Best accommodation in Honduras

That Honduras is slowly waking up to tourism is reflected in the country’s accommodation options. The larger cities – Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula – offer the widest range of places to stay, with something to suit all budgets. Hostels are beginning to spring up across the country, generally representing excellent value for money; Copán has some of the best budget hostels on the mainland. Of the Bay Islands, Utila is the cheapest and Roatán has a few places catering to backpackers, while Guanaja is aimed more at luxury tourists. On the mainland, US$10–20 gets you a basic room; more than US$20 will secure a well-furnished room, with extras such as TV, a/c and hot water. A 16 percent tax is occasionally added to the bill. Usually the only time you need to reserve in advance is at Semana Santa or during a big local festival, such as the May Carnaval in La Ceiba.

The only formal provisions for camping are at Omoa, Copán Ruinas and in some of the national parks. Elsewhere, pitching a tent is very much an ad hoc affair. If you intend to camp, make sure you ask permission from the landowner. Tempting though they may seem, the north-coast beaches are not safe after dark and camping here is highly inadvisable.