Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Honduras depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for HondurasEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Honduran Lempira
- Code
- HNL
- Symbol
- L
ATMs in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and tourist areas. USD accepted in Bay Islands and tourist areas. Cards accepted at hotels; carry cash for local restaurants and transport.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 110V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
CST (UTC−6) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–April is the dry season on the Pacific coast and interior. Bay Islands: February–May is best for diving (clearest visibility). Caribbean coast (including La Ceiba) gets year-round rainfall but diving is excellent. Avoid October–November when Caribbean hurricanes can form.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Often not expected in local comedores |
| Taxis | Agree fare before | No meters |
| Dive guides (Roatán) | $5–10 USD per dive | — |
| Tour guides (Copán) | $5–10 USD per tour | — |
Dress Code
- Casual throughout
- Modest dress in churches and smaller towns
- Diving and beach attire on the Bay Islands
Social Etiquette
- Hondurans are warm and family-oriented
- Roatán and Utila (Bay Islands) are the main tourist draws — world-class reefs at a fraction of Caribbean prices
- Copán Ruinas is one of the most impressive Maya archaeological sites in the world — its hieroglyphic stairway is spectacular
- Honduras has high levels of urban crime — apply standard city safety precautions in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Drug trafficking carries severe sentences
- LGBTQ+ civil unions were recognised in some jurisdictions but the 2013 constitution prohibited same-sex marriage — social attitudes vary significantly
- Photography of military and police checkpoints prohibited
- Check travel advisories for the mainland — Bay Islands are generally considered significantly safer
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola / Buenas | OH-lah / BWEH-nahs |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-syahs |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo estás? | KOH-moh ehs-TAHS |
| Friend | Maje / Bicho | MAH-heh / BEE-choh — Honduran slang for friend/dude |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto vale? | KWAHN-toh VAH-leh |
Plan Your Trip
Planning a trip to Honduras?
Traveller builds your personalised packing list, checklist, and travel brief in seconds.
Plan this trip with Traveller