Budget Travel in Honduras – Explore Beaches, Reefs, and Ruins for Less

Stunningly preserved Maya ruins and a secluded biosphere reserve for true off-the-grid experiences are just a couple of the many highlights in Honduras.

This often-overlooked country is a favorite among budget adventurers, whether you’re on a grand road trip, enjoying a week at the beach, or traveling the globe during a gap year.

Honduras is one of the most cost-effective destinations in Central America, with numerous ways to save money, allowing you to indulge in unforgettable activities like swimming with whale sharks or white-water rafting on the Río Cangrejal.

Understanding Daily Expenses in Honduras

• Hostel dorm bed: L170–370 (US$7–15)

• Basic double room: L370–618 (US$15–25)

• Local bus ticket: L6–247 (US$0.25–10)

• Dinner for two at a local eatery: L172–445 (US$7–18)

• Local beer: L21–75 (US$0.85–3)

• Cup of coffee: starting at L19 (US$0.75)

1. Opt for hostels or homestays to cut accommodation costs

With numerous hostels popping up in hotspots like Santa Rosa de Copán, Roatán, and Utila, plus affordable private rooms in budget hotels, finding low-cost lodging in Honduras is easy.

It's often possible to negotiate better rates for extended stays. Alternatively, you can stay with locals, enjoying cultural immersion along with home-cooked meals—look for homestays in tourist-friendly areas.

2. No bed? No worries—try a hammock instead!

Many hostels in Roatán, Utila, and a few inland locations provide hammocks on porches or offer hooks for you to hang your own, creating an affordable overnight option. A sturdy, comfortable hammock costs around L370 at local markets.

Hammock rentals are about L125 per night—making this the most budget-friendly option, plus it's eco-friendly! Forget air-conditioning; let the ocean breeze and the soothing sounds of waves or jungle lull you to sleep. Just remember to bring bug repellent to avoid becoming a mosquito feast.

3. Use local currency to enhance your savings potential

Paying in cash is typically the best option, especially when staying at budget-friendly accommodations. Credit cards are generally reserved for major expenses like flight bookings or stays at luxury hotels. In smaller towns, ATMs can be scarce, and when found, they might not always function properly.

While US dollars are accepted in Honduras, exchange rates can fluctuate significantly. It's advisable to withdraw a good amount of lempiras (the local currency) from an ATM as soon as possible and carry plenty of small denominations for everyday purchases and bus fares.

4. Travel during the off-season to avoid inflated prices in Honduras

Thanks to its warm, subtropical climate, Honduras is a year-round destination. However, the hot, dry season (December to May) sees the highest number of visitors. Accommodation prices soar around New Year and Easter, so consider visiting during the rainy season (June to November) to escape the crowds in popular areas.

You can score off-season deals on accommodations, tours, and scuba diving packages in the Bay Islands. If you steer clear of the rainiest months, September and October, you might only encounter brief tropical downpours in the afternoons, allowing you to plan your activities around them.

5. Skip domestic flights and take a bus (or ferry) to save money

Domestic flight costs in Honduras can quickly add up (though they may be your best bet if you're pressed for time). Fortunately, there are frequent, budget-friendly ferries to the Bay Islands from various coastal towns.

A ferry ticket from La Ceiba to Roatán costs approximately L685, while a direct flight will run you at least L1,484. For inland travel, the “chicken buses” (repurposed North American school buses) offer the most economical option, even if you’re packed in with luggage and fellow travelers.

Luxury, air-conditioned long-distance buses, like those operated by Hedman Alas and Viana Transportes, provide greater comfort while still being a cost-effective alternative to flying. For instance, the 4½-hour journey from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula on a luxury bus costs L643, compared to L3,215 for a 45-minute direct flight.

Cross-border shuttles, such as the daily service from Santa Rosa de Copán to Antigua, Guatemala, are not only very affordable but also much more convenient than taking a flight across the border.

6. Enroll in a scuba diving course in the Bay Islands at unbeatable prices

Thinking about getting your Open Water scuba diving certification during your trip? You're in luck! Honduras is home to the world’s second-largest barrier reef, and its islands—Roatán and Utila—rank among the best and most affordable spots globally for diving. A typical four-day PADI course costs around L7,420.

For accommodations, Utila is smaller and generally less developed than Roatán, making it cheaper. However, due to the increasing number of diving schools in Roatán’s West Bay and West End, you might find a good accommodation deal bundled with your diving course if you inquire.

Additionally, if you dive between March and May, you could be lucky enough to swim alongside whale sharks—truly one of the ocean's wonders.

7. Use a water filter instead of purchasing bottled water

Since Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras' infrastructure in 1998, the local tap water has been undrinkable. However, higher-end hotels provide purified water, and many restaurants use it for food preparation.

While many travelers opt for bottled water, it's best to avoid plastic pollution by bringing your own refillable bottle. You can fill it with purified water or choose LifeStraw Go or GRAYL flasks, which feature built-in filtration systems that eliminate most waterborne contaminants.

8. Shop at local markets for groceries to save on dining expenses

Every town in Honduras features produce markets where you can stock up on essentials like rice and beans, as well as fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables including cassava, squash, sweet potatoes, bananas, guavas, pineapples, and more.

By choosing to stay with locals or selecting accommodations with kitchen facilities, you can prepare healthy meals without spending a fortune.

9. Choose street food over restaurants for budget-friendly dining

One of the best ways to save money while discovering some of Honduras’ finest culinary delights is to explore street food vendors.

Local favorites include baleadas (wheat-flour tortillas filled with cheese, avocado, and beans—sometimes with beef), tacos topped with ground meat and cabbage, pastelitos de carne (meat pastries filled with ground beef, wine, tomato, onion, sugar, and raisins), and machuca (a Garifuna dish made of mashed boiled plantains with jalapeño and garlic).

You might also come across the local variations of enchiladas and pupusas (crispy corn tortillas from El Salvador, topped with grilled pork, beans, and cheese). Keep an eye on the queues to identify the most popular street stalls among locals.

10. Choose local brews over more expensive imported brands

Select locally made drinks instead of imported beers and sodas. Fun local soda flavors include Refresco de Nance (made from the common Honduran fruit) and banana-flavored Tropical.

Honduras’ national beverage is pinol (a mix of ground maize, cocoa, agave, honey, cinnamon, and spices)—a pre-Columbian drink that's similar to thin oatmeal but much more delicious!

Another ancient beverage created by the Mayans is atol de elote, a warm, sweet drink made from pureed maize, sugar, cinnamon, and spices. If you need caffeine, you're in luck—Honduras produces excellent coffee in regions like Agalta, Comayagua, Copán, El Paraíso, Montecillos, and Opalaca. High-quality coffee is readily available wherever you go.

Keep an eye out for Honduras’ four main beer brands: Barena, Imperial, Port Royal, and Salva Vida. Beer enthusiasts will be excited to know that craft breweries have emerged in recent years in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Santa Rosa de Copán.

Traditional local alcoholic beverages that have been brewed for ages include fruit drinks like chicha de nance, chicha de piña, and chicha de coyol. For something with a bit more kick, give guifiti a try—this Garifuna firewater is made from medicinal herbs and botanicals, said to cure whatever ails you.