- Destinations
- South America
- Honduras
Honduras
Exuding an air of paradise with its exotic palm-fringed beaches,
clear turquoise waters, majestic mountains, verdant jungles and
beguiling Mayan ruins, the laid back way of life and relative
obscurity to the tourist market makes Honduras an ideal holiday
getaway for those who enjoy getting off the beaten track.
Honduras has all the right ingredients for a tourist hotspot;
pristine beaches, great hotels and a rich cultural history. Despite
this, the country has scarcely registered on the Western radar in
the past, other than its 15 minutes of fame in 1998 when it was
ravaged by Hurricane Mitch. These days it is enjoying a boom in
popularity as a relatively unknown, unspoilt and undeveloped
destination, recognised for its Ecotourism opportunities,
affordable scuba diving, mountain treks and river rafting, as well
as its appeal to the rich and famous eager to escape the prying eye
of the paparazzi.
Toucans pose alongside orchids in the humid cloud forests and
mountains, while banana plantations cover the rest of the aptly
named 'Banana Republic', famous for its banana cake, banana
pancakes, fried plantain and banana chips. Many ancient Mayan and
Lenca ruins can be found hidden away from civilisation in lush
jungle landscapes, ready to enchant the most seasoned of
travellers. One of the country's most breathtaking Mayan
archaeological sites is the Copan Ruins, a World Heritage Site set
in a verdant valley in the far western region of Honduras,
reminiscent of something out of an Indiana Jones movie.
In contrast to the wild beauty of nature, Honduras has a number
of cities where you will find many modern amenities, including
Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba. And colonial towns like
Gracias and Comayagua have scenic examples of Spanish architecture
including forts and castles.
The once-thriving port of Trujillo has an intriguing pirate
history and exquisite tropical beaches, while the region known as
the Mosquito Coast, which extends towards the Nicaraguan border, is
the largest tract of tropical rainforest north of the Amazon and is
one of the most popular spots in the world for ecotourism. The
country also boasts 373 miles (600km) of Caribbean white sand
beaches, and the offshore Bay Islands such as Utila, Roatan and
Guanaja are an extremely popular destination, particularly for
divers and snorkellers. There is plenty more to discover in this
exciting country, however, and the warmth and hospitality of the
Honduran locals is bound to lure first time visitors back time and
time again.
Information & Facts
Business
When conducting business in Honduras, appointments are necessary
and should be made two weeks in advance. Visitors are expected to
be punctual, though meetings may not start on time. Business
travellers should allow plenty of time for socialising and should
not rush getting straight down to business, as Hondurans place
importance on establishing personal contact. Business is male
dominated but since 2005 women now make up 47 percent of the labour
force. Business suits or jackets for men and dresses and skirts for
women are customary. Though some businesspeople speak English,
correspondence should be in Spanish. Business hours are Monday to
Friday from 8am to 5pm with an hour or two taken over lunch.
Climate
Honduras's climate is hot and humid almost all year round. The
coast is hot and tropical while the mountainous area is slightly
cooler. The north coast is prone to a very hot climate and
experiences rain throughout the year. The dry season runs from
November to April and the wet season from May to October. The
Caribbean coast experiences heavy rain from September to February.
Average annual temperatures hover around 90°F (32°C). Hurricane
season runs from June to November and landslides, mudslides and
flooding may occur.
Communications
The international access code for Honduras is +504. The outgoing
code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for
the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. Roaming
agreements exist with international mobile phone companies and
coverage is generally good along the coast and around major towns.
Internet cafes are common and can be found in major towns.
Customs
There is a strong Spanish influence in Honduras. Beachwear and
shorts should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. Men are
required to wear dinner jackets for formal social occasions. A
common and appropriate greeting for men and women is a
handshake.
Duty Free
Travellers over 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 200
cigarettes or 100 cigars or 450g of tobacco, two bottles of
alcoholic beverages, a reasonable amount of perfume for personal
use and gifts up to a total value of US$1, 000.
Electricity
Electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz. Flat blade
attachment plugs and flat blades with round grounding pin are in
use.
Health
Mosquito-borne illnesses are an ongoing health problem in
Honduras. All travellers are advised to take mosquito repellent to
prevent illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever, as well as to
protect from annoying mosquito and sand fly bites. It is strongly
recommended that routine vaccinations are up to date. Tap water is
not safe to drink but bottles or bags of purified water a readily
available. Honduras regularly suffers from severe air pollution,
which can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems. For divers,
there is a hyperbaric decompression chamber on Roatan. State
hospitals are under-funded and travellers should use private
hospitals where possible. Health insurance is recommended.
Language
Spanish is the official language although English is
often spoken in the Bay Islands.
Money
The currency in Honduras is the Lempira (HNL), which is
subdivided into 100 centavos. Denominations are 10, 20 and 50
centavos. It is best to travel on the US Dollar as it is the more
favourable exchange currency, but banks in larger cities will
occasionally exchange Euros and Canadian Dollars. American Express,
Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Honduras.
ATMs are widely available.
Passport Visa
All foreign passengers to Honduras must hold onward/return
tickets, and all necessary travel documentation for their next
destination. Visa extensions can be obtained from the Immigration
Office, for a fee that varies between USD 10 and USD 50. Note that
travellers under 21 years of age are considered to be minors. NOTE:
It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months
validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your
travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different
rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Safety
Political demonstrations in Honduras can sometimes be disruptive
to traffic, but are generally announced in advance and are
peaceful. Travellers should avoid areas where demonstrations are
taking place and should stay informed by following the local news
and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides. Incidents of crime,
including carjacking along roads in Honduras is common. There have
been frequent incidents of highway robbery on a number of roads.
Petty crime is common in urban areas and tourist spots. Travellers
should always carry a photocopy of their passport for
identification purposes. It is not advisable to walk around town
after dark.
Tipping
A service charge of 10 percent is usually added to bills at
restaurants in Honduras, but anything extra is for good service. It
is customary to tip hotel bellboys and cleaning staff for good
service.