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Welcome to the most underrated and under-visited country in Central America, Honduras. If you’re here, you’re probably thinking about visiting this beautiful country, and we’re here to tell you that you’re in for a real treat! Most people avoid Honduras, thinking it’s super dangerous, but the truth is, for smart travelers, it’s a paradise. There are so many things to do for all types of visitors, regardless of what you’re into or your budget. So here’s the best way to spend your 2-week vacation in Honduras.

This itinerary will take you through the highlights, the must-see’s of Honduras, while also making sure you get off the beaten path. Feel free to take this 2-week Honduras itinerary and make it your own. As much for the cities as for the things to do. It should only serve as a backbone of the actual trip you want to craft for yourself.

Before you head to Honduras, make sure you check out our article about everything you need to know about visiting this country. We cover everything from safety in Honduras to travel costs, food, water safety and much more.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

When to go on vacation in Honduras

If you’re planning a vacation in Honduras, you want to have the best weather possible. And you’re in luck because the weather is flexible in Honduras!

The timing on the rainy and dry seasons depends on which area of the country you’re visiting. The majority of the country’s dry season spans from November until April. This coincides with high tourist season if you can even call it ‘high’… Rainy season falls between May and October, but even then, it’s usually sparse, and often comes in bursts in the afternoon or early evening.

We went at the end of April/early May, for three weeks overall and had perfect weather! None of the sights or beaches were crowded. We only saw rain once, in Rio Cangrejal. It lasted about 2 hours, an early morning. The rest of the time, it was sunny and hot. So, make sure you pick your 2 weeks vacation in Honduras accordingly so the weather doesn’t cramp your style!

Budget considerations for Honduras

The currency used in Honduras is the Lempira. When you head to the islands, like Utila and Roatan, the US dollar is the currency of choice. This is especially true in Roatan, where cruise ships come by on most weekdays.

Although Honduras is not a very expensive country, because there’s a lack of tourism infrastructure, the cheap backpacker budget options are a little pricier than other parts of the world. However, you can still get by on a tight budget.

There are also a ton of higher-end options. Beautiful boutique hotels and lovely restaurants in every city we visited. However, forget the heels and blazers. You’re still in the Caribbean. Chill vibes only!

Cost of meals in Honduras

Meals will cost anywhere from $2 USD to upwards of $15 or more per course. Obviously, it depends on what you order. Local meals are cheaper than “tourist” meals like pizza or burgers. It’s important to know that once you get on the islands, things are a bit more expensive as they have to be brought in from the mainland. If you’re looking to be more eco-friendly, eat local and in-season in every city or island. Also, opt for a plant-based meal when you can.

Cost of accommodations in Honduras

As for accommodations, during the low season, you can find dorms for $10/15 USD per night, while private rooms in 3-star hotels (or inns) with AC and a private bathroom will set you back about $25 USD a night. The more expensive rooms can go for $100 to $300 USD on the mainland. They go up a little more on the islands. But the biggest spike in prices is during the high season.

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Your 2-week Honduras itinerary

If you’re planning on spending 2 weeks in Honduras, your best option is to fly in and out of San Pedro Sula. It’s Honduras’ 2nd largest city after the capital of Tegucigalpa.

Once you get in, there’s no need to stay in the city. As most large Central American cities, there aren’t many things to do and they’re slightly more sketchy at times. Nothing to fear really, but also, not much worth noting. Even locals often leave the big cities, to settle in smaller, more quaint areas. That’s where the fun is!

Day 1 – Getting to Copan from San Pedro Sula

Your flight will probably get in before noon. If you can make it there before 10:30 am, you can hop on the Hedman Alas bus to Copan. If not, from the airport, grab a taxi (about $20USD) and get to the main bus station of San Pedro Sula, called Terminal Metropolitana de Buses.

From there, you can find an express (or quicker) bus that will take you to Copan Ruinas. We took the Casasola Express which took a little over four hours and cost 120 lempiras (about $5 USD per person). It had air conditioning and somewhat comfy seats… although after so long, no seat is really comfortable. Be sure not to grab the local bus as it will stop in every little town and make the ride to Copan so much longer!

You’ll get to Copan in the afternoon so take some time to unwind and walk around to get to know the city.

