💰 Quick Context: The Honduran Lempira
Honduras uses the Honduran Lempira (HNL / L), named after a famous indigenous leader. At roughly 25 HNL to $1 USD, Honduras is very affordable. Quick math: divide by 25 (or multiply by 4 and move the decimal two places left). A coffee costs L20–50, a restaurant meal L100–350, and a hotel night L500–3,000. The Bay Islands (Roatán, Utila) widely accept US dollars, but on the mainland you will need lempiras for most transactions.
🎧 Order Honduran Lempira Before You Fly
Have cash in hand when you land. Insured delivery, 2–5 day shipping.
Order HNL → CEI Currency ExchangeCash vs. Card: What to Expect in Honduras
Honduras is heavily cash-dependent on the mainland. The Bay Islands are more tourist-oriented and accept cards at many businesses, but cash is still essential across most of the country.
Cards work on Roatán at dive shops, West End and West Bay resorts and restaurants. Tegucigalpa's CityMall and San Pedro Sula's Multiplaza also accept cards reliably. Cash is needed for local buses, taxis, markets, baleada stands, small restaurants, and most shops outside major cities.
USD is a de facto second currency on the Bay Islands. Roatán and Utila dive shops, hotels, and restaurants often price in dollars. You will still get better value paying in lempiras at local businesses. Budget L500–1,000 (~$20–40) per day on the mainland. On the Bay Islands, cards and USD work at tourist businesses, but keep lempiras for taxis and small purchases.
How to Get Lempiras for Your Honduras Trip
Honduras runs a clear two-tier payment system. The mainland (Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Copan Ruinas) is heavily cash-driven: local buses, taxis, baleada stands, mercados, and most small businesses want lempiras only. CityMall in Tegucigalpa and Multiplaza in San Pedro Sula take cards. Then there's the Bay Islands (Roatán, Utila, Guanaja), which run a parallel USD-friendly tourist economy where dive shops, West End and West Bay restaurants and resorts, and tourist-area hotels happily price in and accept USD. Cards work on Roatán's tourist strips and at dive operators. Most travelers handle Honduras by carrying a mix of USD for the Bay Islands and lempiras for the mainland.
Bring USD or order lempiras before you fly
For pre-arrival HNL, two paths. A currency-exchange service like CEI Currency Exchange may stock Honduran lempiras on request, with insured 2–5 day delivery. Most US home banks (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi) generally do not stock HNL. Backup that works particularly well in Honduras: pack USD $300–500 in clean post-2009 bills. Bay Islands businesses (dive shops, restaurants, hotels) take USD directly and often quote in dollars; mainland mercados and small businesses take USD too, though at less-favorable informal rates. Honduras does not have a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The cleanest setup for most Honduras trips: pack USD $300–500 in clean small bills for Bay Islands tourist spending and exchange backup, use a Wise card at Roatán dive shops and restaurants that take cards, and pull lempiras from BAC Credomatic or Banco Atlántida ATMs for mainland cash.
Withdraw from a Honduran bank ATM
On the ground, the cheapest source of lempiras is a major Honduran bank ATM. Banco Atlántida, Banco Ficohsa, BAC Credomatic, Banco de Occidente, and Banpaís all give the actual interbank rate with no markup. Most do charge a per-transaction operator fee for foreign cards (typically L60–90, posted on the screen before you confirm). Withdrawal limits run roughly L4,000–6,000 per transaction. ATMs cluster in Tegucigalpa (CityMall, Boulevard Morazan), San Pedro Sula (Multiplaza, Mall Multiplaza), La Ceiba, and on Roatán in Coxen Hole and West End. Two procedural rules: stick to ATMs inside bank branches or in well-lit shopping malls in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, where security risk is documented. And decline DCC every time the screen offers "charge in USD". Some Bay Islands ATMs let you choose between HNL and USD at the screen; take HNL for mainland-focused trips, USD if you're staying on Roatán. See the Best ATMs section below for the bank-by-bank lineup. Want to know what a BAC Credomatic withdrawal will actually cost on your card after fees? Drop it into our ATM fee calculator.
