Honduras is both enjoyable and inexpensive and with a slow pace, natural beauty and low-profile tourism, allows for a most destination for travellers (well-armed with insect repellent). Despite its turbulent political history, this poor cousin of the region is a dream destination for those keen on keeping away from the crowds. With great snorkelling, diving and swimming around the Bay and Hog Islands, and excellent beaches around Tela and Trujillo, Honduras has a universal appeal. For the best walks, the Parque Nacional Celaque, 45km (28mi) southeast of Santa Rosa de Copán contains the country's highest peak, a lush cloud forest, the headwaters of 10 rivers and a majestic waterfall. Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, a few kilometres south of La Ceiba, has trails around an unexplored reserve and a challenging peak for mountaineers. The Mayan ruins of Copán are the most remarkable archaeological site and includes the Stelae of the Great Plaza, portraying the rulers of Copán, dating from AD613; the ball court and hieroglyphic stairway; and the Acropolis, which has superb carved reliefs of the 16 kings of Copán.

Electricity: 210V & 110V, 60 HZ
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -6
Dialling Code: 504

Climate
May through to June are great times to catch several town fairs and celebrations, including a weeklong carnival held in La Ceiba during the third week of May. The coastal lowlands are warm all year-round, while the mountainous interior can be cool and rainy, especially between May and October. On the Caribbean coast it rains practically all the time and floods can occur on the north coast.
Festival Calendar
1st two weeks of February - Festival of the Virgen de Suyapa, the patron saint of Honduras - Celebrated in Suyapa, just 7 km outside of the country’s capital. People from all over Honduras attend.
March 15th – 20th - Cultural fair at the ruins of Copán
April 14th - Day of the Americas
April - Holy week
May 1st - Labour Day
3rd week in May - Carnival - The biggest, most impressive celebrations are in La Ceiba with parades, dancing and elaborate costumes.
September 15th - Independence Day
October 3rd - Francisco Morazan Day
October 12th - Columbus Day
October 21st - Army Day
December 6th – 16th - Central American Fair for Tourism and Artisans - Held annually in Tegucigalpa.
December 15th – 21st - Cultural fair held at the ruins of Copán

Currency

Travelling through Honduras can be easy as it is relatively inexpensive. Budgeting $15 to $20 USD per day should be adequate, depending on your personal tastes.
While both Visa credit cards and travellers’ cheques are accepted, especially in larger cities, Honduras is one country where credit card usage entails a high commission rate, sometimes as high as 6%. So ensure that you have plenty of travellers’ cheques or US currency to exchange. ATM machines are few and far between. It is very difficult to exchange any currency other than the US dollar.

Visas
Currently, most nationalities do not require a Visa for travel to Honduras. Please check with your local embassy prior to departure.

Health
Take precautions against Chagas' disease, cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, malaria

Best time to go
There really is no a bad time to travel to Honduras. Technically, the dry season runs from November to April, yet most of the lowland areas receive rain year round. The rains normally come in short, strong spurts and then the skies clear up. Since you are probably going to experience some rain regardless of when you decide to travel, consider February to May, as many of the festivals take place during these months.

Upon arrival
Once you’ve reclaimed your baggage and cleared customs, you will be warmly welcomed to Honduras, assisted with your luggage and taken you to your hotel by private air-conditioned minivan/bus. Please do not leave the airport terminal building unless you have made contact with Amazing Peru staff. Also ignore
the calls from taxi drivers as your private transport has been provided for you.

Food and drink
Drink only bottled water. Pasteurised milk is widely available. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Avoid street food vendors and the cheaper restaurants.

What to eat
To try some typical foods, here is a selection of what we recommend.

Bananas
Coconut bread - Found on the Caribbean coast, and is delicious.
Baleadas - White flour tortillas filled with refried beans, cream and crumbled white cheese
Seafood - Fresh, cheap and delicious along the coast
Tapado - A stew of either meat or fish, plaintain, yucca and coconut milk
Tajaditas - Crisp, fried banana chips
Pinchos - Kebabs made with meat, chicken or shrimp
Pupusas - Thick flour tortillas filled with pork sausage and/or cheese

What to drink

Licuados - Blended fruit and milk drinks, popular since Honduras really has a good variety of tropical fruits to choose from
Flor de Caña - A good local rum
Horchata - Made with morro seeds, rice water and cinnamon