Cost To Travel Honduras: Daily Budget & Prices (2026)

Keen to visit Honduras but not sure how much to save? I’ll help you work out your Honduras trip cost, from accommodation and food to transport, island stays, and scuba diving.

I usually work out a rough daily budget before a trip, and Honduras was no different.

Though that plan went straight out the window when we ended up staying around three weeks, including nearly two weeks in Roatan. We also decided to learn to scuba dive, which took a pretty damn decent chunk out of the budget!

Honestly, your cost to travel Honduras will depend a lot on where you go. I found the mainland surprisingly affordable, and Copan Ruinas was actually one of the cheapest places I visited in Central America.

Roatan was a different story, especially once we started adding in diving and more meals out.

For me, traveling on a budget still means having a decent place to sleep and eating at restaurants. I’ll book accommodation on the cheaper side, but usually not the absolute cheapest. I was also traveling with a friend, so splitting the cost of a private room definitely helped.

Here I’ll share the main costs of backpacking Honduras, what pushed our spending up, and where you can save a bit of money along the way.

Honduras Travel Budget: How Much Does It Really Cost To Travel Honduras

a great activity in honduras is white water rafting in la ceiba, it was surprisingly affordable as well at $20.00 per person

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Honduras: GuateGo

How Much Will Your Honduras Trip Cost?

I’d budget around US$40–50 per person per day as a starting point, though I’d allow more if you’re spending most of your time in Roatan. This is for budget accommodation, affordable meals, and everyday spending, with bigger activities budgeted for separately.

The mainland is where you can keep things pretty cheap, especially if you’re sharing a private room or staying in dorms and eating locally. Once you head over to Roatan, I’d give yourself a bit more room in the budget.

Where You’re Traveling	Rough Daily Budget Per Person
Mainland Honduras	US$30–45
A mix of the mainland and Roatan	US$40–50
Mostly Roatan	US$50–70

For a two-week Honduras trip, US$40–50 per day works out at US$560–700 per person.

Check out the current USD to Honduran lempira exchange rate.

If you’re thinking about learning to scuba dive, definitely set money aside for that separately. We ended up doing our Open Water course in Roatan and quite a few fun dives afterward, which quickly added up. It’s much easier to plan for those costs upfront than try to squeeze them into your daily budget!

Accommodation Costs In Honduras

Honestly, I found accommodation in Honduras pretty affordable, especially compared to somewhere like Belize. The mainland was definitely where we found the best prices.

Personally, I like using Booking.com, especially when I can book a rate with free cancellation. Having that flexibility is really handy when your plans change, just like ours did when a few nights in Roatan turned into much longer!

In parts of Mexico and Central America, I’d found myself booking a couple of weeks ahead to make sure we had a decent place to stay.

Though in Honduras, I had no trouble booking last minute during our trip. It felt a lot quieter, and we were able to keep our plans pretty flexible.

Cost of Hostels In Honduras

There aren’t heaps of hostels in Honduras, though you’ll find options in the main backpacker stops like Copan Ruinas, La Ceiba, Roatan, and Utila.

For a rough budget, I’d allow US$12–25 per night for a dorm bed, depending on where you’re staying.

If you’re traveling with someone, definitely compare the cost of a private room with two dorm beds.

Here are a few examples from places I stayed:

Iguana Azul Hostel, Copan Ruinas: We shared a basic private room with a fan and shared bathroom, which worked out at just US$8.48 each per night during our visit. There’s also free drinking water, which saves buying bottles every day.
Jungle River Lodge, La Ceiba: This was one of my favorite stays in Honduras. Split between two people, that private room worked out at around US$17.50 each per night.
Roatan Backpackers Hostel, Roatan: Dorm beds are around US$18. The kitchen, nearby grocery store, and pool were handy, but honestly, the Sandy Bay location was a bit of a miss for us.

One thing I noticed was that the hostels felt pretty quiet during our trip. We still met other travelers, but I wouldn’t automatically choose a dorm expecting the same busy social scene you might find in Guatemala.

our hostel in la ceiba in the middle of the jungle, we ended up booking a private room for $35 per night

Cost of Guesthouses In Honduras

Guesthouses are worth checking if you want your own room and there aren’t many hostel options around. Personally, I think they can be great value when you’re traveling with someone and splitting the cost.