Airport counters & resort exchange windows
Three traps to walk past in Honduras. The currency-exchange counters in arrivals at TGU (Toncontín), SAP (San Pedro Sula), and RTB (Roatán) advertise rates that look reasonable but routinely run 5–10% off the interbank rate, plus per-transaction fees. The exchange windows inside Roatán's West Bay and West End resort lobbies bake the markup straight into the rate, often 8–12% off the bank rate. And the standalone independent ATMs at smaller hotel arcades along the Bay Islands tourist strips layer DCC pitches and operator fees on top. Stick to bank-branded ATMs at Banco Atlántida, Banco Ficohsa, BAC Credomatic, or Banco de Occidente; decline DCC; pay USD on the Bay Islands but lempiras on the mainland. Honduras does not yet have a city-specific guide on this site, but the Best ATMs section below covers the bank lineup.
For a side-by-side comparison of every method (bank wire, travel card, pre-order, ATM, exchange counter) including USD-to-HNL timing tips, see our complete Getting Currency guide →.
Best ATMs to Use in Honduras
Honduras has several major banks with ATM networks in cities and tourist areas. ATMs dispense lempiras (and occasionally USD on the Bay Islands). Always choose HNL when prompted at the ATM.
Banco Atlántida
Honduras's largest and oldest bank with the most extensive ATM network. You will find Banco Atlántida ATMs in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Roatán, and most towns across the country. Reliable machines with good withdrawal limits.
Recommended
BAC Honduras
Part of the BAC Credomatic network across Central America. BAC ATMs are found in major cities, shopping centres, and on Roatán. Modern machines that reliably accept international Visa and Mastercard.
Recommended
Ficohsa
One of Honduras's fastest-growing banks with strong coverage in cities and tourist areas. Ficohsa ATMs are common in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba. Good option when other bank ATMs are busy or out of service.
Recommended
Banco de Occidente
Good coverage in western Honduras, particularly around Copán Ruinas and Santa Rosa de Copán. A solid backup option in areas where Banco Atlántida or BAC may have fewer machines.
Recommended⚠ Watch Out for Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
DCC is uncommon in Honduras, but if an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in USD instead of HNL, always decline. Choosing USD means accepting a 3–8% markup hidden in their exchange rate. Always select "HNL" or "local currency" at every prompt. This is especially important on Roatán, where tourist-facing terminals are more likely to offer DCC.
ATMs to Avoid in Honduras
Stick to the major Honduran bank ATMs listed above. Standalone machines near the Roatán cruise port and La Ceiba ferry terminal may charge extra fees or offer unfavorable rates.
Standalone ATMs
Unbranded machines in tourist shops, ferry terminals, and convenience stores. These may charge higher fees and offer less favorable exchange rates. Walk to a nearby Banco Atlántida, BAC, or Ficohsa ATM instead.
AvoidPaying by Card in Honduras
Card Networks
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, dive shops on Roatán's West End, and restaurants in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula malls. Coverage drops sharply in smaller towns and on the mainland coast. American Express has very limited acceptance. Discover is not recommended for Honduras.
Contactless & Mobile Payments
Contactless payments are rare in Honduras. Most terminals require chip-and-PIN. Apple Pay and Google Pay have very limited acceptance. Always carry lempiras on the mainland. Even where cards are accepted, cash transactions are often smoother and preferred by vendors.
Where Cards Will Not Work
Local buses (chicken buses and rapiditos) are cash-only across the mainland. Taxis accept only cash; negotiate the fare before getting in. Markets in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and smaller towns are entirely cash-based. Utila ferry: the Galaxy Wave from La Ceiba accepts cash at the counter (some allow online pre-booking). Copán Ruinas: most restaurants and shops near the Mayan ruins are cash-only. Street food (baleadas, pupusas) is cash-only everywhere.
Tipping in Honduras
Tipping Guide
At restaurants, 10% is standard. Some include a service charge, so check the bill. At cafés, no tip expected; leaving small change is appreciated. Dive instructors on Roatán and Utila: $5–10 per dive or 10–15% of the package. Tour guides at Copán ruins: L100–200 per day. Hotel porters: L20–50. Taxis: tipping not expected, but rounding up is appreciated.
