On a budget and looking for free ATMs in Honduras - Any top banks?
I traveled Honduras on a shoestring and swear by Wise’s card for its free monthly ATM withdrawals. Banco Ficohsa or Banco Atlántida were the banks I used most and rarely got charged big fees. Bank ATMs in city centers seemed far more reliable and cheaper than tourist zone ATMs. Always check for fees before confirming the withdrawal-the screen displays any charges so you can cancel and try another bank if needed.
My best hack for cheap withdrawals in Honduras was sticking to Banco Ficohsa and pulling out the max each time. Most hostels and locals told me Banco Atlántida and Banco de Occidente are safest and have lowest fees for travelers. Sending money to yourself with WorldRemit and collecting from a bank branch is also a great option if you want zero ATM fees. Try to avoid market ATMs unless you’re desperate-they charge crazy commissions!
From my recent trip to Tegucigalpa and La Ceiba, I found most ATMs charged a fee, usually around 115 HNL, but Banco Occidente sometimes didn’t charge me anything with my international card. You can also use ATM Revolution’s locator tool online to find the nearest fee-free machines; super handy! For budget travelers, it’s smartest to withdraw larger amounts less often so those flat fees don’t add up. Always stick to official bank ATMs over third-party ones for better rates.
If you’re looking for free ATMs in Honduras, Banco Ficohsa is worth a try since some travelers report no withdrawal fee for foreign cards at their machines. Banco Atlántida and Banco de Occidente are also widely available and sometimes offer fee-free transactions depending on your card’s network. Using a Wise Multi-Currency Card can get you a couple of free ATM withdrawals each month. I always avoid standalone ATMs in shops or tourist areas, as their fees are much higher and their exchange rates aren’t great.