Honduras
Honduras pairs Maya grandeur with Caribbean reef: the finely carved stelae and Hieroglyphic Stairway at Copán, then the Bay Islands, where Roatán and Utila sit on the Mesoamerican Reef and dive courses are among the cheapest in the region. Between them lie cloud-forest parks, whitewater rivers, Garifuna villages and the birdlife of Lago de Yojoa.
Overview
Most trips to Honduras run between two poles. In the west, near the Guatemalan border, the cobbled town of Copán Ruinas sits beside the most artistically refined of all Maya sites. On the Caribbean side, ferries from La Ceiba cross to the Bay Islands: Roatán, with resort beaches at West Bay, and scruffier, cheaper Utila, a magnet for trainee divers. In between, the usual route passes Lago de Yojoa and the Pulhapanzak waterfall, then the rafting and cloud-forest hikes of Pico Bonito and the Río Cangrejal behind La Ceiba. Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula serve mainly as transport hubs, and many visitors combine Copán with Guatemala.
Mainland travel is cheap, with good-value guesthouses, filling street food and frequent buses, while the Bay Islands run on US dollars and island prices, especially on Roatán's cruise-ship days. Divers, budget travellers taking their first diving course and archaeology fans get the most out of it. The country's crime statistics put many people off, so experienced travellers stick to well-trodden routes, use first-class buses between cities and read the FCDO travel advice closely. What surprises visitors is the variety: English-speaking islanders with Afro-Caribbean roots, Garifuna drumming on the north coast, and cool pine-forest highlands only a few hours from the beaches.
Map of Honduras
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Copán Ruinas
This Maya city peaked in the 8th century and is famed for its sculpture: deeply carved stelae of rulers such as 18 Rabbit, and the Hieroglyphic Stairway, the longest known Maya inscription. Scarlet macaws fly over the plaza.
- 2Beach
Roatán's West End and West Bay
Roatán's western tip combines the white sand of West Bay with West End's dive shops and waterfront bars. The reef begins a short swim offshore, so snorkelling is superb straight from the beach.
- 3Wildlife
Utila
One of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive, with dozens of dive schools and wooden guesthouses on stilts. Utila is also one of the few places where whale sharks may be seen in any month.
- 4Adventure
Pico Bonito and the Río Cangrejal
Behind La Ceiba, jungle-clad mountains rise steeply from the coast. Raft the boulder-strewn rapids of the Río Cangrejal, swim in its clear pools, or hike to waterfalls in Pico Bonito National Park with a local guide.
- 5Nature
Lago de Yojoa and Pulhapanzak
Honduras's largest natural lake, ringed by cloud-forest parks and coffee farms, is a birdwatching hotspot with hundreds of recorded species. Nearby, the 43m Pulhapanzak waterfall can be explored on guided scrambles behind its curtain.
Biggest cities
Tegucigalpa
The hilly, traffic-choked capital has a handful of sights, including the cathedral and the Museo para la Identidad Nacional, plus the colonial village of Valle de Ángeles nearby; most travellers pass straight through.
San Pedro Sula
The industrial capital of the north and site of the main international airport. There is little to keep visitors, so most connect straight on to Copán, Lago de Yojoa or La Ceiba.
La Ceiba
A laid-back Caribbean port with the ferry terminal for Roatán and Utila, the country's biggest carnival every May, and the rafting and hiking of Pico Bonito on its doorstep.
Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula figures are urban-area estimates; La Ceiba's is for the city. Choloma, sometimes listed as the third-largest city, is counted here within San Pedro Sula's urban area.
When to go to Honduras
Best time: Feb–Apr.
Average climate in Tegucigalpa
Festivals & events
- Mar–AprSemana Santa in Comayagua
Comayagua's colonial streets are covered overnight with intricate carpets of coloured sawdust, which the Good Friday processions then walk across.
- AprGarifuna Settlement Day
On 12 April Garifuna communities mark their ancestors' arrival on Roatán in 1797 with punta dancing, drumming and re-enactments of the landing, notably at Punta Gorda.
- MayCarnaval de La Ceiba
Honouring San Isidro, La Ceiba's patron saint, with neighbourhood street parties through May building to a huge parade on the third Saturday of the month.
How much does Honduras cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Baleada
A thick flour tortilla folded around refried beans, crumbly cheese and mantequilla (Honduran sour cream); add egg, avocado or chorizo for a baleada con todo.
Sopa de caracol
Conch soup simmered in coconut milk with plantain, cassava and spices, a staple of the Caribbean coast and the Bay Islands.
Plato típico
The everyday Honduran feast: grilled beef with refried beans, fried plantain, chorizo, salty cheese, avocado, rice and corn tortillas.
Getting around
Hedman Alas and other first-class coach companies connect San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Copán Ruinas and La Ceiba with air-conditioned direct services, the usual choice for travellers over crowded local 'chicken buses'. Daily ferries run from La Ceiba to Roatán and Utila, and short domestic flights reach the islands. In cities, use radio taxis or cars booked by your hotel rather than hailing on the street, and avoid long road journeys after dark.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB120V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +504
- Time zone
- UTC-6 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Around 10% in sit-down restaurants, where it is sometimes added as 'propina'; tip dive masters, rafting guides and island hotel staff, often in US dollars.
- Etiquette
- Greet with 'buenos días' or 'buenas tardes' before asking anything. Dress casually but neatly in towns, and ask before photographing people in Garifuna and indigenous communities.
- Main airports
- Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP), San Pedro Sula; Comayagua International Airport (Palmerola) (XPL), Comayagua (for Tegucigalpa); Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB), Roatán
Visas & entry for Honduras
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
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.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueRabies
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Low risk of malaria
- There is a low risk of malaria below 1,000m and in Roatán and other Bay Islands: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is no risk of malaria in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa and areas above 1,000m: bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Honduras
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Maundy Thursday |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 27 Mar 2027 | Holy Saturday |
| Wed 14 Apr 2027 | Panamerican Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Wed 15 Sep 2027 | Independence Day |
| Wed 6 Oct 2027 | Morazan Weekend |
| Thu 7 Oct 2027 | Morazan Weekend |
| Fri 8 Oct 2027 | Morazan Weekend |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
Know before you go
- Tegucigalpa's international flights use Palmerola airport near Comayagua, roughly 1.5 hours away by road, while the city's old Toncontín airport now handles domestic flights only.
- US dollars are widely accepted on the Bay Islands, but you'll need lempiras on the mainland; use ATMs inside banks, malls or supermarkets rather than on the street.
- Copán Ruinas is a pleasant, walkable base; visit the site at opening time for cooler temperatures and fewer groups, and pay extra for the tunnels beneath the acropolis.
Honduras travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Honduras?
The best time to visit Honduras is generally Feb–Apr. Peak months are February, March and April. Average highs in Tegucigalpa range from 26°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Honduras cost per day?
Roughly £40 a day on a tight budget, £90 mid-range and £190+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Honduras?
Honduran lempira (HNL).
What plug type does Honduras use?
Type A and B sockets at 120V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Honduras?
Traffic drives on the right in Honduras, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Honduras?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Honduras?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Honduras. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Honduras before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/honduras/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Honduras?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
