Natural beauty, Mayan ruins, Caribbean beaches and a leisurely pace make Honduras attractive to travelers. High-end lodging options are increasing in cities, the Bay Islands and in and around the extensive rain forests and cloud forests of the mainland. Some damage wrought by Hurricane Mitch in November, 1998 is still un-repaired, but reconstruction and new construction have Honduras well on the path to full recovery from that disaster.
The population of Honduras is 90 percent mestizo (mixed Indian and European) and 10 percent Indian. The Miskito Indians on the Caribbean coast live in isolation, following many of their ancient traditions. The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken.
The coastal regions, both Caribbean and Pacific, are hot year-round. The mountains that cover three-quarters of the country feature cooler weather. They can, however, be rainy, especially during the wet season (August-November). Tegucigalpa, the capital city, is at 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) altitude; the climate is cool and pleasant. It can rain any time of year on the Caribbean coast.
The best way to reach Honduras is by air from the U.S., though border road crossings with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua are open daily 0700-1700. There are international airports in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and on Roatan. Within the country, air and bus services are commonly used; drive on the right. Trains are slow, crude and inexpensive, and may not even operate at times. The communications infrastructure is adequate, with reliable phone service in developed areas. Internet service is widely available in cities and on the islands of Roatan and Utila.
The government of Honduras is a constitutional democracy, with a strong president and a national assembly, which elects the justices of the Supreme Court.
The major industry in Honduras is agriculture. With decreasing U.S. aid since the end of the Contra war, the economy has shrunk and poverty has increased. The floods of Mitch added to the problem.
Honduras is a very inexpensive destination.
Poverty in some areas contributes to an increasing - but geographically isolated - crime problem, which now includes some instances of kidnapping. The government has declared a "war on crime" in several cities and has put increased police forces and army units on the streets to increase security for citizens and expatriates.
The iJET® Intelligence Center
Intelligence Officers at iJET are currently monitoring local conditions in Honduras to provide a level of information that surpasses any available from other public sources, including the U.S. State Department. Free from political constraints or concerns, our data provides vital, unfiltered information created specifically for travelers.
Travelers to Honduras or those considering travel to Honduras are strongly advised to purchase an Intelligence Brief early in the travel planning process for the most timely and concise information available on the country.
For only $7.50 you will receive the most complete intelligence available to the general public. Each Intelligence Brief contains data on 12 areas of concern for travelers (including Local weather, Security and Health advisories, Local Travel Alerts, Entry/exit requirements, Cultural and Business information, Transportation updates, Communications/Technology, the Legal and Financial situation, Environmental concerns and Language) plus you will receive an overview map and real-time updates from the world's leading private intelligence gathering organization.
To purchase and immediately download the latest Intelligence Brief for the country Click Here