The Short Answer
For the lowest cost on a typical send, TapTap Send is hard to beat — it hands over an exchange rate within a fraction of a percent of mid-market for a very low or zero fee, so a $300 transfer often costs roughly a dollar all-in. Paysend and Ria are close behind. Remitly is the everyday choice when your family wants cash pickup or money in a Tigo Money wallet, and it usually waives the fee on your first send. Wise gives you the transparent mid-market rate, but its fee to Honduras runs higher, so save it for larger bank transfers.
The one route to avoid is a bank wire: US banks usually charge $25-$50 and fold a 2%-4% markup into the rate, so a $1,000 transfer can cost $45-$90 versus around $5-$10 through a specialist app.
The rate matters more than the fee
A "no fee" promise is meaningless if the exchange rate is padded. Look only at how many lempiras actually land for your dollars — compare that number across two or three apps before you send.
The Cheapest Services Compared
| Service | Typical cost | Exchange rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TapTap Send | Low/zero fee, ~0.2% rate | Near mid-market | Lowest total cost on most sends |
| Paysend | Low flat fee (~$2) | Tight markup | Cheap card/bank deposit |
| Remitly | From ~$1.99 (first transfer often free) | Small markup | Cash pickup, Tigo Money, instant |
| Ria / Western Union | Small fee + markup | Marked up | Widest cash-pickup reach |
| Bank wire | $25-$50 + 2%-4% | Marked up | Avoid |
See what each app charges on your amount with these calculators:
Delivery: Bank, Cash Pickup or Tigo Money
How the money arrives often matters more than which app you use — pick the rail that fits your family:
- Cash pickup: the most common option in Honduras. Remitly, Ria, Western Union and MoneyGram pay out lempiras at thousands of points — Banco Atlántida, BAC Credomatic and agent windows in every department. Bring ID and a reference number, collect in minutes, no bank account needed.
- Tigo Money wallet: a fast, popular choice — money lands in the recipient's mobile wallet to spend or cash out locally, ideal for family outside Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.
- Bank deposit: the cheapest route for regular support. Funds reach a Honduran bank account — Banco Atlántida, Banpaís, BAC Credomatic or Ficohsa — usually within 1-2 business days.
A bank or Tigo Money deposit is usually a little cheaper than cash pickup — and just as fast. Keep cash pickup for relatives without an account or a phone.
The USD/HNL Exchange Rate
The exchange rate is where most of the hidden cost hides. The real mid-market USD/HNL rate has sat around 26-27 lempiras per dollar (about 26.8 in mid-2026). The lempira is a slow, managed currency — it eases down a little each year rather than lurching — but a provider that quietly marks the rate up 2%-3% still drains far more than its advertised fee.
On a $1,000 transfer, a 3% markup is roughly 800 lempiras (about $30) gone — money your family never receives. Lean on a near-mid-market service — TapTap Send and Paysend both stay close to the real rate, and Wise uses the exact mid-market rate — and glance at the live lempira rate before you confirm.
The 2026 US Remittance Tax
A quick heads-up on one new charge. From January 1, 2026, the US applies a 1% federal excise tax to remittances — but only those paid for with physical cash or a money order. Anything funded from a bank account or a US debit or credit card is exempt.
For the Honduras corridor that's a real consideration, because a lot of money still goes over the counter in cash. Send online with TapTap Send, Paysend, Remitly or Wise — all of which draw from your bank or card — and the 1% never applies. It only appears when you hand cash to a storefront agent, which is one more reason to move that habit to an app. (Tax rules can shift — check your own circumstances before a big transfer.)
How to Pay the Least
- Pay in from your bank, not cash. ACH funding is the lowest-cost way to load a transfer, and it keeps you clear of the new 1% cash tax.
- Send to a bank account or Tigo Money instead of cash pickup when you can — it usually shaves a dollar or two off, and arrives just as quickly.
- Judge the rate, not the headline fee. The exchange-rate markup is the bigger cost on most sends — TapTap Send and Paysend keep it tiny, and Wise gives the exact mid-market rate.
- Group your transfers. Because a flat fee hurts less on a bigger amount, one larger monthly send beats a string of small ones.
- Take the first-send deal. Remitly and its rivals routinely waive the opening fee and sweeten the rate — claim it once, then compare again next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to Honduras from the USA?
TapTap Send is usually the cheapest — a rate close to mid-market for a very low or zero fee, often about a dollar on a $300 send. Paysend and Ria run it close. Remitly is the pick for cash pickup or a Tigo Money wallet (first transfer often free). Wise gives the transparent mid-market rate but costs more to Honduras, so it's best for larger bank transfers. Skip bank wires — $25-$50 plus a 2%-4% markup.
Can my family pick up the money as cash in Honduras?
Yes — cash pickup is one of the most common ways to receive money in Honduras. Remitly, Ria, Western Union and MoneyGram pay out lempiras at thousands of locations, including Banco Atlántida and BAC Credomatic. The recipient brings ID and a reference number and collects within minutes.
Can I send money to a Tigo Money wallet?
Yes. Several services deposit straight into a Tigo Money mobile wallet, which many Hondurans use day to day — fast, no bank account needed, and easy to spend or cash out locally.
Is there a tax on sending money to Honduras in 2026?
Only if you pay in cash. The 1% US federal excise tax that started January 1, 2026 applies solely to remittances funded with physical cash or a money order. Pay from a bank account or a US debit or credit card — how TapTap Send, Paysend, Remitly and Wise work online — and you owe nothing extra.
What is the USD to HNL exchange rate?
The mid-market USD/HNL rate has recently been around 26-27 lempiras per dollar (about 26.8 in mid-2026). The lempira moves slowly rather than swinging, but a 2%-3% markup still costs you — pick a service that passes on a near mid-market rate.
Key Takeaways
- TapTap Send is usually cheapest (near-mid rate + low/zero fee), with Paysend and Ria close behind; Wise gives the exact mid-market rate but a higher fee on this route.
- Remitly is the pick for cash pickup and Tigo Money (first transfer often free); skip bank wires ($25-$50 + a 2%-4% markup).
- Pay in from a US bank or card and the 2026 1% cash-remittance tax never applies.
- The lempira is slow and stable (~26-27 per dollar), but the rate still matters — a 3% markup on $1,000 is about 800 lempiras (~$30) lost.
Send Smarter to Honduras
Honduras rewards a little comparison: a near-mid app like TapTap Send or Paysend hands over almost every dollar, while Remitly reaches family anywhere through cash pickup or Tigo Money. Run your amount through a couple of services, fund it from your US bank, and far more lempiras will reach home than a bank wire or a padded "zero fee" app would ever deliver.