For a basic guesthouse on the mainland, I’d allow around US$30–50 per room per night as a rough planning budget. Between two people, that’s US$15–25 each, though more comfortable B&Bs and island stays can cost quite a bit more.

Just check what’s included before booking. Having a private room doesn’t always mean a private bathroom, and some cheaper rooms only have a fan.

Cost of Hotels In Honduras

I didn’t stay in any hotels on the mainland, though when we extended our time in Roatan, we tried a couple of affordable options. These were pretty simple places, but having our own room without spending heaps was the main thing.

During our trip, we found US$50–80 per room per night a reasonable budget. Split between two people, that worked out at US$25–40 each, though what you got for the money varied quite a bit.

The biggest thing I’d check is whether your room has air conditioning. Some cheaper rooms only have a fan, and honestly, the heat can be pretty full-on.

We eventually paid a little more for air conditioning and a more comfortable room, which was definitely worth it!

our little cabin we stayed at in roatan, for a touristy island this is one of the cheapest options we could find

Food Prices in Honduras

I found food in Honduras pretty affordable, even though we ate at plenty of cafes and restaurants. During my trip, I usually spent US$7–10 for a meal and a drink, with cheaper options again if you were eating locally.

Baleadas were a personal favorite, especially for breakfast. They’re filling, cheap, and easy enough to find, which is pretty much everything I want when trying to keep my food budget down!

Some of the hostels we stayed at also had communal kitchens. If you’re happy cooking a few meals, that’s another easy way to save, especially when you’re staying somewhere for several nights.

We didn’t stay anywhere with free breakfast during our trip, so that was another meal to budget for each day. I’d also allow a bit more for food if you’re planning on eating at international restaurants in Roatan regularly.

Street Food in Honduras

For a simple street-food meal, I’d allow around US$2–4 as a rough budget, depending on what you order and how much you need to fill you up.

Baleadas were a personal favorite of mine. They’re flour tortillas filled with refried beans, cheese, and Honduran cream, with a simple one costing roughly US$0.75–1.85. Extras like egg or avocado will usually cost a bit more.

Small local restaurants, known as comedores, are also worth checking for cheap, filling meals with things like rice, beans, tortillas, and plantains.

a cheap option for food is baleadas, they will help keep your cost to travel honduras budget low

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Honduras: GuateGo

Restaurants in Honduras

For a rough restaurant budget, I’d allow US$10–20 per person for a casual meal, and US$20–30 or more for a main at a nicer restaurant in Roatan. Drinks will add to that, and some menus exclude tax and tips, so check what’s included before ordering.

Personally, I found the best choice of restaurants in Roatan. There was plenty of Thai, Italian, American, and local food, so it was easy enough to find somewhere for whatever I was craving.

As a vegetarian, I also found eating out pretty straightforward, especially on the island. I had plenty of options and splurged on a couple of fancier meals during our stay. Though if you’re eating at international restaurants every night, you’ll definitely want to allow more in your food budget!

splashing out on some delicious texan treats, not good for our honduras travel budget

Transportation Costs in Honduras

Personally, I found transport in Honduras fairly expensive compared with some of the other countries I visited in Central America. Though a lot of that came down to choosing tourist shuttles, which were the easiest option.

You can save quite a bit by taking public buses, but you may need to change buses a couple of times. I was happy to pay a little more for the convenience of a shuttle on those longer journeys.

I’d set aside money for your main transport when working out your Honduras trip cost. That includes getting between towns, a ferry or flight if you’re visiting the Bay Islands.

Buses In Honduras

Taking buses is one of the easiest ways to keep your transport budget down in Honduras. Local buses are the cheapest option, though they can get pretty packed and make plenty of stops along the way.

For longer journeys, you can also find intercity buses connecting places like Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba. Transportes Cristina is one company to check for these routes.

As a rough budget, I’d set aside US$10–20 per person for a mainland intercity bus journey. Short local trips can cost less, though you’ll need to add the fares together if you need to take multiple buses.

