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Just like with every international trip, there are things that you end up realizing while you’re traveling. At that point, you kick yourself and wish you had known better to avoid the trouble and heartache that come with traveling to unknown places. That’s why we put together the list of the top 21 things to know before going to Honduras. This article will highlight the top travel advice for Honduras.

We hope these tips will help make your trip more enjoyable. Because truth be told, this is a beautiful country, and more people should be enjoying the amazing things to do in Honduras. So get ready because we’re sure you have a ton of questions, and we have some of the answers.

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 If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers.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!

Health and safety tips in Honduras

1. Is Honduras safe country ?

“Is Honduras a safe country to visit?” is the question you’ll hear the most when you tell people that’s your next destination. If you Google it, you’ll get tons of articles telling you it’s the murder capital of the world, that it’s not safe, and that it should be avoided. This is only one part of the truth.

It’s true that larger cities tend to be more dangerous, in certain areas, especially if you’re out looking for trouble (i.e. drugs). But for the most part, Honduras is really safe. In our three weeks there, we didn’t once feel scared, or like we were in danger. If you’re smart about your trip, and a careful traveler, you should be fine.

But to be extra safe, don’t wear expensive jewelry or electronics. Don’t flash your money around, and you won’t have any problems. The locals we met were all super kind and generous with us. Often, they gave us amazing tips to make our trip even better. Because nothing beats recommendations from locals!

2. Can you drink the water in Honduras?

Unless you’re going around with a water purification system (like the Lifestraw Go or the Grayl GeoPress we have), don’t drink the water. The locals don’t do it either. If you want to avoid getting sick, avoid the lettuce too, unless you know it’s a good restaurant.

In restaurants, the water they serve is filtered and safe to drink. The ice is also safe for consumption so don’t worry about it.

General travel advice for Honduras

3. Is it easy to get around in Honduras?

To get from one city to the next, we took the express buses. Some are closer to the chicken buses you see in Central America, that have been patched and repatched, the seats are tight and wonky, but the buses are efficient, cheap and don’t stop as often as the public buses.

Most bus companies will have direct routes to make it from one city to the next, although if you are going from one end of the country to the other side, you may have to switch in San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa. For example, when we went from Copan to Tela, we had to stop off in San Pedro.

Some of the better companies you should check out are these three.

• Hedman Alas
• Casasola
• Cristina

Although they have websites, their schedules aren’t always up-to-date. Your best bet is to call them to get their latest info. If not, their Facebook pages are usually better maintained than their website.

4. Are the routes developed in Honduras?

Although bus travel is fairly easy, the routes aren’t in such great shape. In fact, in many parts of the country, the routes have recently been developed or paved, so getting around to certain cities may be a challenge. Ask the locals how long and far it will be to get there and it’ll give you a good idea of what’s possible.

5. Do they only speak Spanish in Honduras?

We’ve always known that speaking many languages is the biggest wealth in the world, and if you speak Spanish, you’ll be golden in Honduras. However, English is widely spoken. Most tuk-tuk or taxi drivers know enough to get you where you need to go. Hotels will have English-speaking staff, especially at reception. And on the islands of Roatan and Utila, almost everyone speaks English.

However, if you speak Spanish, you’ll be able to connect a little more with the locals and get recommendations you wouldn’t get otherwise. So if you can, try to pick up a few words to make getting around easier.

Here are a few sentences to help you out:

• Hola = Hello
• Buenas días = Good morning
• Buenas noches = Good evening
• Cómo estás? = How are you?
• Que bueno! = How wonderful!
• Cuanto cuesta esto? = How much does this cost?
• Dónde está … ? = Where is …?
• La cuenta, por favor = The bill, please
• Quiero ir a … = I want to go to …
• Por favor = Please
• Muchas gracias = Thank you very much

6. Is the local food good in Honduras?

You should not miss out on these delicious meals, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan. Baleadas are cheap, delicious and nutritious. Thick corn tortillas, filled with refried beans, crema, cheese, and your choice of eggs, meat or plantains. They are a staple of every city we went to. They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And chances are, you won’t just have one, but at least two!

Then there are pupusas, which are like baleadas, but more like a calzone, as in a closed pocket. They are usually filled with meat, however, so not as vegetarian-friendly.

Things to know what to do in Honduras – your guide for the activities

7. Is it cheap to scuba dive in Honduras?

Utila is probably the cheapest place in the world to learn to scuba dive. Every other business in Utila is a dive shop (we’re exaggerating, but only slightly) and the island is just off the second largest reef in the world. So it’s no surprise that it’s one of the cheapest places to learn how to scuba dive.

You can get your Open water PADI certification for around $300 USD. Many dive shops even include your accommodations in the price of your certification. So if scuba diving is on your list, make sure you learn here. You might even get lucky and spot a whale shark like we did when we learned to dive in Thailand.

