This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the General (Consular Assistance) section (Honorary Consul’s contacts details). The overall level of advice has not changed.

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  Please read  Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages of the FCO website for further information and advice.

Crime

There are high levels of crime in Honduras.  The majority of serious crime involves Honduran citizens and does not affect tourists.  However, there have been attacks on tourists in recent years, including armed robbery, car/busjackings and sexual offences including rape.  In October 2007, two incidents of busjackings have occurred involving British and German tour bus groups in Santa Rita, on the road between San Pedro Sula and Copan.

 

For more general information please see:  Assault, Sexual Assault and Rape Overseas

 

The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Honduras is for pickpocketing and loss of passports.  Petty theft is a problem in cities and tourist areas, including the Bay Islands.  You should be particularly careful of your belongings at bus stations, airports, tourist places and on public transport.  You should keep your valuables locked away in a safe or keep them on your person when travelling.

 

Despite the high levels of crime most visits to Honduras are trouble-free.  However, the risk of becoming a victim exists and you should take steps to mitigate the risk.  You should take your personal security seriously and be aware of your surroundings at all times.  The following advice may help:

 

Particular attention should be taken if travelling between towns and cities at night.  We advise against walking around Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and other main towns and cities on mainland Honduras after dark.

 

The Bay Islands are generally safer than mainland Honduras.  However there have been several attacks on visitors at the Bay Islands including on the ferries to/from mainland Honduras.  You should remain aware of your surroundings and take sensible precautions when travelling on the Bay Islands. 

 

You should avoid walking in quiet areas after dark, in particular on beaches in Tela and the north coast towns.  There have been several attacks on foreigners on beaches in recent years after dark, including on the Bay Islands.  You should not resist when being robbed.  Victims have been killed and injured resisting attack.  It is useful to carry a few Lempiras to hand out in the event of a robbery.

 

You should avoid displaying items of value such as cameras, MP3 players and mobile phones.  This is particularly important when arriving at the airport.  There have been instances of foreigners being targeted when leaving the vicinity of the airports in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.  You are advised not to wear expensive jewellery and only carry minimal amounts of cash when travelling in Honduras.

 

You should take care travelling alone in Honduras.  When travelling to remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or take part in a tour with a reputable company.  The same applies to walking on trails and at historical places, as there have been reports of attacks on tourists walking alone.  You should never accept lifts from strangers or attempt to hitchhike anywhere in Honduras.

 

You should take care travelling in Honduras as there have been reports of violent attacks on cars and buses in recent years. We advise against travelling on microbuses (colectivos) in large cities such as Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula for security reasons. You should exercise caution when driving in Honduras on certain routes as car jackings have occurred. Please see the Local Travel section of this travel advice for more details.

 

It is safer to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres or change money in hotels or banks.  It is wise not to withdraw too much money at one time.  There have been attacks on foreigners after they have withdrawn money from ATMs.  You should avoid withdrawing money at night.

 

Petty crime is widespread in urban areas, and at tourist sites.  You should be particularly careful of your belongings at bus stations, airports, crowded tourist places and on buses.  Theft is common on Roatan and the Bay Islands.  You should keep your valuables locked away in a safe or keep them on your person when travelling.  Travel with several sources of funds: cash, travellers’ cheques (in US dollars), credit cards, etc, but keep them safe and in separate places.  Carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes.  Although it is illegal to be without some form of identification in Honduras, a photocopy is acceptable.

 

For more general advice see the Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Honduras Country Profile.

Demonstrations occur in Honduras from time to time, sometimes with little warning.  They can become violent and disrupt movement.  You are advised to avoid large gatherings or demonstrations.

 

The Honduran Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and participation in activities such as demonstrations may result in detention and/or deportation.

LOCAL TRAVEL

You should take care travelling in Honduras as there have been reports of violent attacks on cars and buses in recent years.  Particular care should be taken if travelling on microbuses (colectivos) in large cities such as Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula for security reasons.  Travelling on major roads between large towns/cities is safer than travelling on more remote routes.

