Backpacking Honduras Itinerary
Welcome to our backpacking Honduras itinerary.
Honduras is a gorgeous country in Central America that’s not the most popular touristic destination, but travelers who have taken the chance do not regret it and they rave about how overlooked this country is.
If you’re planning a Honduras backpacking trip you are looking for a Honduras backpacking itinerary, you’ve come to the right place.
Honduras Backpacking Itinerary
We will provide a list of the must-see places you simply can’t miss so you can have a memorable experience.
Is Honduras Worth Visiting?
One of the wildcard destinations of Latin America, many travelers are put off by the dangers of visiting Honduras.
However if approached with caution, then this country will reward those who visit with some incredible sights.
From some of the most beautiful Caribbean islands around, to uncharted jungle and some incredible Mayan ruins, Honduras is one of the classic backpacking destinations for those who love to get more off the beaten path.
BLATAM backpacking data:
- 💰 Currency: Lempira
- 🇭🇳 Language: Spanish
- 🌎 Population Size: 9.9 Million
- 📍 Best Secret: Pico Bonito National Park
- 🍴 Eat: Baleada, Tapado Olanchano
- 🥛 Drink: Chicha de Piña
- 💸 Average Daily Budget: $20
Honduras itinerary Map
Is Honduras Safe?
If you’re planning your trip to Honduras, you’ll quickly realize there not so many safe options like Guatemala or Mexico.
Some of our Honduras safety tips include:
- Always be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded places.
- Avoid going out at night. Don’t drive or take buses at night to be safe.
- Mugging is common, so if you fall victim to it, simply hand whatever they are asking. Don’t fight it if any untoward unfolds in the moment.
- Only go to ATMs at safe places, preferably malls and banks. Avoid outdoor ATMs (or ATMs where you notice people congregating nearby).
- Don’t flaunt your mobile devices and avoid using your phone in public, not even when you’re in a taxi.
One of the reasons why Honduras is so easily overlooked by travelers is that the image of the country has been tarnished by high crime rates.
Organized crime and gangs are common in Honduras and the country has a huge problem with armed robbery, violent street crime and drug trafficking.
See this guide on safety in Honduras for more detailed tips on staying safe.
However, travelers are not particularly targeted, so you can enjoy your trip if you take precautions. We’ll provide more safety tips later on in the article!
Safety facts about Honduras
- The best way to evaluate safety is by looking at the 2020 Global Peace Index. This measures the state of peace of each country in comparison with the rest of the World, by evaluating both tangible and qualitative indicators.
- Honduras ranked as 119th out of the 163 nations measured, which is similar to that of Algeria and The United States, with the latter ranking in as 121st.
- Let’s not beat around the bush here. The major cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are some of the most dangerous in Central America due to ongoing drug cartel wars. However these mostly target those involved, so as long as you are not crossing that line or go to the rough areas then you should have a trouble free experience.
- Make sure to really brush up on which areas are best to stay before your visit here. With the rest of the country, be sure to leave valuables at home and not dress too over-the-top flashy.
Honduras Backpacking Itinerary
To help you out, here are the top 6 places you can’t miss.
You can read this in conjunction with our backpacking Central America travel guide (linked below) which shows you more place to see in Honduras.
Copan
When you arrive in Honduras, you will get to San Pedro Sula, which is the second-largest city in the country and it’s the best option to fly in and out.
However, we don’t recommend you stay in the city because it’s riskier and there’s not much to do. So, when you get there, you want to head to Copan.
You can take a bus at the Terminal Metropolitana de Buses and you’ll be at Copan in no time.
This small city has a lot to offer and you can easily spend a few days admiring the architecture, walking around Central Park, visit Copan Ruinas, which are Mayan ruins, go to Macaw Mountain, and much more.
Be sure to head with a reputable tour guide when heading to Copán Ruins, as they’ll be able to explain in much better detail the history of the ruins (as well as the fact that they’ll speak English, among other languages).
Tela
Next, you can catch a bus to Tela, which is a 4 or 5-hour ride from Copan. This vibrant beach town is a must-visit because you’ll find so many different people and cultures here.
The people are kind and open to talking to travelers, so don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations.
You can visit the Punta Sal National park, spend time on the beautiful beaches, walk around the boardwalk, visit Lancetta Botanical Gardens, and more.
Rio Cangrejal
From Tela, you can head to Rio Cangrejal, which is the perfect place for people who like to have adventures in nature.
