Honduras on a Budget
Written by Katie
Often overlooked for other Central American countries like Costa Rica and Belize, Honduras has a lot to offer, especially for the traveler on a budget. Like nearby countries, it’s a paradise for eco-travelers and those looking for a little adventure.
Getting there and getting around
Getting to Honduras from the US is straightforward. Spirit Airlines offers low-cost flights that start at around $100-$150 from Fort Lauderdale (from which you can connect all over the country). The flight from FLL to San Pedro Sula, the main airport that most people will arrive at, is under 3 hours. Once in the country, you can take a bus or a plane to your next destination. Buses are much cheaper (around $10 for a 3 hour ride), but flights of course are much faster (the flight to La Ceiba is 20 minutes and costs around $100 round trip). To get to Roatan, one of the Bay Islands, you can take a ferry, fly from La Ceiba, or fly direct on Continental from the US. From the small town of Copan, you can even take an 8 hour bus (for $13) into Guatemala City.
Lodging options
Honduras is a backpackers heaven and it’s possible to get a room for under $8 at a basic hostel. But the country has a surprising number of upscale hotels as well. And these are still very affordable. Eco-lodges along the Northern coast can run $150 to $250, luxury hotels along the beaches of Roatan are generally under $200 and the nicest hotels in Copan don’t go much over $100. With a budget of $50-$100 per night, it’s easy to find clean, comfortable accommodation anywhere in the country.
Dining and drinking
Like Costa Rica and Belize nearby, food in Honduras is simple and inexpensive. Traditional dishes feature pork, chicken, rice, beans and corn tortillas. A meal at a nice restaurant can be had for under $10. Many place offer backpacker specials for $5-$8 and a street meal of grilled meat, corn tortillas and beans is just a buck. A traditional baleada (a corn tortilla filled with beans and cheese) is also about $1 at most restaurants.
The local beer, Salva Vida, will cost $1-$1.50 in most bars and restaurants (though it’s cheaper at the convenience store) and mixed drinks are under $5.
Activities
There is so much to see and do in Honduras, you could spend several weeks there and not see it all. You can white-water raft, hike through the rainforest, bird-watch, zipline, horseback ride, lounge on the beach, sail, tour a coffee plantation, see the Mayan ruins at Copan, commune with monkeys and macaws, scuba dive and snorkel with dolphins and much more. And best of all, these activities can often cost much less than they would in other Central American countries.
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