This travel guide to Honduras is everything you need to prepare for your trip to one of the world’s most dangerous countries.
If you’ve been hankering to head to Honduras, now’s the time! This second-largest Central American country is becoming increasingly popular as an adventure destination packed with tropical rainforests, Caribbean beaches, bird-filled lakes, and stunning Bay Islands. Just get ready for a gulp of adrenaline on your journey – but don’t worry, you can do so safely. While there are reports of risks associated with the country, Honduras is no longer considered dangerous. All you need are the necessary safety precautions and the ability to ready yourself for some heart-stopping experiences!
Honduras travel safety
While adventurous travelers will find that this Central American country offers much charm and still remains somewhat safe, it doesn’t hurt to be aware of the risks. Even some of the tourist hotspots, public transportation and streets offer potential thieves an easy opportunity. Therefore, it’s no surprise that violent crime exists on the streets too. For those ready to bite their lip at any hiccups they may encounter while in Honduras, by all means have fun – but proceed with caution!
Honduran Travel Highlights:
From Hot Springs to National Park Rainforests, to Rugged Island Life
Honduras is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. San Pedro Sula , the capital of Honduras has the highest crime rate for a city that isn’t located within a war zone. That usually isn’t the best way to start a travel article, but you must be aware of these things going into your trip and planning, because the most important item to remember when you’re traveling is how you can do so and remain safe. You’ll likely have to travel into San Pedro Sula, since it is the second largest city in the country by population, and perhaps the most important city when it comes to transport, so you should look into how you can find ways to get in and out of San Pedro Sula safely if you’re flying into there. Now onto the brighter subjects in my Honduras travel guide :
Is it safe to travel to Honduras?
As little as a decade ago Honduras, in Central America, was viewed as a travel destination too dangerous to visit. However, this negative portrayal of the country is finally diluting and more and more tourists, including myself, are adding it to their bucket list and visiting.
Honduras is a vitamin D paradise, with white beach coastlines, hike-able mountains covered in jungle, and exotic wildlife. In addition, Honduras has a rich historical culture as it is home to Copan Mayan ruins.
As well as a carribean paradise – Honduras Bay Islands.
Fantastic Luna Jaguar Hot Springs spa and Pico Bonito National Park with the best whitewater rafting in Honduras
When is the best time to visit Honduras?
While it is possible to visit Honduras year around, the best time to visit is between December and April, as this is usually the dry season. You shouldn’t experience hurricanes or heavy afternoon rainfalls, during this 5-month window.
How to get to Honduras
You can book direct flights to Honduras from multiple US airports in Florida and Texas, plus New York and Atlanta.
If you are travelling from Europe you may fly directly from Madrid, Spain.
More direct flights are also available from Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador and Mexico, perfect for an epic Central America adventure.
The image of Honduras, in many of our minds, includes violence on the streets and horrendous storms. This can now be avoided, by choosing the correct time to visit and exploring the quieter (and more beautiful) areas outside of the major cities.
How expensive is Honduras?
Here is a little insight into how much you can expect to spend in Honduras.
Budget Accommodation: To stay in a hostel you’ll pay around 200 HNL a night ($8.59). For a private room with a shared kitchen, expect to pay no more than 700 HNL per night ($28). WIFI is commonly available, throughout the country.
Hotel Accommodation: A basic 3-star double room, with air conditioning and WIFI can cost around 400 HNL per night ($16).
Food: A meal will generally cost between 65 HNL and 300 HNL, less than $10, depending on what, where and how much you eat. Honduras has fast food outlets, very affordable local eateries and fancy sit-down restaurants. Beer in Honduras is 40 HNL ($1.60) and a bottle of wine is 240 HNL ($10).
All in all, Honduras is a very cheap and affordable place to visit, great for backpackers and travellers on a budget.
San Pedro Sula is the best place to set up a base camp, as there are many great day trips and things to see in and around the city.
Firstly, let me say that the capital city of Honduras San Pedro Sula, is not the ‘most dangerous place on earth.’ Like many cities it has some dodgy neighbourhoods, but as a tourist you won’t visit any of them.
Things to Do in San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula is bustling city with plenty to do. For example,
- The Museum of Anthropology and History is a must ($3/per person), as it proudly showcases the city’s history and culture from pre-Columbian times to the modern day.
- The Angeli Gardens are also worth a visit as they offer trails to the Merendon Mountains and provide an incredible natural retreat for an afternoon of tranquillity.
- Walking through Cusuco National Park, which opened in 1959 is a great experience as its a Meso-American biodiversity hotspot.
- For a day of pure fun, visit Zizima Eco Water Park. The perfect to cool down on a hot day.
- Make sure you have a photo of the famous Coca Cola sign and visit the Mountain Top. It’s a steep hike but well worth the incredible panoramic views of the city.
Advice for visiting San Pedro Sula: Don’t get involved in protests or street marches and be mindful of where you go at night, especially if you are travelling alone.
To explore Honduras from San Pedro Sula, take a few day trips. Some of the best ones include:
- Omoa is a historical town and home to the San Fernanfo de Omoa fortress
- Visit the tropical greenery surrounding the wonderous Yojoa Lake and Pulhapanzak Waterfall
- Explore the Cerro Azul Meambar National Park, for a day of hiking, waterfalls and exotic birds
- Head to Punta Sal for a restful afternoon on a white beach
I hope you enjoyed my travel guide to Honduras .