The currency in Honduras is referred to as the “Lempira” (HNL).
Financial exchange rates in Honduras are based on evaluations by the Central Bank of Honduras; however, global standards for exchange rates are set by the United Nations Treasury. Honduras Banks use a variable Lempira exchange rate, which fluctuates upward of 19 Lempiras to 1 United States Dollar. The United Nations Treasury last adjusted the Lempira exchange rate on December 31, 2011, setting the Honduran Lempira evaluation at 19.07 to 1 US Dollar.
It is advisable to use a currency converter, such as those offered below for reference, as the Honduras exchange rate varies. The currency converter displays all international currencies, and can be a handy reference for planning trips in order to evaluate how much money you will have to spend.
Lempira Currency Converter
Daily Exchange Rate (Spanish)
Orígen: es.exchange-rates.org
Market Rate of Exchange (English)
Global exchange rates for the Lempira vs. Euro, or the Honduras Lempira against any other country’s currency according to the United Nations standards, can be found by visiting their website for the entire listing of the United Nations 2012 Exchange Rates by Country.
The Honduran currency consist of coins (monedas) and bills (lempiras, or “lemps” for short). Monedas are in use on the mainland of Honduras, but among the Bay Islands of Honduras, merchants exchange only Lempira bills. Lempiras are issued in the following denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500.
Exchanging Money in Honduras
Although U.S. Dollars are widely accepted, Euros and other currencies are not. When using foreign currency, you will receive any change in the Honduran national currency. If you have a debit or credit card, you can ask for a cash advance in Lempiras at any of the Honduras banking facilities.
When traveling, never exchange money with people waving cash at the airport. Aside from being dangerous (as they now know how much money you are carrying), this is a profitable business for them, and you will never receive the top Lempira exchange rate. Hotels and shops are going to give you a reduced exchange rate for your currency as well.
Banks will exchange Canadian money, Euros, and travelers checks, but banking takes quite some time in Honduras; usually more than an hour wait in line for a simple transaction. Most merchants will not accept Canadian money, Euros, nor travelers checks.
History of Honduras to U.S. Currency Evaluations
The Honduran currency of the lempira (Lps) had been set at 2 lempiras to 1 US dollar since 1919; the lempira was effectively devalued in the March 1990 economic package under the Callejas government on Honduras, where transactions were shifted to an inter bank rate of Lps4 : US$1.
Further adjustment took the rate to Lps5.3 : US$1 by the end of 1990. A new law requiring exporters to repatriate their foreign exchange earnings, and renewed flows of balance-of-payments support from the IMF, World Bank, IDB and USAID stabilized the rate.
In 1992, the Honduran congress approved a law allowing the establishment of casa de gambio (exchange houses), which institutionalized the free-market rate for the first time. In mid 1992 the exchange rate was fully liberalized and by year end it had depreciated to Lps5.9 : US$1, a level that held stable into early 1993. In January 1994 the rate was Lps7.3 : US$1 and in January 1996 it jumped to 10.1 : US$1. In January of 1997 it was 13 : US$1. Today it fluxuates at around Lps19 : US$1.