Living in Honduras
Last updated on Mar 05, 2024
Summary: People describe life in Honduras as vibrant and full of culture. Expats love the warm climate, friendly people, and the affordability of living in Honduras. The average cost of living for an expat is around $1,500 per month. The approximate population of Honduras is 9.2 million people, and the largest cities are Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Choloma, and Comayagua. The cons of living in Honduras include a high crime rate, a lack of infrastructure, and a weak economy. Additionally, the country has a high poverty rate and a lack of access to basic services such as healthcare and education.
What do I need to know about living in Honduras?
When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Honduras, they said:
"Before retiring in Honduras, expats should research the cost of living in the area they plan to live in, as well as the availability of healthcare and other services. It is also important to familiarize oneself with the local laws and regulations, as well as the culture and customs of the country. Additionally, expats should consider the safety of the area they plan to live in, and research the crime rate and any potential security risks. Finally, expats should consider the language barrier and whether they will need to learn Spanish in order to communicate effectively," explained one expat living in Honduras.
"Research & Location. Everyone is different so it depends on their interests. I would do as much research as possible using the internet to understand the various areas of the island and what each have to offer. Many real estate websites are good sources for information on the island and neighborhoods. I wanted to be close to the beach and parking is difficult so I wanted to be within walking distance. I do own a Jeep but use it only once a week to go into town to the largest supermarket. I would suggest maybe a short-term rental (one month) before making a more permanent living location. Plus you will need an attorney for residency application and just other needs / questions from an objective person with your best interests in mind," said one expat in Roatan.
"This is a city in a third world country, don't consider moving here until you can accept the many differences in lifestyle from a developed country like the US. Many of the everyday services that you have don't exist here. The pace is much slower, service in many businesses is poor or non-existent and you will only increase your own blood pressure trying to demand better service. Utilities that you expect to receive are sometimes non-existent or of poor quality, so make sure if you rent or buy that these are already in place, promises to install them in most cases will only lead to your frustration. You can live very well here on much less than you can imagine, and this is an ideal location for retirees on limited budgets and its relatively easy to obtain a resident Visa. Explore the area and have or learn basic conversational Spanish before making a final decision to live here," said one expat who made the move to La Ceiba.
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About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Honduras?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Honduras?
- Will I be able to find a job in Honduras?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in Honduras appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Honduras?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Honduras accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Honduras like?
- How are healthcare services in Honduras?
- What are medical services in Honduras like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Honduras?
- What are emergency services like in Honduras?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Honduras?
- How are local medical facilities in Honduras?
- As a foreigner living in Honduras, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?