Honduras – meaning depths in Spanish, is known for its natural resources. From fruit, coffee, or minerals, Honduras is rich in it.
Next to the Caribbean Sea on the north and east of the country and the Gulf of Fonseca in the southwest, there are plenty of beaches in Honduras.
Not only that, but it is also full of Reserves, like Río Plátano Biophese, and many rainforests; there are many things to experience when in Honduras.
And you probably want to share your travel experiences online with your friends and family, which you should.
However, before you get too excited, you should know that international roaming can be expensive. Although it is a convenient way to stay connected when abroad, it is the most costly option.
Luckily, local SIM cards, like Honduran ones, are available to travelers too. That way, you can enjoy local rates, which are almost always cheaper than roaming (unless your operator offers free roaming, of course).
But how expensive are SIM cards in Honduras?
You can get a Honduran SIM card for 25 HNL (1 USD) from Claro or 50 HNL (2 USD) from Tigo in their stores. SIM cards are also sold at Tegucigalpa-Toncontín (Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía) International Airport (TGU).
Those numbers are fairly low. Perfectly in line with the relatively low cost of living in Honduras.
But there are still some things you should know about SIM cards in Honduras, so…
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Honduras. Let's do this.
Original publication: 10th of January 2020. Last updated: 20th of August 2022.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Honduras?
Anyone 18 years old or older living in or visiting Honduras can buy a Honduran SIM card from Tigo and Claro in their stores with some restrictions.
The main restriction is that you can only have five active SIM cards in your name in Honduras.
Tigo actively restricts the number of SIM cards an individual can have on their name to two – Claro does not seem to impose such restriction (if it does, let me know).
Besides those restrictions, you are free to use Honduran SIM cards.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Honduras).
Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Honduras?
You can get a Honduran SIM card in Tigo and Claro stores. They are also sold at Tegucigalpa-Toncontín (Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía) International Airport (TGU).
You can expect to pay the following for Honduran SIM cards:
- Tigo Honduras: 50 HNL
- Claro Honduras: 25 HNL
TIP: Check out my SIM card prices lookup tool for a detailed overview of SIM card starter pack benefits (for Honduran SIM cards and SIM cards worldwide).
Can You Use Your Phone in Honduras?
Honduras uses GSM for its cellular communications, meaning that you need a GSM-capable phone to use your phone in the country. CMDA-phones will not work in Honduras, but there is about a 99% chance you have a GSM phone anyway.
Besides that, you need to be aware of the ITU regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.
Honduras uses American frequencies, which are used in the Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Phones sold in the Americas typically have no issues when using their phone in other ITU Region 2 countries.
In Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), they typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Honduras.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Honduras or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Honduras (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Honduras
Honduras has three mobile operators:
- Tigo Honduras
- Claro Honduras
- Honducel
The following frequencies are used in Honduras:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 850 MHz (Band 5) & 1700 MHz (Band 4)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Honduras, check out this page by Will My Phone Work (may be outdated or inaccurate at times).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
A Note about Honducel
Honducel by Hondutel is the smallest mobile operator in Honduras.
It is a state-owned entity with a 1% or less market share.
While it is the cheapest option in Honduras, nationwide reception is lackluster.
In fact, using the words reception and Honducel in one sentence makes the locals laugh because they know Honducel is awful.
As a result, Honducel will not be covered in this guide (and should be avoided at all costs – even if it has attractive promotions).
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Honduras
Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) are not offered by the mobile operators in Honduras (yet).
This means that when you make a call, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.
This is also why you often cannot use mobile data while calling if not connected to WiFi.
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in Honduras
5G NR is not available in Honduras as of 2022, and the Honduran government has not made any indications of when they will auction 5G licenses.
Best SIM Card in Honduras
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Honduras, I recommend going with Tigo. It has the best coverage and the fastest speeds. Moreover, it is only marginally more expensive than Claro.
Best eSIM in Honduras
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM (to prepaid customers) in Honduras yet.
