In remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or join a tour. Do not accept lifts from strangers or hitchhike.

Avoid travelling on public buses (repainted US school buses). There has been an increase in armed attacks by local gangs on bus drivers and conductors, often resulting in serious injury or death. There have been violent muggings, rape and assault against foreigners on these buses. Private intercity coach services are safer but not immune from attack.

There have been attacks on roads:

• from Limones to La Union
• from Olancho via Salama to Saba
• from Gualaco to San Esteban
• from La Esperanza to Gracias
• in the Department of Santa Barbara
• in and around Tela, La Ceiba, Trujillo and El Progreso

Scams

Scam artists target foreign visitors and residents. The scams come in many forms and can cause great financial loss. Warn your friends and family to be sceptical if they're asked to transfer funds to you in Honduras. Tell them to contact you to check that you've made this request.

State of exception (emergency) 

As part of its plan to address extortion, the Honduras government announced a state of exception (emergency) in December 2022. This measure has been repeatedly extended and remains in place, affecting over 100 municipalities across the country.

During this time there may be restrictions on freedom of movement and other rights in the affected municipalities. Get more advice from your travel operator. You must always carry ID and be prepared for checkpoints.

You should:

• allow extra time to reach your destination
• monitor local media for updates and information on restrictions
• avoid crowds or demonstrations
• always co-operate with military and police officers

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID and travel documents

Always carry photo ID. Carry a copy of the photo and visa pages of your passport with you. Leave the original in a safe place.

Make sure you always have the documents for your hotel, car rental, tour or ticket reservations. Local authorities may stop you and ask for documents confirming your travel plans. 

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for drug trafficking (15 to 20 years in prison and a very large fine) and drug use (from 3 to 9 months in a rehabilitation centre). Honduran prisons are overcrowded and violent.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal. There are no laws guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. There is no recognition of same-sex marriage. People in the capital, Tegucigalpa, are largely tolerant of individuals' personal lifestyles and accept small signs of affection between same-sex couples. There is a more conservative attitude outside the capital and showing affection in public is not recommended.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

US dollars are widely accepted for exchange and payment. It is difficult to exchange British pounds in Honduras. 

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Scuba diving accidents

There is a hyperbaric (recompression) chamber on Roatán and there are recompression facilities on the Bay Island of Utila. However, emergency medical facilities on the Bay Islands are extremely limited.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Honduras, see information on driving abroad. 

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Honduras for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP. 

Make sure you have adequate insurance.

If you are involved in an accident, contact the police or the fire brigade (telephone: 911), stay with your vehicle and wait for the police to arrive. If you're in a serious accident, you may be taken into custody regardless of responsibility. Seek legal help and inform the British Embassy in Guatemala.  Take full details of the other driver (who may not be insured), and do not rely solely on the vehicle's number plate.

Driving conditions

Driving standards in Honduras are generally poor. Avoid road travel at night. Many vehicles travel without lights, and animals often wander across roads causing accidents. You may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if you are not travelling on main roads.

Public buses are often poorly maintained, overcrowded and recklessly driven. Accidents are common and sometimes fatal. Luxury buses, operated by private companies, are usually better maintained.

Some roads remain damaged by hurricanes that struck in 2020.

Air travel 

Airlines in Honduras can change their schedules at short notice. Before you travel, check with your airline or travel agent.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Drought, forest fires and flash flooding are common in Honduras.

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards. 

Hurricanes

The hurricane season in Honduras normally runs from June to November. Landslides and flooding can affect roads throughout the country. Monitor local weather reports and check the warnings from the US National Hurricane Center. Follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. See the Honduran national civil protection website COPECO (Spanish language website).

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a risk in Honduras. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake and tsunami.

This section has safety advice for regions of Honduras. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO's overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua

Armed robbers have targeted travellers after they cross the Honduran border into El Salvador. It is often better to cross borders in the morning as they sometimes close in the early evening and remain closed at night.

