Major city · Honduras
Guanaja
Go for 3–5 days if you dive or want a quiet island with few tourists; skip if you need nightlife or easy beach access — Roatán is better for that.
Guanaja is the least developed of Honduras's Bay Islands, with a population of about 5,500 spread across a main island and a low cay (Bonacca). Most visitors come for diving on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, hiking to a waterfall, or total quiet. English is the first language of the Caracol people. There is one short road; boats are the main transport.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HNL
- Best months
- Mar–Aug
- avoid Oct–Nov (rainy season, rougher seas)
- Airport
- GJA
- Nights
- 3–5
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Honduras ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Honduras's migration authority or a Honduran consulate; the CA-4 agreement with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua can make your permitted stay count across all four.
- Honduras ↗Transit San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa by day and with pre-arranged transport; do not use public buses between cities.
- Honduras ↗Do not travel to Gracias a Dios (La Mosquitia) except with a specialist operator; several governments advise against all travel there.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Guanaja911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Guanaja, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Honduran lempira (HNL, L).Honduras-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport required.Honduras-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill jugs.Honduras-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10%; sometimes on the bill.Honduras-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Honduras-wide
- SafetyGuanaja is generally safe, with low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin.Honduras-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysSemana Santa and Semana Morazánica close offices; banks shut Saturday afternoon and Sunday.Honduras-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGJA Guanaja Airport (Small airstrip; daily flights from Roatán and La Ceiba (check schedules)).
- Getting aroundWater taxis between the cay and the main island (about 5 min, L50–100 per person).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle)L40–60
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Water taxi (cay to main island)per person, one wayL50–100
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personHNL 500
- Mid-range bedBasic cabin or guesthouse room, a night, per roomHNL 2,500
- High-end bedBasic cabin or guesthouse room, a night, per roomHNL 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget HNL 1,500 · Mid HNL 3,500 · High HNL 7,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GJA Guanaja Airport (Small airstrip; daily flights from Roatán and La Ceiba (check schedules))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Mar–Aug. Avoid: Oct–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guanaja: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Water taxis between the cay and the main island (about 5 min, L50–100 per person). A single unpaved road runs from Mangrove Bight to Savannah Bight (about 3 km). Few cars or motorcycles for rent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h (including check-in)
Daily flight from Guanaja Airport, about 15 min
For a day of beaches and restaurants; return same day.
Cayos Cochinos
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Private boat charter, about 1–1.5 h
Marine reserve; arrange a boat in advance, no regular service.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bonacca Cay
Most lodgings and services; walkable, but boat needed for the main island.
Mangrove Bight / Savannah Bight
Smaller settlements on the main island; quieter, with a few eco-lodges.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- L1,200–2,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- L2,500–4,500 excl. bed
- High
- L5,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic cabin or guesthouse room1 × 4 nights × HNL 2,500 | HNL 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × HNL 3,500 | HNL 28,000 |
| Water taxi cay ↔ main island (one way)2 × HNL 100 · check | HNL 200 |
| Dive: single tank with gear2 × HNL 1,800 · check | HNL 3,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | HNL 4,180 |
| Trip total≈ HNL 5,750 per person per day, bed included | HNL 45,980 |
2026 estimate in lempiras; flights and dive courses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Water taxi (cay to main island)per person, one way | L50–100 |
| Dive: single tank with full gearcheck | L1,500–2,000 |
| Meal at a local comedor | L150–300 |
| Beer (bottle) | L40–60 |
| Boat transfer from La Ceiba (flight)one way, check | L3,000–5,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM on the island: bring enough lempiras or US dollars.
- Bonacca Cay is very densely built; streets are narrow and some are canals.
- Ferry from Trujillo runs only twice a week (check current schedule).
- Medical facilities are basic; serious cases go to Roatán or La Ceiba.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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GuanajaGuanaja
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Water taxi cay ↔ main island: L50–100 per person
- Flight La Ceiba → Guanaja: about L3,000–5,000 one way (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the boat? — Where is the boat? (where is the boat)
- Help — Help (help)
English is the first language of most islanders; Spanish is secondary.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guanaja. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Aug · avoid Oct–Nov (rainy season, rougher seas) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Guanaja
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