Honduras travel FAQ: 25 common questions answered

Honduras keeps entry simple for most Western travellers: a valid passport, a stamp on arrival, and a stated limit of around 90 days for many nationalities. Rules differ by passport, so check your own before you book. If you are arriving overland from Guatemala, El Salvador or Nicaragua, the same stamp applies at the land border.

The country is part of the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, which means one entry can cover the group for a set period. Ask the officer how long you have been given and note the date — overstaying is fined on exit.

The currency is the lempira (HNL, L), roughly 25–27 to the US dollar — check the rate before you go. US dollars are widely accepted on Roatán and in some tourist businesses, but on the mainland you will get better prices and fewer arguments paying in lempiras. ATMs exist in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Copán Ruinas and Roatán; outside those, carry cash.

Cards work in hotels, dive shops and larger restaurants. Small comedores, buses, taxis and market stalls are cash only. Tipping is 10% in restaurants, and dive crews and guides expect a tip too.

Honduras has a high crime rate in parts of the big cities, and the practical rule for visitors is to avoid overnight stays in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula unless you have a specific reason, and to move between places by day. The Bay Islands, Copán Ruinas and the main tourist routes see far less trouble, but petty theft happens anywhere.

Use registered taxis or hotel-arranged transfers rather than hailing on the street, keep valuables out of sight, and do not walk unlit roads at night. Check your government's current advisory before you travel, since it changes by department.

Flying is the fastest way between regions: Roatán, Utila, La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa all have airports, and the island hops are short. Buses cover the country cheaply — comfortable intercity coaches on main routes, chicken buses on local ones — but journeys are slow and mountain roads are winding.

Driving is on the right. Rent a car only if you are comfortable with potholes, livestock on the road and limited night driving; most visitors hire a driver or take shuttles for Copán and the islands. Ferries run from La Ceiba to Roatán and Utila.

Honduran food is simple and filling: baleadas (flour tortillas with beans and cheese), plato típico with beans, rice, plantain and meat, fried fish and conch soup on the islands, and fresh fruit everywhere. Tap water is not for drinking outside treated supplies — stick to bottled or filtered water, and be careful with ice away from tourist areas.

Vegetarian options exist but are limited outside the islands and Copán; ask for baleadas sin carne and rice with beans. Seafood on the Bay Islands is a highlight and usually safe when cooked to order.

Honduras has a dry season roughly November to April and a wet season May to October, with the Caribbean coast and islands wetter than the interior highlands. The Bay Islands are best March to August for diving and calm seas; Copán and the highlands are pleasant November to April. Hurricane season runs June to November and can affect the north coast and islands.

Temperatures stay warm year-round on the coast, while Tegucigalpa and Copán sit higher and cooler at night. Pack light rain gear if you travel in the wet months.

No vaccinations are legally required for entry, but routine shots should be up to date and some travellers get hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines; yellow fever proof can be asked for if you arrive from a country with transmission. Dengue and other mosquito-borne illness occur, so use repellent, especially in the wet season. Zika guidance applies to pregnant travellers — check current advice.

Medical care is good in private hospitals in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and Roatán, and basic elsewhere. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended, since serious cases are often flown out. Pharmacies are common in towns and sell most basics without a prescription.