The Pico Bonito National Park offers some of the best hikes and there are plenty of outdoor activities to take advantage of, such as white water rafting.
On your hikes, you’ll find a lush forest, incredible views, and amazing waterfalls. If you just want to relax, you can stay in the heart of Pico Bonito and just rest and refuel.
Utila
Utila is a small island that’s a ferry ride away from La Ceiba. Many young people go to Utila to get their scuba certification and to have fun because the parties are great.
There are two main beaches in Utila you can visit, you can climb Pumpkin hill and enjoy the view of the cliffs, do some animal tourism, or simply spend most of your time exploring the underwater world.
Given that it’s not the safest country you can visit, it’s best to go with secure transport to get from San Pedro to the coast. They’ll drop you off right at the ferry terminal, where you can then sail right to Utila.
Roatan
This is another island that’s a 40-minute ferry ride away from Utila. Roatan is a popular stop on Caribbean cruise lines, so you can expect big crowds during the week.
The weekends are a lot more quiet and peaceful. You can go scuba diving and explore many dives sites and a few wrecks, enjoy the live music at local bars, visit the Roatan Chocolate Factory, and more.
One of our biggest recommendations is to head on this adventure tour when in Roatán. As well as going snorkelling, you’ll fly down a zip-line through the dense jungle!
San Pedro Sula
You’ll finish your journey at San Pedro Sula. We already mentioned this is not the best destination for backpackers.
But if you have a few hours to kill before you leave, you can explore the Guamilito market, which is a large and popular market, just don’t bring much attention to yourself.
Given it’s dangerous reputation, it’s best to go with a tour that knows the city inside out, and can get you between all destinations in a safe manner.
Honduras Itinerary (1 Week)
Below we’ll cover our very best itinerary of Honduras. As well as keeping an eye on time, it’s also been designed to keep things fresh and exciting too for you.
Tegucigalpa (Days 1-2)
Our first taste of Honduras will be in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. We’ll be straight with you – it’s not the safest city around, however it’s here on our list for a few good reasons, which we’ll explore below.
Tegucigalpa is quite charming despite its negative reputation, and the best way to experience this is through its architecture. Some of the best buildings to visit here include the stunning Catedral de San Miguel, Basilica de Suyapa as well as the Museum of National Identity. It’s also worth going for a stroll around Parque Central whilst here too.
Honduras is also well known for its off the beaten path nature, and nearby to Tegucigalpa is the Parque Nacional La Tigra. Located 2000m above sea-level, this cloud forest is home to many beautiful waterfalls, nature walks and animals ranging from pumas and toucans to the elusive quetzal. Definitely worth exploring if you have the time!
One of the best day tours you can do from the capital is this tour to several colonial towns. Here you’ll visit stunning towns like Comayagua and Lejamaní, whilst getting to try some of the best coffee in Central America!
Utila Island (Days 3-6)
From the capital we’ll now take a bus to the port city of La Ceiba (6 hours), and then the ferry over to the island of Utila (3 hours).
One of the three major islands that make up the Bay Islands, Utila is as Caribbean as it gets here in Honduras. As well as its chill vibes this island is known for being one of the best places to dive in Central America and is also the top site for getting your PADI license.
Utila is also a major backpacking hub, where you’ll find tonnes of parties along its picturesque beaches, as well as lots of cheap hostels and restaurants too.
One of the best things to do from Utila is to explore the rest of the Bay Islands as day trips. Roatán is the more expensive big brother, which has the best world-class beaches of them all, including that of West Bay.
Guanaja is a much smaller island, however is great due to its more wild and remote setting, full of unmarked jungle and secluded beaches to indulge in.
Copán Ruins (Days 7-8)
Regardless of where you ended up on your last day, you’ll now need to get back to La Ceiba to finish up the last leg of our trip. From here we’ll now hop on the bus to Copán, which takes around 7 hours.
Copán is all about its ancient ruins, which are some of the best you can visit in Central America. Over 2000 years old, these mysterious ruins were acquired by the Mayans around the 5th century A.D., and was one of their most important sites (it’s still unknown to this day who built them).
Wandering around, you can explore many crumbling temples and ruins, as well as see many monkeys and iguanas going about their daily routines.
After your visit to the ruins, there’s a few other cool things to do in the city before leaving (many simply jump straight on the bus and miss out – don’t be one of them!). Some of these include a visit to the Mariposario butterfly farm, chilling out at the thermal baths of Luna Jaguar as well as trying some really tasty chocolate at the Tea and Chocolate Place.
