Roatán and the Bay Islands Reef

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Honduras page at Yoogo.

The official currency is the Honduran lempira (HNL), and cash is essential in markets, small towns, and on the islands. Cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets in cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, though US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas such as Roatán.

Honduras has areas with higher crime rates, particularly in parts of the larger cities, while tourist destinations such as Roatán, Copán Ruinas, and Utila see far fewer incidents. Travellers commonly take standard precautions, keep valuables out of sight, and use arranged transport at night, and many consult their government's current travel guidance before departure.

Long-distance travel is served by a network of buses, ranging from comfortable air-conditioned coaches between major cities to local minibuses known as rapiditos. Ferries connect La Ceiba with the Bay Islands, while domestic flights link San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and Roatán, and taxis or ride apps are common for shorter trips in cities.

The dry season from roughly December to April offers the most reliable weather for diving, beaches, and exploring the ruins. The Bay Islands have their own rhythm, with whale shark sightings around Utila most likely from February to April and again from October to December, so timing depends on what you hope to see.

Spanish is the official language and is used in everyday life across the country. English is widely spoken on the Bay Islands, particularly Roatán, owing to their Caribbean heritage, and you will also hear Garifuna and Miskito along the northern coast, though learning a few Spanish phrases is helpful on the mainland.

Travellers often review routine vaccinations along with hepatitis A and typhoid, and some consider protection against mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, which is present in lowland areas. It is sensible to drink bottled or treated water, use insect repellent, and consult a travel health professional well before your trip for advice tailored to your itinerary.

Tipping is appreciated but modest, with around 10 percent common in restaurants when a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Rounding up for taxis, leaving a little for hotel staff, and tipping dive instructors or tour guides for good service are all customary.