Honduras Travel Guide
Honduras, often a snubbed destination because of its bad reputation for safety, has still managed to make a name for itself among travelers, mostly thanks to Utila and Roatan, the two Caribbean islands that are part of the Bay Islands archipelago.
But Honduras isn’t just the Bay Islands. The country actually has a huge variety of flora and fauna and some of the most spectacular and best-preserved Mayan ruins, all at rock-bottom prices that make it without a doubt one of the cheapest countries in all of Central America.
And although it’s true that Honduras still suffers from the problem of gangs and violence in general, it’s much safer than you might think, especially in tourist areas. I spent a couple of weeks backpacking there, and in this guide you’ll find all the information and tips you need to plan your trip as best you can.
Quick menu
- When to visit Honduras
- Documents and vaccinations to enter Honduras
- What to do and see in Honduras
- Recommended itinerary in Honduras
- How to get around Honduras
- Backpacking Honduras: costs
- Backpacking Honduras: safety
Sunset in Utila. Instagram!
When to visit Honduras
In Honduras the climate can vary a lot depending on altitude, but you can still identify two seasons.
The rainy season, which runs from May to November, is characterized by short thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon, heat and humidity.
During the dry season, on the other hand, from December to April, rain is really scarce and temperatures are pleasant. This is considered the best time to go to Honduras but also the most expensive, especially around the Christmas holidays.
That said, I visited the country during the rainy season in August and, despite the occasional downpour, the weather was never a problem. Apparently the worst months are October and November.
Documents and vaccinations to enter Honduras
With an Italian passport, you get a 90-day tourist visa when you enter the country (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours).
Note: Honduras, along with Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, is part of CA-4, an agreement allowing a maximum stay of 90 days within these four countries combined. For example, if you spend 40 days in Nicaragua, then 20 in Honduras, and 20 in El Salvador before entering Guatemala, you’ll only receive a 10-day visa upon entering Guatemala.
You can renew your visa for an additional 90 days for the entire region by simply crossing the border into Mexico or Belize to the north, or Costa Rica to the south, by land, or by flying in from any other country, even on the same day, doing the so-called “visa run.”
Alternatively, you can renew your visa for an additional 90 days at an immigration office within one of the four countries. This process is limited to one renewal and the cost varies by country.
When you enter the country, there’s a $3 fee.
Honduras officially requires yellow fever vaccination if you’ve recently been in a high-risk country (most of South America and Central Africa) within the last 11 days. This check seems to be discretionary, but if you’re coming from one of these countries, getting vaccinated is advisable to avoid problems. Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are always recommended.
For up-to-date information on visas and so on, I recommend checking your own government’s official travel advice (for example, the UK’s Foreign travel advice).
Parrot at the Copan ruins.
What to do and see in Honduras
Honduras is the second-largest country in Central America but, as you can see from the map, most tourist destinations are conveniently concentrated in the northwest, so all the journeys are fairly short.
In this guide you’ll often find references to prices. The local currency is called “Lempira” shortened to “HNL” or simply “L.” Sometimes, especially in tourist areas, the U.S. dollar is also used.
The exchange rate is about 1€ = 30 HNL. For the current exchange rate, I suggest you look at this page.
Tegucigalpa
The capital is one of those cities that honestly doesn’t have much to offer and, along with San Pedro Sula, is best avoided if possible except as an intermediate stop between two destinations. In fact, the two cities are sadly known for their high crime rates.
I only spent a couple of hours there and it didn’t give me a very good feeling; in my opinion, it’s better to move on as soon as possible. It may seem obvious, but I strongly advise against walking around the city alone except in the most central areas, and in any case never at night.
I haven’t been there personally, but Comayagua, which is only a couple of hours from the capital, is a really well-preserved small colonial town that had been recommended to me.
How to reach Tegucigalpa?
There are direct buses to the capital from all major cities in the country but also to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
Where to sleep in Tegucigalpa?
It’s not a tourist destination, so there aren’t many options when it comes to hostels. Check out Hospedaje Casa de Luna for a cheap room.
The colonial town of Comayagua.
Lake Yojoa
Lake Yojoa is the largest lake in the entire country. It’s simply an ancient crater that has since filled with water. The area is mostly mountainous and really rich in flora and fauna, with 400 species of birds and 800 species of plants.
What to do and see at Lake Yojoa
The area is surrounded by at least a couple of parks and reserves where you can do lots of activities, including kayaking, hiking, fishing and bird watching, but you can also visit some of the coffee plantations in the area.
Particularly popular with travelers is the D&D brewery, a really nice lodge nestled in the forest that offers lots of activities to do on your own or with the help of a guide available on the premises. It’s all well described on the website, take a look!
Don’t miss the Pulhapanzak waterfall (Google Maps) not far away, which is truly spectacular.
