Honduras Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Honduras

Former Name

None

Capital City

Tegucigalpa

Government Type

democratic constitutional republic

Area Size

total: 112,090 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT -6 hours

Climate

The climate is tropical with cooler, more temperate weather in the mountains. The north coast is very hot with rain throughout the year, and though the offshore breezes temper the climate, the sun is very strong. The dry season is from November to April and the wet season runs from May to October.

Geography

Honduras borders the Caribbean Sea on the north coast and the Pacific Ocean on the south through the Gulf of Fonseca. The climate varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountains. The central and southern regions are relatively hotter and less humid than the northern coast.

Languages

Spanish, Amerindian dialects

Culture

Honduras' strong cultural heritage is based on its ethnic diversity -- a mixture of indigenous European and African races. About 90 percent of the Honduran population is mestizo, a mixture of indigenous, African, and Spanish races also referred to as Ladino. Understanding Honduras' unique cultural history is facilitated by visits to the country's numerous archaeological sites. The must visit site is Copán, one of the most heralded sites in the extensive "Mundo Maya" and for good reason. The area was settled by about 1200 B.C. and abandoned by the end of the ninth century, soon after it reached its peak. During that time, Mayan sculpture reached its zenith -- particularly in the carving of stelae and altars -- and the city boasts more sculptures than any other site in the Maya World. Visitors to the nearby town of Copán Ruinas can easily hire guides to explain not only the ruins but the surrounding area as well.

History

Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage.

Travel Information

American Airlines operates daily flights to Honduras from Miami. There are no direct flights from the UK; connections are generally via the USA. Tegucigalpa (TGU) (Toncontín) is 5km southeast of the city. Taxis and buses are available to the city. Airport facilities are bar, restaurant, duty-free shop, bank, car hire, post office and first aid facilities. There are also international airports at San Pedro Sula (SAP) (La Mesa International Airport), at La Ceiba (LCE) (Golosón) and at Roatán (RTB) (Dr Juan Manuel Galvez). Departure Tax - US$25 is levied on all passengers aged 12 years of age and over. Exempt are transit passengers leaving within 12 hours. Main ports: Amapala, El Henecan, La Ceiba, Puerto Cortés, and Roatán. Some ships and vessels have limited passenger accommodation. Cruise liners stop at some ports, most commonly Roatán. Road routes run from El Salvador and Nicaragua via the Pan-American Highway, and from Guatemala on the Western Highway. Visas must be obtained before the journey is undertaken. Border crossings can be fraught with long delays. Areas around the border can be dangerous. Ticabus runs international services to all Central American capitals, but these comfortable coaches are often booked days in advance.

Accommodation

Reasonable hotels are available in both Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula (where the rates are lower, but standards equivalent to those in the capital are maintained). Elsewhere both rates and standards of comfort are somewhat lower.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for stays of up to three months. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passport valid for three months from date of arrival required by all nationals referred to above. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required if arriving within six days after leaving or transiting countries with infected areas (transit passengers not leaving the airport are exempt). It is advisable to have a return ticket, but not obligatory. However, visitors may be asked to prove how they plan to leave the country.

Getting Around

The three local airlines, Isleña Airlines, Sosa Airlines and Rollins Air, operate daily services which link Tegucigalpa and other principal towns. Sosa Airlines runs services to Utila, the cheapest Bay Island (off the Caribbean coast). Over 30 small airfields handle light aircraft and commercial aviation. Air travel is especially more convenient for business visitors. Departure Tax - There is an airport tax on internal journeys of US$1.30. Ferries operate between ports on the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. For details, contact local port authorities. There are sailings from La Ceiba and Puerto Cortés to the Bay Islands several times a week; schedules regularly change. Arrangements must be made with local boat owners. There are only three railways and they are isolated, generally unreliable and limited. Visitors can, however, take a trip from San Pedro Sula on a banana train, and, with some forward planning, to Cuero y Salado National Park on a coconut train. Traffic drives on the right. An all-weather road exists from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortés, La Ceiba and towns along the Caribbean coast, as well as to the towns around the Gulf of Fonseca in the south. Otherwise road conditions are poor. During the rainy season even major highways may be closed due to rockslides and flooding. Travellers are advised not to drive at night as many vehicles drive without lights on and animals wander onto the road. Some minor roads are still being repaired after Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Local bus lines run regular services to most large towns, but the services are well used and booking in advance is essential. On the whole the services are very cheap. Taxis are not metered, and run on a flat rate within cities. For other journeys, fares should be agreed before commencing journey. Self-drive cars are available at the airport.

Health & Safety

Travellers are adviced to take special precautions for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid and at times diphtheria and rabies. Malaria risk is a variable risk throughout the year in 80% of the municipalities, especially in the rural areas such as Roatán and the other Bay Islands. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving from areas in the endemic zone. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised in rural areas and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Dengue fever and American trypanosomiasis may occur. Hepatitis B is present. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem. Health insurance is recommended. There are hospitals in Tegucigalpa and all the large towns. Mosquito nets are recommended for coastal areas. Honduras suffers from violent crime, especially in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and in the Bay Islands. The threat from terrorism is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. Honduras can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. The hurricane season lasts from April to October.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year's Day. 5 Apr - Maundy Thursday. 6-8 Apr - Easter. 14 Apr - Day of the Americas. 1 May - Labour Day. 15 Sep - Independence Day. 3 Oct - Soldiers' Day. 12 Oct - Americas' Day. 21 Oct - Armed Forces' Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Honduras Lempira (HNL)

Electricity

110/220v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.00am - 12.00noon and 2.00pm - 5.00pm, Sat 8.00am - 11.00am. Government offices: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 12.00noon and 1.00pm - 4.30pm.

Emergency Numbers

195(Ambulance) 198(Fire) 119(Police)