There are unmarked minefields in and around the border with Nicaragua. Avoid walking on unmarked paths or off main roads in these areas.

You may experience delays at the land border crossings between Honduras and Guatemala due to the passage of migrant caravans.

Bay Islands and north coast

The Bay Islands are generally safer than mainland Honduras, but there have been several attacks by criminals on visitors, including on the ferries to and from mainland Honduras. If you are visiting Roatán, travel with a reputable guide. If you are driving a car or scooter, avoid side roads in remote areas, particularly Palm Beach Road close to Milton Bight.

Take care on beaches in Tela and the north coast towns after dark. There have been attacks on foreigners on beaches after dark.

There is a risk of criminal attacks and carjackings in and around Tela, La Ceiba, Trujillo and El Progreso.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you're referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Honduras
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you'll face in Honduras including:

• Zika virus

• malaria and dengue 

• yellow fever

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Honduras. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.

Tap water is not generally safe to drink, but bottled water is cheap and widely available.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

You cannot use British-issued prescriptions in Honduras. To find a pharmacy ('farmacia') look for one of the big national chains such as Farmacias Siman, Farmacias Kielsa or Farmacia El Ahorro.

Healthcare in Honduras

State-funded hospitals are underfunded and medicines are in short supply. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Always carry evidence of your insurance. Use private clinics where possible, though these are only available in major towns.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Honduras where some staff will speak English.

There is also guidance on healthcare if you're living in Honduras.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Honduras

Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Honduras
• dealing with a death in Honduras
• being arrested or imprisoned in Honduras
• getting help if you're a victim of crime
• what to do if you're in hospital
• if you're affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO  

Help abroad   

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.  

Help in the UK   

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.   

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)   

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates   

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.   

Follow and contact FCDO:  

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Honduras on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Vaccinations

Title	Special Precautions
Yellow Fever	No**
Typhoid	Yes
Tetanus	Yes
Rabies	Sometimes
Malaria	Sometimes*
Hepatitis A	Yes
Diphtheria	Sometimes

Overview:

Health insurance is recommended. The main hospitals are in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. However all the large towns have a hospital. Mosquito nets are recommended for coastal areas to minimise the risk of malaria and dengue fever. There are scuba diving recompression chambers on the islands of Roatan and Utila.

Vaccinations Note:

* Malaria risk is a variable risk throughout the year in 80% of the municipalities, especially in the rural areas such as Roatán and the other Bay Islands.

**A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving from areas in the endemic zone.

Food Drink:

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised in rural areas and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Avoid meat and dairy when eating from markets or street vendors.

Other Risks:

Dengue fever and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) may occur. Hepatitis B is present. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem.

Currency Information:

Lempira (HNL; symbol L) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of L500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centavos, although smaller coins are rarely used.

Credit Cards:

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Some banks offer cash withdrawal with Visa or Mastercard.

ATMs:

Found throughout the country, and most accept foreign cards. For safety reasons many operate a locked door system which uses a card to enter and it is advised to use machines in shopping centres and busy areas and only during the day.

Travellers Cheques:

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking Hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (some banks open until 1800). Some branches open Sat 0900-1200.

Currency Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Currency Exchange:

Pounds Sterling cannot normally be exchanged; visitors should therefore take US Dollars, which are easily exchanged in banks, major hotels, airports and bureaux de change. The bureaux de change usually offer a quicker service and better rate than banks.

Currencies

Code	Symbol
HNL	L

Exchange Rates

24.33

28.98

23.40

Language

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken by the West Indian settlers in the north and on the Bay Islands off the Caribbean coast. Amerindian dialects are also spoken.

Overview:

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2014-December 2015 period.

.

