Bring US dollars, a debit card and a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Most Roatan businesses accept US dollars, and cards are common at tourist-focused places, but it helps to carry some cash and a few lempiras as a backup.
US dollars are accepted by most businesses. At smaller businesses, food stands and taxis, you will usually get a better rate if you pay in Honduran lempiras.
Make sure your US bills have no small rips, tears or writing on them. Local Honduran banks are picky about damaged bills, and they are hard for locals to cash.
Here are two bills you will see often, the 100 lempira note and the 500 lempira note. The official exchange rate is about 26.8 lempiras to the US dollar, so 100 lempiras is about $3.70 and 500 lempiras is about $18.70.
In practice, banks and a few big businesses such as supermarkets and gas stations use that rate. Most restaurants and other small businesses use 26 to 1, which means they usually round down to the nearest whole number. There are some small variances around the island, and the exchange rate moves, so check a currency app.
ATMs are widely available and dispense lempiras. Most, but not all, tourist-related businesses accept debit cards, Visa and MasterCard. Very few accept American Express or Discover. Use a bank card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee.
You can browse Roatan restaurants by how they take payment: Visa, MasterCard, debit card, US dollars and Honduran lempiras.
The difference between the bank rate and the 26 to 1 rate most small businesses use is only a couple of dollars on $100, so it is not worth standing in line at a bank. Use ATMs where your bank waives ATM fees (Charles Schwab is one example, and there are many others).
You can also use a credit card that charges no international transaction fee. Some businesses add their own card fee, though, so that is not necessarily the cheapest strategy.
Machines do malfunction and the power does go out occasionally, so keep a mix of US cash and local currency as a backup when you pay by card.
I use the XE currency converter whenever I travel internationally. It is an easy way to check what a price in lempiras means in dollars.
XE Currency Converter
Current lempira and dollar rates in your browser
XE Currency app
The same rates in an app on your phone
Sometimes a restaurant bill also includes a “propina” (tip) or “servicio” charge with a set percentage, usually 10%.
Tips are an important part of local wages, so please tip appropriately. A cash tip is the better choice, because there can be problems with credit card tips being paid out fairly and on time.
Add the tax and any service charge. For example, an $8 drink with the 18% alcohol tax adds $1.44. A 10% service charge adds $0.80, for a total of $10.24. A 15% service charge adds $1.20, for a total of $10.64.
Some places also add around 3% to 4% when you pay by card to cover processing fees, and a rounded price or exchange rate can add a little more. Check your bill for tax, service charge and any card fee.
Bring US dollars, which most businesses accept. Use lempiras at small shops, food stands and taxis, where you usually get a better rate.
Most tourist-related businesses accept Visa and MasterCard, and very few accept American Express or Discover. Browse Roatan restaurants and bars and check each listing’s payment types.
About 15% on food and other goods, 18% on alcohol and 19% on hotels.
Tip appropriately, because tips are an important part of local wages. If your bill already adds a service charge, it is usually around 10%. Tip in cash when you can.
Yes. ATMs are widely available and dispense lempiras. Use a bank card without foreign transaction fees, or one where your bank waives ATM fees.
Usually not. Banks use the official rate of about 26.8 lempiras per dollar, while most restaurants and small businesses use 26 to 1. That is only a couple of dollars on $100, so it is not worth standing in line.
Rates and fees can change, so check your bill. Planning a trip? See things to do in Roatan and places to stay.