Honduras Travel Budget Guide: Costs for Roatan, Copan & the Mainland

Introduction to Traveling in Honduras

Honduras is one of the most affordable countries in Central America, but the cost of traveling here depends heavily on where you go. The mainland -- including cities like Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and the Copan Ruins area -- remains remarkably budget-friendly, while the Bay Islands (Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja) operate on a completely different pricing tier that reflects their Caribbean island status and popularity with international tourists.

The official currency is the Honduran Lempira (HNL), commonly abbreviated as "L." As of early 2026, the exchange rate hovers around 24-25 Lempiras to 1 US Dollar. US dollars are widely accepted on Roatan and in many tourist-facing businesses, but you will get a better rate paying in Lempiras on the mainland. ATMs are available in all major cities, most shopping malls, and on the Bay Islands, though it is always wise to carry cash when heading to rural areas or smaller towns. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, and supermarkets, but smaller comedores and local markets operate exclusively in cash.

Understanding the price gap between the mainland and the islands is the single most important factor in building your Honduras travel budget. A traveler spending two weeks exclusively on Roatan will spend roughly double what they would exploring the mainland. The sweet spot for most visitors is a combination of both, and this guide will help you plan accordingly.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation in Honduras covers a wide spectrum. On the mainland, you can find clean budget rooms for remarkably little, while Roatan's beachfront properties command prices that rival mid-range Caribbean destinations.

Mainland Honduras:

• Hostels and guesthouses: L250-500 ($10-20 USD) per night for a dorm bed or basic private room
• Mid-range hotels: L750-1,500 ($30-60 USD) per night with air conditioning, hot water, and Wi-Fi
• Upscale hotels: L2,000-4,000 ($80-160 USD) per night at the best properties in Copan Ruinas, La Ceiba, or Tegucigalpa

Roatan and the Bay Islands:

• Hostels and budget rooms: L500-1,000 ($20-40 USD) per night; Utila is cheaper than Roatan
• Mid-range beachfront hotels: L1,500-3,500 ($60-140 USD) per night
• Luxury dive resorts and villas: L5,000-15,000 ($200-600 USD) per night at top-tier properties like Infinity Bay or Pristine Bay

Utila is the budget traveler's alternative to Roatan. The island has a well-established backpacker scene with affordable hostels starting around $12-15 USD per night, and the dive certification courses are among the cheapest in the world.

Copan Ruinas offers excellent mid-range value. Charming colonial-style hotels with courtyards and pools run $40-80 USD per night, and budget guesthouses near the central park start at $15-20 USD.

Food and Dining Costs

Honduran food is hearty, flavorful, and -- on the mainland at least -- incredibly affordable. The national staple, the baleada, is one of the best street food bargains in all of Central America.

Street Food and Local Eateries (Mainland):

• Baleadas (flour tortilla with beans, cheese, and cream): L15-30 ($0.60-1.20 USD)
• Plato del dia (lunch special with meat, rice, beans, salad, and tortillas): L60-120 ($2.50-5 USD)
• Pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas): L15-25 ($0.60-1 USD) each
• Fresh fruit juices and licuados: L20-40 ($0.80-1.60 USD)
• Coffee (Honduras produces excellent coffee): L15-40 ($0.60-1.60 USD)

Restaurants (Mainland):

• Casual sit-down meal: L150-300 ($6-12 USD) per person
• Mid-range restaurant dinner: L350-600 ($14-24 USD) per person
• Upscale dining in Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula: L600-1,200 ($24-48 USD) per person

Food on Roatan and the Bay Islands:

• Local Caribbean food at casual spots: L200-400 ($8-16 USD) per person
• Mid-range beachfront restaurant: L400-800 ($16-32 USD) per person
• Fine dining: L800-1,500 ($32-60 USD) per person

On the mainland, shopping at local mercados (markets) and supermarkets will stretch your budget even further. A week of groceries for self-catering can cost as little as L500-800 ($20-32 USD). On the Bay Islands, grocery prices are higher because most goods are shipped from the mainland, so expect to pay 30-50% more for the same products.

Transportation Costs

Getting around Honduras is straightforward, though travel times can be long due to winding mountain roads and limited highway infrastructure on the mainland.

Domestic Flights:

• San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa to Roatan: L1,500-4,000 ($60-160 USD) round trip on local airlines like EasyFly Honduras or CM Airlines
• La Ceiba to Roatan (ferry): L1,200-1,600 ($48-64 USD) round trip on the Galaxy Wave ferry; the crossing takes about 1 hour
• La Ceiba to Utila (ferry): L900-1,200 ($36-48 USD) round trip; approximately 1 hour

Intercity Buses (Mainland):

• First-class buses (Hedman Alas, Viana Clase Oro): L300-700 ($12-28 USD) for major routes like San Pedro Sula to Tegucigalpa, or San Pedro Sula to Copan Ruinas
• Regular buses: L50-200 ($2-8 USD) for most routes, though comfort varies widely
• Chicken buses (local transport): L10-50 ($0.40-2 USD) for short-to-medium distances

Local Transport:

• Taxis in cities: L50-150 ($2-6 USD) per ride within city limits; always negotiate the fare before getting in
• Mototaxis (tuk-tuks, common in smaller towns): L10-30 ($0.40-1.20 USD)
• Colectivos (shared vans): L20-50 ($0.80-2 USD)

Roatan Transport:

• Taxi across the island (West End to French Harbour): L400-600 ($16-24 USD)
• Minibus (public transport along main road): L30-50 ($1.20-2 USD)
• Scooter rental: L400-600 ($16-24 USD) per day
• Car rental on Roatan: L1,000-2,000 ($40-80 USD) per day

Activities and Attractions

Honduras offers a compelling mix of Mayan ruins, Caribbean diving, national parks, and cultural experiences. Here is what you can expect to spend on the highlights.

