Honduras Travel Safety

Road safety

Road Travel is unsafe as many roads are poorly delineated and not well-lit. Plan to travel within daylight hours and allow for possible traffic delays, which can be caused by slow moving, overloaded trucks or vehicles with poorly secured cargo. Maintain a heightened awareness along all routes. Traffic accidents are frequent and a common cause of death and injury. Local motorists generally do not follow traffic regulations or safe driving practices. Vehicles can be in very poor condition, including insufficient headlights. There is often heavy traffic volume in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa. Drive with windows closed and doors locked at all times. Carry a cell phone in case of emergency. At roadblocks, verify that there is a police vehicle and green cones. At least five police officers should be present. If you have any doubts, call 911 to confirm the location of the roadblocks and the identity of the individuals stopping you before you roll down your window or open your door. Avoid 33 Street and southern San Pedro Sula when travelling from the airport in San Pedro Sula, take route CA13 instead.

Cruises

The ports on Roatan Island are cruise-ship stops. The port agencies at Mahogany Bay and Town Center have worked to improve taxi service to and from the ports. Taxis can be found inside the port facilities. Taxis are white and every taxi driver carries an ID card with the name of the port. Book tours and sightseeing trips through reputable tour companies.

Landmines

In 2004, Honduras concluded all planned projects related to the destruction of antipersonnel mines. No incidents involving landmines have been reported since 2012. However, you should still be cautious along the Honduras–Nicaragua border, especially in the Río Coco region, the Choluteca and El Paraíso departments and near the Atlantic coast. Travel only on major thoroughfares and through authorized border crossings.

Public transportation

Avoid intercity public transportation due to the risk of armed robbery. If necessary, use companies that have direct, non-stop executive service from your place of departure to your destination. Never travel on intercity buses at night. Most urban public buses and shared taxis (colectivos) are poorly maintained and erratically driven. Accidents are common. There are regular incidents of individuals boarding a bus to rob all of the occupants and/or to shoot an occupant and/or the driver. For inter-city travel use buses operated by private, well-established companies only.

Marine transportation

In the area off the northeast coast of Honduras, armed assaults against private vessels have been perpetrated by criminals posing as fishermen. Sailors should contact local authorities for current information.

Taxis

Use a reliable taxi company recommended by a major hotel chain and negotiate the fare in advance. Do not board taxis at taxi stands or flag taxis in the street. When travelling by air, pre-arrange your pickup with your hotel prior to your arrival. Otherwise, make sure to use authorized airport taxis whose drivers wear easily identifiable picture identification badges. Never share a taxi with strangers. Note the driver's name and licence number. Ensure that the driver does not pick up other passengers along the way to your destination, and have small bills available for payment, as taxi drivers often do not make change.

Women's safety

There have been incidents of sexual assault against women travellers. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. In addition, don't flash money or valuables in public. Doing so may make you a potential victim of criminal activity.

Scams

Thieves pose as victims of road accidents. Do not stop to help a person at the side of the road, instead, report anything suspicious at the next police point or call 911. Be cautious when approached by police, as gang members and criminals sometimes disguise themselves as police officers. Do not use shared taxis. Individuals travelling in shared taxis are regularly assaulted and robbed by thieves posing as occupants.

Crime

There is a high level of violent crime in Honduras, and the country has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and the presence of street gangs pose significant security concerns. The government of Honduras lacks sufficient resources to properly respond to, investigate and prosecute cases. As a result, criminals linked to organized crime operate with a high degree of impunity throughout Honduras. Kidnapping, extortion, home invasion, robbery, sexual assault and other forms of aggravated assault are carried out by criminals acting individually or as a group. Assault, armed robbery and carjacking are serious problems along Honduran highways. A large percentage of the population in Honduras is armed. Incidents of armed robbery occur mainly on urban streets during the day and on intercity buses at night. Guns and other weapons, such as machetes and knives, are frequently used. Although most criminals do not target tourists, some travellers have been victims of crime in major cities and in areas frequented by tourists, especially at night. If you are threatened by robbers, do not resist. Injuries and deaths have occurred when victims have resisted. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times and avoid walking or travelling alone and after dark (including travelling in vehicles leaving the airport). Due to the threat of violent crime, particular vigilance is recommended in and around the cities of La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa–Comayaguela; in Atlántida, Copán, Cortés, Ocotepeque and Yoro departments; along the border with Guatemala; in rural areas north of Nacaome, in the department of Valle; and north of Choluteca, in the department of Choluteca. Narcotics smuggling and violence pose threats to the security of travellers in the northern departments of Colón, Gracias a Dios and Olancho. In Colón, there have also been incidents involving roadblocks and violence related to land disputes, particularly in the Aguán valley and in the north coast area near Trujillo. Remain alert to local conditions and maintain a high level of personal security awareness in these areas. In resort areas, stay on supervised, populated beaches and avoid isolated areas. Whenever possible, walk in a group, attacks on tourists walking alone have occurred. Foreigners have been assaulted on beaches in the Bay Islands and along the Atlantic Coast, mainly at night. On Roatán Island, robbers have targeted homes and long-term leased residences. Coxen Hole should be avoided after dark. Use discretion when discussing your travel plans in public. Be cautious when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances and be extremely careful when accepting rides or invitations. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, is prevalent. Be highly vigilant at all times, including in the vicinity of hotels, airports, bus terminals, shopping malls and other public places. Do not display signs of affluence, such as jewellery, watches, cameras, phones, cash and bank or credit cards. Ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Carry photocopies of your travel documents, and leave the originals in a secure hotel safe. Use only automated teller machines (ATMs) found in well-lit public areas or inside banks or hotels, and do so during the day only. Remain alert to your surroundings after using ATMs and avoid carrying large sums of money. Credit card skimming is a concern. Keep your credit and debit cards within sight while making transactions at hotels and restaurants. Hitchhiking is strongly discouraged throughout Honduras. Campers should always stay in well-lit campgrounds that have security patrols. Exercise caution at borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua and use official border crossings only. You should cross borders in the morning, as crossings sometimes close unexpectedly early in the evening. Exercise caution when dealing with police officers because corruption exists within parts of the police force.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as the items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

LGBT

Homosexuality is not illegal, although currently there are no provisions in Honduran legislation guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. There is no recognition of same-sex marriage in Honduras. Local people are largely tolerant of individuals' personal lifestyles and small displays of affection between same-sex couples are accepted. There is a more conservative attitude outside Tegucigalpa City and public displays of affection by same-sex couples are not recommended.

Illegal or restricted activities

There are severe penalties for drug trafficking (15 to 20 years in prison and a very large fine) and drug use (from 3 to 9 months in a rehabilitation centre). Honduran prisons are overcrowded and violent.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is required. Drivers involved in road accidents where another person is badly injured may be held in custody, regardless of culpability.