Honduras Travel Guide - Getting Around

The three local airlines, Isleña Airlines (website: www.flyislena.com), Sosa Airlines (website: www.laceibaonline.net/aerososa/sosaingl) and Rollins Air, operate daily services which link Tegucigalpa and other principal towns. Sosa Airlines runs services to Utila, the cheapest Bay Island (off the Caribbean coast). Over 30 small airfields handle light aircraft and commercial aviation. Air travel is especially more convenient for business visitors.

There is an airport tax on internal journeys of US$1.30.

Ferries operate between ports on the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. For details, contact local port authorities. There are sailings from La Ceiba and Puerto Cortés to the Bay Islands several times a week; schedules regularly change. Arrangements must be made with local boat owners.

There are only three railways and they are isolated, generally unreliable and limited. Visitors can, however, take a trip from San Pedro Sula on a banana train, and, with some forward planning, to Cuero y Salado National Park on a coconut train.

Traffic drives on the right. An all-weather road exists from Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortés, La Ceiba and towns along the Caribbean coast, as well as to the towns around the Gulf of Fonseca in the south. Otherwise road conditions are poor. During the rainy season even major highways may be closed due to rockslides and flooding. Travellers are advised not to drive at night as many vehicles drive without lights on and animals wander onto the road. Some minor roads are still being repaired after Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

Bus: Local lines run regular services to most large towns, but the services are well used and booking in advance is essential. On the whole the services are very cheap.

Taxi: Not metered, and run on a flat rate within cities. For other journeys, fares should be agreed before commencing journey.

Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport.

Regulations: All drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt. The phone number of the Transit Police is 222.

Documentation: Both international and foreign driving licences are accepted for up to 90 days.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Tegucigalpa to other major cities/towns in Honduras.

	Air	Road
Comayagua	-	1.00
Bay Islands	0.40	7.00*
Sta Rosa de Copán	6.00	-
Puerto Cortés	-	4.00

* Includes sea crossing of 2 hours.