Traveling in Honduras

- What is the weather like?
- What is the official language?
- What is the population of Honduras?
- What are the types of vaccinations recommended for travel?
- What type of medical care is provided?
- What are the general health precautions?
- Is Honduras safe to travel to?
- What is the exchange rate?
- How much can I expect to pay for things?
- What is the telecommunication system like in Honduras?
- What are the tips and taxes like in Honduras?
- What are the customs regulations like?
- What are the banking systems like?
- What are the national holidays?
- What is the documentation required for foreign tourists?
- What is the religion like in Honduras?
- How do I get to Honduras?
- What is the transportation like if I were to travel on my own in Honduras?

About Maya Temple Tours

- How can I pay for my tour?
- What is the procedure for international credit card payment?
- Are your guides trained?
- Do you have a refund policy?
- What do I do in case of an emergency?
- What do I need to bring?
- Do you have customized tours?


What is the weather like?
The weather varies from region to region in Honduras due to the nations topography. The mountainous central region is dry and cool while the northern coastal zone is generally warm and humid. There are two seasons in Honduras: the rainy season, which can last from June to October, and the dry season, from November to May. Temperatures during the rainy season vary from 59 degrees Fahrenheit in the upland regions of higher altitude, to 86 degrees Fahrenheit in the lowlands areas. During the dry season months, temperatures are slightly higher. UP


What is the official language?
The official language spoken is Spanish. English, however, is spoken throughout Honduras, particularly along the length of the northern coast and among the inhabitants of the Bay Islands; the Miskito and Garifuna dialects are spoken on the Caribbean Coast. UP


What is the population of Honduras?
The population of Honduras is nearly six million inhabitants. Most of this population live in the big cities and along the country's northern coast. The eastern region is sparsely populated. UP


What are the types of vaccinations recommended for travel?
Recommended vaccinations are: malaria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, and typhoid. The best drug for you depends on your itinerary and on a number of personal factors that should be discussed between you and your health care provider. Take personal protective measures in risk areas.UP


What type of medical care is provided?
Good private medical care is available in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula but is not up to the high standards of industrialized countries. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescriptions and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. If you are a diver, a decompression chamber is located on Roatan. UP


What are the general health precautions?
* Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas.
* Sleep in well-screened accommodations.
* Make sure to read instructions of every hotel and lodging regarding their purified water system. Bottle water is the safest at all times.
* Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection. UP


Is Honduras safe to travel to?
Honduras is considered to be a safe destination to travel to. However, tourists are advised to practice safe pre-cautionary measures as you would in any foreign country. Do not carry large sums of money, credit cards and valuables that are not needed during your travels. Keep all valuable items and important documents in your hotel. Honduras has taken positive steps in protecting residents and tourists by employing police officers trained for tourism crime. You will see their friendly smiles in popular tourists areas. Tourists and visitors should avoid walking at nights in isolated areas of major cities, beaches, and sparsely inhabited residential areas that are known at times to be unsafe to the lonely traveller. It is important for tourists to travel in groups of two, three or more persons whenever possible. Night driving and travelling in taxis is discouraged. Honduras is very open to tourism. You will see most Hondurans selling their arts and crafts at nearby markets and selling their array of local delicacies. Hondurans have a warm nature towards all foreign travellers and are always willing to help and show their patriotic appreciation for their country. UP


What is the exchange rate?
The official currency of Honduras is the Lempira. The current exchange rate is 1 US dollar to approximately 17.5 to 18 Lempiras. Therefore, 10 US dollars will give you between 175 to 180 Lempiras. UP


How much can I expect to pay for things?
Honduras is still considered to be relatively inexpensive for the traveller. For example, inexpensive items in Honduras are arts and crafts, local souvenirs, local food, and inner city cabs. Accommodations are based on seasonal packages and brand name hotels. You can find three star hotels for an average of $40 to $50 US a night for a double room. Four to five star hotels can range between $ 60 - $120 US a night for a double room. All hotel accommodations, domestic flights, car transportation, and local ferries can be arranged through Maya Temple Tours.UP


What is the telecommunication system like in Honduras?
All of the larger cities are linked to the rest of the world via direct international telephone service. Internet and fax services are also available. Internet cafes and international calling services are becoming very popular in most parts of Honduras. UP


