Travelers who like to explore widely may do well to rent a car in Honduras. Public transport can be slow and unreliable, so a rental car will afford greater flexibility and quicker travel times. Visitors interested in areas such as the Western Highlands and Bay Islands like Roatan will find a rental car particularly advantageous.
As driving around Honduran cities can be a chaotic experience, it might be wise to rent your vehicle only when you are leaving the city, rather than directly from the airport on arrival. Several agencies levy airport surcharges that do not apply to inner-city branches; for example, Hertz charges an extra 290 HNL (12 USD) per rental for collection or drop-off at the airport.
There are no official laws on the use of child seats when driving in Honduras, but it is recommended to seat children under 12 in the rear seats of the car and to use an appropriate booster seat when needed. Most agencies are able to provide age-appropriate child seats for an additional fee; Sixt, for example, charges a flat rate of around 180 HNL (7.50 USD) per day, no matter what seat size is required.
The major car rental agencies in Honduras do not allow cross-border travel into neighboring countries, but most are happy to arrange for a one-way domestic rental, allowing the car to be picked up and dropped off at different stations. Most charge an additional fee for this, e.g., about 1,700 HNL (70 USD) at Budget.
Book your rental car in Honduras at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Economy rental cars in Honduras are around 47% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Honduras
Economy (Class Economy Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Honduras.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Honduras’ roads are not always in the best circumstances. City streets can be very narrow and congested, with traffic lights often mounted at a lower level than expected. In rural areas, rough roads and free-roaming livestock are common hazards to watch out for, as are loose or slippery surfaces, which can be particularly dangerous in the rainy season. Driving in Honduras is on the right.
To rent a car in Honduras, the minimum age varies from agency to agency, but is typically in the region of 21 to 25 years old. Companies such as Sixt operate at the lower end of the scale, whereas Avis and Budget only accept clients over 25. In all cases, a valid domestic driver’s license that has been valid for at least 1 year is required. It may be useful to have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP), but this is not usually requested by agencies.
Staffed petrol stations in Honduras are plentiful in urban areas and are usually open from around 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. It is advised to have local currency on hand for payment, as many will not accept credit cards. Expect to pay around 98.40 HNL (4.02 USD) for a gallon of petrol and approximately 83.30 HNL (3.40 USD) for a gallon of diesel.
Speed limits in Honduras are easy to remember: 40 km/h (25 mph) is the maximum for urban areas, while 80 km/h (50 mph) is the top speed limit for both rural roads and highways. Fixed speed cameras are not common, but the police operate mobile speed cameras throughout the country.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.