Honduras Travel Tips

roatan honduras
Honduras is slowly beginning to shed its negative image and is becoming a hotspot for backpackers looking to get off the beaten path in Central America. Tremendous wildlife, Mayan Ruins and vast National Parks attract people to Honduras. Moreover, the country has made a name for itself with its dive spots Utila and Roatan. Diving is one of the top reasons people come here. It’s one of the cheaper destinations in Central America and though often skipped, I think it offers the best value in the region.

Honduras Travel Resources

Buying a Travel Backpack
Finding Cheap Accommodation
How to Find a Cheap Flight
Buying Travel Insurance

Typical Costs in Honduras

  • Accommodation: Budget rooms begin around 132HNL, with mid-ranged rooms costing 280HNL. Accommodation is really cheap in this country, though it is more expensive in Ultila and Roatan.
  • Food: A meal will be around 57HNL at cheap local place. Restaurants cost slightly more at 132HNL.
  • Transportation: There are plenty of taxis in Honduras, but they are unmetered so agree a price before you get in. A short ride will cost around 37HNL with a cross-city trip coming in at 66HNL. The bus service is also very efficient and inexpensive depending on which kind of bus you travel in. Typically you will pay just 15HNL for a one hour journey.
  • Activities: Diving is likely to be your greatest expense in Honduras with most operators charging 470-660HNL per dive. Entrance fees in to the national parks are relatively low at 57HNL. The Copán Ruins can get expensive if you factor in entrance fee (189HNL) entrance to the tunnels (225HNL) and a guided tour at 472HNL.

Money Saving Tips for Honduras

  • Hitchhike. Some rural areas do not have a bus service so this is a common way for backpackers to get around.
  • Comayaguela. Cheap restaurants, markets and lodgings can be found in this district of the capital city, Tegucigalpa.

Top Things To See In Honduras

  • Copán Ruins- These are the ruins of a Mayan city and are one of Honduras’ most popular tourist attractions. It takes a couple of days to see the entire site so try not to squeeze your visit in to a day trip. The tunnels underneath the ruins are kind of spooky and “other worldly” and well worth the 225HNL to see them.
  • Utila – If you can’t decide where to go diving in Honduras, consider going to Utila, the smallest of the Bay Islands. Prices are much the same as Roatán but accommodation is cheaper, the locals are friendlier and the nightlife is better.
  • Lago de Yojoa - This is the country’s largest lake and is a great place for bird watchers with 375 species of birds. The restaurants on the banks of the lake offer fantastic fish and are an ideal stop off point of you’re traveling from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula.
  • Parque Nacional Jeannette Kawas – White sandy beaches meet fabulous snorkeling in the coral reefs and howler monkeys in the forest. There will be plenty of chances to photograph hundreds of species of birds and monkeys around Laguna de los Micos.
  • Mercado Guamilito – Located in San Pedro Sula, this huge traditional market is an excellent place to buy handicrafts from Honduras and Central America in general. The food here is amazing and locals rate it as one of the best places to get a baleada (wheat flour tortilla with cheese, cream and fried beans – a Honduran speciality).
  • Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve – Mayan ruins, over 2000 indigenous people, pumas, jaguars, giant ant-eaters and sloths can all be found within this heavily forested area.
  • Carnaval de La Ceiba – For two weeks in May the streets of La Cieba are transformed into party central. Bars and clubs are filled to capacity for the entire week before the main event, ‘La Feria de San Isidro’ (the parade) takes place along Avenida San Isidro. This is the biggest carnival in Central America with approximately half a million visitors each year.
  • Pico Bonito National Park - Tour the rainforest, kayak or go white water rafting down the Rio Cangrejal – Pico Bonito National Park is the place for outdoor pursuits in Honduras. The River Zacate trail offers you the chance to catch a glimpse of a keel-billed toucan or a white-faced monkey.
  • Tegucigalpa – Surrounded by mountains, the capital of Honduras is a maze of bustling streets and charming colonial architecture. The Plaza Central is at the heart of the city with the City Hall and the cathedral of Saint Michael Archangel just off the square. Take a trip to the north of the city for a fantastic view and a chance to get up close with the giant statue of Christ.
  • Valle de Angeles – This colonial town is said to offer the best handicrafts in Honduras and is particularly known for its wood crafts. Head to the Centro de Artesanians to purchase everything from pottery and cigars to tapestries, hammocks and rum.
  • Roatan – There are dozens of diving sites here. You can get multi-dive packages from various shops—to ensure you see many different spots. Mary’s place is a particularly good site, as the maze like coral formation is beautiful and one of a kind.
  • Parque Nacional Cusuco – This cloud forest is nestled into the Meredon mountain range and can be somewhat diffiuclt to access. There is an abundance of wildlife here and an excellent visitors center. There are five different hiking trails to choose from—April to June is the best time to see parrots, toucans, and the quetzals.
  • HHacienda El Jaral – Kind of like a cheap Disneyland, this resort is host to a hotel, a waterpark, a food court, a mini-mall, and a movie theatre. It is located in Copan Ruinas, and is home to one of the only Hollywood film screens in the region.
  • Chiminike – Located in Tegucigalpa, this children’s museum caters to kids of all ages. There is an interesting exhibit about the human body, complete with information on sneezing and farting, to a slide through an oversized rectum.
  • Roatan Butterfly Garden – This 900-sq-meter enclosure is home to over 30 species of moths and butterflies, as well as, a large collection of orchids, birds, and tropical plants. It is best to visit during the heat of the day or early morning, because the butterflies are most active during this time.