Honduras Paddling Adventure - Other Important Info

Food & Water

We prepare all our meals in as clean and sanitary environment as possible. We filter or treat all of our drinking water. Do not drink any local untreated water (Montezuma's revenge)! Also be careful of fruits and vegetables from street vendors, they are probably rinsed with local untreated water.

Money

The currency in Honduras is the Lempira. Its value against the dollar fluctuates widely. Upon your arrival, we'll help you change money at the best rate. There will also be people eager to change your money at any of the intermediate airports in Honduras where you might land. Typically, competition is fierce enough among these people that you get very competitive rates. You can call us before you leave and we'll give you the current exchange rate. It's always nice to know you're not being taken advantage of. In the cities, traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted, as are dollars. In the countryside, cash is your only option. We suggest bringing a handful of one dollar bills with which to tip baggage handlers before you exchange any money.

Passport 

You will need a passport for travel to Honduras. You can apply for a passport at any County Clerk's office and some Post Offices. You'll need two photos, a birth certificate, and $60. It usually takes about six weeks to process the application. For more information, check out the U.S. State Department's passport website. 

Visa

For visits of less than 90 days, a visa is not required for travel to Honduras. Below is the current information taken from the U.S. State Department website.

HONDURAS - *Passport and onward/return ticket required. A Visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days; holders of U.S. passports are issued a 30-day permit which can be renewed every 30 days for up to a maximum 90-day stay. Departure tax $25 (U.S.). For additional information contact Embassy of Honduras (Consular Section), Suite 310, 1612 K Street., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 (202/223-0185), or nearest Consulate: CA (213/383-9244 and 415/392-0076), FL (305/447-8927), IL (773/522-3118), LA (504/522-3118), NY (212/269-3611) or TX (713/622-7911).

Carry-on Luggage

We recommend that you carry on enough personal items to survive a few days without your luggage, should the unexpected happen. Some things to consider are a change of clothes, your money and documents, some toilet articles (especially contact lens supplies), and your camera.

If You Arrive Late

We strongly recommend leaving the U.S. a day early if at all possible. Most folks need to take several flights to get all the way down here, and winter weather in the U.S. can slow you down. People who come early have told us how great it was to know that they had an extra day if there were flight or luggage delays. They also enjoyed an extra day to get into vacation mode before the beginning of the trip.

Camping

You don't have to an experienced camper to enjoy this trip. We will provide all specialized equipment including tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags. Your guides will do all the cooking and cleaning up, so you'll have plenty of time to explore, fish, or just relax. We have carefully thought out systems to make the camping as comfortable as possible. For example, the tents are designed to be well-ventilated and cool, yet remain dry in the rain. We will have tarps erected over the kitchen and dining areas so we can eat comfortably even if it's raining. The sanitary facilities will be comfortable and private. The food will prove to you that just because you're camping, it doesn't mean you have to rough it! We'll prepare delicious meals with fresh vegetables and fruits, grilled entrees, and Dutch oven baked deserts. Don't count on losing any weight!

Weather & Climate

The paddling conditions here are wonderful! The average air temperature is about 80 degrees, river temperatures are in the mid-seventies to low eighties. Our experience is that most people wear a short-sleeved T-shirt, not for warmth, but for sun protection. In the evenings, shorts and T-shirts are almost always comfortable. We will be paddling in a rain forest, so there's a chance of rain but even big storms seem to come and go fairly quickly. The rain is so warm that it's still comfortable boating weather.

Politics & Safety

Honduras has a bit of a guns-and-guerrillas reputation. Most of these misperceptions stem from the height of the turmoil in Nicaragua during the mid-eighties. Even then, people tell us that there was no particular danger or unpleasantness for a gringo traveling here. Honduras has had a democratically elected government with a peaceful transition of power for many years. In fact, in the last four presidential elections, a new political party has been voted into power each time and has taken over calmly. We think that's an excellent sign of respect for the system. As peace has spread across Central America, we've noticed Honduras relaxing more and more, as threats from its neighboring countries disappear. In our three years here, we've traveled extensively and have not encountered any hostility at all. Instead, we find the people open and friendly, and curious about us. We think that Honduras is a very reasonable and safe place to travel, work, and play.

Medical Considerations

The various international travel health advisory groups, including the Centers for Disease Control, don't require any special medical precautions for traveling here. The CDC provides information for travelers at (800) 311-3435 or on their website. Because we'll be in remote regions, we suggest that you consider, with consultation from your doctor, the following medications: Tetanus (make sure your inoculation is up to date), Chloroquine (a malarial suppressant), and a Yellow Fever vaccination. All are fairly simple and safe. Whether you elect to take any special precautions is up to you and your doctor. In almost five hundred person-weeks here, our staff has had one case of malaria, one case of dengue fever, and several ear infections. Most of us are taking Chloroquine or an equivalent. We're very careful with our food and water, so most folks have no intestinal problems (Montezuma's revenge...). We will have an extensive first aid kit on the river and all our guides are well trained in first aid and emergency procedures.

Gratuities are earned, not assumed. For an exceptionally good job, a gratuity (usually 5%-15%) is appreciated by the guides.

Physical Condition

You’ll enjoy the trip much more if you are in good physical and mental condition. We’ll be paddling all day and taking side hikes as frequently as possible. Be in shape to get the most out of the trip.

River Safety and Judgment

Safety is of paramount importance. Please have a realistic view of your skills and trust our judgment. If any leaders (myself, my assistants, or the raft guides) feel it is necessary to portage a rapid or have someone else run you through it, it will be done. For your safety and the safety of the group, the leader’s decision will stand if there is a difference of opinion.