HONDURAS, “RAIN FOREST & CLOUD FOREST”

 

By Clay Larroy

 

Make the most of your travel experiences. Taking a cruise is a great way to see many different places when you travel. Cruises offer many activities and things to do while on the ship, while offering you the opportunity to explore different locations each time you arrive at a port. Travel is a great opportunity to learn more things. Time spent abroad helps you understand and appreciate diverse cultures. In addition, it encourages an acceptance and tolerance of ways of life that differ from your own. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

Travel to Honduras

 

Climate in Honduras

Honduras's climate is hot and humid almost all year round. The coast is hot and tropical while the mountainous area is slightly cooler. The north coast is prone to a very hot climate and experiences rain throughout the year. The dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The Caribbean coast experiences heavy rain from September to February. Average annual temperatures hover around 90°F (32°C).

Hurricane season runs from June to November and landslides, mudslides and flooding may occur.

Health Notes when travelling to Honduras

Mosquito-borne illnesses are an ongoing health problem in Honduras. All travelers are advised to take mosquito repellent to prevent illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever, as well as to protect from annoying mosquito and sand fly bites. It is strongly recommended that routine vaccinations are up to date. Tap water is not safe to drink but bottles or bags of purified water a readily available. Honduras regularly suffers from severe air pollution, which can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems. For divers, there is a hyperbaric decompression chamber on Roatan. State hospitals are under-funded and travelers should use private hospitals where possible. Health insurance is recommended.

Safety Notes when travelling to Honduras

Political demonstrations in Honduras can sometimes be disruptive to traffic but are generally announced in advance and are peaceful. Travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and should stay informed by following the local news and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides. Incidents of crime, including carjacking along roads in Honduras is common. There have been frequent incidents of highway robbery on a number of roads. Petty crime is common in urban areas and tourist spots. Travelers should always carry a photocopy of their passport for identification purposes. It is not advisable to walk around town after dark.

Customs in Honduras

There is a strong Spanish influence in Honduras. Beachwear and shorts should not be worn away from the beach or poolside. Men are required to wear dinner jackets for formal social occasions. A common and appropriate greeting for men and women is a handshake.

Duty Free in Honduras

Travelers over 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 450g of tobacco, two bottles of alcoholic beverages, a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use and gifts up to a total value of US$1,000.

Doing Business in Honduras

When conducting business in Honduras, appointments are necessary and should be made two weeks in advance. Visitors are expected to be punctual, though meetings may not start on time. Business travelers should allow plenty of time for socializing and should not rush getting straight down to business, as Hondurans place importance on establishing personal contact. Business is male dominated but since 2005 women now make up 47 percent of the labor force. Business suits or jackets for men and dresses and skirts for women are customary. Though some businesspeople speak English, correspondence should be in Spanish. Business hours are Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, with an hour or two taken over lunch.

Communication in Honduras

The international access code for Honduras is +504. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not in use. Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies and coverage is generally good along the coast and around major towns. Internet cafes are common and can be found in major towns.

Tipping in Honduras

A service charge of 10 percent is usually added to bills at restaurants in Honduras, but anything extra is for good service. It is customary to tip hotel bellboys and cleaning staff for good service.

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 

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