 

When travelling by car, it is safer to travel on main roads between major cities and destinations. You are at greater risk of attack in remote areas with fewer police patrols.  Take simple precautions such as locking doors and keeping windows closed whilst travelling. Do not travel between towns/cities after dark as you greatly increase the risk of attack.

 

Roads that have seen attacks in recent years include routes from Limones to La Union and also from Olancho via Salama to Saba.  You should exercise particular caution on the roads from Gualaco to San Estaban and La Esparanza to Gracias.  The isolated roads of the Department of Santa Barbara have also seen criminal activity, and hijackings of vehicles have occurred on roads in/around Tela, La Ceiba, Trujillo and El Progreso.  In October 2007, two incidents of busjackings have occurred involving British and German tour bus groups in Santa Rita, on the road between San Pedro Sula and Copan.

 

You should pay attention to your security at the border areas with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.  In particular, travellers have been targeted by armed robbers after crossing the Honduran border into El Salvador.  You should avoid openly changing large amounts of money and make sure valuables are kept out of sight.  It is often better to cross borders in the morning as borders sometimes close in the early evening or remain unmanned at nights.  It also allows time for you to reach your destination before dark.

 

There are unmarked minefields in/around the border with Nicaragua.  You should exercise caution and avoid walking on unmarked paths or off main roads in these areas.

 

Road Travel

Driving standards in Honduras are generally poor and you should drive with caution.  Road travel at night is inadvisable, not only for security reasons, but also because many vehicles travel without lights and animals often wander across the roads causing accidents.  You should be aware that minor roads in the countryside are still being repaired after the damage caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

Public buses in Honduras are often poorly maintained and recklessly driven. Accidents are common and occasionally fatal.  Luxury-type buses, normally operated by private companies, are usually better maintained.

 

For more general information see:  Driving Abroad

 

Air Travel

 

Flights in and out of Tegucigalpa can be affected by poor visibility caused by low cloud cover and smog, especially around April/May.

Following any traffic accident you should normally wait for the police to arrive.

 

If you become involved in a road accident where another person is badly injured, you may be held in custody for a period regardless of culpability.  You should seek legal assistance immediately and inform the Embassy in Guatemala.  Ensure that you take full details of the other driver (who may not be insured), and do not only rely on the vehicle’s number plate.

 

For more general advice for different types of travellers see:  Travel Checklists

Visas

 

British nationals can obtain 30-day visit visas on arrival.  These may be extended by 30 days on two further occasions if you apply to an Immigration Office.

 

Central America Border Control Agreement

Honduras is party to the Central America Border Control Agreement (CA-4).  Under the terms of this agreement, British tourists may travel within any of the CA-4 countries (Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala) for a period of up to 90 day, without completing entry and exit formalities at border Immigration checkpoints.  This period begins at the first point of entry of any of the CA-4 countries.  Fines are applied for travellers who exceed this 90-day limit, although a request for an extension can be made for up to 30 days by paying a fee before the 90 days limit expires.  If you are expelled from any of the four countries you are also excluded from the entire CA-4 region.

 

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries required documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Honduran representation in the UK.

State-funded hospitals are under-funded and medicines are in short supply.  We advise the use of private clinics where possible.

Private health clinics and hospitals are available in the major towns only; standards vary.  Drink only properly purified water.  Incidents of diarrhoea are prevalent.

Malaria is more of a concern in remote, low-lying parts of the country. Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  The highest number of cases is usually reported in the hot season from May to November.  In 2007 there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region.
AIDS/HIV is widespread, especially in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Tela, Trujillo and the Bay Islands.

 

There is a fully operable hyperbaric decompression chamber on Roatan and there are decompression facilitates on the Bay Island of Utila.  However, you should be aware that medical facilities on the Bay Islands are extremely limited in the event of an emergency.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Honduras.