What are the tips and taxes like in Honduras?
Throughout the country, a tax ranging from 12 to 16 percent is imposed on hotels, restaurants and stores. As for tips, it is customary to give a 10 to 15 percent gratuity based on the total bill. In most cases it is already included in the bill, be careful. Every visitor must pay an airport exit fee of U.S. $25 dollars upon leaving Honduras.UP


What are the customs regulations like?
All personal belongings, including sports equipment, are allowed to enter the country without any surcharge or fee. UP


What are the banking systems like?
You will find more than a dozen commercial banks, several savings and loan institutions, some specializing in development loans, as well as institutions affiliated with many international banks. Hours are from 9am to 3pm on regular workdays (some of them until 5pm), and Saturdays from 9am to 12 pm (some of them).UP


What are the national holidays?

New Years	January 1
Holy Week	Thursday & Friday Easter week
Americas Day	April 14
Labour Day	May 1
Independence Day	September 15
Morazàn Day	October 3
Columbus Day	October 12
Armed Forces Day	October 21
Christmas	December 25

UP

What is the documentation required for foreign tourists?
Documents: Citizens of Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, United States, Costa Rica, Northern Ireland, Guatemala, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, El Salvador need only a valid passport to enter the country. Other visitors must have, in addition, a corresponding visa. Please refer to your local travel agency for more information.
Embassies and consulates: The following countries maintain diplomatic and commercial representatives in Honduras; Argentina, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Denmark, the Dominaica, Norway, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, Peru and others. UP

What is the religion like in Honduras?
The great majority of Hondurans are Catholic. The Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. Religious denominations represented in Honduras also include: Anglicans, Baptists, Mennonites,Mormons, Moravians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Hebrews, and others. UP

How do I get to Honduras?
American Airlines, TACA, LACSA, COPA, Continental and Iberia provide direct scheduled flights between Honduras and cities in the United States and Central America. Aerolineas Sosa, Atlantic Airlines, and Isleña de Aviación provide domestic services. Please check their websites or call for more information regarding times and shedules.UP

What is the transportation like if I were to travel on my own in Honduras?
Honduras has four international airports: Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatan. There are well-paved 4lane roads with good lighting and traffic lights. The police now give out many tickets to traffic violators according to their new imposed road rules and regulations. Several ports serve the northern coast, among them Cortes, Tela, La Ceiba, Castilla, Trujuillo, and Lempira. There is the port also in Roatan. The principal Pacific Coast ports are San Lorenzo and Amapala.UP

How can I pay for my tour?
Tour payment can be made in cash, money order, MasterCard or Visa. We require a 50% deposit of the total price of package to confirm reservation. Balance of payment is due within two weeks of departure.UP


What is the procedure for international credit card payment?
Step 1 - Phone, fax or email us the following information (name as shown on the credit card, credit card number and expiry date).

Step 2 - With this information we will get an authorization number. We will fax or email the completed agreement to you.

Step 3 - You fax or email us the signed agreement along with the following information. Photocopy of ID and credit card (both sides).

Step 4 - We will send you by email a payment confirmation..UP

Are your guides trained?
They are fully bilingual (Spanish/English). Maya Temple Tours also works with a few translators in German, Italian and French. Our guides and group leaders are professional and fully trained. Safety of our guests is our number one priority. The guides are always prepared for emergencies, unexpected problems or delays. UP

Do you have a refund policy?
If you cancel your tour within 1-2 weeks prior to your departure, your initial deposit will be refunded less an administration fee. The fee deducted can range between $25 - $150 depending on the tour package requested and group size. UP

What do I do in case of an emergency?
It is very important to provide Maya Temple Tours with emergency contact phone numbers once you have confirmed your reservation. Please provide us with any health conditions, so that our guide(s) can be prepared if any emergencies should arise. Our staff is always on call 24 hours a day. UP

What do I need to bring?
If traveling on any of our tour packages, we recommend to bring: hat, insect repellent, sunscreen,
camera, photocopy of all ID, rain jacket, day pack with emergency toiletry items, comfortable walking shoes, as well as extra bottled water. UP

Do you have customized tours?
Yes, Maya Temple Tours specializes in customized tours. We can give recommendations and help co-ordinate a customized package that can suit all your travel needs and budget. Please contact a local sales representative by email or phone for more information. UP