Honduras Travel Guide: Explore History, Nature and Islands
HONDURAS TRAVEL GUIDE
After spending one full day in San Salvador, El Salvador, we continued our trip to Honduras, where we spent two weeks exploring the country. Honduras surprised us with its mix of history in Copán, waterfalls and rafting in Pico Bonito, and stunning Caribbean islands. We didn’t expect so much variety before we started planning our trip. Here is our complete travel guide to Honduras with top highlights and tips.
HONDURAS - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Most travelers can enter Honduras visa-free for up to 90 days, including citizens from the EU, UK, USA, and Canada. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival. You’ll receive a small entry slip that you must keep for departure.
No special vaccines are required for entry, but we recommend being up to date on tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid. For some rural or jungle areas, malaria precautions are also advised.
The official language is Spanish, but in tourist areas like Roatán or Utila, many people speak basic English.
The currency is the Honduran Lempira (HNL). In bigger cities and islands, US dollars are also accepted, especially in hotels and dive shops. Credit cards work well in cities, but always carry some cash for local shops or markets.
The best time to visit Honduras is during the dry season from November to April. The weather is warm and sunny, perfect for beaches, hiking, and exploring ruins.
From May to October the country experiences more rain, especially on the Caribbean coast, but this is also the green season with fewer tourists and lower prices.
We visited in September and were surprised by how good the weather was. It was sunny most days with only one rainy afternoon in Pico Bonito. Even during the rainy season, traveling in Honduras can still be a great experience.
Honduras uses Type A and B plugs (same as the USA), and the standard voltage is 110V.
Tap water is not safe to drink. Always use bottled or filtered water, even for brushing your teeth in more rural areas.
Honduras has improved a lot in recent years. While the country used to have a bad reputation, tourist areas like Copán Ruinas, Pico Bonito, La Ceiba, and the Bay Islands are generally safe when using common sense.
Avoid walking alone at night, don’t show valuables, and use trusted taxis or Ubers in larger cities. Locals are welcoming and used to travelers — we always felt comfortable and safe during our two weeks in Honduras.
BEST HONDURAS TRAVEL GUIDE
We’re currently working hard to share our best travel tips and experiences from Honduras. Stay tuned for a detailed 2-week itinerary, transportation advice, accommodation recommendations, and highlights from the places we visited. If you need help planning your trip, send us a message — we’d love to help! You can also check out our detailed story highlight on Insta.
TRAVEL GUIDE HONDURAS - YOU HAVE TO GO THERE
Honduras really surprised us. It’s one of those countries in Central America you don’t hear much about, yet it has everything: history, nature, adventure, and even paradise-like Caribbean islands. With around 10 million people and a mix of mountains, jungle, and coastline, it felt exciting and authentic, just the way we love to travel.
We spent two weeks exploring Honduras and couldn’t believe how much there was to see. From the Mayan ruins of Copán to rafting and waterfalls in Pico Bonito and the relaxed island life in Utila and Roatán, every place showed us a different side of the country. It might not be as famous as its neighbors, but that’s exactly what makes it special.
If you love real experiences that aren’t overrun by tourists (except some parts of Roatán), Honduras is a place you have to go.
WHERE TO GO IN HONDURAS
After spending a day in San Salvador, we took a shuttle bus straight to Copán, a colonial town full of character. The streets are lined with beautiful old houses, a lively central plaza, and tuk-tuks driving around, giving the town a cool vibe. From there, we headed to Pico Bonito, where nature really stole the show. Our half-day hike to a waterfall was incredible, and from our lodge we spotted toucans, hummingbirds, and even some frogs along the trails.
Next, we explored the island of Utila. It’s small but really nice, and renting a golf cart is the perfect way to cruise around. Street food is easy to find, and the island is famous as one of the cheapest places in the world to get an international diving license, which we didn’t try this time but hope to on a future visit. Finally, Roatán impressed us with its turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and excellent snorkeling opportunities. While the island is becoming more popular, the area we stayed in felt calm and not overrun by cruise ship tourists.
If we had more time, we would have visited Gracias with its colonial charm, Trujillo for the beaches and history, and the island of Guanaja. We also would have explored Parque Nacional La Tigra. Honduras offers a mix of history, nature, and island life, making it a country full of real and memorable experiences.
A charming town with beautiful colonial streets and a relaxed atmosphere.
Known for its beaches and rich history, perfect for a mix of sun and culture.
A quiet island where you can enjoy the sea, local life, and stunning views.
A green national park with trails, wildlife, and peaceful nature walks.
WHEN TO VISIT HONDURAS: WEATHER AND TRAVEL SEASONS
If you’re planning a trip to Honduras, the travel season can make a big difference, especially since the weather varies quite a bit throughout the year. We visited in September, and except for two rainy afternoons in Pico Bonito National Park, we had perfect weather for exploring.
In general, Honduras enjoys a tropical climate with a distinct dry and rainy season. The dry season runs roughly from November to April, while May to October brings more rain and lush green landscapes, ideal if you don’t mind occasional showers.
To help you plan your trip better, we created a simple graphic showing the best travel seasons in Honduras, including average temperatures and rainy days.
OUR HONEST ADVICE - IS HONDURAS WORTH VISITING?
Yes, definitely. Honduras offers a great mix of adventure, culture, and island life. We loved Copán with its impressive Maya ruins and charming streets, and Pico Bonito National Park for hiking, rafting, and spotting wildlife. The Caribbean islands, especially Roatán, are more touristy but still not overcrowded, perfect for relaxing and snorkeling.
Getting around can take a bit of patience, but for travelers who enjoy spontaneity and authentic experiences, Honduras is absolutely worth it.
Enjoyed learning about Honduras? Discover more Central America travel tips in our blog posts — from volcano hikes to tropical beaches. Follow us on Instagram for more travel inspiration!