Honduras is perhaps Central America’s most underrated country. It’s often skipped entirely by travellers exploring the region, and yet it has so much to offer those willing to step off the beaten path. This guide outlines the best things to do in Honduras and shows why it should be on your Central America itinerary.
Second in size only to Nicaragua, which borders the country to the south, Honduras is one of the region’s largest but least visited countries. Between its other two bordering countries, El Salvador to the southwest and Guatemala to the northwest, it has a small Pacific coast. But it’s Honduras’s 700 km of Caribbean coastline that’s the real draw. Most visitors come to Honduras to dive in the crystalline waters around Roatán Island, but the mainland deserves just as much attention. Home to pristine rainforest and one of the most impressive Maya sites in Central America, it’s a dream for adventure seekers and culture lovers.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best places to visit in Honduras, the top activities and experiences, and the must-see destinations to add to your Honduras travel itinerary.
When to Visit Honduras
Honduras has a tropical climate, meaning that it is hot and humid year-round. On the mainland, the dry season runs roughly from December to April, while the wet season stretches from May to November.
On the Bay Islands (including Roatán and Utila), the pattern is slightly different, with the rains arriving in late September to October and lasting until around February. June to September is the best time for viewing whale sharks around Utila.
How to Get to Honduras
There are direct flights to Roatán from major hubs in the US (e.g. Miami or Houston) and Canada (inc. Toronto) as well as from the capital cities of Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador.
You can also fly directly into Comayagua from Spain. If you’re visiting Honduras as part of a wider Central America trip, you’ll likely cross over via a land border from Guatemala (at El Florido) or Nicaragua (at Guasaule).
British citizens need a visa to enter Honduras, which you must secure in advance from a Honduran embassy.
Getting Around in Honduras
Local buses are the most cost-effective way to get around Honduras. While public transport is generally safe, keep a close eye on your belongings and take extra care when travelling through big cities like San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.
There are regular and affordable ferries running from La Ceiba to the Bay Islands. There are also some tourist shuttles that operate on popular routes, such as between Copán Ruinas and La Ceiba and La Ceiba to León (in Nicaragua), but these are expensive in comparison with local transport.
Suggested Honduras Itinerary
Start in Copán Ruinas, just a stone’s throw from the Guatemalan border. From here, head east towards the Caribbean Coast and the town of La Ceiba, the gateway to Pico Bonito National Park.
After a few days exploring the jungle, waterfalls and river, take a ferry to either Utila or Roatán for some diving and beach days. Circle back to the mainland and on towards Lake Yojoa, where you can get out onto the water, visit the country’s largest waterfall and taste local craft beer.
Venture a couple of hours south to the former capital, Comayagua, before continuing your Central America adventure in neighbouring Nicaragua or El Salvador.
Had your eye on Nicaragua or Guatemala to start planning your trip as a combination of the Central American countries, check out some of our guides below:
Get lifetime access to my endless hours of research and time spent on the ground finding the best places to eat, drink, relax and explore in Guatemala. Simply open the Google Map on your device and all my tips are at the touch of your fingertips.
Explore Maya Ruins at Copán Ruinas
The small town of Copán Ruinas (or simply, Copán) is often the first, and sometimes only, place travellers visit in Honduras. This small, charming town with cobblestone streets is reason enough to linger, but the main attraction is the nearby Copán Maya Archaeological Site, usually referred to as the ruins of Copán. The ruins are considered one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation, and they include some of the most intricately carved stelae and sculptures found in the Maya world.
Spot Honduras’ National Bird – the Scarlet Macaw
Even for non-bird watchers, spotting a country’s national bird has a special kind of thrill. In Honduras, where it’s the scarlet macaw, it’s especially exciting. Numbers have dwindled in the country owing to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade, but efforts are underway to protect the species. You can often spot them flying over the ruins of Copán, where many are cared for at the nearby Macaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Reserve. You might also spot them in Pico Bonito National Park, where scarlet macaws have been released in an effort to restore the birds to the Cangrejal River basin.
Dive the World’s Second Largest Barrier Reef in the Bay Islands
The Mesoamerican Reef stretches more than 1,000 km from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula down to the coasts of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. The Bay Islands, set in the Caribbean Sea off Honduras’s north coast, provide the perfect base for exploring the reef. The waters are exceptionally rich in marine life, including sea turtles, over 60 coral varieties, and more than 500 fish species. The Bay Islands are also one of the best places in the world to spot whale sharks.
Roatán is the busiest and most developed island, while nearby Utila has a more laid-back, backpacker vibe.
Eat Baleadas
Easily my favourite street food in Central America, baleadas are a Honduran staple. Baleada sencilla, or simple baleadas, are grilled flour tortillas smeared with refried beans, folded, and filled with cheese and sour cream. Other fillings include chicken, beef, and are (I opted for a veganized version with refried beans and avocado). Simple, cheap and delicious, baleadas are served all over the country. The best I tasted were at Mama Rosa’s on Utila, where I ate them twice a day!
Go White Water Rafting on Rio Cangrejal
Thrill-seekers can enjoy a dose of adrenaline in Pico Bonito National Park. The Cangrejal River, which runs through the park, offers the chance to go white water rafting through a tract of pristine rainforest. Jungle River Lodge sits directly on the river and serves as a jumping-off point for water-based adventures.
Hike to a Waterfall Through the Jungle
Pico Bonito National Park is also a great place to explore jungle trails. Visitors can take a self-guided hike to the towering Cascada El Bejuco, which plummets 80 metres through the rainforest.
For a more challenging adventure, take a guided hike along an alternative route to the waterfall through untouched jungle. Hotel Rio is an ideal base and can arrange guided hikes.
Kayak on Lake Yojoa
Lago Yojoa is Honduras’s largest lake and a growing eco-tourism destination. The best way to explore the lake itself is to rent a kayak and spend a few hours on the water enjoying the scenic views of distant mountains. Base yourself in Los Naranjos, which you can reach by bus from San Pedro Sula (take the Chicken Bus heading to El Mochito) or the capital, Tegucigalpa. During your time at the lake, make sure to visit nearby Cataratas de Pulhapanzak, the biggest waterfall in the country.
Try a Craft Beer at D&D Brewery
D&D Brewery is largely responsible for putting Lago Yojoa on the traveller map. A microbrewery set amongst the rainforest that encircles the lake, D&D is the most popular place to eat, drink and stay in the region. Even if you don’t stay there (although I would highly recommend it!), make sure to sample their produce. Their beer flight is a great way to sample a range of locally brewed craft beers.
Explore the Former Capital Cities of Comayagua and Gracias
For more than 300 years, Comayagua was Honduras’s capital until Tegucigalpa took over in 1880. A few hours further west, the small town of Gracias (originally called Gracias a Dios – Thanks to God) was briefly the capital of all Spanish-conquered Central America. Both towns feature colonial architecture, churches and plazas, ripe for exploring on foot.
Still looking for more inspiration on where to go on your Central America travels? Check out our The Best Things To Do In Central America.
Have you been to Honduras?
What are the best things to do in Honduras? Anything you’d add to this Honduras bucket list?
Lisa is a London-born writer who left her nine-to-five in the arts to pursue a dream of travelling the world. She’s journeyed across four continents and counting and has written extensively about travelling in Southeast Asia and South America. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Substack.
