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You
have chosen a destination which offers a friendly welcome, Mayan ruins,
beautiful beaches and spectacular coral reefs. To help you in planning
for your trip, we offer the following information.
Climate
And Seasons
The
climate is warm year round with highs averaging from 86 in April to 77
in December and January and lows averaging from 65 in June to 57 in January
and February. Rainfall can be extreme at times with May, June, September
and October being the rainiest months. The driest season is November thru
March.
Clothing
Casual
clothes - slacks, jeans, shorts, bathing suits, etc. - are appropriate
for almost all daytime and evenings activities.
Useful
items to include in packing list:
Lightweight plastic raincoat / umbrella
Small flashlight
Mosquito repellent (Don't leave home without it!)
Snorkeling equipment (Also available for rent)
Beach Towel
Sneakers or hiking boots
Extra pair of sneakers (These may get wet)
Suntan lotion, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
Binoculars, camera and plenty of film
Luggage
It
is handy to take a small bag for overnight excursions to the beach or
to the country. We suggest a fold-up expandable type that can be carried
in your large suitcase. A backpack is a necessity for those who plan to
do a lot of bird watching or hiking through the jungles.
Documents
United
States citizens need only a valid passport for travel to Honduras and
Canadian citizens need a visa as well as a passport. Others should contact
the Honduras Tourist Board for entry requirements.
Language
The
official language is Spanish. English is spoken is most major hotels and
on the Bay Islands.
Currency
And Exchange Rate
The
currency of Honduras is the Lempira, but U.S. dollars, traveler's checks
and major credit cards are accepted as payment in many hotels, restaurants
and shops. The exchange rate varies, so shop around once in Honduras for
the best exchange for your dollar.
Taxes And Tips
As
in most countries, taxes are unavoidable and tips are given on the basis
of the quality of service rendered. The amounts suggested for tips in
this section are a guideline for appropriate tips for average to good
service. Note: It is helpful to carry a small quantity of US $1 bills
for tips and easy change.
Hotels:
Bellboys and maids are generally tipped for their services on the average
of $.50 per bag and $.50 to $1.00 per room per night of accommodation
respectively.
Restaurants:
Gratuities are sometimes added to totals. Otherwise, a 15% tip is customary.
Taxis:
Taxis are not metered, so agree on a price for your particular destination.
"Yellow cabs" which are most often hotel based charge roughly
double the average rate, but fares are generally inexpensive regardless.
It is common practice in some cities to pick up other passengers in route
to your destination, so try not to be dismayed if this occurs.
Tour
guides and drivers: On group tours, the average tip for a tour guide
is $3.00 to $4.00 per person for full day tours and $2.00 per person for
half day tours or 10% of tour cost. The drivers tip is usually half of
what is given to the guide. For private car tours, guides generally receive
at least $10.00 per full day tour and $5.00 per half day.
Airports:
On international departures there is an exit tax of about $20
Valuables
We
suggest that while touring or shopping you leave your passport and the
bulk of your money in the hotel safe; only take with you the money you
intend to spend or exchange at that particular time. It is also helpful
to take a copy of the picture page of your passport to carry in your wallet
because it is sometimes needed to exchange traveler's checks. This copy
can also be useful in the event your passport is lost or stolen.
Health
No inoculations are required for travel to Honduras, but anti-malaria
tablets are recommended for extended stays in the jungle. Officially,
the U.S. embassy says the water is not safe to drink from the tap and
bottled beverages and soda water are advised. We have not experienced
any problems from using tap water for personal hygiene such as brushing
the teeth, but suggest following the embassy guidelines in most cases.
Electric Current
The
electric current is the same as in the United Sates, 110 volts AC.
Time
Differences
The
hour in Honduras is the same as Central Standard Time in the United States.
Daylight savings time is not observed.
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