List Of Public Holidays

Title	Start Date	To Be Confirmed
New Year's Day	2024-01-01 00:00:00	0
Maundy Thursday	2024-03-28 00:00:00	0
Good Friday	2024-03-29 00:00:00	0
Holy Saturday	2024-03-30 00:00:00	0
Day of the Americas	2024-04-14 00:00:00	0
Labour Day	2024-05-01 00:00:00	0
Independence Day	2024-09-15 00:00:00	0
D	2024-10-12 00:00:00	0
Armed Forces Day	2024-10-21 00:00:00	0
Christmas Day	2024-12-25 00:00:00	0

Overview:

.

Banned Imports:

Prohibited imports include meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, dairy items, unlicensed arms and ammunition, and pornographic media or literature. Spearfishing is illegal and scuba divers may therefore not enter the country with spear guns.

Plants may be brought in with appropriate phytosanitary certificates.

Telephone:

The international dialling code for Honduras is 504. Direct dial international calls are available in major towns and the Bay Islands, but in other areas it may be necessary to call the international operator on 193. Call centres, hotels and pay phones are widely available. There are no area codes within Honduras. There is relatively good mobile phone reception throughout the country, and pay-as-you-go phones can be bought cheaply from major operators such as Tigo, Claro, Hondutel and Digicel. Foreign mobile phones must be quad-band to be used in the country.

Mobile Telephone:

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is generally good along the coasts and around major towns.

Internet:

Internet cafes exist in major towns and Wi-Fi is becoming more common in major urban areas.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes between four and seven days.

Post Office Hours:

Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.

Media:

The media is restricted by punitive defamation laws which, in certain cases, require journalists to reveal their sources. Journalists tend to exercise self-censorship in order to avoid offending the political or economic interests of the media bigwigs, and cases of journalists accepting bribes from officials who wish to influence coverage are not unknown.

Daily newspapers are in Spanish and privately owned. They include El Heraldo, La Prensa, El Tiempo and La Tribuna. The weekly Honduras This Week is published in English. Televicentro operates Telesistema Hondureno, Canal 5 El Lider and Telecadena 7 y 4. Other networks are: CBC Canal 6, Vica TV and SOTEL Canal 11. Radio America and Radio HRN are both privately-owned national radio stations.

Swim with whale sharks

The Bay Islands are considered one of the best locations to spot the world's largest fish, the whale shark. Measuring up to 10m (33ft) in length, these gentle, plankton-eating creatures glide through the waters and it is possible to slip gently into the water and swim alongside them. The Utila Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Centre runs excursions all year round, with the highest numbers seen in March and April.

Get to know the local wildlife

Honduras' wildlife refuges and national parks offer an exciting, unspoiled landscape, a multitude of flora and fauna, and huge biodiversity including rare mammals such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, anteaters and tapirs. Tropical and pine forests, mountains, coastal wetlands and huge rivers create a wonderful opportunity for eco-tourism, with high-quality accommodation and expert local guides.

Splash out in the Bay Islands

The exotic archipelago of the English-speaking Bay Islands is famed as one of the world's premier diving destinations and home to some of Honduras' top beach resorts. Hilly, tropical Guanaja and Roatán are protected by a great coral reef. Backpackers' favourite Utila has sandy beaches ringed by tiny cays shaded by palm trees. There are several smaller islands worth visiting, including the Cayos Cochinos.

Relive the pirate history of Trujillo

Play at being a pirate in Trujillo on Honduras' gorgeous Caribbean coast. Once a thriving port and a former capital of colonial Honduras, Trujillo is today home to many old Spanish buildings, a fascinating pirate history and superb tropical beaches. Nearby are several traditional Garifuna villages and the city is surrounded by national parks.

Celebrate Easter in Comayagua

If heritage and history are your thing, you'll love Comayagua. The first capital of Honduras is a masterpiece of Spanish colonial architecture: cobbled streets, tiny plazas, whitewashed houses and grand churches, all of which frankly upstage rather tatty Tegucigalpa. The best time to visit is during the unique and fervent celebrations of Easter week (Semana Santa).

