Well known for its white sandy beaches and aqua blue waters, Honduras is home to some of the best beaches in the Western Hemisphere.
With over 470 miles of beaches amongst the mainland and Caribbean Islands, deciding which beach to lay out your towel on can be an overwhelming task.
Here’s a list of some of the most beautiful beaches to help narrow down your search. Let the relaxation begin!
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1. Tela
Tela has a variety of different beaches to choose from for a relaxing day in the sun.
The most popular are the sandy beaches around Punta Sal National Park. Here you will find Cocalito Beach, which is well known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and bright blue waters. Lay out your towel and relax, take a snorkeling adventure around vibrant reefs, and admire the dolphins that always seem to be nearby.
Cocalito is a primitive beach; there are no restrooms or amenities on site so make sure to plan ahead!
The beach located next to Telamar Resort has bathrooms on site, boardwalks to stroll on, and huts to lounge in and get a break from the sun. Along the beach, you will find various restaurants and bars to grab a bite to eat.
In a town known for its beaches, there are tons beachfront hotels – so you’re sure to find a room with a view and easy access to the sand.
2. Secret Cove at Paya Bay Resort
Paya Bay Resort houses five unique beaches to choose from but, like its name, Secret Cove is the hidden gem amongst them all.
Perfectly nestled away in a rocky cove, this beach will have you feeling like you escaped to a secret oasis. The beach is close enough to all of the resort’s amenities without jeopardizing the quality of its remote appeal.
Keep in mind that this is one of the clothing-optional beaches on the resort, so feel free to strip down like the rest of ‘em!
Take a break from the sun, grab a spot in one of the hammocks along the tree line, and feel the cool breeze through your hair. You’ll also have access to activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, sea kayaking and more.
Grab a bottle of wine at the resort, lay out a towel, and raise a glass as the sun sets over the Caribbean waters. Wrap things up with dinner from the “feel good” menu as you sit atop a bluff overlooking the beaches, barrier reef, and islands out in the distance across the stunning Caribbean Sea.
No trip to the Caribbean would be complete without Piña Coladas! Stop by the multi-level Black Iguana Beach Bar to sip on one of these classic drinks or choose from their large selection of tropical drinks.
3. Guanaja Beaches
Located amongst the Bay Islands, just a short trip from the mainland of Honduras, lies the small island of Guanaja.
Hidden in the shadows of its sister island, Roatan, this island is usually overlooked – making it a great place to get away from the crowds. The white sandy beaches seem to go on forever, usually without another person in sight, and the aqua blue waters are just as inviting.
A few of the local favorites include Michael Rock, Soldado, and Big Gully. On an island dedicated to beaches, the world is your oyster. The island is also located along the Great Mayan Reef and offers stellar scuba diving opportunities.
If time allows, stop by the town of Guanaja and admire Honduras’ version of Venice with adorable little houses lined along channels of water.
4. Water Cay, Utila
Located within the Utila Keys, Water Cay is a sandy paradise in comparison to the rocky shores that make up the island.
No one lives on the island, so if you arrive early in the morning there is a very good chance that you will have the beach all to yourself. Don’t forget to pack yourself some snacks and a few drinks, as there are no shops in the area.
The surrounding reefs make the water very calm and combined with the warm temperature, swimming is a very relaxing experience. Here you may find guests sitting in the clear, shallow waters enjoying a beer. It is kind of a right-of-passage at Water Cay!
5. La Mosquitia
For a raw beach experience, head over to the northeastern tip of Honduras where you’ll find the primitive island of La Mosquitia.
Prepare to leave civilization behind as you arrive on an island with little to no electricity, latrine-style toilets, and food that is dependent on the catch of the day.
If you are looking for a relaxing beach day from start to finish, you may want to look elsewhere; if you enjoy combining relaxation with a bit of adventure La Mosquitia is definitely worth a trip. Relax on the beach, venture through the island’s hiking trails, and interact with the Miskitos community to make the most of your time on the island.
Keep in mind that this area is prone to mosquitos – so don’t forget to pack bug spray!
6. Omoa
Located between the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra de Omoa Mountain Range, you get the best of both worlds with white sandy beaches to lay on and mountains to admire out in the distance.
Omoa is a small beach town, so everything about this area will give you ultimate beach vibes including everything from vibrant restaurants to adorable little shops.
Even though the town is small, there is no shortage of amenities. Relax on the vast beach with the comfort of knowing there are restrooms and stands to grab a bite to eat just steps away.
With so many beaches to choose from, you can plan a day of beach hopping or find an empty beach to spend the day in solitude.