If you decide to stay at the lodge, which I recommend, be aware that although the accommodation prices are great, with dorms starting at $10 (updated October 2026; there are also private rooms and bungalows), there’s no kitchen and the nearest town is like 10 minutes away by bus, so you’re “forced” to eat at the restaurant, which isn’t super cheap. For the record, the whole region is considered extremely safe.
How to reach Lake Yojoa?
The lake is located along the road from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula and therefore easily accessible by bus. Check out this page, it has extremely detailed directions from all the main tourist destinations in the country.
Pulhapanzak falls.
La Ceiba
If you want to reach the Bay Islands, then La Ceiba is an unavoidable stop, since the ferry departs from here. It’s also a great base for exploring the nearby Pico Bonito National Park, considered by many to be the most beautiful in Honduras.
Unfortunately, I don’t have much information about this because I didn’t have time to visit the park. But you can find a very detailed guide here.
Where to sleep in La Ceiba?
I arrived too late for the afternoon ferry, so I had to spend a night at the Guacamayos hostel and take the ferry the next morning. The hostel is nothing special, but it’s clean and cheap; anyway, if you can, avoid spending the night in La Ceiba.
How to reach La Ceiba?
La Ceiba has direct buses from Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula several times a day.
Alton dive center.
Utila and Roatan (Bay Islands)
Here at last are the Bay Islands and the reason why many people visit Honduras. The two main islands are Utila and Roatan. Prices on the two islands are similar, although Utila seems to be slightly cheaper and has great nightlife, which is why it’s more popular with backpackers, while Roatan is more of a family island with “older” tourists, numerous hotels and resorts.
However, both islands offer diving and certification at bargain prices. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest places in the world to earn your scuba certification. The PADI open water and advanced course sells for about $300. There are plenty of “dive shops” offering packages of all types and prices from the moment you step off the ferry.
I personally paid $275 for the full course, lodging for the entire duration of the course and two dives (fun dives) at the end. The center is called Alton’s dive center. In my opinion the facilities and the service are excellent, but I’m sure other centers are just as good. I recommend walking along the main street and seeing what each shop has to offer.
Diving is undoubtedly the main activity on the islands and the reason many people visit. But they’re still Caribbean islands with dreamy beaches, crystal-clear water and a relaxed atmosphere where you don’t necessarily have to dive.
How to reach Utila and Roatan?
The cheapest way to reach them is by ferry from La Ceiba. There are two departures (about one hour, 720L ~ $30) plus one connection per day: La Ceiba – Utila ferry. Look here for the La Ceiba – Roatan ferry.
One of my first dives.
Planning your trip? If you still need travel insurance, you can find my guide to the best travel insurance here. Purchasing through the links in the guide supports this site at no additional cost to you.
Copan Ruinas
Copan Ruinas is a small town that offers any kind of service needed by anyone who wants to visit the famous Mayan ruins of Copan.
The ruins of Copan
The ruins don’t have gigantic temples like those in Tikal or Teotihuacan, but there are lots of well-preserved sculptures and hieroglyphs that you can’t find in such quantity anywhere else. They’re undoubtedly among the most beautiful I saw during my whole trip through Central America.
The ruins are just 1 km from the village, making them easily accessible on foot or by taking one of the many tuk tuks waiting just outside the village. I recommend going in the morning right when the site opens at 8:00 to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Admission costs $15, and in my opinion, a couple of hours is sufficient to explore the site.
After your visit, I also recommend going to a second site called “Las Sepulturas,” about a kilometer and a half from the main one, along the main road leading out of town (Google Maps). It’s not as impressive, but it’s much less crowded and definitely worth a visit, since it’s also included in the ticket.
Many people only visit the ruins during their stay in Copan Ruinas (myself included), but if you’re interested, there are natural hot springs known as “Luna Jaguar Aguas Termales,” which you can easily reach from the village even by bus; entry costs $10 (Google Maps). Another worthwhile attraction is “Macaw Mountain,” a wild bird rescue center just a few minutes by taxi from downtown, with an entrance fee of $10 (Google Maps).
The Copan ruins.
Where to sleep in Copan Ruinas?
Hostel Iguana Azul is a great hostel that I recommend.
How to reach Copan Ruinas?
There are direct buses from Tegucigalpa and La Ceiba with Hedman Alas, but they’re expensive. If you’re coming from La Ceiba, I recommend taking the Diana Express bus to San Pedro Sula; from Tegucigalpa, take any bus going to San Pedro Sula. Once you get there, take the Casassola Express minibuses, 160L.
Crossing the Honduras-El Salvador Border
To reach El Salvador via the “El Poy” border crossing, take a bus to La Entrada (40L), change buses there and take the one going to Ocotepeque (L90); from there, minibuses or shared taxis go to the border (L20). Once across the border, there are frequent direct buses to San Salvador. It’s all really easy and I never had to wait more than 10 minutes between buses, but still try to leave early in the morning.