Climb Copán’s magnificent ruins

The ancient city of Copán is one of the wonders of the Maya world, a major testament to this advanced culture, most notable for its intricately carved stelae. Highlights of the ruins include the magnificent Acropolis, the Great Plaza, and the Court of the Hieroglyphic Stairway. Base yourself in the charming nearby town of Copán, with its cobbled streets and excellent hotels and restaurants.

Tackle the white-water rapids

Experience some of Central America's best white-water rafting along the Cangrejal River, near La Ceiba. The steep terrain of the Pico Bonito National Park creates raging rivers and waterfalls, the most spectacular of which is the Cangrejal. Several outfits offer jungle lodges and rafting experiences outside of rainy season, with the wettest months from August to December.

Take on Tegucigalpa

Admire the view across Tegucigalpa, the temperate capital city, from the site of its Christ of the Picacho monument, set atop the eponymous mountain to the north. Be sure to take a look around the city itself too; it has a certain rough-edged charm, especially the old historical centre with its colonial buildings and winding stone streets.

Go birdwatching on Lake Yojoa

Honduras' largest freshwater lake is a magnet for hundreds of species of birds and considered the country's premier birding destination. Flanked by the highway between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, the lake is surrounded by coffee plantations, hot springs, caves and waterfalls; and there are plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities along its shores. Lakeside restaurants also serve up some of the tastiest fish dishes in the region.

Scuba dive over coral reefs

The crystalline waters and pristine coral reefs of the Bay Islands provide some of Central America's best dive sites. The islands are one of the world's top destinations for learning to dive, with warm, calm waters and high quality, reasonably priced dive centres. And if you already have your PADI certificate, you can also take courses in underwater photography, cave diving and instructor training.

Hop aboard a wildlife boat safari

Nature guides lead boat tours along the winding canals of the Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge on the edge of the Pico Bonito National Park, which provides a wildlife habitat for monkeys, alligators and manatees, and some 200 species of birds. Drift through these vast wetlands that lead all the way to the Caribbean Sea and don't forget your binoculars.

Fly through the forest canopy

Try canopy touring: a series of cables are fixed from tree to tree and, attached to a pulley while wearing a harness, you can 'fly' through the rainforest's canopy. Honduras' abundance of thick rainforests and jungles provide ideal opportunities for thrill-seeking canopy tours, with numerous circuits on the Bay Islands, Copán and Sambo Creek, on the north coast near La Ceiba.

Try spelunking in Talgua Caves

Also known as the 'Caves of the Glowing Skulls', because of the sparkling reflection off the human bones found here, these caves in the northeast near Catacamas are a spelunker's paradise. The caves have been used by various ethnic groups since pre-Colombian times and are rich in Maya archaeology. Hire a guide as they are well hidden but worth seeking out.

Hike in Pico Bonito National Park

Take advantage of the excellent hiking on offer in Pico Bonito National Park, near La Ceiba on the north coast. It offers dense green jungle, steep mountainsides, sparkling waterfalls and world-class birding. Pico Bonito itself is a challenging, climb, but there are plenty of gentler hikes through the vast park.

Discover La Mosquiitia, Central America’s Amazon

This vast and untamed wilderness is characterised by tropical forests, swamps, rivers and mangroves, and is one of the premier ecotourism destinations in the Americas. At its heart is the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife. Jump aboard a motorised dugout canoe and embark on a safari, staying in a straw-roofed hut in a riverside indigenous village.

Overview

From air conditioned shopping malls to traditional markets and big name mega stores Honduras has a wide variety of shops. For visitors to the country, the best shopping is undoubtedly at the local markets where artisans and local craftsmen offer their wares at extremely affordable prices.

