Honduras
Honduras lies in the middle of Central America, between Guatemala and El Salvador to the west and Nicaragua to the south-east, with a long Caribbean coast to the north and a short Pacific shore on the Gulf of Fonseca. Most of the country is mountains and highland valleys, and the capital, Tegucigalpa, fills one of those valleys in the interior; the Bay Islands lie offshore in the Caribbean. Spanish is the official language, while many Bay Islanders speak English as their first language and the Garifuna of the Caribbean coast speak their own.
Visa Requirements for Honduras
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, among others, enter Honduras without a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, counted together across Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, the four countries of the CA-4 agreement. Before entering the country and again before leaving it, travellers file the Honduras Traveler Declaration online. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the day of arrival. British visitors are given a 30-day stamp on arrival rather than 90 days. Holders of other passports, Indian and Nigerian ones among them, apply for a visa at a Honduran embassy or consulate before travelling.
Before you travel
The Honduras Traveler Declaration
Travellers file the Honduras Traveler Declaration, an online form, before entering Honduras and again before leaving the country.
Passport valid for six months
The passport must be valid for at least six months after the day of arrival in Honduras and have at least two blank pages.
One 90-day count, four countries
Under the CA-4 agreement, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua count a visitor's 90 days together. The period starts on entering any of the four countries and does not start again at a border between them.
British visitors: 30 days on arrival
British passport holders need a visa, which is given on arrival as a 30-day entry stamp, not 90 days. A longer stay is applied for at an immigration office.
Onward ticket for US citizens
Citizens of the United States need no visa for a stay of 90 days or less, but a return or onward ticket is required.
Where a visa is applied for
Travellers who are not visa-exempt, holders of Indian and Nigerian passports among them, apply at a Honduran embassy or consulate before travelling.
Travellers aged 20 and under
A traveller aged 20 or under who travels alone or with only one parent carries a notarised letter in Spanish from the parent or parents not travelling.
Extending the stay
An extension is applied for at an office of the Instituto Nacional de Migración before the time granted runs out. The stay in the CA-4 region can be extended to 120 days.
Overstays fined on departure
A stay beyond the time granted is fined when the traveller leaves the country.
Visa types
Visa-Free Entry (90 Days)
For tourism, business or visits to friends and family by citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other visa-exempt countries. US citizens hold a return or onward ticket.
Consular Visa
For nationals who are not visa-exempt, Indian and Nigerian citizens among them. The visa is applied for in advance at a Honduran embassy or consulate.
Extension of Stay
For visitors who want to stay longer than the time granted on entry. The application is made at an office of the Instituto Nacional de Migración before that time runs out.
Guides
Honduras is travelled in two halves: the mainland by road and, a ferry ride or a short flight off the north coast, the Bay Islands on the reef, which most visitors come for. A two-week route lands at San Pedro Sula, starts at Copán in the far west and works east to the Caribbean coast, then crosses from La Ceiba to the islands and flies home from Roatán without doubling back. Every road journey is planned to end before dark, and how and when to move around matters on the islands as well as on the mainland.
Honduras travel guide →
The full guide: the Bay Islands, the Maya ruins of Copán, the Garifuna coast of Tela and La Ceiba, Pico Bonito, Lake Yojoa and La Mosquitia, and two weeks from the mainland to the islands.
Money in Honduras →
US dollars as the currency to bring, cash machines in the cities, on Roatán and in Copán Ruinas, and lempiras in small notes for everyday spending.
Eating in Honduras →
Baleadas, the plato típico and the midday comedor, conch soup and tamales, the Garifuna kitchen of the coast, coffee and guaro.
Getting around Honduras →
The airports of San Pedro Sula, Roatán and the capital, coaches and shuttles between the tourist places, the ferries from La Ceiba, and small planes.
Health & safety in Honduras →
Taxis instead of walking in the towns, cash drawn by day, roads and buses, mosquitoes and medical care, hurricanes and earthquakes.
Cities & planning
Regions
Embassies & missions
Accredited missions for Honduras
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Honduras?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, among others, need no visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, counted together across Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. British visitors are given a 30-day stamp on arrival rather than 90 days. Holders of other passports, Indian and Nigerian ones among them, apply for a visa at a Honduran embassy or consulate before travelling. Every traveller also files the Honduras Traveler Declaration online, before entering the country and again before leaving it.
Do US citizens need a visa for Honduras?
Not for a stay of 90 days or less, but a return or onward ticket is required. The 90 days are counted together across Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, and the Honduras Traveler Declaration is filed online before entering the country and again before leaving it.
How long can UK citizens stay in Honduras?
British passport holders need a visa, which is given on arrival as a 30-day entry stamp, not 90 days. A longer stay is applied for at an immigration office before the time granted runs out.
Do Indian or Nigerian citizens need a visa for Honduras?
Yes. Holders of Indian and Nigerian passports apply for a visa at a Honduran embassy or consulate before travelling, and file the Honduras Traveler Declaration like every other visitor.
What is the Honduras Traveler Declaration?
An online form that travellers file before entering Honduras and again before leaving the country — one form, filed twice. Travellers who need no visa file it too, which makes it the one entry document nearly every visitor completes in advance.
How does the CA-4 agreement affect my 90 days in Honduras?
Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua count a visitor's 90 days together. The period starts on entering the first of the four countries and does not start again at a border between them, so two weeks in Guatemala before crossing to Copán leave 76 days for the rest of the four.
How long must my passport be valid for Honduras?
At least six months after the day of arrival in Honduras, and it must have at least two blank pages.
Can I extend my stay in Honduras?
Yes. An extension is applied for at an office of the Instituto Nacional de Migración before the time granted on arrival runs out, and the stay in the CA-4 region can be extended to 120 days. A stay beyond the time granted is fined when the traveller leaves the country.
Do travellers aged 20 and under need extra documents for Honduras?
Yes, if they travel alone or with only one parent: they carry a notarised letter in Spanish from the parent or parents who are not travelling.
Planning a trip to Honduras? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.
Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.