Private Journeys
Signature Honduras: Jungle, islands and Mayan ruins
11 days from £3,200pp
(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)
Essentials
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Tour info
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Country info
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What's included
Tour info
Transport
1 domestic flight by turbo-prop flights (40 mins) – NB limited luggage allowance; 1 boat trip; 4 scenic road journeys.
International flights to San Pedro Sula from the UK: Thursdays on Air Europa via Madrid; Sundays on American Airlines via Miami.
Places To Stay
Some of the accommodation has been chosen for its convenience of location; but they are all good quality, friendly establishments. Pico Bonito Lodge and Barefoot Caye Hotel on the Caribbean coast are regarded by most as truly first class.
Meals
Breakfast daily; lunch days 3,4, 6; full board days 8,9,&10.
Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.
Summary Of Nights
11 days, 10 nights: San Pedro Sula 1; Copán Ruinas 3; Pico Bonito 3; Barefoot Caye 3.
Currency
The unit of currency in Honduras is the lempira.
How To Take It
In Honduras, you can change US dollar cash locally in banks and may be able to obtain cash advances via the few ATMs in larger towns and cities. You may have to ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK, and amounts may be limited. However these ATMs do not always accept foreign cards, which are also not usable in many smaller hotels and commercial outlets. Since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. You can obtain cash advances in most banks throughout the country. IN some places you can pay in US dollars cash.
We recommend that you also take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash – in some places you can pay with this currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused.
Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$35-45 per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you may pay considerably more. The cost of living can be considerably cheaper in rural areas than major resorts.
Tipping
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.
Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket. However there is a charge of around $US40 charged locally for departures from San Pedro Sula.
Trip Suitability
There are no long days of travel on this trip. This holiday is suitable for all, including families. However, if you have a disability we should be aware of, or other special requirements, please call us. From May to October the weather can be extremely hot and humid, you should bear this in mind if travelling with small children or elderly persons.
Climate
Travellers in May to October should encounter high temperatures (around 35°C) and high humidity in the lowlands and on the coast and islands. There are likely to be some short bursts of heavy rainfall during these months. From December to April visitors will still encounter high temperatures in the lowlands, and plenty of sun. Rainfall and humidity will be lower at this time.
Clothing And Special Equipment
Bring plenty of light cotton clothing and good, comfortable walking shoes. It’s sensible to have long sleeves for areas where mosquitoes may be hovering around.
Protection against the sun (sun-block, sun hat) and mosquito repellant are essential and you should bring swimwear. A daypack is useful for carrying sun block, guidebook, water and any extra layers.
The airline operating the light aircraft flight from Roatán imposes a hold luggage limit of 15kg.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts. Good equipment is very important and hard to come by in Central America.
Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements, including advice on yellow fever and malaria tablets.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
Visas
From 15 August 2024, UK passport holders require a visa for Honduras. Full UK passport holders do not need a visa for the other countries visited on this holiday (see below if travelling via the USA). Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
APIS and ESTA – important flight information:
ESTA – if flying to, or via, the USA you will need to fill in your application to ESTA online.
This must be done by you personally.
Passports must also be digital e-passports with an embedded chip. Avoid locking suitcases if transiting the USA, as their customs authorities retain the right to break into them.
APIS – Many countries now oblige airlines to provide additional information about passengers prior to the flight departure. This Advance Passenger Information (APIS) must be supplied to us promptly in order to issue tickets and avoid fare increases. We will provide the airlines with the relevant details if we are booking your international flights. If the information is not provided you may be denied boarding.
Country info
When is the best time to visit Honduras?
Honduras holidays are possible at any time of the year. The coastal lowlands have a hot tropical climate all year round with temperatures approaching 30oC. The mountainous interior has a milder climate and in Dec - Jan temperatures hover around 18oC and it is cool at night. The rainy season runs May - Nov with afternoon showers - although precipitation is more persistent on the north coast. Sep - Nov is the season when rainfall may be heavy and hurricanes are possible.
What's the official language of Honduras?
Spanish is the official language of Honduras.
What is the official currency in Honduras?
The currency of Honduras is Lempira. You can change US dollar cash or travellers cheques locally in banks and may be able to obtain cash advances via the few ATMs in larger towns and cities. You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK, and withdrawals may be limited. However these ATMs do not always accept foreign cards, which are also not usable in many smaller hotels and commerce. You can obtain cash advances in most banks throughout the country. NB: a charge of $US40 is made at the airport upon leaving the country (you can pay with a credit card).
What is the time difference between Honduras and UK?
The time difference between Honduras and the UK is GMT-6 hours.
Do I need a visa for Honduras?
As of 15 August 2024, UK passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to Honduras. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate. If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
What vaccinations do I need for Honduras?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
What places combine well with Honduras?
A visit to neighbouring Central America countries, such as tiny, friendly El Salvador; wildlife-rich, slickly organised Costa Rica and the Mayan cities of Guatemala, all easily accessed by land or air.
How do you get to Honduras from the UK?
There are flights via US and European hubs, the journey from London takes around 15 hours.
What are the festivals and cultural events in Honduras?
Semana Santa, Easter, throughout Honduras. Celebrated from Thursday through to Easter Sunday.
Festival Lluvia de Peces (Rain of Fish), Yoro, start of rainy season in Jun. Parades and carnival. It’s a puzzle for scientists, but the dark clouds are accompanied by very heavy rain which will last upwards of 3hrs. Once the rain has stopped, the city streets are littered with living fish. Commemoration of the arrival of the Garifuna communities, 12 Apr. Presentations by music and dance groups including the Ballet Folklórico Garifuna.
Inspired by this trip
Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.
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