Copan is a centre for crafts and bohemian-style shops and stalls have artists displaying everything from jade jewellery to colonial-style paintings, wooden carvings and accessories. At other markets, such as the Guamilito Market in San Pedro Sula and San Isidro Market in Tegucigalpa, typical craft items include woodcarvings, cigars, leather goods, straw hats and bags, Guatemalan hand woven fabric, Lenca pottery and paintings. Traditional Garifuna crafts can be found in Tela and the Bay Islands which reflect their coastal heritage and utilise items such as wood, seashells and coconuts.

Some haggling is common in craft markets, although in general bartering is not part of Honduran culture. Start at half the initial asking price and light-heartedly barter to an agreed price from there.

In addition to crafts, markets are the centre of local life where everything from fruit and vegetables to household items to clothes can be found.

Malls are gaining popularity with middle class Hondurans and a range of international brand shops can be found within. Another popular shopping venue is bus stations, and in major terminals such as San Pedro Sula there are plenty of shops selling cheap clothes, shoes and costume jewellery.

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1330-1800; Sat 0800-1700.

Overview

While Honduras isn't famed for its cuisine, there are some very tasty local dishes that are worth trying, including distinct regional varieties. There is a decent choice of restaurants and bars in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and other cities, where fast food plays an increasingly big role.

Beans, rice and tortillas are a staple of many dishes, while plantains are cooked in a surprising numbers of ways. Pork is widely eaten, as is chicken and beef. Fish and seafood are staples in coastal areas and the Bay Islands, where the Garifuna (Black Carib) add chilli and coconut milk to their spicier dishes.

The main meal of the day is lunch and is often a 'plato típico' of beef, refried beans, tortillas, sour cream, pickled cabbage, rice and fried plantain. Although Honduran food isn't generally spicy, most local restaurants keep a bottle of hot sauce on the table.

Regional Specialities

Tipping

Service is included in most restaurant bills. In hotels, cafes and restaurants, 10% of the bill is customary where service is not included.

Drinking Age

18.

Hotels

Hotels in Honduras vary considerably in style, comfort and price. Good quality hotels are available in both Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, which are used mainly by business travellers. International chains such as Marriott, Crowne Plaza and Hilton are represented with standards equal to the USA and UK. The tourist office (www.letsgohonduras.com/) can supply lists of hotels with accommodation details.

In Roatan, resort-style hotels of high quality are commonplace and attract mainly North American tourists. Throughout the rest of the country however, hotels can be somewhat rustic and simple, with limited facilities and lower standards of comfort. With the exception of the Bay Islands, most hotels in Honduras don’t have peak season rates, although prices in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are higher during the week. During the Semana Santa holidays when Hondurans visit the Bay Islands in great numbers accommodation prices more than double and are booked up months ahead.

Grading: Hotels are split into three categories (upper, middle and lower) according to standard.

Camping Caravaning

Camping in Honduras is not considered safe or recommended. There are very few campsites, although in a small number of national parks there are designated camping areas such as at the Sierra de Agalta National Park.

Other

History

The Maya civilisation reached modern-day Honduras around AD 500, and dominated the region for the next 300 years, after which several different local ethnic groups took their place.

Contact with Europeans began soon after Christopher Columbus landed in 1502 and during the early 1520s the region was subjugated by a variety of conquistador expeditions, each of which laid claim to a part of it. Only after the discovery of gold and silver deposits in the 1540s was some order imposed on the region.

Once the deposits were exhausted at the end of the 16th century, Honduras became a colonial backwater and remained so until the collapse of the Spanish Empire in the Americas in the early-19th century. During the early 20th century, Honduras was governed by a series of caudillos, notably President Tiburcio Carias Andino who dominated the country during the 1930s and 1940s.

While the peaceful environment that Carias Andino created allowed for social and economic progress, this was at the price of serious internal repression and kowtowing to powerful foreign interests. From the late 1950s onwards, weak civilian governments prompted the army to assume a greater role, launching several coups.

During the 1980s, Honduras was the main base for the US-backed 'Contra' rebels fighting the Sandinista government in Nicaragua. Soon after the end of that war in 1989, national elections were held. The two parties, the Partido Nacional (PN) and the Partido Liberal (PL), fought for the presidency, which was won by the PN candidate Rafael Leonardo Callejas.

