Conduct and Customs

Generally speaking, Honduran society features customs and traditions similar to those in other countries in the region. Family is of paramount importance, although marriages are often informal due to the expense of weddings and the scarcity of priests. The majority of Hondurans are Catholic, though not necessarily strict ones.

When traveling in Honduras [1], don’t plan on being in a hurry to get anywhere. Things happen at a leisurely pace, and no one rushes. Trying to pressure people to act with haste will get little result other than stress. Take it easy.

Hondurans are fairly laid-back about clothes in general, but wearing shorts will certainly draw some odd looks in rural villages in the interior. Generally, beachwear should be left to the north coast and the Bay Islands [2]. Public nudity, including swimming naked, is illegal in Honduras (although Paya Bay [3] resort on Roatán [4] has “naturalist” weeks on its private beaches).

The litter level in Honduras is disturbingly high. Don’t be surprised to see locals toss garbage on the street or out the bus window.