Spend three days in Copan during your vacation in Honduras

This is the perfect city to kick off your 2 weeks in Honduras. Copan is a lovely little city with a laid back vibe. It’ll give you a chance to get over your jetlag and start exploring the country. It has some beautiful architecture with cobblestone streets that are steep but oh-so-cute.

Central Park is really the heart of the city. You can spend hours people-watching there as young and old meet on a daily basis, just to shoot the shit. Chill vibes only here too.

You’ll see couples walking around. Kids enjoying their ice cream or playing ball. Old cowboys crossing the park with stoic looks across their faces. The only scary thing about the city is the tuk-tuk ride going up and down the steep streets.

Although there’s not a ton of things to do in Copan, there are quite a few sights worth seeing. The obvious musts are the Copan Ruinas archeological sight, the famous Mayan ruins. With your ticket, which costs $15 USD, you can choose what you want to see. We recommend the Ruins and the Sepulturas. The digital museum is also worth checking out if you have the time and budget. We would not recommend getting a guide. They cost about $30 for groups of 2-4 people.

Other things you can do in Copan are a coffee tour, check out the Tea and Chocolate place, the Luna Jaguar Spa, and Macaw Mountain.

Also, we highly recommend doing a tour with BaseCamp Outdoor Adventures. Heraldo will take you to see a part of Copan tourists rarely see and give you the background on the reality of the locals. The best way to book this tour is to go to the Viavia restaurant/hotel and book in person.

There are a ton of places to stay in Copan. You’ll find something for every budget. On average, a room for two with AC will cost about $25USD including breakfast.

Take two days in Tela in your Honduras itinerary

In the morning, grab a bus from Copan to Tela. You can either opt for a shuttle that will set you back about $40 USD per person but will take you door-to-door. It takes about 4-5 hours. Because we were there during short-lived protests, this was the only way we could get to Tela.

Another easy way to get to Tela is to take an express bus that will take you to San Pedro Sula’s main station. There, you can grab another bus to Tela. This will only cost about $10 USD per person but can take pretty much all day. Again, do what feels good to enjoy your time and still stick to your budget.

Tela is a vibrant beach town. It’s a melting pot of people and cultures, as it used to be one of the main Garifuna towns. Unfortunately, over-tourism and hotel expansions pushed the majority of the Garifuna out.

The city still has a fun vibe, though there is still a laid back feeling to it. The people are just as kind as in any city we went to in Honduras. They’re eager to talk to you and give you their best recommendations so you can see why their city is just a little better than the rest.

In Tela, there’s not a ton of things to do. Be sure to check out the Punta Sal national park, enjoy the beaches, and walk around the park and boardwalk by the beach. You can also check out the Lancetta botanical gardens, though we heard mixed reviews about this. You can also go to the Garifuna Museum to get a full picture of the culture.

Tela is not that big, but there is still a good offering of places to stay here. You’ll find smaller family-run hotels by the beach, and even larger resort hotels. We like the more personal touch of the smaller hotels where we get to chat with locals and get all the best recommendations.

Spend two days in Rio Cangrejal during your 2 weeks in Honduras

From Tela, getting to La Ceiba will take about two hours by direct bus. The cost is about $5 USD per person for a large air-conditioned bus with security. Because La Ceiba is the third-largest city in the country, security is slightly heightened. Although we never felt like we were in danger at any point in time, regardless of where we were in the country. As always, just be a vigilant traveler and you will be just fine!

From there, you can ask your hotel to come to pick you up in a private car to take you to your place. The cost of the shuttle should be about $15 USD per car, accommodating 4 people.

There is also a public bus that goes up to Rio Cangrejal, though you’ll have to go through a military checkpoint to get to your destination. You’ll also need to walk a bit to your accommodations.

Rio Cangrejal is the perfect nature adventure getaway. As the name suggests, it’s situated on the river, in the heart of Pico Bonito national park. You have two good options here: either jump into all the nature activities you can find, or take the time to unwind in the heart of the park. After all, this is your 2-week vacation, so do what feels right!

In Rio Cangrejal, there are two main things to do: white water rafting or hiking. You can navigate through the river in level 3 and 4 rapids, or you can hike one of the many Pico Bonito National park trails. These trails will give you gorgeous views and take you to some amazing waterfalls. They’re bigger in the wet season.

As for the hikes, they’re epic. With lush forest, epic waterfalls, and amazing views of the surrounding mountains, they are worth every minute of it. Even if it’s super hot and sweaty out there!

