Honduras requires a United States passport valid for the duration of stay. Citizens of the United States, Canada, European Union member states, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand receive 90 days visa-free entry upon arrival. The government of Honduras maintains current visa requirements at www.inm.gob.hn. Travelers entering by land from Guatemala, El Salvador, or Nicaragua pass through the CA-4 Border Control Agreement zone, which allows free movement between these four countries for up to 90 days total, not per country. Overstaying the 90-day limit incurs a fine calculated per day beyond the authorized period. Extensions require application at the Instituto Nacional de Migración offices in Tegucilgalpa or San Pedro Sula before the initial 90 days expire.
Two international airports serve Honduras. Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula handles the majority of international flights from the United States, with direct service from Houston, Miami, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale. Toncontín International Airport in Tegucigalpa operates a shorter runway surrounded by mountains, limiting aircraft size and requiring specific pilot certification for approach. Roatán International Airport on the Bay Islands receives direct flights from Houston, Miami, and Atlanta, primarily serving the diving tourism industry. American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Avianca operate the most frequent routes. Copa Airlines connects through Panama City hub. Domestic carrier CM Airlines links Tegucilgalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatán.
Land borders operate at Agua Caliente and El Florido with Guatemala, El Amatillo and Goascorán with El Salvador, and Las Manos and Guasaule with Nicaragua. The Guatemalan border at Copán Ruinas sees heavy tourist traffic heading to the Mayan ruins. Border crossings close by 1700 or 1800 depending on location. Crossing at remote points like the Mosquito Coast requires prior coordination with immigration authorities. No passenger rail service operates in Honduras. Ferry service connects La Ceiba to Roatán and Utila, with the Utila Dream and Roatán Ferry operating daily schedules. Journey time to Roatán ranges from 60 to 90 minutes depending on sea conditions. The ferry to Utila takes approximately 55 minutes.
The currency is the Honduran lempira, abbreviated HNL or L. Exchange rate fluctuates between 24 and 25 lempiras per United States dollar. ATMs in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatán dispense lempiras using Visa and Mastercard networks, with daily withdrawal limits typically set at 5,000 to 10,000 lempiras. Machines in tourist areas sometimes offer dollar withdrawals. Banks open Monday through Friday 0900 to 1700, with some branches closing for lunch between 1200 and 1330. BAC Credomatic, Banco Atlántida, Banco de Occidente, and Ficohsa maintain the most extensive ATM networks. Credit cards see acceptance in hotels, established restaurants, and tour operators in cities and tourist zones. Cash remains necessary in rural areas, markets, and local transportation. The United States dollar circulates unofficially in Bay Islands and border areas. Banco Atlántida and BAC Credomatic exchange major currencies. Western Union and MoneyGram operate throughout the country for international transfers.
Budget accommodation in Honduras ranges from 200 to 400 lempiras per night for basic guesthouses in towns like Copán Ruinas and La Ceiba. Mid-range hotels in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula charge 800 to 1,500 lempiras. Roatán hotel prices run higher, with mid-range options starting at 1,200 lempiras and reaching 3,000 lempiras in West Bay beach area. A meal at a comedor serving baleadas and plato típico costs 40 to 80 lempiras. Restaurant meals in cities range from 120 to 250 lempiras per person. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and staples at municipal markets cost substantially less than supermarkets. Intercity bus travel between major cities costs 100 to 300 lempiras depending on distance. The San Pedro Sula to Tegucigalpa route on comfortable direct buses runs around 200 lempiras and takes four to five hours. Chicken buses on the same route cost 60 to 100 lempiras with multiple stops. A single tank dive in Utila costs approximately 650 to 750 lempiras. PADI Open Water certification courses in Utila, among the cheapest globally, range from 6,500 to 8,500 lempiras for the four-day program.