Country guide · North AmericaLocal SIM Cards in Honduras: Carriers, Plans & Prices (2026)
Tourist SIM cards in Honduras start at $0.8 from Tigo Honduras (Millicom). Buy at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa or Ramon Villeda Morales Airport in San Pedro Sula. Tigo and Claro counters are in the arrivals area. For Bay Islands visitors, buy at Roatan Airport (RTB) where Tigo has a kiosk.. For instant data without a store visit, a HelloRoam eSIM costs from $3.54 and activates in 2 minutes. See the comparison table below.
- Recommended
- HelloRoam eSIMfrom $3.54, instant activation
- Setup time
- Under 2 mininstall before your flight
- Physical SIM from
- $0.8 USDTigo Honduras (Millicom)
- Network
- 4G LTETigo Honduras (Millicom)
Honduras is the gateway to the Bay Islands. Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja. Where Tigo provides the most reliable mobile coverage. Prepaid SIM cards are inexpensive by Central American standards, with 5 GB available for under $7 USD on a 30-day plan. For Roatan arrivals, Tigo has a kiosk at Juan Manuel Galvez Airport making connectivity immediate. The mainland cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula have strong 4G from Tigo and Claro. Utila is the exception: data is available but slow, so download offline maps and content before the ferry.
Honduras has three MNOs: Tigo (market leader), Claro, and Digicel. The regulator CONATEL oversees the market. 4G LTE covers major urban areas and tourist destinations. Rural interior and mountain regions (Olancho, La Paz) have 3G with gaps.
eSIM for Honduras: the fastest option
Travel eSIMs skip the physical SIM process entirely. Buy online, scan a QR code, and your phone connects to a local network. No passport check, no airport queue, no SIM ejector tool. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS.
For short island visits (Roatan, Bay Islands), eSIM is practical. For extended mainland travel, a local Tigo SIM is cheaper per GB and easier to top up.
HelloRoam Honduras eSIM: our tested pick
HelloRoam offers Honduras coverage via Tigo roaming. The best network for the Bay Islands and north coast.
Affiliate link. Commissions never affect our rankings or editorial findings.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoamOur pick | 1 GB | 7 days | $3.54 |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 30 days | $9 |
eSIM provider comparison
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Activation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoamTop rated | $3.54 | 1 GB | 7 days | Instant | 8.8/10 |
| Airalo | $9 | 3 GB | 30 days | Instant | 8.8/10 |
Scores based on activation speed, network coverage, support response time, and pricing across 14 countries. HelloRoam (8.8/10, 31/31 activations) is the top-rated provider. All provider links marked as affiliate.
See full eSIM guide for Honduras →
eSIM vs physical SIM card in Honduras
Here is how a HelloRoam eSIM compares to buying a local SIM card in Honduras across the factors that matter most to travelers.
| Feature | HelloRoam eSIM | Local SIM Card |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | 15-60 minutes |
| Available before travel | Yes, install up to 30 days early | No, buy on arrival |
| ID required | No | No |
| Price from | $3.54 USD | $0.8 USD |
| Data included | 1 GB to unlimited | Varies by plan |
| Hotspot | Included | Included on most plans |
| Support | 24/7 English | Local language, business hours |
| Local phone number | No, data only | Yes, included |
| Voice calls | Data only, use WhatsApp/FaceTime | Included |
Best SIM cards for tourists in Honduras
Honduras has 3 providers offering tourist-friendly prepaid SIM cards. The table below ranks them by overall value for travelers, combining coverage, speed, price, and how easy they are to buy.
| Provider | Type | Network | Cheapest plan | Plans | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo Honduras (Millicom)Top pick | major | 4G LTE | 90 HNL / $4 | 4 | Airport, Carrier Store |
| Claro Honduras (América Móvil) | major | 4G LTE | 20 HNL / $0.8 | 4 | Airport, Carrier Store |
| Digicel Honduras | major | 4G LTE | 90 HNL / $3.7 | 3 | Carrier Store, Convenience Store |
SIM card plans compared
Below are every available tourist plan across all providers in Honduras, sorted by price. Prices are quoted in local currency where available, with USD equivalents.