Roatán, Utila & Copán: Practical Money Tips
Things to Know
Roatán is the most card-friendly area. West End, West Bay, and the cruise port have wide card acceptance. Dive shops, restaurants, and hotels take Visa and Mastercard. USD is widely accepted, and many businesses price in dollars. Change often comes back in lempiras.
Utila is more cash-oriented. Dive shops accept cards, but many restaurants and hostels prefer cash. Withdraw enough before taking the Galaxy Wave ferry from La Ceiba. Copán Ruinas is mostly cash: the town has limited ATMs that can run out. Withdraw in San Pedro Sula before heading there.
La Ceiba has good ATM coverage as the gateway to the Bay Islands. Stock up here before heading to Utila. Airport ATMs: SAP (San Pedro Sula), TGU (Tegucigalpa), and RTB (Roatán) all have bank ATMs, though Roatán's may not always be stocked. Carry L100 and L200 notes since vendors and taxi drivers cannot break L500s.
Money Safety in Honduras
Staying Safe
Use ATMs inside Banco Atlántida, BAC, or Ficohsa branches during business hours. In Tegucigalpa, use ATMs at CityMall or Multiplaza. In San Pedro Sula, use Multiplaza or CityMall locations. Avoid standalone ATMs on the street at night.
The Bay Islands are generally safer than the mainland cities. Roatán and Utila are tourist-friendly, but exercise normal precautions. Keep cash in multiple places: wallet, money belt, and your accommodation's safe. Honduras is uncommon enough that some card issuers flag transactions. Mention "Honduras" specifically when calling your bank.
Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees
The Wise card converts your money at the real mid-market exchange rate. No markups, no surprises. Spend Honduran lempiras like a local.
Get the Wise Card →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use USD on Roatán?
Yes. Roatán and Utila widely accept US dollars at dive shops, hotels, and restaurants. Many businesses price in USD. You will still get better value paying in lempiras at local businesses, and change often comes back in lempiras.
Are there ATMs in Copán Ruinas?
The town has a couple of ATMs (Banco Atlántida, Banco de Occidente) but they can run out of cash or go offline. Withdraw lempiras in San Pedro Sula before heading to Copán.
Is Honduras cash-only?
The mainland is heavily cash-dependent. Taxis, buses, markets, street food, and most small restaurants accept only cash. Roatán is more card-friendly at dive shops and tourist restaurants.
How much should I tip dive instructors?
$5–10 USD per dive or 10–15% of the dive package is customary on Roatán and Utila. Tips in USD are preferred by dive staff.
Is Honduras safe for tourists?
Roatán, Utila, and Copán Ruinas are generally safe tourist areas. Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula require more caution. Use ATMs inside malls, avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas, and use hotel safes.
Do I need cash for the Utila ferry?
Galaxy Wave (La Ceiba to Utila/Roatán) accepts cards for ticket purchases at the main office, but some ticket windows prefer cash. Bring cash as backup.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-FX-fee card | Best (no fees, mid-market rate) | ★★★☆☆ | Roatán dive shops, resorts, city hotels |
| Honduran bank ATMs | Low (fair rate, possible home bank fee) | ★★★★★ | Cash for mainland, Copán, markets, taxis |
| Standalone ATMs | High (extra fees, poor rates) | ★★★☆☆ | Never recommended |
| Airport exchange counters | High (5–12% markup) | ★★☆☆☆ | Absolute emergency only |
Honduras Quick Facts
| Currency | Honduran Lempira (HNL / L). ~25 per $1 USD |
| Cash vs. Card | Heavily cash-dependent on the mainland. Cards work on Roatán and in city malls |
| Best ATMs | Banco Atlántida, BAC Honduras, Ficohsa, Banco de Occidente |
| Contactless | Rare. Expect to insert card and enter PIN |
| Card Acceptance | Good on Roatán. Limited elsewhere. Cash needed for most daily spending on the mainland |
| Tipping | 10% at restaurants (sometimes included). $5–10 per dive for instructors |
| DCC Risk | Low, but watch for it on Roatán. Always choose HNL if prompted |
| Best Strategy | Carry plenty of cash on the mainland. Use cards on Roatán. Withdraw before heading to Copán or rural areas |