Planning a trip to Honduras and wondering what are the best places to visit in Honduras? It is a Central American country, bordered by El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Due to safety concerns, unfortunately, the country is not a popular tourist destination.

While we would not recommend visiting Honduras for an inexperienced traveller, it is a great destination, really. All because of the diversity it has to offer.

Beautiful national parks, pristine forests, UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins, wonderful diving spots, pristine islands and kind people. All that and so much more you can experience in Honduras!

If you are an experienced and careful traveller who is looking for a unique destination for your next vacation, Honduras may be a good place to visit!

Sounds interesting? 

Check out our list of the best places to visit in Honduras for some travel inspiration!

6 best places to visit in Honduras

Bay Islands

The Bay Islands is a group of several islands and small cays situated off the coast of Honduras.

Roatan and Utila are the most visited islands of the group.

With a length of about 60 km and a maximum width of 14 km, Roatan is the largest island of the group. It is known for its luxury hotels. Roatan is also a major cruise port.

Utila is a small island west of Roatan, situated closer to the mainland. Utila is the cheapest island to stay at, so, naturally, it attracts a lot of young backpackers.

Both of these islands are known as great diving destinations. The waters around Utila and Roatan boast good visibility and an abundance of fish and corals of vibrant colours.

By the way, Roatan is surrounded by the second largest reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. It’s just a short distance off the shore!

In Utila you can spot whale sharks (both while snorkelling and diving). It is one of the few places in the world where these gentle giants can be seen all year round. 

Utila is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive. The PADI open water diving certification costs around $300-$350 USD!

Cayos Cochinos

Cayos Cochinos are a part of the Bay Islands group.

It consists of two small islands (Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande) and 13 more small coral cays.

These islands are lesser-known than Utila and Roatan, but this doesn’t mean that they are not worth a visit.

Islands of this group have clear water and one of the most unspoiled coral reefs in the country. Snorkelling in Cayos Cochinos is one of the best things to do in Honduras.

You can go on a day trip to Cayos Cochinos from La Ceiba or Roatan.

Rio Cangrejal & Pico Bonito National Park

Rio Cangrejal and Pico Bonito National Park, two of the best places to visit in Honduras, are located not far from La Ceiba, one of the largest cities in Honduras.

Pico Bonito National Park is a lush jungle paradise with many hiking trails. The national park offers some of the most beautiful trekking routes in the country. You’ll enjoy many gorgeous views and see some amazing waterfalls. 

Rafting on Rio Cangrejal (a river in the national park) is one of the best things to do in Honduras. The river offers some of the best whitewater rafting opportunities in Central America.

Other adventure sports you can try out in the area: zip-line, horseback riding, kayaking, mountain biking, canyoning and bird watching.

Lago de Yojoa

With a surface area of 79 square km, Lake Yojoa is the largest lake in Honduras. At an altitude of 700 m, it lies in a depression formed by volcanoes. 

Rent a kayak to explore the lake. It doesn’t cost much, and it’s a great experience.

There are several other amazing things you can do around Lago de Yojoa.

Hike the Santa Bárbara Mountain. At 2744 m, it is the second-highest peak in Honduras. Unfortunately, the trails are unmarked, and there’s no infrastructure. That’s why we suggest you take a guide.  But the hike is totally worth it, as the area has some of the biggest biodiversity in Honduras. There you will see pristine nature and have a chance to spot wildlife. The park is home to more than 400 bird species!

Do not miss Pulhapanzak Falls as well. You need to join a guided tour to see the stunning falls, though. You’ll be swimming through the pools and climbing rocks. You’ll get wet, so dress accordingly. There’s also a zip line tour available.

If you love beer, visit D&D Brewery, Lodge & Restaurant. Enjoy your beer in a natural setting — in the lush jungle. You can also stay there, as there are rooms available.

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve

The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in the La Mosquitia region on the Caribbean coast of Honduras. 

Most of the reserve runs along the Río Plátano from which the name was derived.

The reserve is home to a number of endangered species and some of Honduras largest sections of forest. It protects one of the last areas of tropical rainforest in Central America and is one of the most pristine and untouched areas in the region. There you can spot various wildlife, including sloths!

The Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve has been a World Heritage site since 1982. In 2011, UNESCO placed the reserve on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve is a popular destination for ecotourists.

Copán Ruins & Macaw Mountain Bird Park

Copán is a town with a lovely, laid-back vibe. 

It is home to an archaeological site of the Maya civilization, Copán Ruins, which is one of the best places to visit in Honduras.

The Maya Site of Copán was abandoned in the early 10th century and was discovered in 1570 by the Spanish. It was excavated only in the 19th century. The archaeological site consists of a ruined citadel and imposing public squares.

This UNESCO-listed archaeological site is one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization.

Another great place to visit in Copán is Macaw Mountain, Bird Park. It is a bird rescue, rehabilitation and release centre where people can learn more about these fascinating tropical birds, as well as the conservation and reproduction program.

Honduras travel tips

1. EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Honduras.
2. Unfortunately, Honduras is not the safest destination. In fact, it is one of Central America’s most dangerous countries and it has one of the highest murder rates in the world. It’s not a country we would recommend for a young, inexperienced backpacker. Corruption, drug trafficking, gangs and extreme poverty is what Hondurans have to experience on a daily basis.
3. In Honduras, it’s not really a good idea to get off the beaten track. Stick to the main tourist attractions, and you’ll be fine.
4. When planning your trip do research and find out which cities and areas are somewhat safe and which ones are not. Book your accommodation only in safe areas. Join a group, if you are travelling alone and are concerned about safety. We suggest you avoid large cities, such as San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, as it is where the gangs operate.
5. Do not travel during the night, be careful with your belongings, be vigilant in busy places, do not carry expensive stuff, do not wear designer clothes that attract attention, use only ATMs in malls and banks, do not share a taxi with strangers. These are just a few precautions you should take when travelling in Honduras. 
6. But if you take necessary precautions, take into account the advice of locals and use common sense, you’ll be rewarded with amazing experiences.
7. The best time to visit Honduras is between December and April (dry season).
8. Avoid travelling to Honduras during the hurricane season which begins in May and ends at the end of November.
9. Use only reliable transportation companies.
10. You can travel between the cities using private (see if it’s reliable!) coach services, express buses and private transport. Travellers also use cheap public “chicken buses”, but they are not the safest option.
11. Pre-book your taxi with your hotel. We would not recommend hailing a taxi on the street.
12. Learn some basic phrases in Spanish. Not everyone speaks English in Honduras.