However, you can get travel eSIMs from Airalo, Holafly & Nomad.
Airalo has the Honnet eSIMs:
You have one option:
For Airalo eSIMs, the links above and below will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Or you can get Estonia eSIMs from Nomad.
Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps) and get 3 USD off (even on top of current promotions)!
- Check out my Nomad eSIM reviews
Finally, you can get Honduras eSIMs from Holafly:
Use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!
- Check out my Holafly eSIM reviews
With these eSIMs, you can skip Honduras' SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Honduras!
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, travel eSIMs & travel SIM cards for every country (lookup tool)
TIP: Check out my eSIM lookup tool for an overview of local mobile operators offering eSIMs to prepaid customers and travel eSIMs I use and love (for eSIMs in Honduras and eSIMs worldwide).
If you plan on visiting other neighboring countries, or any nation globally, consider the Nomad Global eSIMs (three variants: 1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days & 5 GB/30 days) in Honduras and these other countries:
Remember to use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps).
Best International/Travel SIM Card for Honduras
If you want to buy the best international/travel SIM card for Honduras, I recommend going with SimCorner's International Travel SIM card. You get 6 GB of data valid for 15 days to be used in Honduras and 100+ countries, including neighboring El Salvador and Guatemala.
You can use the Simcorner International Travel SIM card in the following countries:
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vatican City
- Vietnam
Instead of spending between 5 USD to 15 USD for SIM cards in each country, get a SimCorner travel SIM card covering numerous countries for just one price!
Use discount code PHONETRAVELWIZ for extra savings!
SIM Card Registration in Honduras
SIM card registration, with the use of your passport information, is mandatory in Honduras. This will be done at the point of sale.
Moreover, you can have up to five active prepaid SIM cards in Honduras.
This restriction applies to both Honduran citizens and non-citizens (including migrant workers and tourists).
Furthermore, tourists have to get their SIM cards registered in the official stores of the mobile operators.
It cannot be done online, at kiosks, or at post offices.
Honduras Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Being redone.
Currency in Honduras
Honduras uses the Honduran Lempira with the symbol HNL (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as just L. For example, 25 HNL = L25.
For reference, below are some exchange rates between HNL and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 HNL = 0.05 USD
- 10 HNL = 0.40 USD
- 100 HNL = 4.15 USD
- 1000 HNL = 41.50 USD
For up-to-date HNL:your currency (let's say USD – US Dollar) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks, and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Euros, my main currency, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards. Open a Wise account FREE!
Honduran Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Tigo Honduras & Claro Honduras, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge / top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Honduras has to offer to us.
Tigo Honduras
Tigo Honduras, just Tigo, is the largest operator in Honduras.
Tigo replaced Celtel (Telefónica Celular) – the former national operator.
Tigo as a company is active in various countries in Latin America and in Tanzania.
Tigo uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 850 MHz (Band 5) & 1700 (Band 4)
- VoLTE: No
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Tigo:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Tigo SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Tigo Honduras
Tigo has the best coverage throughout Honduras.
4G/LTE is available almost anywhere.
Below is Tigo's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Tigo Honduras
You can buy a Tigo SIM card, called Tigo Chip, for 50 HNL with 1 GB of data, unlimited WhatsApp texting, unlimited on-net minutes & 150 minutes to Canada and the United States – all for 5 days in Tigo stores. They are not sold at Tegucigalpa-Toncontín (Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía) International Airport (TGU).
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Tigo has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Therefore, if you wish to use an eSIM, you can go with the Honduras (Honnet) eSIM from Airalo with 1 GB of data valid for 7 days.
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, travel eSIMs & travel SIM cards for every country (lookup tool)
If you need more data or a longer validity, you can get Honduras eSIMs from Nomad.
Use code ADU123 for the best deals available when getting Nomad eSIMs (on the site or their apps).
For Airalo eSIMs, the links above will automatically get you the Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers available – a code is not necessary.
Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Tigo.
Dial *594# or #594# to see your Tigo phone number.
Tigo SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 90 days (no top-up for 90 days or no activity for 90 days).
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Tigo Honduras
Tigo top-up vouchers are sold in Tigo stores, grocery stores, corner shops & electronics shops throughout Honduras.
To top up your Tigo SIM card, dial *777*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *777*123456#.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *123# to check your Tigo balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the Mi Tigo Honduras (My Tigo Honduras) app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Tigo Honduras
Tigo has three data-featured plans:
- Super Recargas/Super Refills (combo)
- Super Recarga Tigo Money/Super Refills Tigo Money (combo)
- Paquetigos/Packages (combo)
All Tigo Plans can be activated by dialing *111# or #111#.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Super Recargas (Super Refills) – Tigo Honduras
The Super Recargas (Super Refills) are combo plans with data and minutes.
The following Super Recargas are available, which can be activated by dialing *111# or #111#:
| Price | Credit | Data | WhatsApp Data | On-Net Minutes | International Minutes 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 HNL | 75 HNL | 1.5 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | N/A | 1 day |
| 51 HNL | 150 HNL | 5 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | N/A | 3 days |
| 60 HNL | N/A | 5 GB 2 | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | 150 minutes 3 | 3 days |
| 102 HNL | 300 HNL | 10 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | N/A | 7 days |
| 120 HNL | N/A | 10 GB 4 | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call 2 | 100 minutes | 7 days |
| 150 HNL | 450 HNL | 13 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | N/A | 10 days |
| 220 HNL | 600 HNL | 20 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | N/A | 15 days |
1 to the United States
2 + unlimited data for Clash of Clans & Free Fire
3 also for off-net use
4 + unlimited data for Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, Clash Royale & Free Fire
Super Recarga Tigo Money/Digital (Super Refills Tigo Money/Digital) – Tigo Honduras
The Super Recarga Tigo Money/Digital (Super Refills Tigo Money/Digital) are combo plans with data and minutes, which can be activated with Tigo Money only.
The following Super Recarga Tigo Money/Digital are available, which can be activated on the Mi Tigo Honduras app (with Tigo Money balance):
| Price | Credit | Data | WhatsApp Data | On-Net Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 HNL | 75 HNL | 1.7 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | 1 day |
| 51 HNL | 150 HNL | 5.5 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | 3 days |
| 102 HNL | 300 HNL | 10.5 GB | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 10 minutes per call | 7 days |
Paquetigos (Packages) – Tigo Honduras
The Paquetigos (Packages) are combo plans with data and minutes.
The following Paquetigos are available, which can be activated by dialing *111# or #111#:
| Price | Data | Local/International Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 HNL | Unlimited 1 | N/A | 1 day |
| 17 HNL | Unlimited 2 | N/A | 1 day |
| 18 HNL | 25 MB | 15 minutes 5 | 2 days |
| 25 HNL | N/A | 5 minutes 6 | 1 day |
| 28 HNL | 30 MB | 35 minutes 5 | 2 days |
| 30 HNL | 200 MB 3 | N/A | 1 day |
| 45 HNL | N/A | 60 minutes 6 | 3 days |
| 45 HNL | 100 MB 3, 4 | N/A | 1 day |
| 55 HNL | 4 GB | N/A | 1 day |
| 600 HNL | 5.5 GB | N/A | 30 days |
1 for Facebook
2 for WhatsApp
3 + unlimited data for WhatsApp
4 + unlimited data for Facebook
5 can also be used for calls to Canada & the United States
6 can also be used for calls to Central America, Mexico & Spain
APN/Internet Settings – Tigo Honduras
- Name: Tigo Internet
- APN: internet.tigo.hn
- Password: 9201
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Claro Honduras
Claro Honduras, just Claro, is the other operator in Honduras. It competes by being the cheaper operator. Claro is active in various countries in Central America.
