Some thought and planning should go into your packing. Once you are in Honduras there will be few opportunities to get things you left behind. As you pack, carefully consider what you really need and what will just be extra weight. Keep in mind that you may be asked to carry group supplies as well!
Check with your airline and be sure to know how many bags you can take and how much each can weigh.
Be sure to place all medications, personal hygiene items and at least one change of clothes in your carry-on bag. Every year a few bags fail to arrive on time in Honduras. You don’t want to do without something vital!
Tips: Weigh all bags before arriving at the airport. You don’t want to be sorting your luggage at the check-in counter!
Carry-on size restrictions are typically strictly enforced on international flights. Measure your luggage to ensure it will fit!
What to Bring:
Pack in your heart:
- A Flexible Spirit: You never know what the day may bring!
- A Patient Attitude: Time moves more slowly in Honduras. Relax and enjoy!
- A Servant’s Love: Have a submissive spirit; serve with joy.
- A Grateful Heart: Be thankful for food to eat; a place to rest.
Carry-on: Items to carry with you on the plane – all the essentials in case your luggage is late!
- Fieldworker’s Manual: For help filling out forms and general orientation as you fly.
- Pen: For journaling and filling out forms on the plane.
- Passport: Label a Zip-lock bag with your name for safekeeping.
- Cash & Credit Card
- Camera, film, batteries, memory card, carrying case: Bring more film/memory card than you think you will need!
- Personal medications: Pack several days’ supple extra to prepare for travel delay.
- Toiletries: check current airline restrictions. Currently allowed one clear quart-size Zip-lock full of 3.4oz. liquids/gels/aerosols
- Change of clothes: An appropriate set for work, church and sleep if possible.
- Rain gear: In case it rains between the airport and Canchias.
- Water bottle: wide mouth, screw top recommended (not a pop-up top!)
- Flashlight: Reverse the batteries during travel so they won’t accidentally turn on.
- Expensive or fragile equipment: Special medical tools, electronics and anything that requires being handled with care.
- Small roll of toilet paper or package of tissue.
- Handi-wipes or hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Sunglasses
- Gloves: For construction projects.
- Hat: One that will withstand the wind of a truck ride!
Backpack: Suggested items to carry with you on day trips.
- Passport copy
- Cash: About $10 in small bills, mainly used for church offerings.
- Camera
- Personal medications
- Rain gear: Poncho and/or umbrella
- Water bottle
- Flashlight: Especially helpful in dark bathrooms or walking back to the cabins at night.
- Small roll of toilet paper/package of tissue
- Handi-wipes/hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Sunglasses
- Gloves
- Hat: If taking the tour behind Pulhapanzak Falls, be sure to wear your baseball cap!
Clothing: Think CONSERVATIVE, not FASHION!
We ask that visiting North Americans abide by the preferences of the Village Churches and the same dress code our students and staff conform to. Be sure to bring enough changes of clothes for each day of your trip! Due to the HOT/WET nature of Honduras it does make re-wearing clothes problematic. Please make sure your arrival attire matches the guidelines.
- Underclothes
- Socks
- Tank tops
- T-Shirts: Short or long sleeve is ok, but no sleeveless shirts!
- Shorts
- Long pants or Capris (work clothes): Scrubs, khakis, jeans, etc.
- Skirts or Dresses
- Long pants (church clothes): Casual slacks, khakis, nice jeans, etc.
- Collared shirt: polo, etc.
- Light weight jacket/sweatshirt
- Robe: for the shower
- Swimsuit
- River shoes
- Footwear: Bring at least 2 pair – Tennis shoes, sport sandals, work shoes or hiking boots.
- Flip flops: for the shower
DRESS CODE:Shorts (mid-thigh length or longer) Tops (modest necklines and sleeves) No tops with spaghetti straps or tops that reveal a bare midriff! Dresses/Skirts (hem below the knee) |
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| LOCATION/ACTIVITY | WOMEN | MEN |
| Cabins/Porches | Shorts & Tank tops | Shorts & Tank tops |
| Campus/Village | Scrubs, long pants, capris, skirt, dress & top with sleeves | Scrubs, long pants & shirt with sleeves |
| Work Projects, Medical Teams & VBS | Scrubs, long pants, capris. Tops with sleeves | Scrubs, long pants. Shirts with sleeves, no tank tops! |
| Church | Skirt, top with sleeves, dress | Long pants & collared shirt |
| Swimming | Dark t-shirt and shorts over a swimsuit. May wear shorts to walk from cabin to river. | Shorts. May wear shorts from cabin to river. |
Toiletries
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Razor (battery or straight)
- Shaving cream
- Small mirror
- Soap
- Shampoo & Conditioner: Avoid floral, fruity or herbal scents
- Comb/brush
- Minimal make-up, if any!
- Toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene items: Even if you think you won’t need any.
- Eye glasses/contact lenses & supplies
Personal Medical Kit
- Prescription medications
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Pepto Bismol
- Cipro, Chloroquine (Prescription antibiotic/Anti-malaria medication – see your doctor)
- Insect repellent: Off, Avon’s Skin-So-Soft, Skintastic, etc.
- Sunscreen (SPF 25 or higher)
- Sunburn remedies:Solarcaine, aloe, etc.
- Chapstick
- Benadryl
- Anti-itch cream/spray
- Alcohol pads
- Tylenol/Ibuprofen
- Neosporin ointment
- Bandaids/bandages
- Handi-wipes/hand sanitizer
Food
Meals will be provided for you at the Dining Hall each day. However, you are welcome to bring snacks if you like!
- Pack snacks in sealed containers and bring extra
- Zip-Loc bags to seal leftovers
- Consider powdered Gatorade or drink mixes to add to your water bottle!
- Soft drinks are available for sale in Canchias, but not chocolate…
Money
Guidelines only!
We suggest you bring mostly $20’s but also a few $10’s, $5’s and $1’s. In most cases you can spend U.S. dollars, but may receive change in lempiras.
Upon arrival in Canchias, place your main paper cash inside your passport, put both items in a ZipLoc bag labeled with your name and give them to your Heart to Honduras leader to be kept in the safe. Keep about $10 to $20 in small bills for offerings/soft drinks.
You will need cash for:
- HTH Gear: A variety of t-shirts, hats & more are available for purchase in San Isidro
- Souvenirs: Some shops also accept credit cards
- Offerings at church
- Meals/Snacks if your group chooses to eat out
- Hotel rooms (if necessary)
- Tips: At restaurants/hotels, 10% is customary
Miscellaneous
- English/Spanish Dictionary or electronic translator
- Towels & washcloths: Two sets – thin ones dry faster!
- Pillow/Sheets: If you’re picky or have ones you’d like to donate
- Blanket: If you sleep cold
- Earplugs: For snoring roommates/crowing roosters!
- Bible
- Paper towels/rags
- Jar of bubbles (in a ZipLoc!) Children love them!
