Honduras Travel Guide:
By land area, Honduras is the second-largest country in Central America, behind only Nicaragua. And while there’s plenty to explore on land, there’s just as much joy in the Caribbean Sea off the north coast.
This is because part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef extends to Honduras, providing outstanding diving and snorkeling opportunities. But more on that later!
As a leading expert in Honduras tours and day trips, the team at Guatemala Vacations loves to help turn dream vacations into reality. We go above and beyond to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.
Our local trip planners also specialize in tailoring bespoke itineraries around you and your group’s interests with custom tours in Honduras.
For more information about our pre-planned or tailor-made trips, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
In the meantime, let’s continue with our guide — Honduras Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know!
Where is Honduras?
If your Central American geography isn’t too fresh, let’s start by getting our bearings. Honduras sits toward the center of the subcontinent, its entire northern coastline washed by the Caribbean Ocean.
In the south, Honduras has a much smaller coastal area facing out onto the Gulf of Fonseca and the Pacific Ocean. It also shares a southern border with neighboring El Salvador.
In the northwest, Honduras borders Guatemala, with Belize and Mexico beyond. To the south/southeast, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are also present.
Are you planning a trip through multiple Central American countries?
Our Mexico Travel Guide and Costa Rica Travel Guide are valuable resources for anyone looking to extend their travels beyond Honduras.
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Honduras?
Generally speaking, Honduras has a tropical climate with a dry season in winter and a rainy season in the summer.
Of course, there are variations throughout the country. For example, the climate is typically more temperate inland, particularly in the mountains running through the country’s center. The Bay Islands, on the other hand, are subtropical.
Honduras’ north coast is hot and wet year-round. However, there is still a rainy season, which usually lasts from May to October.
It’s important to note that this period can be seriously wet, and many travelers choose not to visit Honduras during this time. The dry season, from November to April, is much more favorable.
If you’re looking to visit the Bay Islands, the area’s rainy season is from July to January, with progressively wet weather from October onward.
The Pacific coast in the south is primarily dry and hot, but heat is present across the country.
The average high temperature for December and January is around 82°F (28°C), and this rises to approximately 87°F (30.5°C) in August. These temperatures can be slightly lower in the mountains and on the Bay Islands.
Is Honduras a Safe Tourist Destination?
Every traveler has a personal sense of safety, so we always avoid giving broad generalizations about Honduras travel advice and safety. Everything from gender to previous experiences can influence when and why anyone feels safe.
But like any other nation or city that attracts visitors worldwide, Honduras’ most popular places are safe and welcoming.
It’s advisable to take precautions when traveling outside your country, and you should do the same when visiting Honduras.
To help create a safer experience, we recommend planning your trip comfortably in advance. With ample preparation, you can gather information about the locations and attractions you want to visit.
You can also research and assess the most highly rated and trusted tour companies, like Guatemala Vacations.
What are the Entry Requirements for Entering Honduras?
To enter Honduras, the US, the EU, and the UK, passport holders require a passport with at least six months of validity from the entry date.
You can stay in Honduras for a maximum of 90 days without a visa.
What Languages Do People Speak in Honduras?
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Honduras. However, many Honduran professionals, both inside and outside the tourism industry, also speak English.
English is also widely spoken in the Bay Islands. And since our Guatemala Vacations team also speaks English, you don’t need to worry about communication during your trip to Honduras.
What Should I Pack for a Trip to Honduras?
With so much to do and see in Honduras, it is impossible to list everything visitors need to pack for a trip there.
But no matter what kind of vacation you’re planning, it’s worth packing the following items:
- Lightweight clothing
- Quick-dry clothing
- Sweater or jacket
- Shorts and light pants
- Light dresses and skirts
- Swimsuit and beach towel
- Water shoes
- Walking shoes and slip-on shoes
- First-aid bag
- Sun protection
- Insect repellent
Remember, this list is only a guide! If you’re joining one of our tours in Honduras, we’re happy to recommend further essential items.
You should always travel with the appropriate documents (and copies) and personal medication.