Tigo Honduras (Millicom)
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepago 2GBBest value | 2 GB | 90 HNL | 30 days | 30 min local | 50 SMS |
| Prepago 5GB | 5 GB | 180 HNL | 30 days | 60 min local | 100 SMS |
| Prepago 10GB | 10 GB | 300 HNL | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
| Tigo Roatan 5GB | 5 GB | 150 HNL | 15 days | 60 min local | 60 SMS |
APN settings: APN: internet.tigo.hn
Claro Honduras (América Móvil)
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claro Prepago 2GBBest value | 2 GB | 85 HNL | 30 days | 30 min local | 30 SMS |
| Claro Prepago 5GB | 5 GB | 170 HNL | 30 days | 60 min local | 60 SMS |
| Claro Ilimitado | Unlimited | 400 HNL | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
| Claro Diario 500MB | 500 MB | 20 HNL | 24 hours | 20 min local | 20 SMS |
APN settings: APN: internet.claro.com.hn
Digicel Honduras
| Plan | Data | Price | Validity | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digicel 2GBBest value | 2 GB | 90 HNL | 30 days | 30 min local | 30 SMS |
| Digicel 5GB | 5 GB | 180 HNL | 30 days | 60 min local | 60 SMS |
| Digicel Unlimited | Unlimited | 380 HNL | 30 days | Unlimited local | Unlimited |
Where to buy a SIM card in Honduras
The best place to buy is Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa or Ramon Villeda Morales Airport in San Pedro Sula. Tigo and Claro counters are in the arrivals area. For Bay Islands visitors, buy at Roatan Airport (RTB) where Tigo has a kiosk.. Here is what each channel offers and what to expect.
Airport
Airport counters are the most convenient option on arrival day. Staff speak enough English to handle registration, and you leave the terminal already connected. Expect a small premium (5–15%) over city prices and possible queues after large arrivals.
Carrier Store
Official carrier stores carry every plan, can troubleshoot activation on the spot, and have English-speaking staff in tourist-heavy areas. Prices match the carrier website.
Convenience Store
Convenience stores stock prepaid SIM cards near the checkout. Stock rotates, so selection is narrower than carrier stores, but hours are long and locations are everywhere. Bring your passport.
Online
Ordering online before you fly means you land already connected. eSIMs are instant; physical SIMs can be delivered to your hotel or held for airport pickup. Best prices overall.
Buying experience
At Roatan Airport, the Tigo kiosk sits left of the arrivals exit before the taxi rank. The counter is staffed for all major arrival windows. At Toncontin Airport in Tegucigalpa, both Tigo and Claro have counters in the arrivals hall. Payment is accepted in lempiras or US dollars. Activation is near-instant after SIM insertion. In San Pedro Sula, the Tigo flagship store in City Mall on Avenida Circunvalacion is the largest and best-stocked in the country.
Coverage & network in Honduras
Honduras operates on 4G LTE networks. Coverage quality varies by provider and region.
Coverage Map for Honduras
Visit each carrier's website for their interactive coverage map
Tigo Honduras (Millicom)
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Strong
Claro Honduras (América Móvil)
major carrier
Urban
Strong
Rural
Moderate
Digicel Honduras
major carrier
Urban
Good
Rural
Patchy
Tigo Honduras (Millicom) leads on overall coverage with a rating of 5/5 for reach and 4/5 for speed. In cities, all providers perform similarly. Differences become clear in rural areas, along coastal routes, and on islands where network investment varies.
Real-world connectivity
Roatan (West End, West Bay) has solid Tigo 4G adequate for streaming and video calls. San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa have reliable 4G from Tigo and Claro in city centers. Copan Ruinas town is covered; the archaeological site itself has dead zones. Utila has 3G in the main town but poor signal in the jungle interior. The north coast highway between San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba has continuous 4G on Tigo.
Our verdict on SIM cards in Honduras
Best for: Bay Islands divers, Roatan beach travelers, Budget backpackers, Copan Ruinas visitors.
Honduras is cheaper per gigabyte than Costa Rica and Panama, and Tigo's network quality rivals Guatemala's Tigo. Compared to Nicaragua (fewer tourist SIM options), Honduras is significantly more accessible.
Activation & registration
Check your phone is unlocked
Your device must be carrier-unlocked to accept a Honduras SIM. Check Settings or contact your home carrier before you leave.
Choose a plan before you buy
Decide on data volume and validity period. A 7-day plan suits short trips; 30-day plans are better value for longer stays.
