Honduras calls you chiefly with its unspoiled subtropical forests (and their birdwatching opportunities), the beaches and coral reefs of its Bay Islands, and its archaeology. It may lack the development and savoir-faire of its more prosperous Central American cousins, but there are rich pickings here if you choose to visit, as our specialists will tell you. On your tailor-made Honduras holiday, they’d encourage you to roam the Maya complex of Copán (which can impress just as much as Chichén Itzá and is far quieter). And, there are countless smaller ruins, all enveloped by jungle and known only to the resident orioles and woodpeckers.
On top of exploring Maya sites, your time in Honduras could involve boating the mangroves of Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge in search of herons, jacanas and kingfishers. You might spot red-eyed tree frogs in Pico Bonito National Park, before rounding off your trip with snorkelling (or simply snoozing) in a Bay Islands’ idyll, Roatán.
Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years
Suggested tours for Honduras
These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to Honduras could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
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![Pyramid in Copán]()
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![Mayan pyramid in Tikal]()
In search of the Maya through Honduras, Belize, Guatemala & Mexico
Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and MexicoView this tour
Suggested activities for Honduras
Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Honduras.
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Pico Bonito National Park ![Agami Heron, Pico Bonito National Park]()
Pico Bonito National Park
Pico Bonito National Park
When you walk along the Rio Zacate trail, there are beautiful views of the Caribbean coast and at the end reach the stunning Zacate waterfall.
View details -
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge ![Guarda barranco, Honduras]()
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge
The wildlife refuge is situated 33 km from La Ceiba, which is home to many endangered animal species, found within the many mangrove canals proceeding from the rivers Cuero and Salado.
View details -
Copán Archaeological Site ![Underground Mayan temples at Copán]()
Copán Archaeological Site
CopánCopán Archaeological Site
A guided tour of the beautiful archaeological site of Copán, marking the most southerly point of the Maya Empire. Discovered in 1570 by Diego García de Palacio, the ruins of Copán were not excavated until the 19th century.
View details
Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Honduras, including information about climate, events and festivals.
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Useful information for planning your holiday in Honduras
What language is spoken in Honduras?
Spanish is the official language of Honduras, but English is widely spoken in visitor destinations. However, it’s always useful to know a few key Spanish phrases.
What's the currency of Honduras?
The national currency of Honduras is the lempira (L or HNL). You’ll find ATMs in larger towns and in cities, and credit cards are accepted in hotels and in larger shops and restaurants. If you’re planning to bring cash, take US dollars rather than sterling as it’s more widely accepted.
What food and drink should I try in Honduras?
In Honduras you should try dishes such as anafre (a fondue-style dish of cheese, beans, or meat), tapado (a rich vegetable stew with either meat or fish), and baleadas (cornmeal flatbreads usually filled with beans and cheese). Other typical foods include tamales, rice with chicken and corn, and grilled meats served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
Along the north coast of Honduras, you’ll find more fish on the menu and sopa de caracol (conch cooked in coconut milk with cassava or plantain) is a popular dish. There’s also a distinct Caribbean influence to dishes here and coconut bread is served with most meals.
How much should I tip in Honduras?
In Honduras, a tip of about 10% is standard in most restaurants. Porters will also appreciate a small tip. Speak to your specialist about appropriate amounts to tip drivers and guides.
Where can I find the latest travel advice for Honduras?
For the latest travel advice for Honduras, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
What can I experience in Honduras?
Highlights of a trip to Honduras include diving on pristine reefs, hiking through lush jungle, and visiting Maya ruins. Honduras is largely undiscovered, and one of the greatest joys of a visit is having beaches, jungle trails, and archeological sites all to yourself.
You could start a trip roaming ancient cities and temples with a guide who can bring the lifestyle and culture of the Maya people to life. Follow it with a hike into the surrounding jungle to search for tree frogs, anteaters, and scarlet macaws, then relax along the coast snorkelling or diving in waters home to turtles, rays, and sharks as well as reefs teeming with tropical fish.
Where can I stay in Honduras?
In Honduras, you can stay in beachfront resorts, small boutique hotels and local guesthouses. In the popular Bay Islands, you’ll find small resorts with individual cabañas opening out onto a beach where you can go kayaking or snorkelling, while in Copán you might choose a historic townhouse decorated with art and antiques, and in Pico Bonito a jungle lodge with its own pool.
In less visited areas, the options are more limited and basic, but wherever you choose to go, we’ll help you find a place to stay that suits you. For some more ideas, browse our collection of places to stay in Honduras.
Where should I go in Honduras?
The key destinations in Honduras are the Bay Islands, Pico Bonito, and Copán. The rich marine life, narrow canyons, and untouched reef systems lure divers to the sleepy Bay Islands, and in particular, to Roatán where divers go in search of rays, turtles, sharks, and giant sponges and sea fans.
Venturing beyond the beaches and into the subtropical forests of Pico Bonito National Park, you’ll find hidden waterfalls and a forest filled with the sound of monkeys and tropical birds, while at Copán the jungle gives way to the giant ball courts, stone temples, pyramids, and plazas of a ruined city thought to have once been home to 20,000 people.
How long does it take to fly to Honduras from the UK?
It takes around 13 hours to fly from the UK to Honduras, via the USA or mainland Europe.
What's the time zone in Honduras?
The time zone in Honduras is UTC-6 hours. Daylight Savings Time isn’t observed.
What's the best way of getting around in Honduras?
The best way to get around Honduras is to travel by road and air. Infrastructure can be poor, especially in the mountainous interior, so we recommend a private driver-guide or taking internal flights for longer distances.
Although Honduras is a rewarding standalone destination, it also combines well with a trip to nearby Guatemala.
Do I need a visa to visit Honduras, and what do I need to check with my passport?
Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Honduras. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Honduras?
Your doctor can provide you with vaccine advice for Honduras, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website.
Honduras in pictures
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![Cayos Cochinos, Honduras]()
Meet the local Garifuna at Cayos Cochinos -
![View from Hacienda San Lucas, Copán]()
Travel off-the-beaten-track -
![Rafting on the Cangrejal River]()
Enjoy rafting on the Cangrejal River -
![Howler Monkey, Honduras]()
Search for wildlife at La Mosquitia -
![Waterfall in Pico Bonito National Park]()
Explore Pico Bonito National Park -
![Pyramid in Copán]()
Visit the pyramids of Copán -
![Thick vegetation at the Cuero y Salado park]()
Spend time at Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge -
![Coral reef off the coast of Roatán Island]()
Snorkel around Roatán Island
Our expert guides to travelling in Honduras
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to Honduras. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate Honduras at its best.
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The best beaches in Mexico and Central America, country by country ![Tulum, Mexico]()
The best beaches in Mexico and Central America, country by country
The best beaches in Mexico and Central America, country by country
Thinking of including some beach time in your Central America trip? We outline the best beaches in each country and why we’re especially drawn to them — whether it’s for their sand, their snorkelling, or their ambiance.
Read this guide -
Maya and Aztec Empires in Mesoamerica ![Palenque, Mexico]()
Maya and Aztec Empires in Mesoamerica
Maya and Aztec Empires in Mesoamerica
Visit the fascinating remains and ruins of ancient civilisations, including the Aztec and Maya empires in Central America and Mexico.
Read this guide -
The Maya civilisation ![Tikal, Guatemala]()
The Maya civilisation
The Maya civilisation
Discover the culture and history of a country on a tailor-made trip, with visits to explore famous sites and others not quite so well known but equally impressive.
Read this guide
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