Honduras might not be top of the list of places you consider visiting on a gap year, but this country has ancient ruins and beautiful islands – it is also one of the top places to go scuba diving in the world.
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Honduras Travel & Backpacking Guide
Honduras is the second largest and second poorest country in Central America. It borders with El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala and spans the isthmus from the Caribbean to the Pacific. The interior is mountainous, covered with dense tropical rainforest and sparsely populated.
If you want to travel, go backpacking, volunteer, work, study or book an adventure, we can help you plan a trip to Honduras and Central America.
Here is everything you need to know before booking a trip.
Visa
Not necessary. 30 days on arrival for most westerners. Easily extendable.
When to visit?
Year-round, except on the north coast which can be overflooded by water between October & November (Hurricanes season). The islands and beaches’ towns are also more expensive when overflooded by tourists (holidays and carnival times).
History
Honduras has an diverse history, as evidenced by pre-Christian Mayan ruins, dating back to the ninth century AD, surrounded by tropical forests in the west of the country at Copan. Conquered and settled by the Spanish since the sixteenth century the culture has developed with a vibrant Latin influence.
Today the population is diverse, the majority being mestizo, a mix of Amerindian and European descent and small minorities of Amerindian, in the interior and Creole, Black Carib and white populations on the Caribbean coast. The Bay Islands off the East coast are Caribbean in atmosphere, with a unique mix of, African, Spanish, Maya Indian and British cultures.
The population has been predominantly English speaking since the 18th century, when pirates supported by the British crown claimed the islands as their stronghold. The islands boast some of the best diving in the world on the huge reef which surrounds them and today tourism and development are growing steadily.
Money and Budget
The currency is the lempira and the rate at the moment is around L15.2 per US$. As for all the countries in the area, currencies other than US$ are nearly impossible to change. Neighboring currencies should be changed at the borders.
Health
As a whole, Honduras is a rather healthy country to visit and common sense is the only requirement. Although you will meet a few backpackers who drink the local tap water, this is certainly not recommended in Honduras, with the exception maybe of the rain water on the islands or mountains’ sources. In the same idea, do not eat any raw or uncooked food, including vegetables.
You will need a Malaria prophylaxis treatment (usually Nivaquine) for the lowland and North coast, including the islands. Avoiding the bites is always the best idea. Being up to date with your inoculations (polio, tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria) is of course essential and adding hepatitis A and B is recommended.
Find more Central America gap year ideas.
