Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- HNL
- Best months
- Mar–Aug
- avoid Oct–Jan (rain and rougher seas)
- Airports
- LCE · RTB
- Nights
- 1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cayos Cochinos911 ▾
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 Cayos Cochinos, 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
- SafetyCayos Cochinos is very safe for tourists.
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.
- AirportLCE Golosón International Airport (La Ceiba) (Domestic flights from San Pedro Sula and Roatán…
- Getting aroundNo roads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealDinner at a lodgeL300–600
- BeerBeer (bottle)L40–60
- Budget bedDorm bed or camping, a night, per personHNL 500
- Mid-range bedEco-cabin or private room, a night, per roomHNL 3,000
- High-end bedEco-cabin or private room, a night, per roomHNL 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget HNL 1,500 · Mid HNL 3,000 · High HNL 6,000
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
- 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.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
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
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Mar–Aug. Avoid: Oct–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest May (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (15 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cayos Cochinos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°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)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 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
No roads. Walk the islands or take a small boat between cayes. Arrange boat transfers with your lodge or tour operator.
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 1.5 h
Ferry from Cayos Cochinos to Roatán, about 1 h
Combine with a longer Bay Islands trip.
Door to door: About 3 h
Ferry or boat via La Ceiba, about 2–3 h total
Check schedules; a day-trip is tight.
La Ceiba
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Boat from Cayos Cochinos to Sambo Creek or Nueva Armenia, then a taxi or bus
The main gateway; onward buses to San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa.
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.
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.
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
- L1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- L2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- L4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Eco-cabin or private room1 × 1 night × HNL 3,000 | HNL 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × HNL 3,000 | HNL 6,000 |
| Boat transfer from La Ceiba (return)2 × HNL 1,500 · check | HNL 3,000 |
| Snorkel gear rental per day2 × HNL 300 | HNL 600 |
| Park entry fee (marine reserve)2 × HNL 200 · check | HNL 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | HNL 1,300 |
| Trip total≈ HNL 7,150 per person per day, bed included | HNL 14,300 |
2026 estimate in lempiras; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat transfer La Ceiba → Cayos Cochinos (return)check | 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cayos CochinosCayos Cochinos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- La Ceiba → Cayos Cochinos boat: about L1,500–2,500 return, 30–45 min (check)
- Taxi La Ceiba airport → Sambo Creek: L300–500
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el bote? — Where is the boat? (DOHN-deh es-TAH el BOH-teh)
Spanish is the main language; English is spoken at lodges and by some boat captains.
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 Cayos Cochinos. 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–Jan (rain and rougher seas) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 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 Cayos Cochinos
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