And that marks the end of our one-week trek through Honduras! From here you can either then head back to Tegucigalpa for your flight out, or alternatively cross north into Guatemala – a true backpacker’s classic.
For those who want to see exotic animals, then you’ll love this day tour where you’ll explore the Macaw Mountain Park, with your entrance to Copán included too!
And there we have our 1 week Honduras itinerary. Now let’s move on to our most important tips, so you can have the best experience possible here.
Honduras Travel + Safety Tips
As mentioned before, Honduras has a high crime rate that’s mostly related to gang activity.
Travelers can stay safe as long as they follow basic travel safety recommendations, such as:
⬇️ These safety tips will help you out:
- Do your research and plan, plan, plan. You want to know what areas are safe and stick to those areas so you can be safe and avoid risks.
- Utila has lots of nightlife options and is usually the go-to for backpackers. Tegucigalpa is also good for a more local vibe, with Bamboo Club and Kaballah our best picks.
- Look out for the top rated hostels in Honduras for the most comfortable rooms and meeting like minded people etc.
- Dress to blend in and leave jewelry, watches and, fancy clothes at home.
- Copán Ruins, Diving in Roatán, Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve.
- Of course, safety will come up here as Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are some of the most dangerous cities in Central America. Really do your research before visiting these cities if you are thinking about them. Most usually only pass through to other destinations in the country such as the Bay Islands, however there are also cool things to do in these cities too.
- Aim to learn some Latin American Spanish before you arrive to Honduras because knowing just a few words can go along way.
- Along the coast you must try Sopa de Caracol which is usually made with lobster among corn and vegetables. Elsewhere in the country be sure to try Baleadas, which is one of Honduras’s best street food dishes.
- Don’t discuss any travel plans in public or with people you don’t know.
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
- Stay updated by following the State Department on social media so you’re always informed.
If you follow these tips, you will have a good time in Honduras and you reduce the risk of encountering any dangerous or precarious situations.
Traveling Around Honduras
Traveling around Honduras by bus is inexpensive, which is why it’s such a popular option among backpackers.
Large cities have reputable bus companies that can get you from city to city, while small towns will have chicken buses, which are okay for short rides.
Chicken buses pose certain risks, but you’ll be fine on short rides, just make sure you keep an eye on your belongings and get ready to ride in a packed bus.
Bus services in the country are well organized and longer intercity routes offer an array of services you can choose from to make your journey more comfortable. Remember to purchase your tickets in advance!
We recommend carrying this Safe Wallet for all of your most important valuables when traveling around Honduras.
Best time to visit Honduras
We’ve spoken a lot about the best time to visit Central America on this blog (George is absolutely obsessed with checking the weather when we travel).
Honduras has a pretty distinct dry and wet season.
The dry season runs from Late November until April, and has a warm average temperatures of between 81-88°F. Rainfall is a lot lower during this time, with between 10-30mm falling throughout each month.
In comparison, the wet season is also pretty warm with similar average temperatures (these are pretty consistent year-round in Honduras.
Rainfall increases to between 70-120mm falling in each month. In the Caribbean side, such as the Bay Islands, rainfall is much higher with between 150-270mm falling for each month of the rainy season.
If travelling during the wet season, you’ll want this airtight Dry Bag to keep your things moisture-free during the heavy rains.
What to pack for Honduras
Now we’ve looked at Honduras and why you should visit, now we’ll cover what you will need to bring on your travels here.
As we’ve seen, Honduras is pretty hot year-round. As a result you’ll want to take lighter-layer clothes such as vests, t-shirts, shorts and dresses.
This is pretty much the same whether you’re exploring the Caribbean coast or wandering the bustling major cities.
Rainfall will your biggest concern in terms of what to pack. If visiting during the dry season then you may get lucky and not have any, but it’s still worth taking a poncho in case you get caught out.
In the wet season it’s almost guaranteed, although these are usually quick yet intense downpours throughout the day. Take a poncho and also some sturdy hiking boots as trails can get slippery.
Got Travel Insurance for Honduras?
Backpacking Honduras: Final Words
Honduras is a fascinating place to visit and there’s so much for your to explore.
Make sure you refer back to this Honduras backpacking itinerary both before and during your trip so you can make the most of your time in the country. Be safe and have fun!
Why not take the time to read our backpacking Central America guide to get more useful tips and advice for this region?
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