Crossing the Honduras-Guatemala Border
While I haven’t personally made this trip, the following information should be correct: minibuses from Copan Ruinas to the “El Florido” border depart every 20 minutes (20L). From there, take a bus to Chiquimula, departing every 10 minutes (16Q). Finally, catch a direct bus to Guatemala City, which takes about 4 hours and costs 45Q.
Note: There are also tourist shuttles available for these routes, but they’re much more expensive than public transportation.
Suggested itineraries in Honduras
Many people only include Honduras as part of a longer trip, maybe just visiting Copan coming from Guatemala; others pass through it in a week, stopping only at the Bay Islands and Copan. But if you’re planning a trip to Honduras only, I recommend the following itinerary.
10-day itinerary in Honduras
The following itinerary is designed assuming arrival and departure from Tegucigalpa, but note that San Pedro Sula also has an international airport that you could fly into.
Lake Yojoa (3 nights)
Day 1:
If you can, avoid spending the night in Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula and go straight to Lake Yojoa.
Day 2:
Visit the Pulhapanzak waterfall.
Day 3:
Transfer to La Ceiba, ferry to Utila in the afternoon.
Bay Islands (5 nights)
Day 4-5-6-7:
If you’re interested in getting your diving certification, then you need at least 4 full days; contact a few dive centers in advance for more information, otherwise just enjoy the island and its beaches. You can still go snorkeling, take boat trips, etc. etc. And of course do some dives if you’re already certified.
Copan Ruinas (2 nights)
Day 8:
Transfer to Copan Ruinas.
Day 9:
Explore the ruins.
Day 10:
Return.
If you have more days available, consider visiting Pico Bonito National Park near La Ceiba. You could also spend a few additional days in the Bay Islands or Copan Ruinas, where there are other interesting things to do anyway. All of this would make up a possible two-week itinerary.
How to get around Honduras
Buses in Honduras
Buses are undoubtedly the cheapest and most practical way to travel within the country. Unfortunately, some companies have their own private terminals, which makes some journeys less straightforward, especially in Tegucigalpa. Do your research ahead of time, maybe by asking at your accommodation.
Hedman Alas is the luxury bus company of Honduras. I’ve never traveled with them because they’re much more expensive than the competition, but if you’re looking for the best, look no further.
For shorter distances, “chicken buses” and minibuses are popular options. They can be really crowded, but they’re really cheap.
La Ceiba – Utila ferry.
Taxis in Honduras
Taxis are considered the safest way to get around the city and should always be used in the evening. They don’t use meters, so agree on the price before setting off to avoid problems; in my experience, they’re fairly honest anyway.
Domestic Flights in Honduras
There are frequent flights between Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and the Bay Islands. The companies are Aerolineas Sosa and Avianca, which operates under the name Isleña/TACA. Buses are much cheaper, but if budget isn’t an issue, flying, especially to the islands, can save you quite a bit of time.
Hitchhiking in Honduras
Hitchhiking is common in rural areas where buses don’t come by very often, but it should absolutely be avoided in the city.
Backpacking Honduras: costs
How much does a trip to Honduras cost? The cost of a trip to Honduras depends a lot on the type of activities you’re going to do. If you plan to dive every day, the costs obviously go up, but otherwise it’s a really cheap country.
Cost of accommodation in Honduras
Hostels are cheap, with prices starting from 220 – 250 HNL per night and private rooms from 550 – 600L (updated October 2026). Some family-run hotels can be cheaper than hostels, with prices starting from 400 HNL for a double room (updated October 2026).
Cost of food in Honduras
Food in local restaurants is cheap, and you can have a good meal for 60-70 HNL. Street food is even cheaper. I recommend trying “baleadas,” a kind of flatbread that, in the plain version, is served with a bean spread, cheese and onion. They’re delicious and usually cost only 10 HNL each.
Baleada with eggs.
Cost of transportation in Honduras
Buses, and public transportation in general, are really cheap, costing on average $1-2 per hour of travel. It’s a different story for some of the more luxurious bus companies, like Hedman Alas, which is still cheap by European standards.
To reduce exchange and withdrawal fees, see my guide to the best travel cards.
Backpacking Honduras: safety
Is Honduras safe?
According to statistics, Honduras is one of the countries with the highest murder rates in the world, and this might make you think it’s better to stay well away. It should be said, though, that all this violence mostly has to do with local gangs fighting each other, especially in the big cities.
So use common sense, follow my tips and you’ll see that you won’t have any kind of problem; rural and tourist areas are really safe.
Are you planning a trip to Honduras? Check out these posts:
Tips for planning a budget trip
Which travel backpack to choose
Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!
Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your travel insurance through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend True Traveller. For everyone else, I recommend HeyMondo, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!
For donations/pizzas and virtual beers 🙂
Did you like the post? Pin it!