Keep your eyes on the bright blue waters – dolphin sightings are extremely common here.
While visiting Omoa, consider a trip to Castillo de San Fernando where you can see the stone ruins of a fortress that was once used to protect the city from pirates during the 18th century.
7. Playa Negra, Isla del Tigre
Also known as “Black Sand Beach”, Playa Negra is one of the most unique beaches in all of Honduras, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
Thanks to past volcanic activity, the sand on this beach is completely black (and magnetic!) and the entire island is one massive stratovolcano. The volcano here is dormant so you can sit back and relax on the smooth, black beach without a worry in sight.
The contrast of the aqua blue waters crashing down on midnight black sand is a sight to be seen. The waters can be rough, so swimming is not advised unless you are a strong swimmer – and even then you should take the water on with caution.
The beach is off the beaten path so you will need to take a short, well-worth hike to get to the water. The locals advise grabbing a decent size stick before starting your journey to clear the path of spiders along the way.
8. Cayos Cochinos
The Cochino Cays Marine Sanctuary is made up of a group of two main and thirteen smaller islands that are more like sandbanks.
With so many beaches to choose from, you can easily spend a weekend exploring the busy beaches on Cayor Mayor and Cayor Menor or opt for a more secluded experience in the sandbanks.
The main island beaches have access to amenities but if you plan on heading to the sandbanks there are little to no amenities available; make sure to plan accordingly.
The one exception is the sandbank that houses the Garífuna fishermen community. Here you can enjoy the catch of the day fried in coconut oil with a side of rice and beans. Yum! Wash your meal down with a medicinal liquor and buy a handcrafted gift made right before your eyes.
Once you fall in love with this little sliver of paradise, you can choose from one of the many hotels on Cayor Mayor to extend your stay.
9. Cieneguita Beach
Located in Puerto Cortes, this beach is a fan favorite for locals and tourists alike.
Start your beach day with ease thanks to an abundance of free parking and amenities on site. Spend your day sunbathing along the wide sand or choose from one of the many activities available.
Bring your bicycle to enjoy a large collection of bike paths that take you along the beautiful waters and the town of Cieneguita.
Come with a group of friends – or make some new ones – and enjoy some friendly competition on the volleyball court.
There are no restaurants on the beach, but there are a few food vendors and barbeques to cook up something of your own.
After a day of relaxing, make your way along the pier to watch the sunset over the water.
10. Camp Bay, Roatan
Escape the hustle and bustle of docking cruise ships, blasting music, and constant vendors that jam pack West Roatan by traveling to the east side for a secluded paradise.
One of the best beaches on East Roatan is Camp Bay where you can enjoy the island’s iconic white sandy beaches and warm waters without any of the crowds. During the week you will most likely have the beach completely to yourself, but expect to see locals and their families enjoying their day on a weekend.
Stop at Eldon’s Supermarket on your way to the beach to grab snacks and sandwiches for a picnic. Many choose to grab dinner at La Sirena de Camp Bay, a popular waterfront restaurant known for its amazing coconut shrimp. There is even seating available over the water on the dock!
11. Chachahuate
Home to 44 fishing families, Cayo Chachahuate’s waters are bursting with life. Although you will see many boats out on the water, the beach is fairly quiet and usually has little to no crowds.
Start your journey with a boat ride to the island and keep a look out for wild dolphins. Enjoy the calm blue waters, white sandy beaches, and lush greenery that surrounds you. Fish house rentals are available if you want to do as the locals do and test out your fishing skills. For a bit more excitement, consider a diving or snorkeling adventure down in the reefs that circle the island.
The hotel on the island doesn’t accept reservations in advance – but that just means you will have a better chance of getting a room if you decide to spend the night.
Dinner in the village consists of grilled fish, lobster, bananas, and Cayos Cochinos-style rice.
12. Havana Beach Club
Known for having the most immaculate beach in all of Roatan, Havana Beach Club is a secret oasis on a rather crowded island, thanks to its private beach access.
However, every once in a while a cruise ship stops at the island – so be sure to plan around its schedule so that you’ll have the beach all to yourself!
The beach is inviting enough on its own, but there are a variety of other activities available to spice things up for the whole family including horseback riding, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling.
Enjoy laying on the beach during the day and then go horseback riding and trot along the sand to admire the sunset over the water.
Right on site is Lionfish Louie’s, a delicious seafood restaurant that specializes in fresh-caught lionfish. Two favorite variations are the lionfish taco or ceviche.
No matter which beach you choose, the beautiful beaches of Honduras are sure to give you the most breathtaking views and a relaxing time.