Claro uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 850 MHz (Band 5) & 1700/2100 MHz – AWS (Band 4)
This is what you will learn about Claro
* Coverage
* How to Get a Claro SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Claro Honduras
Claro has great coverage throughout Honduras.
However, its 4G/LTE coverage is lacking behind compared to Tigo Honduras'. As a result, speeds with Claro will be significantly slower than with Tigo Honduras.
Below is Claro's coverage map:
SIM Card Price – Claro Honduras
You can buy a Claro SIM card, called Chip, for 25 HNL with 200 MB and 75 local minutes for 7 days in Claro stores and other stores, such as kiosks, phone stores, and supermarkets.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
You can also buy a Claro SIM card at kiosks and phone shops at Toncontín International Airport/Teniente Coronel Hernán Acosta Mejía Airport (Tegucigalpa Toncontin International Airport).
Claro SIM cards get deactivated if there has been no activity for 7 months (no top-up for 7 months or no activity for 7 months).
Dial *129# to check your Claro phone number.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Claro Honduras
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Claro Honduras
Claro has three types of data-featured plans, which are:
- Todo Incluido/All Inclusive (combo)
- Paquetes de Internet Ilimitado/Unlimited Internet Packages (combo)
- Redes Sociales/Social Media
You can activate any Claro plan by dialing *777#.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Todo Incluido (All Inclusive) – Claro Honduras
The Todo Incluido (All Inclusive) are combo plans with data, minutes, and SMS.
The following Todo Incluido are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Social Media data | On-Net Minutes | Local/International Minutes | On-Net SMS | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 HNL | Todo Incluido 300 MB | 300 MB | N/A | 60 minutes | 10 minutes 3 | N/A | 60 SMS | 1 day |
| 25 HNL | Superpack Todo Incluido 2 GB | 2 GB | Unlimited 1 | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 15 minutes | Unlimited | N/A | 1 day |
| 50 HNL | Superpack Todo Incluido 5GB | 5 GB | Unlimited 1 | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 30 minutes | Unlimited | N/A | 3 days |
| 100 HNL | Superpack Todo Incluido 10 GB | 10 GB | Unlimited 2 | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 60 minutes | Unlimited | N/A | 7 days |
| 150 HNL | Superpack Todo Incluido 15 GB | 15 GB | Unlimited 2 | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 100 minutes | Unlimited | N/A | 10 days |
| 220 HNL | Superpack Todo Incluido 25 GB | 25 GB | Unlimited 2 | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 100 minutes | Unlimited | N/A | 15 days |
1 Facebook, Facebook Messenger & WhatsApp
2 Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Twitter & WhatsApp
3 local minutes only
Paquetes de Internet Ilimitado (Unlimited Internet Packages) – Claro Honduras
The Paquetes de Internet Ilimitado (Unlimited Internet Packages) are combo plans with data and minutes.
Below is an overview of Paquetes de Internet Ilimitado:
| Price | Plan | Data | On-Net Minutes | Local Minutes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 HNL | Internet Ilimitado 3 Horas | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | N/A | 3 hours |
| 50 HNL | Internet Ilimitado 2 Días | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 20 minutes | 2 days |
| 80 HNL | Internet Ilimitado 4 Días | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 40 minutes | 4 days |
| 150 HNL | Internet Ilimitado 7 Días | Unlimited | “Unlimited”, 5 minutes/call | 75 minutes | 7 days |
The Redes Sociales (Social Media) is an unlimited WhatsApp data add-on.
Below are the details:
| Price | Plan | WhatsApp Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 HNL | Whatsapp Chat Ilimitado | Unlimited | 1 day |
APN/Internet Settings – Claro Honduras
- Name: Internet Claro
- APN: internet.ideasclaro
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Honduras
Getting a SIM card from Tigo would do you well when considering a Honduran SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other American Countries
Visiting other countries in the Americas? Check out my Caribbean SIM card buying guide, covering other American nations, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
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Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
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