Copan Ruins Archaeological Site:

• Entrance fee: L480 ($19 USD) for the main ruins
• Tunnels (Rosalila and Los Jaguares): L240 ($10 USD) additional each
• Guided tour: L500-750 ($20-30 USD) for a 2-hour guided visit
• Bird park and butterfly garden nearby: L240 ($10 USD)

Diving and Snorkeling (Bay Islands):

• PADI Open Water certification on Utila: L7,000-9,000 ($280-360 USD); Utila is one of the cheapest places in the world for dive certification
• PADI Open Water certification on Roatan: L9,000-12,000 ($360-480 USD)
• Fun dives (certified divers): L900-1,500 ($36-60 USD) for a two-tank dive
• Snorkeling trips: L500-1,000 ($20-40 USD) for a half-day tour

Mainland Activities:

• Pico Bonito National Park entrance: L240 ($10 USD)
• Lancetilla Botanical Garden (Tela): L120 ($5 USD)
• White water rafting on the Cangrejal River: L1,500-2,500 ($60-100 USD)
• Cayos Cochinos day trip from La Ceiba: L1,500-2,500 ($60-100 USD)
• Pulhapanzak Waterfall entrance: L120 ($5 USD)

Daily Budget Breakdown by Travel Style

The following table provides estimated daily costs per person based on three different travel styles. These figures assume a mix of mainland and island time.

Category	Budget Traveler	Mid-Range Traveler	Luxury Traveler
Accommodation	$12-25	$50-100	$150-400+
Food	$8-15	$25-45	$60-120
Transportation	$5-10	$15-30	$40-80
Activities	$5-15	$25-50	$60-150
Daily Total	$30-65	$115-225	$310-750+
Weekly Total	$210-455	$805-1,575	$2,170-5,250+

Notes:

• Budget travelers stay in hostels/guesthouses, eat at local comedores, use public buses, and focus on free or low-cost attractions.
• Mid-range travelers enjoy private hotel rooms, dine at a mix of local and tourist restaurants, take comfortable first-class buses or short domestic flights, and participate in guided tours and diving.
• Luxury travelers book top resorts (especially on Roatan), dine at upscale restaurants, use private transfers, and book premium experiences.

Money-Saving Tips for Honduras

1. Fly into San Pedro Sula instead of Roatan directly. International flights to SPS are often significantly cheaper. From there, take the bus to La Ceiba (3-4 hours) and the ferry to Roatan to save on flights.

2. Choose Utila over Roatan for diving. Utila offers the same world-class reef system at considerably lower prices for both accommodation and dive courses. The island also has a stronger backpacker scene.

3. Eat baleadas and platos del dia. You can eat three full meals a day on the mainland for under $8 USD if you stick to local eateries and street food.

4. Use first-class buses for long distances. Companies like Hedman Alas are safe, comfortable, and reasonably priced. They operate from their own terminals, adding an extra layer of security.

5. Book dive packages, not individual dives. Most dive shops on the Bay Islands offer discounted multi-dive packages. A 10-dive package can save you 20-30% compared to individual two-tank dives.

6. Visit during the low season (September-November). Accommodation prices drop by 20-40%, though some rain is likely. The diving remains excellent year-round.

7. Carry Lempiras on the mainland. While US dollars are accepted in tourist areas, you will almost always get a better rate paying in local currency. Use ATMs to withdraw Lempiras rather than exchanging at the airport.

8. Negotiate taxi fares before getting in. This applies everywhere in Honduras but especially on Roatan, where taxi drivers may quote higher prices to tourists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do I need per day in Honduras?

A budget traveler can get by on $30-65 USD per day on the mainland, covering hostel accommodation, local food, and public transport. On the Bay Islands, expect to spend at least $50-80 USD per day for budget travel, and more if you are diving regularly. Mid-range travelers should budget $115-225 USD per day for a comfortable experience that includes a mix of mainland and island time. Two weeks in Honduras with a moderate travel style typically costs $1,600-3,000 USD, not including international flights.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry to Roatan?

The ferry from La Ceiba to Roatan (Galaxy Wave) costs around $48-64 USD round trip and takes about an hour each way. Domestic flights from San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa run $60-160 USD round trip but save you the bus ride to La Ceiba. If you are coming from San Pedro Sula, the total cost of bus plus ferry is often comparable to a flight, but the ferry route involves more travel time. From Tegucigalpa, flying is almost always more practical given the long drive to La Ceiba.

Can I use US dollars everywhere in Honduras?

US dollars are widely accepted on Roatan and in tourist-facing businesses throughout the Bay Islands. On the mainland, acceptance is more limited -- upscale hotels and some tour operators accept dollars, but most local restaurants, markets, and transport operate exclusively in Lempiras. ATMs are available in all major cities, and most dispense Lempiras. It is best to carry a mix of both currencies, with Lempiras for daily spending on the mainland and dollars as a backup on the islands.

What is the cheapest way to get a dive certification in Honduras?

Utila is the most affordable option and one of the cheapest places in the world for PADI certification. Open Water courses on Utila run $280-360 USD and often include free accommodation during the course (typically 3-4 days). Roatan courses start at $360-480 USD without accommodation. If diving is a priority, spending a few days on Utila for certification before heading to Roatan for fun dives is the most cost-effective strategy. Both islands sit on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world, so the diving quality is comparable.