Take three days in Utila during your vacation in Honduras

Utila is a small island off the coast of Honduras. It’s a 45-minute ferry ride from La Ceiba. The ferry will set you back about $35 USD (including your ticket and port fee) per person. If you have motion sickness or aren’t great on boats, just be sure you ask for some motion sickness pills as the sea can sometimes get really bumpy. You can ask the ferry company for some, as they do have them available.

Once you get to Utila, kick off your shoes (or your flip flops) and embrace the island life. Young twenty-somethings rule this island. Most are here to get their scuba certification and party. But you don’t need to partake if you don’t want to, there are a ton of other things to do.

However, it should be known that Utila is the cheapest place in the world to get your scuba certification. Even cheaper than Koh Tao! The Open water PADI course will cost you about $300 USD and the advanced course will be about $330. Individual fun dives will cost anywhere from $30 to $40, with all the gear included. A real steal!

Utila is tiny enough that you can see most of it in 3 days. Though if you have the time, and truly want to embrace island life, take more time here and slowly coast through the things to do and see. Here are a few things you can do on Utila, but if you want the full list of fun things to do, make sure you check out our complete guide here.

Utila has two main beaches, a private and a public one. There is another one, but you need a motorized mode of transportation to get there (think ATV, as the roads are quite bumpy).

You can climb up Pumpkin hill, check out the cliffs and spend the most time underwater as you possibly can, either snorkeling or scuba diving. If you’re into animal tourism and looking for some different things to do, you can also look into doing some volunteer work with one of the many amazing conservation organizations on the island.

If you want to relax in a white sand and palm tree paradise, you can take a day trip to Water Cay. Here you can relax some more, go snorkeling or just catch some rays. Make sure to bring yourself a few beers and snacks because there isn’t anywhere here to buy food or drinks on the island. It’s a beautiful patch of sand in the middle of a blue sea.

If what you’re looking for is a more local vibe, especially if you are looking to buy yourself a nice fish to cook up, make sure you head to Jewel Cay on your way back from Water Cay. There, you’ll be supporting a local family who line-fishes. We don’t usually support eating animal products, but if you’re going to do it, best get it from an ethical source.

But whatever you do, please just relax! You’re on one of the most chill places on Earth!

Spend your last three days in Roatan

As your 2-week Honduran trip comes to an end, what better place to do it than another chill island. Getting to Roatan is easy enough. Jump on another 40-minute ferry from Utila. Again, the waters can get quite bumpy, so make sure you’re prepared. And get ready, because there are so many things to do in Roatan!

West End is probably the best place you can stay in Roatan. It’s where the action is, but it’s far enough from the cruisers that come in during the week.

Roatan is one of the major stops on the Caribbean cruise lines, so expect to see crowds come in and out of the city during weekdays. Weekends are for locals! Expect peace and quiet during this time.

If you’re looking to relax at the end of your two-week trip to Honduras, try to time your arrival with the weekend. This is your best bet to have peace and quiet, but especially, to have the island and all its beauty to yourself.

Most cruisers will go to West Bay, a short $3 USD water taxi ride from West End. With pristine waters and white sands, it’s understandable why people flock here. If you plan on going there, make sure you do it over a weekend as weekdays see the beach crowded with cruisers (as in people who come on cruise ships).

However, West End is where you’ll find more reasonable accommodations, expats, dive shops and delicious restaurants… and a few beaches as well.

No matter what you do, please avoid animal tourism while on this island. Unlike in Utila, the animals in Roatan are held captive for human entertainment. Animals are not on this earth to entertain us, so avoid seeing the prisoner dolphins, jaguars, monkeys and pigs that resorts keep here. Instead, choose to support a local business that is helping the community and the planet.

While on the island, make sure you go scuba diving, a great way to support the eco-marine park. You’ll see some marine animals in the wild, as it should be. Although it’s slightly more expensive than in Utila. It’s still a great price, anywhere from $40 to $50. There are a ton of different dives sites to discover, including some wrecks. You can also check out the Garifuna culture in Punta Gorda, or swim in the underwater museum.

There’s some great live music you can check out at Beacher’s or at Sun Downers’. Plus, you can tour the local brewery and the Roatan Chocolate factory for some delicious treats. All great ways to support local businesses.

Again, you’re on an island, so just take it easy and enjoy living the slow and simple life! Sure, there are things to do, but there’s also time to chill. This is the end of your 2-week vacation after all.

