The primary time I visited Honduras, I used to be backpacking via Central America and heard Roatán was an affordable and exquisite place to dive. I deliberate on a number of days. I ended up staying a month, diving day-after-day, twice a day, not wanting to go away.
Since then, Honduras has referred to as me again numerous instances: waterfalls and black sand seashores, cloud forests and Maya ruins, colonial cities and even backcountry journey in La Moskitia.
Certain, Honduras has a tricky status. But when you preserve an open thoughts and your wits about you, you’ll discover the wonder and variety of a spot like no different. Listed here are a number of suggestions to assist you take advantage of it.
1. Plan for at the very least one week
You’ll want per week to take within the highlights of this spectacularly numerous nation. Although speedy, this may permit you to expertise diving, snorkeling and seashore time on the Bay Islands; white water rafting on the spectacular Rio Cangrejal; and the Maya ruins of Copán and its charming cobblestone city.
With extra time, you can discover Honduras’ coastal communities, highland villages, rainforests and even a number of volcanoes.
2. Count on some rain
Honduras has two wet seasons, besides, the solar virtually all the time makes a each day look. (March and April are the one persistently dry months).
Alongside the Caribbean coast, on Bay Islands and in La Moskitia, it’s wettest from October to February; within the inside and on the Pacific coast, the rain comes between Might and October.
Hurricanes are uncommon, although flooding and mudslides within the highlands can shut down roadways. If you’re traveling country-wide, convey a water-resistant jacket – likelihood is you’ll want it someplace.
3. Pack layers and versatile footwear
The temperature doesn’t range a lot by season however depends on the elevation. Honduras’ mountainous inside is temperate and even a bit chilly within the evenings, whereas the coastal lowlands are scorching and humid.
Pack together with your vacation spot in thoughts, ensuring to convey layers. Even on the coasts, pants and lengthy sleeves will assist shield you towards mosquitos and preserve you heat on buses identified for his or her arctic-cold air-con.
Deliver good strolling footwear or athletic sandals for sightseeing and outside journey, particularly ones that carry out effectively in moist situations. If you’re headed to the coasts or Bay Islands, flip-flops are a should.
4. Deliver pores and skin safety and snorkel gear
Deliver mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Whereas you can purchase this stuff in Honduras, you’ll pay a premium. The identical goes for snorkel gear, particularly if you’ll be within the water greater than a few instances.
5. Go away valuables at residence
Like most locations in Latin America, it’s finest to go away flashy objects at residence. Carrying jewellery, fancy watches and designer clothes makes you stand out, which might make you a goal for petty thefts.
6. If you need to study to dive, this the place
The Bay Islands provide among the most inexpensive diving within the Western Hemisphere, from certification programs to enjoyable dives.
Plus, it’s attractive. There are numerous dive outlets on Roatán and Utila, so analysis and select one prematurely so you don’t waste helpful vacay time on it – search for PADI or NAUI affiliation, small group sizes and good security information.
Respected dive outlets on Roatán embody Native Sons and West Finish Divers; in Utila, take a look at Alton’s Dive Middle and Utila Dive Middle.
7. Carry small payments and cash
Money is king in Honduras, and the smaller the denomination, the higher. ATMs are the simplest method to get lempiras; they’re present in all however the smallest of cities, and most don’t cost charges for out-of-network playing cards (although your personal financial institution could apply a surcharge).
For security, solely use ATMs throughout the day and in safe areas like inside a financial institution or mall, the place there are safety guards.
Although lempiras are the popular foreign money country-wide, US {dollars}, and typically euros, are accepted in well-touristed areas – simply make certain they’re in good situation.
8. Credit score prices further
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many midrange and high-end institutions, however count on a 5% to 10% surcharge. It provides up quick, however could be preferable to carrying giant quantities of money.
9. Put together to hear (and use) greater than Spanish
Whereas Spanish is Honduras’ official language, English is extra generally used on the Bay Islands (which had been one-time British colonies).
