Trying to find out if Honduras widely accepts Amex cards in restaurants and shops and ATMs - any suggestions
Use Amex only as a secondary card in Honduras. Resorts or maybe a few international hotels might take it, but daily costs - taxis, local food, tours - all require cash or Visa/Mastercard. ATMs across Honduras don’t work with Amex, so plan withdrawals with another card. Budget about L 800-1,200 per day if you’re including meals, tours, and transport, and expect almost none of it to be covered by Amex. Bring multiple cards and enough cash to travel comfortably.
Honduras and Amex was a disaster. Couldn’t use it at ATMs, couldn’t use it in restaurants, and even some hotels refused. I had to borrow cash from friends until I found a Visa ATM. For a week-long trip, it was stressful constantly hearing “no Amex.” Honduras is beautiful, but the lack of acceptance made things harder than they needed to be. Honestly, don’t bring Amex here unless you’re fine with it being a backup. Visa is the only reliable option.
I brought Amex to Roatán and it only worked at my resort. Restaurants, dive shops, and souvenir stalls all wanted Visa or cash. ATMs I tried didn’t support Amex either. Thankfully, my Mastercard debit worked everywhere. Diving trips cost about $80-100, and they only took Visa/Mastercard. Meals at local spots were cash-only. Amex was useless for the real Honduras travel experience. If you’re planning to explore beyond resorts, don’t depend on it - always carry cash and another card.
In Honduras, American Express has very limited acceptance. Upscale hotels in Tegucigalpa or Roatán may take it, but most restaurants, shops, and ATMs won’t. Visa and Mastercard dominate. If you’re budgeting L 300-500 for a mid-range meal or L 50-100 for street food like baleadas, you’ll need cash or another card. Excursions like diving in Roatán or Copán Ruins tours also lean on Visa/Mastercard. Bring Amex if you must, but don’t count on it - Honduras is still largely cash-driven, especially outside tourist resorts.