The Honduran currency is the lempira. It is the only officially accepted currency in the country, so we advise you to bring some with you and exchange your currency for more in a bank upon arrival.
International credit cards are widely accepted.
What Can I Do in Honduras?
Your must-visit places in Honduras will depend on your interests and preferences.
However, some of the most popular attractions and activities in this incredible country include:
- Visiting the critical Maya site of Copán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Find adventure on the Rio Cangrejal and in its beautiful surroundings
- Kick back and relax in the beautiful colonial town of Trujillo
- Enjoy world-class diving and snorkeling around the Bay Islands
- Visit the Museum of National Identity (Museo para la Identidad Nacional) in Tegucigalpa
If you’re drawn to the diving and snorkeling opportunities in the Bay Islands, Utila is one of the standout options. Coral reefs and stunning dive sites surround the islands. It’s also a great place to get a PADI certificate.
The 5 Best Honduras National Parks
Honduras is home to 20 national parks (at the time of writing), making it hugely popular with everyone from birders to hikers to adrenaline junkies.
You almost certainly won’t have the time to visit all 20 national parks during your trip, so our tips for 5 of the best are:
- La Tigra National Park
- Celaque National Park
- Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park
- Pico Bonito National Park
- Jeannette Kawas National Park
And these choices are only a brief introduction to the abundant protected areas you can explore in Honduras!
How to Get Around in Honduras
The safest, most comfortable, and most efficient way to get around this fascinating country is with Guatemala Vacations.
On both our pre-planned and custom tours in Honduras, we provide transportation to and from all the attractions on your itinerary.
If you’re adventuring through the country without a guide, renting a car is a great way to get out on the open road. Of course, this will require a decent-sized budget.
When traveling around larger towns and cities, taxis are the perfect mix of safety and time efficiency. However, taxis don’t have meters, so you must agree to a fee before entering the vehicle.
What are Popular Honduras Food and Drink Options?
Honduras cuisine blends Mesoamerican, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures.
A typical breakfast consists of scrambled eggs, refried or boiled black beans, and plenty of tortillas. Local coffee is a popular drink to wash it down.
Many meals after breakfast include beans, rice, tortillas, and grilled meat, such as chicken, beef, or pork. Your food will also typically come with a salad.
Expect Caribbean variations on the Bay Islands. Seafood and coconut products dominate the culinary scene here. Other fixtures include fresh fish, lobster, shrimp, and conch.
Popular meals include burritos, tamales, and pastelitos de carne (little meat cakes).
In addition to the ever-popular coffee grown in Honduras and neighboring countries, some of the favored drinks among locals include domestic beers from brands like Salva Vida, Barena, Port Royal, and Imperial.
Guaro, a sugar cane liquor, and Giffity, a fiery rum-based liquor, are also go-to options for anyone looking to sample typical Honduran beverages.
What are Some Cultural Faux Pas in Honduras?
Hondurans are naturally friendly and welcoming and are generally happy to have visitors in their country.
But as with any other place, cultural faux pas can happen. Nobody expects perfection, but some handy tips to avoid awkward situations include:
- Tipping 10% is the norm for servers and tour guides
- However, you aren’t likely to tip in taxis
- Haggling isn’t common, but you can negotiate in taxis and hotels
- But remember, Honduras is a polite society, so haggle respectfully
- Hand over items that people ask for; don’t toss them
When greeting people who aren’t friends, men typically shake hands with other men. They will also shake hands with women but may wait for a woman to initiate.
If a woman doesn’t extend her hand, a simple nod of acknowledgment will likely follow.
For even more peace of mind, read our tips for people vacationing abroad.
Experience Authentic Honduras with Our Pre-Planned and Custom Tours
We hope this travel guide has provided all the inspiration and information you need to start planning your trip to Honduras.
At Guatemala Vacations, we pride ourselves on bringing dream vacations to life. To start shaping yours, browse through our range of tours in Honduras.
Remember, you can use these itineraries as inspiration for a custom Honduras tour tailored to you and your group.
Please contact us for more information or to ask us any initial questions.