 

For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Honduras you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel

 

For more general health information see the Travel Health

NATURAL DISASTERS

The worst natural disaster to occur in Honduras was Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which caused extensive loss of life and damage from which the country is still recovering.  Honduras is particularly susceptible to hurricanes, flooding and earthquakes.  Drought and forest fires are also quite frequent.

 

Hurricanes

 

The hurricane season in Honduras normally runs from June to November.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  You can also access the National Hurricane Centre for updates.  Please also see Hurricanes for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

 

Earthquakes

Honduras is subject to frequent minor earth tremors and occasional earthquakes.

 

You should ensure that you know what action to take should an earthquake occur.  If staying in a hotel read their earthquake instructions.  During an earthquake, you should drop to the ground and take cover under sturdy furniture, in a doorway or next to an inside wall, away from windows or objects which may fall.  Cover your head with a pillow or your arms and wait for the earthquake to stop, before moving to a safe area outside.

 

Further advice may be found on the following website:  http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/readyearth.html

Insurance

 

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  Please see Travel Insurance

 

If things go wrong when overseas please see:  What We Can Do To Help

Consular Assistance

There is no British Embassy in Honduras.  The British Embassy in Guatemala City has overall responsibility for Honduras.  In the event of an emergency in San Pedro Sula, the department of Cortes and the north coast, contact the British Honorary Consul in San Pedro Sula.  In the event of an emergency on the Bay Islands contact the British Honorary Consul in Roatan.  For emergencies elsewhere contact the Honorary Consul in Tegucigalpa.

Honorary Consul (Tegucigalpa): Mr Leonardo Casco Fortin, Tegucigalpa.

Office Hours: Local Time: Mon-Fri: 08:00 to12:00 and 14:00 to 17:30, GMT: Mon -Fri: 14:00 to 18:00 and 20:00 to 23:30.

Tel: +504 237 6577; +504 237 6549; +504 238-3852 or +504 9990-8579; Fax: +504 238 4097

e-mail: reforma@cascomark.com

 

Honorary Consul (San Pedro Sula): Mr Edgardo Dumas, San Pedro Sula, PO Box 63.

Office Hours: Local Time: Mon-Fri: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Sat: 08:00 to 12:00, GMT: Mon-Fri: 14:00 to 18:00 and 19:00 to 23:00.

Tel: +504 550 2337, Fax: +504 550 6145;
email: edumas@sulanet.net

 

Honorary Consul (Roatan & Bay Islands): Mr Matthew Harper

Office Hours: Local Time: Mon-Fri: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Sat: 08:00 to 12:00, GMT: Mon-Fri: 14:00 to 18:00 and 19:00 to 23:00.

Tel: +504 9727 2478 (Dedicated Line); +504 435 1018 (Office); +504 9994 6875 Mobile phone)

Email: nobobs@globalnet.hn

 

Passports should be left in a hotel safe/deposit box.  You should carry a photocopy of your personal details page for identification purposes.  You should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages before you travel.

 

The British Honorary Consuls in Tegucigapa and San Pedro Sula, Roatan and the British Embassy in Guatemala City do not issue standard passports.  Applications for new passports need to be sent to the British Embassy in Costa Rica for processing.  The process may take up to six weeks.  If a courier is used, the cost will have to borne by the applicant.  Please contact the British Embassy in Costa Rica for further details or see their website: http://www.britishembassycr.com

 

However, in emergencies and some circumstances, we are able to process temporary and emergency passports in Guatemala City, but it is dependant on your situation.  These documents are only available if you have held a full passport previously.  Please note that these passports are restrictive - temporary passports are only valid for up to one year and emergency passports are for one journey back to the UK.  Temporary passports (but not Emergency passports) are valid for travel via the US.

 

You are strongly advised to register with the British Embassy in Guatemala on arrival in Honduras. You can do this via email at consular.guatemala@fco.gov.uk

 
Money

Credit cards are widely accepted.  ATMs are available in the major towns but often do not accept UK credit cards.  Only the more recognised travellers’ cheques in US Dollars (such as American Express) are accepted in Roatan.  Sterling cannot be changed in Honduras.