Jurisdiction Guide

November to April is the dry season with less rain and lower humidity, good for beaches and ruins. The Bay Islands have decent weather year-round, but inland can be hot and wet from May to October.

Cash is common, especially outside big towns, but many ATMs are inside supermarkets or banks for safety. Spanish is the main language; few speak English outside tourist zones. If taking taxis, agree on the price before entering. Buy a local SIM card at major airports or city shops for reliable data. Tipping is 10 percent in restaurants if not already added.

Greet people with a handshake or a gentle 'buenos días.' Dress modestly in rural areas and when visiting churches. When eating with a group, wait for everyone to be served before starting. Avoid public displays of affection in conservative settings. Sunday is family day and many shops close early.

Petty theft and bag snatching happen in cities, especially Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Hurricanes and tropical storms occur between June and November, especially near the coast. Tap water is not safe to drink in most places; use bottled or filtered water. Roads are rough outside cities, with poor lighting and few signs.

Celaque National Park offers cloud forests and Honduras's highest peak, with less foot traffic than popular reserves. The town of Gracias has colonial architecture and quiet hot springs. Cayos Cochinos is a calm set of islands with low-key snorkelling and Garifuna culture, harder to reach but worth the effort.

US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens get up to 90 days visa-free for tourism. If staying longer or wanting to work, you need to apply for an extension or relevant visa at immigration. Some digital nomads use renewals or regional Central America visas, but there is no dedicated digital nomad visa yet.

Major towns are linked by bus companies like Hedman Alas and Cristina, which are more reliable than public chicken buses. Small domestic airlines and light planes fly to the Bay Islands and remote areas. Car rentals are available, but watch for unmarked speed bumps and hitchhikers on highways. Ride-hailing apps operate in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, but sometimes there are long waits.

Baleadas (flour tortillas with beans, cheese, and toppings) are the go-to street food. Expect fried fish, rice, and plantains along the coast. Try horchata or tamarind juice; beer is cold and cheap. Tap water is best avoided. Vegetarians find salads and rice, but traditional dishes are meat-based, so clarify your needs when ordering.

It's affordable for most travelers, with street food meals from $2 and basic hotel rooms from $20-$30. Roatan and tourist hotspots cost more, with mid-range rooms priced $80 and up. Public bus rides cost under $5 between cities. Local beers sell for about $2 in shops and bars.