Honduras

Landmines

There are unmarked mine fields on both sides of the Honduras-Nicaragua border, especially in:

• the Rio Coco region
• the Choluteca and El Paraiso provinces
• the area near the Atlantic Coast

Don’t leave known safe roads and areas.

Tour operators

Transport and adventure tour operators may not meet Australian safety standards for:

• scuba diving equipment
• providing life jackets, seat belts and other safety equipment

Rescue services may not be as effective as those in Australia.

If taking part in adventure activities:

• check your travel insurance covers you for the activity
• check the operator’s safety equipment before you book
• use reputable operators
• use life jackets and seat belts, even if others don’t

If appropriate safety equipment isn’t available, use another provider.

Driving permit

To drive in Honduras, you need both:

• an International Driving Permit (IDP)
• an Australian driver’s licence

You must get the IDP before arriving in Honduras.

Road travel

Driving in Honduras can be dangerous.

You’re nearly 4 times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Honduras than in Australia.

Hazards include:

• poor roads
• poor signs and lighting
• people and farm animals on the roads

Driving at night is dangerous.

Heavy rains, flooding, landslides and bridge collapses often damage roads.

The most dangerous places for road travel are:

• from Tegucigalpa to Choluteca – mountain curves
• from El Progreso to La Ceiba – animal crossings, poorly maintained bridges
• from Tegucigalpa to Copan – mountain curves, poor road conditions
• 33 Street and southern San Pedro Sula, when travelling from the airport
• San Pedro and Siguatepeque (main highway)
• San Pedro Sula and Copan
• Limones and La Union
• Olancho and Saba via Salama
• Gualaco and San Estaban
• La Esparanza and Gracias
• Tela, La Ceiba, Trujillo and El Progreso

Take route CA13 when travelling from the airport in San Pedro Sula.

Carjackings, busjackings and highway robberies are common, especially at night.

If you plan to drive:

• check your travel insurance covers it
• learn local traffic laws and practices
• get local advice on roads and security
• be prepared to change your route
• keep windows up and doors locked, even when moving

More information:

Motorcycles

Your travel insurance may not cover you for accidents on a motorbike or quad bike. Check your insurance covers it.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Taxis flagged from the street or at taxi stands may not be safe.

Use airport taxis or pre-book with a reputable company.

Airport taxi drivers wear clearly identifiable photo ID badges.

Taxi drivers often don’t provide change, so be prepared to pay with small notes.

To safely use taxis:

• arrange your airport pickup with your hotel before you arrive
• note your taxi driver’s name and licence number
• agree on the fare before you set off
• never share a taxi with a stranger
• don’t let your driver pick up other passengers

Public transport

Public transport is not safe. Vehicles are often poorly serviced and drivers aren’t trained. 

Sea travel

There is an ongoing maritime boundary dispute with Nicaragua, particularly in the northeast coastal region.

Honduran navy patrols may board private vessels to check papers.

Criminals posing as fishermen have carried out armed attacks against private vessels.

Air travel

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Honduras’s air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government