Personally, I’d aim to leave in the morning when making a longer journey with multiple connections. Check the last departure for each leg beforehand, especially if you’re trying to catch a ferry in La Ceiba.

taking a first class bus in honduras, bring warm clothes as they can have the air conditioning blasting

Shuttle Buses In Honduras

Personally, I found tourist shuttles the easiest option for getting between towns in Honduras. They cost more than public buses, but I was happy to pay extra to avoid changing buses and figuring out connections.

Though I wouldn’t leave checking availability until last minute. When I traveled from Copan Ruinas to La Ceiba, the shuttle wasn’t running daily, and we ended up staying an extra night because our plans didn’t match the schedule. That’s another night of accommodation and meals to add to your budget!

For the journey from Copan Ruinas to La Ceiba, I’d budget around US$70 per person one way so it’s not cheap.

A shuttle to La Ceiba won’t necessarily cover getting out to your accommodation in Pico Bonito if you’re staying out that way, so remember to budget for that transfer as well.

Flying in Honduras

Flying can be worth the extra money if you’re heading to the Bay Islands, especially if you get seasick like me. I took the ferry to Roatan, though after that crossing, I decided I’d be flying off the island.

Honestly, once was plenty!

For flights between La Ceiba and Roatan, I’d allow US$70–110 per person one way as a rough budget. You may find cheaper tickets, but I’d leave a little wiggle room.

The direct flight is super speedy at 20 minutes, though you’ll still need to allow time for checking in and getting to the airport.

incredible views flying out and over roatan

an empty flight leaving roatan, as honduras isn't a super touristy place you can often find transport near empty — an empty flight leaving roatan, as honduras isn’t a super touristy place you can often find transport near empty

Ferries In Honduras

If you’re heading out to the Bay Islands, taking the ferry will be cheaper than flying. You can travel from La Ceiba to Roatan with Galaxy Wave, while Dream Ferries also connects La Ceiba, Roatan, and Utila.

For La Ceiba to Roatan, a regular Galaxy Wave ticket currently costs US$31 per person one way, or US$35 for first class. Though if you know you’ll be taking the ferry back as well, their US$51 regular return ticket works out cheaper than buying two separate journeys.

Personally, we bought our regular tickets at the terminal on the day, and it was easy enough. Though we nearly missed paying the separate port tax and ended up walking back and forth to get everything sorted.

You’ll also need to get between the ferry terminal and your accommodation, so leave a little extra in your transport budget for taxis.

Activities And Diving Costs In Honduras

Activities can take a pretty decent chunk out of your Honduras trip cost, especially if you’re planning on diving.

I hadn’t planned on getting certified when we arrived in Roatan, though I ended up blowing my budget on an Open Water course and a few extra fun dives afterward! I will say, though, spending some cheap days at the beaches around Roatan helped balance things out a bit.

Activity Costs In Honduras

Here are a few prices to help work out what you’ll need to put aside:

Copan Mayan Ruins: Entry costs US$20 per person for international visitors from outside Central America. The Sculpture Museum is another US$10 if you want to visit that as well. I explored the Copan ruins without a guide, which helped keep the cost down.
White water rafting near La Ceiba: Omega Tours charges US$60 per person for its half-day lower river trip, including equipment and tax. I booked mine a lot cheaper through Jungle River Lodge. You can read more in my La Ceiba rafting guide.
Boat snorkeling trips in Roatan: I’d budget around US$70 per person for an organized boat tour. I paid US$25 for a local trip when I visited, though it was definitely a letdown. You can read about my experience snorkeling the Blue Channel.

Diving Costs In Honduras

Now, learning to dive in Roatan was one of the highlights of my trip. Though it definitely wasn’t something I could squeeze into my normal daily budget!

At Sun Divers, where I learned, the Open Water course costs US$480, including eLearning, equipment, instruction, and certification. I’d definitely put that money aside separately from accommodation, food, and transport.

If you’re already certified, their fun dives cost US$53 per tank for one to four dives, without equipment rental. Definitely leave room for extra dives if you think you’ll want to keep going like we did!

There’s heaps more to do on the island than just diving, so have a look at my guide to things to do in Roatan to work out what else you’d like to budget for.

My Honduras Travel Budget

So, I originally budgeted US$440 for around nine days in Honduras, which worked out at about US$48.90 per day. Though, if I’m to be completely honest, this budget and my plans went straight out the window as soon as I arrived in the country.

