Honduras

Honduran Culture

This Central American country has a 3,000-year-old Mayan culture, beautiful beaches, and delicious cuisine. Honduras’ tropical weather enriches its lush flora and fauna. Slightly larger than the state of Tennessee, Honduras is mountainous and the only Central American country without active volcanoes.

Food and drinks are the center of social gatherings, and Hondurans will enjoy sharing their culture, including dancing Punta, a traditional Honduran dance. Since Hondurans generally consider people to be more important than schedules, being late for appointments or social events is a common way of living. Ninety percent of Honduras’ population is mestizo (mixed Spanish and indigenous heritage) while only about seven percent has indigenous ancestry.

Host a Honduran student in the U.S.

Family Dynamic

Family ties are strong in Honduras. On average, families have between two and three children. Rural families are usually larger than urban ones. Girls help with taking care of younger children and conducting household chores from an early age. Honduran parents tend to be very protective, especially of their daughters. Some families expect boys to help with such chores as well. Children rarely leave the home until they marry, often living at home even after they marry. Adult children, especially daughters, are expected to care for their elderly parents, as retirement homes are rare in Honduras.

Teenage Life in Honduras

Teenagers in Honduras enjoy spending their free time with their families. When not studying, teenagers will play soccer, basketball or volleyball. Other common activities include getting together for a movie, working out at a gym, going to restaurants, or getting a coffee.

Teenagers in Honduras begin dating in groups around age 15. At around age 18, couples date without being accompanied by friends. Couples meet and establish relationships at school, in their neighborhoods, at church groups, and at work. They often socialize at parties, nightclubs, or at community-sponsored dances.

Holidays in Honduras

Official Language

Spanish is the official language of Honduras.

Communication Styles

Hondurans tend to stand close together while speaking. In general, Hondurans favor an indirect communication style. Questions are often answered based on social circumstances and personal relationships with the speaker. Often, people will tell each other what they want to hear to avoid confrontation. Hondurans typically greet each other loudly and use public displays of affection. Hondurans point with their lips to people, things, or places, especially while gossiping.

Honduran Diet

Honduran cuisine is delicious, colorful, and full of variety. Meals usually include corn, beans and rice, tortillas, fruit, and seafood. Hondurans like a hearty breakfast, while lunch and dinner are lighter meals. A typical Honduran dish is the Baleada, a thick flour tortilla filled with fried beans and perhaps other ingredients like cheese. Other popular drinks include horchata (a grain-based, cinnamon-seasoned drink), and pinol (made from maize and various spices).

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