Heading back home from Roatan

From Roatan, you can make your way back to San Pedro by flying on a tiny plane or going the eco-friendly way of taking a ferry to La Ceiba, and a bus from there to San Pedro. Your choice will probably depend on how long you have left before your flight home.

And there you have it! Your 2 weeks in Honduras have sadly come to an end. If you’re like us, you’re probably wondering where the time went, and why it took you so long to come to this beautiful country in the first place. You’ll probably also wonder why there aren’t more tourists around (though it’s always great when these places stay under the radar).

Sustainable travel and ecotourism during your vacation in Honduras

As always, we want to be sure everyone practices sustainable travel in Honduras, and all over the world. That’s why we always share these tips to help you travel in the most eco-friendly way possible! Ecotourism is so important because it helps lower our carbon footprint, it helps travel become less of a burden on the environment, and it helps preserve our beautiful planet, so future generations can explore the beauty of the world.

Here are our tips to help you practice sustainable travel in Honduras:

1. Bring reusable water bottles and coffee mug: Tap water in Honduras is not safe to drink. So make sure you bring a filtration water bottle that you can fill up (we always have our Grayl GeoPress or the Lifestraw Go with us!) This is the best way to reduce your plastic consumption and to sustainably travel all over the world! Also, many hotels offer drinking water, so be sure to bring a reusable water bottle with you.
2. Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Support small local restaurants and eateries: If you eat out, make sure you go to locally-owned restaurants. Avoid big chains or restaurants owned by conglomerates. Go off-the-beaten-path with your restaurant choice by asking locals for their best recommendations. Sometimes, the best meals we had in Honduras were street food or from hole-in-the-wall eateries.
4. Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to promote ecotourism in Honduras and to save our beautiful planet!
5. Walk around: We walked all around Honduras and the cities we visited. We had a great time getting lost in the streets. It helped that our hotels were so centrally located to all the main attractions.
6. Use the local buses to get around Honduras: Another great way to cover long distances in Honduras, if you’re traveling from town to town, is to use the local buses. There are different categories of busses but most are clean, spacious, comfortable, and very safe. They’re the most eco-friendly way of getting around!
7. Stay in eco-hotels or small locally-owned hotels in Honduras: Another great way to promote ecotourism in Honduras is to stay in smaller, locally-owned hotels, or better yet, to stay in eco-hotels. There are a ton of great options available, so make sure you check these options first!
8. Wear reef-safe sunscreen: There are a ton of beautiful beaches in Honduras, which is why this tip is important. Make sure you always wear reef-safe sunscreen, whether you’re sunbathing or out on a scuba trip. It’s much better for the health of our oceans!

Safety in Honduras

We couldn’t help ourselves and answer the one question we know most everyone will ask. “Is Honduras safe?” The simple answer is YES! Not once in our 25 days in Honduras did we feel like we were in danger.

Yes, we were careful with our belongings and made sure not to stay out too late, but that’s exactly what we do wherever we go. We didn’t see any of the violence or dangerous situations you see in the news about Honduras.

The precautions we took were simple. We weren’t flashy with our things (camera, jewelry, etc.). We didn’t stay out super late. We didn’t try to buy drugs. We didn’t pick fights with people. Does this sound pretty standard? Well, that’s because it is! Just use your common sense, and you’ll be just fine!

Your two week itinerary in Honduras

There you have it. The perfect 2-week vacation in Honduras. As we mentioned before, use this as the draft for your trip. If there’s certain things that don’t suit the type of travel you’re looking for, just change it so it’s best for you. We adore scuba diving, so we spent more time on the islands, where we can dive as often as possible.

To recap, here’s how to spend 2 weeks in Honduras:

• Copan – 3 days
• Tela – 2 days
• Rio Cangrejal – 2 days
• Utila – 3 days
• Roatan – 3 days

Honduras really surprised us, because of the diversity it had to offer. From the Mayan Ruins to the Garifuna Culture, the beautiful national parks, and the pristine islands. It really has so many things to do for everyone. The people here are some of the kindest we’ve met, despite it being the “most dangerous country in the world”.

One thing is for sure, we left Honduras with amazing memories, having met the sweetest locals and most fun expats, all while seeing the coolest fish yet!

Let us know in the comments if this article made you want to visit Honduras on your next vacation. What are you most excited to do?

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