The 1990s, however, were dominated by the PL, which gained control of the presidency and legislature in 1994 and in 1997. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch swept violently across Honduras causing devastating damage. Almost 15,000 people died, 80% of the transportation infrastructure was destroyed and the resulting damage cost some US$3.8 billion.

PL leader Manuel Zelaya Rosales emerged the victor in the 2005 elections, defeating Porfirio Lobo of the PN. However, in 2009, following Zelaya’s call for a change to the constitution, the army ousted him and Roberto Micheletti took over. In 2009 , following sustained pressure from international bodies including the Organization of American States and the United Nations, democratic general elections were held, resulting in victory for Lobo.

Did you know?
• The term ‘Banana Republic’ was coined by US writer O. Henry, inspired by the United Fruit Company’s powerful control of Honduran exports in the early 20th century.
• Mosquitia, in eastern Honduras, is known as the ‘Little Amazon’, because of its having the largest tract of prime rainforest north of the actual Amazon Basin.
• Following a World-Cup preliminary football match Honduras and El Salvador declared what was subsequently known as the ‘Football War’, which lasted 100 hours and resulting in the expulsion of some 130,000 illegal Salvadoran immigrants from Honduras.

Religion

Roman Catholic majority (97%), Protestant minority (3%).

Social Conventions

Honduras has several distinct ethnic groups of which 90% are mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European), 7% Amerindian, 2% black and 1% white. There are strong Spanish influences, but the majority of the population is mestizo, mainly leading an agricultural way of life with a low standard of living. Many rural communities can still be found living a relatively unchanged, traditional lifestyle.

Social courtesies should be observed. It is customary for a guest at dinner or someone's home to send flowers to the hostess, either before or afterwards. Conservative casual wear is widely acceptable with dress tending to be less conservative in coastal areas. Beachwear and shorts should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. Hotels, restaurants and shops include a 12% sales tax on all purchases. There is a strong sense of community, and religious and local festivities hold great importance in Honduran life with traditional music, costume and customs.

Best Time To Visit:

The climate is tropical with cooler, more temperate weather in the mountains with temperatures ranging from 16°C (61°F) to 20°C (68°F). The north coast is very hot with rain throughout the year, and though the offshore breezes temper the climate, the sun is very strong. The dry season is from November to April and the wet season runs from May to October.

Despite their proximity to the mainland the Bay Islands have a slightly different, subtropical climate. The temperatures along the Caribbean coast and island range from 24°C (75°F) to 34°C (93°F) and, in contrast to the mainland, the rainy season in the Bay Islands is from July to January, with the rainiest months being October through early January. The remainder of the year is usually very dry. The southern Pacific Coast tends to be hot and dry with temperatures between 28° (82°F) to 32°C (90°F).

The Caribbean hurricane season is between June and November and although the Bay Islands and Caribbean coast of Honduras are outside the typical hurricane path, they do often receive the tail end of tropical storms or hurricanes during this time.

The main high season in Honduras is between January and June, although this extends to September for the Bay Islands. The intense rainy season can hinder much travel, and roads are often blocked due to rock slides and flooding. Activities such as kayaking and white water rafting are best done after the height of the rainy season, and while scuba diving centres in the Bay Islands are open year-round, the high season is in the dry season. Whale shark sightings off the islands can be done year-round but chances are higher in March and April. Semana Santa is the busiest time of the year for the islands and accommodation should be booked long in advance. In La Moskitia region, the drier seasons of February to May and August to November are the best for travel.

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Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens; warmer clothes are recommended between November and February and in the mountains. Waterproofs are needed for the wet season.

Dialing Code:

+504

Area(sq km):

112090

Population:

9.904.607

Population Density(per sq km):

78

Population Year:

2020

EU Member:

No

Main emergency number

195