8. Is scuba diving better in Utila or Roatan?

The scuba diving is awesome in both Utila and Roatan. The reefs are protected by the eco-marine park, so they are quite healthy. They are also part of the second-largest coral reef in the world, so if you love to scuba dive, this is the place to do it.

And if you can’t scuba dive (and don’t want to learn how to) snorkeling these reefs is an excellent option too! Make sure you have your own mask and snorkel, as certain places charge upwards of $25 USD to rent the material for the day. If you go twice, you’ll have paid off the cost of buying the gear.

9. Are the Copan Ruins worth visiting?

The Copan Ruins are one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins and are still being excavated. However, because of the lack of tourism in Honduras, they are barely visited.

In fact, many asked us what the best time to go was to avoid the crowds, and our answer was simply ‘anytime!’ because, during our four hours there, we barely saw anyone. And don’t even get us started on the Sepulturas (the area where the nobility used to live), the other site included in the cost of the ticket. NO ONE ever goes there.

So if you’re looking to explore some Mayan ruins without the intense crowds, this is the place to do it. Just make sure you go early, simply because the sun gets hot very quickly!

10. Are there any good national parksin Honduras?

From Pico Bonito to Punta Sal and everything in between. The national parks in Honduras are jewels to be uncovered. Hiking, water rafting, waterfall chasing, canoeing, whatever you want to do, you will find a national park that will satisfy your need for adventure. So if it’s an outdoor adventure you’re looking for, look no further than the national parks in Honduras.

How to travel sustainably in Honduras – Eco-friendly travel advice for Honduras

11. Do they recycle in most cities in Honduras?

As in most developing countries, recycling is non-existent and trash is burnt. It’s no different in Honduras, except for certain islands (like Roatan), where they do try and recycle. In countries like Honduras, traveling in an eco-friendly way becomes even more important than ever.

Here are a few easy tips for things you can do to travel sustainably in Honduras:

• Avoid plastic bottles by bringing your own water purifying system. Even a reusable water bottle can do the trick as most hotels and restaurants will offer you water refill stations.
• Avoid buying packaged snacks, opting instead for local homemade goods and produce.
• Pick up trash when you see it, especially on beaches.
• If you finish some of your products in plastic bottles (like shampoo or sunscreen), bring them back home with you so you can recycle them there.
• Check out our articles to learn all about how we travel in a more eco-friendly way, or how to reduce the use of single-use plastic.

12. Is there a lot of poverty in Honduras? Can we help?

Around 60% of the Honduran population lives below the poverty line. We were told that on average, local Hondurans make $360 USD per month. Although more often than not, they don’t get paid properly and that amount is closer to $100. Imagine trying to feed a family on that salary. It’s heart-breaking!

An easy way to help the local economy is to support local businesses, buy local products and produce. Instead of staying in large chains and resorts, opt for mom-and-pop-run hotels, B&B‘s or guesthouses.

Instead of eating at a food chain, go to a local restaurant. Buy your produce from the lady selling it on the street corner or sustainable local companies.

Every little bit helps them more than you can imagine. And when you haggle for the price of something that’s already a good deal, be fair! It may be an extra dollar or two for you, but for them, it’s the difference between eating or not.

However, if you’re looking to volunteer to help out, make sure you don’t do it with orphans or children. Research has shown time and time again that this is a bad solution. Instead, contact the organizations you look into and see if you can help in another way. For example, in Utila, there are a ton of nature and wildlife organizations that could use your help!

13. How can I support small local businesses in Honduras?

From the Roatan Chocolate factory to the Tea and Chocolate Place and the ViaVia hotel and restaurant in Copan, there are a ton of businesses out there trying to change the way things are done in Honduras. They’re more eco-friendly and sustainably run. They’re creating jobs for locals who can then start building a life for themselves and their families. They’re creating a business that will give now and for generations to come.

So when you find businesses like this, support them. Buy their products and tell your friends and family to help if they can. Write a review about them on Tripadvisor to get others to visit as well. It encourages these small businesses to make more important changes and to continue making this world a better place!

14. Can I swim with dolphins in Honduras? Or see other wild animals up close?

Short answer, yes. You can swim with dolphins and see some impressive wild animals.
Should you? The answer is NO!

When you’re in Utila, there are a ton of conservation organizations that you can volunteer with, from whale sharks to iguanas. Unfortunately, the other animal tourism you will find, mainly in Roatan, is to be fully avoided. They have kidnapped dolphins and keep them captive so people can swim with them.

They have caged jaguars and pigs so people can take pictures with them. They have monkeys in chains for the perfect selfie… with a tortured and captive animal.

Please avoid this type of animal tourism in Honduras. By not giving these companies your money, you will make them reconsider their ways.

