Orientation briefing in Honduras

Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. Hurricane Mitch devastated the country in 1998, killing about 5,600 people and causing approximately $2 billion in damage. Since then, the economy has slowly rebounded, despite COVID-19 and severe storm-related setbacks in 2020 and 2021.

Protests can happen anywhere in Honduras. Although normally peaceful, these can rapidly turn violent with a general breakdown in law and order, including looting. The police have frequently responded with tear gas and there have been deaths and injuries.

Although protests are normally restricted to the main cities (especially Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba), the authorities can set up roadblocks anywhere at short notice and these cause significant travel disruptions. Your travel plans may be affected at short notice.

It is illegal for foreigners to participate in political activities. If you take part in protests, you may be detained and deported. Avoid all demonstrations and protests and do not try to pass through blockades. Follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator or airline and monitor local and social media.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers 

• read our guide on disability and travel abroad 

• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers 

• read about safety for solo and independent travel 

• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

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Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.   

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Honduras

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Honduras, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Political situation

Protests can happen anywhere in Honduras. Although normally peaceful, these can rapidly turn violent with a general breakdown in law and order, including looting. The police have frequently responded with tear gas and there have been deaths and injuries.

Although protests are normally restricted to the main cities (especially Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba), the authorities can set up roadblocks anywhere at short notice and these cause significant travel disruptions. Your travel plans may be affected at short notice.

It is illegal for foreigners to participate in political activities. If you take part in protests, you may be detained and deported. Avoid all demonstrations and protests and do not try to pass through blockades. Follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator or airline and monitor local and social media.

Crime

Honduras has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Although most serious crime does not affect tourists, you could be caught up in incidents as they can happen anywhere and at any time, even in tourist areas.

Protecting yourself and your belongings

Petty theft is a problem in cities and tourist areas, including the Bay Islands (Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja). Avoid walking around Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and other main towns and cities in mainland Honduras. Be particularly careful at bus stations, airports, isolated beaches, tourist sites and on public transport. Keep your valuables locked away in a safe if possible. Avoid displaying valuable items like jewellery, cameras, tablets, laptops, and mobile phones.

ATM crime

ATMs are available in the major towns. Check with your hotel which ATMs to use, especially in Roatán. It is safer to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres and to change money in hotels or banks. Check ATMs for evidence of tampering, although affected machines may not be easy to spot. Do not withdraw a lot of money at one time and avoid withdrawals at night.

People have been killed and injured resisting criminals. It is useful to carry a small amount of money to hand out if you’re robbed.

Violent attacks against vehicles

There have been violent attacks on people in cars and buses. Using a reputable tour company for longer journeys may reduce the risks, consider alternatives to public transport (buses). For shorter distances, use radio-dispatched taxis or hotel taxis. It is generally safer to travel on main roads between major cities and tourist destinations.

Take precautions such as:

• locking vehicle doors
• keeping windows closed
• not travelling after dark
• travelling in convoy
• not picking up hitchhikers

Take care if you’re travelling alone. In remote areas it may be safer to travel with others or join a tour. Do not accept lifts from strangers or hitchhike.

There have been attacks on roads:

• from Limones to La Union
• from Olancho via Salama to Saba
• from Gualaco to San Esteban
• from La Esperanza to Gracias
• in the Department of Santa Barbara
• in and around Tela, La Ceiba, Trujillo and El Progreso

Scams

Scammers often target foreign visitors and residents. The scams come in many forms and can cause great financial loss. Warn your friends and family to be sceptical if they’re asked to transfer funds to you in Honduras. Tell them to contact you to check that you’ve made this request.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID and travel documents

Always carry photo ID. Carry a copy of the photo and visa pages of your passport with you. Leave the original in a safe place.

Make sure you always have the documents for your hotel, car rental, tour or ticket reservations. Local authorities may stop you and ask for documents confirming your travel plans. 

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

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.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal. There are no laws guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. There is no recognition of same-sex marriage. People in the capital, Tegucigalpa, are largely tolerant of individuals’ personal lifestyles and accept small signs of affection between same-sex couples. There is a more conservative attitude outside the capital and showing affection in public is not recommended.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

US dollars are widely accepted for exchange and payment. It is difficult to exchange British pounds in Honduras. 

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Scuba diving accidents

There is a hyperbaric (recompression) chamber on Roatán and there are recompression facilities on the Bay Island of Utila. However, emergency medical facilities on the Bay Islands are extremely limited.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Honduras, see information on driving abroad. 

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Honduras for up to 3 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP. 

Make sure you have adequate insurance.

If you are involved in an accident, contact the police or the fire brigade (telephone: 911), stay with your vehicle and wait for the police to arrive. If you’re in a serious accident, you may be taken into custody regardless of responsibility. Seek legal help and inform the British Embassy in Guatemala.  Take full details of the other driver (who may not be insured), and do not rely solely on the vehicle’s number plate.

Driving conditions

Driving standards in Honduras are generally poor. Avoid road travel at night. Many vehicles travel without lights, and animals often wander across roads causing accidents. You may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if you are not travelling on main roads.

Public buses are often poorly maintained, overcrowded and recklessly driven. Accidents are common and sometimes fatal. Luxury buses, operated by private companies, are usually better maintained.

Some roads remain damaged by hurricanes that struck in 2020.

Air travel 

Airlines in Honduras can change their schedules at short notice. Before you travel, check with your airline or travel agent.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Drought, forest fires and flash flooding are common in Honduras.

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards. 

Hurricanes

The hurricane season in Honduras normally runs from May to November. Landslides and flooding can affect roads throughout the country. Monitor local weather reports and check the warnings from the US National Hurricane Center. Follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. See the Honduran national civil protection website COPECO (Spanish language website).

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a risk in Honduras. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake and tsunami.

This section has safety advice for regions of Honduras. It only covers regions where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Borders with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua

Armed robbers have targeted travellers after they cross the Honduran border into El Salvador. It is often better to cross borders in the morning as they sometimes close in the early evening and remain closed at night.

There are unmarked minefields in and around the border with Nicaragua. Avoid walking on unmarked paths or off main roads in these areas.

Bay Islands and north coast

The Bay Islands are generally safer than mainland Honduras, but there have been several attacks by criminals on visitors, including on the ferries to and from mainland Honduras. If you are visiting Roatán, travel with a reputable guide. If you are driving a car or scooter, avoid side roads in remote areas, which can be poorly maintained and unsafe during night time hours.

Take care on beaches in the north coast towns after dark.

There is a risk of criminal attacks and carjackings in and around Tela, La Ceiba, Trujillo and El Progreso.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Honduras
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in Honduras including:

• Zika virus

• malaria and dengue 

• yellow fever

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Honduras. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.

Tap water is not generally safe to drink, but bottled water is cheap and widely available.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

You cannot use British-issued prescriptions in Honduras. To find a pharmacy (‘farmacia’) look for one of the big national chains such as Farmacias Siman, Farmacias Kielsa or Farmacia El Ahorro.

Healthcare in Honduras

State-funded hospitals are underfunded and medicines are in short supply. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Always carry evidence of your insurance. Use private clinics where possible, though these are only available in major towns.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Honduras where some staff will speak English.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.