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Voykit pocket guide · Honduras
Cayos Cochinos
One night is enough for a marine reserve escape: snorkel or dive the cayes, sleep on Cochino Grande, and return to La Ceiba or Roatán.
Cayos Cochinos is a protected marine reserve of two small islands and several islets off Honduras's north coast, about 30 km from La Ceiba. It has no roads, no cars and a handful of lodges. Most visitors come for a single night or a day-trip from La Ceiba or Roatán to snorkel the reef, see the research station and eat fresh seafood.
- Country
- Honduras
- Best months
- Mar–Aug
- Avoid
- Oct–Jan (rain and rougher seas)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- HNL
- Money
- Currency is the Honduran lempira (HNL, L). US dollars are widely accepted on Roatán and in tourist businesses.
- Daily spend
- Budget L1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid L2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High L4,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Fire and ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts on the mainland.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10%; sometimes on the bill.; Dive crews: 10% of the dive cost or US$5–10 per dive.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per day.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill jugs.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Boat transfer La Ceiba → Cayos Cochinos (return) | L1,500–2,500 |
| Snorkel gear rental per day | L300–500 |
| Dinner at a lodge | L300–600 |
| Beer (bottle) | L40–60 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | L20–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LCE · Golosón International Airport (La Ceiba)
- Domestic flights from San Pedro Sula and Roatán; then a taxi to Sambo Creek or Nueva Armenia for the boat.
- RTB · Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (Roatán)
- Ferry from Roatán to Cayos Cochinos, about 1 h.
Typical fares
- La Ceiba → Cayos Cochinos boat
- about L1,500–2,500 return, 30–45 min (check)
- Taxi La Ceiba airport → Sambo Creek
- L300–500
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
No roads. Walk the islands or take a small boat between cayes. Arrange boat transfers with your lodge or tour operator.
See and do
Known for
- Coral reef and marine reserve
- Snorkelling and diving
- Cochino Grande and Cochino Pequeño
- Garifuna community on Chachauate
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Roatán | Ferry from Cayos Cochinos to Roatán, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Útila | Ferry or boat via La Ceiba, about 2–3 h total | About 3 h |
| La Ceiba | Boat from Cayos Cochinos to Sambo Creek or Nueva Armenia, then a taxi or bus | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Cochino Grande
- The larger island, with a few eco-lodges and a research station. No electricity grid; solar and generator power.
- Chachauate (Garifuna island)
- Basic homestays and camping; book through a tour operator or a local contact.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | HolaOH-lah |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-see-ahs |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWES-tah |
| Where is the boat? | ¿Dónde está el bote?DOHN-deh es-TAH el BOH-teh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Island life: Relaxed pace, greet neighbours; avoid: Loud impatience
- Conversation: Football, food, family; avoid: Gangs, politics, the 2025 election
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATMs on the islands: bring enough lempiras or US dollars.
- Boat schedules are weather-dependent: check the forecast and confirm your return.
- Mosquitoes and sandflies: bring repellent, especially at dusk.
- No shops: bring snacks, sunscreen and any medication you need.
Cayos Cochinos is very safe for tourists. The main risks are sunburn, dehydration and boat safety: wear a life jacket and check the weather.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Cayos Cochinos yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Coral reef and marine reserve
- Snorkelling and diving
- Cochino Grande and Cochino Pequeño
- Garifuna community on Chachauate
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Honduras Tourism Board: www.honduras.travel/en/
- Wikivoyage: Cayos Cochinos, revision 4844463 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4844463
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/cayos-cochinos). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.