After traveling through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, I’d found a nice little rhythm sticking to my plans. Then I arrived in Copan Ruinas from Antigua and realized the tourist shuttles weren’t running every day. Basically, this meant having to rework my entire itinerary and extend my stay.

Though that wasn’t the only reason the trip got longer. A few nights in Roatan turned into nearly two weeks, and we ended up spending around three weeks in Honduras altogether.

A lot of our time on the island revolved around the ocean. We decided to get our PADI Open Water certification and then kept going back for fun dives afterward. Yup, that took a pretty damn decent chunk out of the budget.

Honestly, once our plans changed, I stopped tracking everything. I was having way too much fun and didn’t really want to see the total, so I can’t give you an accurate final Honduras trip cost.

What I can say is that staying around three weeks instead of nine days, getting PADI certified, and doing extra fun dives meant spending quite a bit more overall than I’d originally planned. I don’t regret it, though I’d definitely recommend putting money aside for diving separately from your everyday travel budget!

learning to dive in honduras was certainly the most expensive thing i did

How To Travel Honduras On A Budget

There are a few things I’d keep in mind when trying to bring your Honduras trip cost down:
Spend more time on the mainland: Copan Ruinas was one of the cheapest places I visited in Central America. Staying longer here and spending fewer nights on the islands can make a pretty decent difference to your budget.
Check what’s included in your accommodation: Breakfast and purified drinking water can save you buying these separately. Though compare the total room price, as paying heaps more for a “free” breakfast won’t help much!
Book somewhere with a kitchen: Even making your own breakfast or cooking a couple of dinners will save you eating out for every meal. I found the kitchen at Roatan Backpackers Hostel really handy, especially with a grocery store nearby.
Eat locally: Baleadas were a personal favorite and a cheap, filling option.
Share taxi rides: If other travelers are heading to the same place, ask about splitting a taxi. We shared our ride from the Roatan ferry terminal with another couple, which helped keep the cost down.
Compare buses and shuttles: Public buses can save you money if you’re happy making connections.
Carry smaller notes in lempiras: These are handy for local buses, food stalls, and taxis. Having the right change saves you trying to break a big note first thing in the morning.
Compare dive packages in Utila: Some schools include a basic dorm bed while you’re taking a course or diving with them.

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Honduras: GuateGo

FAQs About Honduras Travel Costs

How Much Does A 2 Week Honduras Trip Cost?

I’d allow around US$560–700 per person for everyday costs or US$40–50 per day for accommodation, food, and local transport. You’ll need extra for international flights and bigger activities like diving. Though if you’re spending most of those two weeks in Roatan, I’d also allow more for accommodation and meals!

Can You Travel Honduras On US$50 A Day?

Yes, US$50 a day is a good budget on mainland Honduras if you choose affordable accommodation, eat locally, and use public buses. Though it’ll be tighter in Roatan, especially if you’re eating out regularly.

How Much Extra Should You Budget For Diving In Honduras?

I’d put aside around US$550 per person for an Open Water course in Roatan. For fun dives afterward, allow roughly US$70 per dive. Definitely keep this separate from your everyday travel budget, and compare packages too, as some include a dorm bed while you’re diving.

Wrap Up: The Cost To Travel Honduras

Honestly, Honduras was pretty affordable until I decided to stay longer and learn to dive! I found the mainland really cheap, especially Copan Ruinas, though nearly two weeks in Roatan definitely took a bigger chunk out of the budget.

Still, I don’t regret extending the trip or getting PADI certified. We had such a good time on the island, and I was clearly in no hurry to leave!

If diving is even a possibility for you, I’d put that money aside before arriving, along with enough for your main transport journeys. Then give yourself a little room to change your plans.

Have a look at my 2 weeks in Honduras itinerary if you’re still working out where to go.

Any Questions? Let me know in the comments!

LIKE IT? PIN IT!

Find out absolutely everything you need to know about backpacking Honduras! I was amazed at how much of an incredible backpacker-friendly country this is, though a lot of people don't put in the effort to explore it. Well, be like the minority as I share with you my best travel tips, money, important information, top places to see, and more in this guide to backpacking Honduras!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and your support is much appreciated.