Purchase the SIM
Buy at the airport, a convenience store, or a carrier store. Ask staff to insert and test the SIM before you leave the counter.
Insert and configure
Insert the nano-SIM using the ejector tool. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and confirm data roaming is on for the travel line. Run a speed test to confirm you are connected.
Tips for travelers in Honduras
Tigo has the strongest 4G footprint in Honduras, including the Bay Islands (Roatan, Utila, Guanaja) and northern coast beach towns.
On Roatan, Tigo has a kiosk at the arrivals area of Juan Manuel Galvez Airport. Buy there to avoid the hassle of finding a store in West End.
Utila island has limited Tigo 3G/4G. Download offline maps and book dive trips via WhatsApp before arriving on the island.
San Pedro Sula is a business and transit hub with strong Tigo and Claro 4G coverage throughout the city.
Recharge (recarga) at any Banco Atlantida ATM lobby kiosk, Multipremios lottery stand, or most corner stores (pulperias).
Copan Ruinas town has usable Tigo 4G. The Copan archaeological site itself has inconsistent signal.
The north coast highway (CA-13) between San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba maintains solid 4G on Tigo.
Night buses between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula run through areas with dead zones. Download content before boarding.
Common mistakes to avoid
Choosing Digicel in Honduras expecting Caribbean-quality coverage. Digicel Honduras has a much smaller network than in Jamaica or Barbados.
Not buying a SIM at the airport. SIM stores in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula city centers can be hard to locate without a working data connection.
Expecting island connectivity at Utila comparable to Roatan. Utila has genuinely limited 3G and slow speeds.
Using roaming on a US carrier for any extended stay. Roaming costs run $5-10/day versus $6 for a full month of local data.
Frequently asked questions
Which carrier is best for Roatan?
Tigo is the clear choice for Roatan. It has 4G LTE coverage across West End, West Bay, and most of the island. Claro has secondary coverage. Tigo has a kiosk at Roatan Airport arrivals.
How much does a SIM card cost in Honduras?
SIM cards cost around 50-80 HNL ($2-3 USD). Plans start from 85-90 HNL ($3.50-4 USD) for 2 GB over 30 days. A 10 GB monthly plan runs about 300 HNL ($12 USD) on Tigo.
Is there coverage at the Copan Ruinas ruins?
Copan Ruinas town has Tigo 4G. Inside the Copan archaeological site, signal is inconsistent. Download an offline map and any content you need before visiting the ruins.
Can I buy a SIM at Tegucigalpa Airport?
Yes. Toncontin International Airport has Tigo and Claro counters in the arrivals area. Both are open for international flight arrivals. Bring your passport.
Does Tigo Honduras offer WhatsApp-free plans?
Yes, Tigo Honduras offers WhatsApp-inclusive plans where WhatsApp usage does not count against your data quota. Ask specifically for "plan con WhatsApp gratis" at the counter.
Is 5G available in Honduras?
5G is not commercially deployed in Honduras as of mid-2026. The network runs on 4G LTE in urban areas and 3G in rural and mountain regions.
How is coverage between San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba?
The CA-13 north coast highway maintains solid Tigo 4G throughout the route. La Ceiba itself has good coverage. The ferry to Utila and Roatan from La Ceiba has no mobile signal mid-crossing.
Is eSIM available from Honduran carriers?
Tigo and Claro Honduras do not offer prepaid eSIM as of mid-2026. HelloRoam and Airalo offer Honduras eSIM data via roaming at competitive rates.
Which eSIM is best for Honduras?
HelloRoam connects to Honduras's 4G LTE network and plans start at $3.54 for 1 GB over 7 days. It works well for travelers who want data active before landing. Airalo offers a wider range of plan sizes at competitive prices. Holafly is worth considering if you want unlimited data and do not mind a higher daily cost.
Should I buy a SIM card or eSIM for Honduras?
For short island visits (Roatan, Bay Islands), eSIM is practical. For extended mainland travel, a local Tigo SIM is cheaper per GB and easier to top up. A local SIM from Tigo Honduras (Millicom) starts at $0.8. Choose eSIM if your phone supports it and you value convenience. Choose a local SIM if you need a local phone number or plan to stay longer than two weeks.
Helpful guides
SIM card guides for nearby countries
Traveling beyond Honduras? These guides cover nearby destinations.