15. Do they have power outages in Honduras?

Let’s not forget that Honduras is a developing country, so they are still trying to figure certain things out. One of those things is how to get power to as many people as possible. In certain places, we had no trouble whatsoever with power outages. However, in a few places, mainly Roatan and Rio Cangrejal, the power went out almost daily.

This shouldn’t discourage you as you won’t be indoors during those times anyway. However, it’s important that you not leave things plugged in while you’re away from your room, or overnight, otherwise a power surge could destroy your valuable electronics.

Also, make sure you check out the power authorities’ Facebook page (like the one in Roatan) as they’re very good at keeping everyone updated on scheduled outages.

16. Do they also have water shortages in Honduras?

With more and more people on this earth, it’s an understatement to say that certain people in developing countries don’t have access to water. The truth is that there are quite a few families in Honduras that live without water or power. Because this developing country depends heavily on rainwater, the dry season is somewhat brutal.

While we were in Copan, we did go through a few hours where there was no water available. It was nothing that was jarring, However, it’s so important that we help out as much as we can. Here are some tips on how you can help the Honduran community by using less water:

• Take shorter showers. Easy enough!
• Take it a step further and turn the water off while you are lathering or shampooing.
• Bring a reusable water bottle as most hotels and restaurants provide water refill stations
• Eat more vegetarian or vegan meals. Meat uses up so much water and resources before it becomes your meal.
• Skip on changing towels and sheets every day. That way, they don’t have to wash them so often.

We have a ton of articles available on how to be more sustainable, like:
– How to be a more eco-friendly traveler
– The most sustainable travel products for your next trips
– How to go plastic-free (or reduce the amount of plastic in your life)
– How to be more sustinable in your everyday life

Things to know about money in Honduras

17. What currency does Honduras use?

In most of the country, especially mainland Honduras, Lempiras are used by all businesses. However, they do often accept US dollars.

The case is quite different in Roatan. On the island, they mainly use USD. They still use Lempiras, but it seemed like most restaurants and stores had their prices in USD.

18. Do they accept credit cards in Honduras?

You know the rule: ‘Cash is king!’. Most businesses, especially smaller shops and restaurants only accept cash. Certain hotels will accept credit cards, but they are few and far between.

Ideally, make sure you have cash with you, either in lempiras or USD, as this is how the great majority of businesses operate.

If they do accept a credit card, make sure you find out if they charge an additional fee, as some sneaky restaurants or hotels do. This is an extra fee on top of the conversion rate the credit card company charges. Just know that charging a fee to use a credit card is illegal. Refuse to pay with your card if ever the business does charge.

19. Should I leave a tip in Honduras?

The first thing you should do is to check your bill. Usually, they’ll note ‘Servicio’ if they do charge a service charge. In which case, you don’t need to leave a tip, unless your waiter was exceptional. If they were, you should leave an extra tip, but make sure you hand it directly to them. If not, whatever extra tip you leave will be split with the rest of the staff, just like the Servicio charge.

If there is no Servicio being charged, and you were pleased with your service, feel free to leave a tip. Anything above 10% for your waiter is a good amount. Remember that most of the population in Honduras live below the poverty line, so anything you can offer as a tip will go a long way for the staff.

20. Should I have small denominations of money?

If you’ve traveled to countries that have large denominations, you know how hard it is to come by the small change you actually need to conduct daily transactions. Honduras is no different. Most ATMs will give you money in 500 lempiras (roughly $20 USD). The unfortunate thing is that 500 lempira is a lot of money for most small purchases you make.

Ideally, try and break the large bills in larger restaurants, hotels, and shops. Avoid using big bills (100 or 500 Lempiras) at small shops if you can. You might be asking the shop owner to have more than his daily/weekly income on hand to offer a change. This is especially true for small fruit and veggie stands, or little convenience store.

Also, it’ll help you avoid getting scammed as most taxi drivers (either on water or land) will pretend not to have smaller denominations to avoid giving you any change back.

21. Can I exchange lempiras outside of Honduras?

If there’s one thing we never seem to learn is that you should absolutely exchange the local currency to $USD BEFORE you leave a country! This is no exception for Honduras.

We forgot to do it when we left the country and barely found an exchange bureau that accepted to buy our lempiras. And when we found a place that did accept them, they bought it at such a ridiculous price!

Travel advice in Honduras to make your trip more enjoyable

There you have it! These are the travel tips for Honduras we wished we knew before we got there. We didn’t have any safety issues or other types of problems while we were there. As we mentioned, we always felt safe and we really enjoyed our time in Honduras. We highly recommend you visit as well.

We hope that this helps answer a few of the questions you have about traveling safely to Honduras. If you have any other questions, let us know in the comments and it’ll be our pleasure to answer them!

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