Honduras Sees the Dollar Break 27 Lempiras for the First Time
The lempira exchange rate broke 27 to the US dollar on 28 August 2026. Reserves and remittances are both at records, which is why the central bank sounds unmoved. The post Honduras Sees the Dollar Break 27 Lempiras for the First Time appeared first on The Rio Times .
On 28 August 2026, Honduras witnessed a significant milestone as the exchange rate of the lempira against the US dollar crossed the symbolic threshold of 27 for the first time. This follows a record high in the country's reserves, standing at an impressive US$11.59 billion. Banco Central de Honduras, the nation's central bank, reported a daily average selling price of L27.0010 for the US dollar, breaking the 27 mark.
Prior to this, the bank's reference rate was L26.8667, but it gradually decreased to L26.8661 by 29 August 2026. The lempira exchange rate is comprised of two figures - the selling price for households and importers at the bank counter, and the reference rate used by banks and exchange houses. The rate opened 2026 at L26.5056 and finished August at L27.0010, indicating a 1.87% decline in just under eight months.
Measured against the same period in 2025, the change stands at 3.27%. The central bank president, Roberto Lagos, attributes this year's decrease to approximately 1.7% or 43 centavos, while mentioning a loss of roughly 1 lempira in 2025 alone. The symbolism of this event is significant, given Honduras' heavy reliance on imports. The lempira's weakness raises import costs, affecting households and businesses alike.
Banks and exchange houses purchase dollars from the central bank in a daily electronic auction, where winning bids typically hover around the lower end of the daily band set by the bank.
Written by urgent.news from The Rio Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