5 Indigenous languages are additionally spoken; Garifuna is the preferred, heard alongside the north coast in communities inhabited by the like-named Afro-Indigenous folks.
10. Lean into long-distance bus journey
The best method to get round mainland Honduras is by bus (Viana Transportes and Hedman Alas are fashionable ones). Go for directo (direct with minimal stops) or ejecutivo or lujo (continuous) service, that are quicker, safer coach-style buses; lujo buses even have highly effective air-con and reclining seats.
If you’re pinching lempiras, take parando (stopping) service, refurbished faculty buses filled with folks and packages that cease continuously.
If you’re traveling on a directo or lujo bus, fill up on treats on the bus station before the journey begins. If you’re taking a parando bus, distributors will step onto the bus to promote do-it-yourself snacks and bottled drinks alongside the best way. Both method, you received’t go hungry!
Notice: Bus service slows because the day progresses – goal to take an early bus so you don’t get stranded.
11. Say hola, hiya or mábuiga
Hondurans are type, easygoing folks, however greetings are vital. Every time you enter a enterprise or meet somebody, make certain to say buenos días (good morning), buenas tardes (good afternoon) or buenas noches (good night).
If you’re on the Bay Islands, greeting of us in English works; in Garifuna communities, mábuiga (hiya) is all the time effectively obtained.
12. Bear in mind to tip
A 10% tip is anticipated at nicer eating places, however be certain gratuity or “servicio” hasn’t already been added to the invoice. Suggestions aren’t frequent at comedores (easy eating places) or cafes, however they’re appreciated. Don’t overlook to go away a bit one thing on your resort cleaners, dive masters and tour guides too.
13. Discount sparingly
Haggling isn’t a lot of a sport in Honduras – costs have a tendency to be fastened, even in markets and streetside stands. Some mild bargaining is tolerated at family-run accommodations and by small-town taxi drivers; take into accout, although, that these further lempiras possible imply much more to the distributors than to you.
14. Don’t flush your TP
Whereas flush bogs are the norm in Honduras, the plumbing is commonly antiquated and may clog simply. If there’s a trash bin subsequent to the bathroom, place your rest room paper in it.
15. Be cautious in cities
Like most international locations, Honduras’ large cities are the place most crime happens. Be particularly cautious in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, the place gang violence is heightened. Although vacationers are hardly ever focused, it’s potential to be within the mistaken place on the mistaken time.
Stick to daytime sightseeing and stroll alongside busy streets. Don’t take metropolis buses, the place there’s typically gang exercise. Within the evenings, take personal cabs (as an alternative of colectivos, that are shared with different passengers), even for brief distances. And by no means purchase, use, and even be round illicit medication.
16. Petty theft occurs
If a vacationer experiences crime in Honduras, it’s usually petty theft. Reduce the prospect of being focused by being conscious of your environment, particularly in crowded locations like buses or markets, the place pickpockets can simply strike.
Don’t flash money or valuables. And keep away from strolling on lonely streets or seashores, particularly at night time.
17. Don’t drink the faucet water
Solely drink bottled or filtered water in Honduras. Keep away from faucet water for brushing your enamel too. No want to fear about ice at eating places or bars, although – it’s created from purified water at business factories.
18. Preserve mosquitos at bay
Malaria, dengue and zika, all mosquito-borne sicknesses, are current in Honduras, particularly alongside the north coast and Bay Islands. Luckily, you can shield your self fairly simply by sporting mosquito repellant and sleeping with a mosquito web or air-conditioning.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to put on lengthy sleeves and pants round dawn and sundown, when mosquitoes are most lively. Contemplate asking your physician about anti-malarial meds before traveling too.
19. Bear in mind your embassy
If you’re a sufferer of crime, want medical help or authorized assist, contact your embassy or consulate. Roughly 22 international locations, together with the US and Canada, have representatives in Honduras who may also help you navigate issues or advocate suppliers.