Honduras

U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa

Avenida La Paz
Tegucigalpa M.D.C.
Honduras
Telephone: +(504) 2236-9320 or +(504) 2238-5114
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(504) 2238-5114 or +(504) 2236-9320, extension 4100
Fax: +(504) 2238-4357
Business Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00p.m.  Friday, 7:30a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Consulates

U.S. Consular Agent - San Pedro Sula
Banco Atlántida Building
11th Floor, across the street from Central Park
San Pedro Sula
Honduras
Telephone: +(504) 2558-1580
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa: +(504) 2238-5114 or +(504) 2236-9320, extension 4100
Business Hours: Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To enter Honduras, you need:

• A U.S. passport with at least six months validity.
• Evidence of onward travel. For stays of up to 90 days, you do not need a visa for tourism.

Visit the Embassy of Honduras website or any of the Honduran consulate websites for the most current visa information.

Special Requirements for Minors: Under Honduran law, children under age 21 who are traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent must have written, notarized permission to travel from the non-traveling parent(s).

• If notarizing a permission letter in Honduras, the letter should be notarized by the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or by a Honduran notary public.
• If notarizing a permission letter in the United States, the letter should be apostilled by the U.S. state registrar where the notary is registered.  Honduran immigration authorities may also accept permission letters notarized at a Honduran embassy or consulate in the United States.
• If there is no second parent with legal custody of the child (e.g., the second parent is deceased, one parent has sole custody, etc.), travelers can provide copies of the relevant paperwork such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors or residents of Honduras.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs information on our websites.

Crime: While crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country, municipalities along the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the country’s highest crime rates.

Gracias a Dios 

In particular, Gracias a Dios is a remote location where narcotics trafficking is commonplace, infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police or military presence is scarce. As a result, the U.S. Embassy has restricted U.S. government personnel travel to Gracias a Dios. U.S. citizens should not travel to Gracias a Dios. The Honduran government conducts police and military patrols in major cities in an effort to reduce crime. However, the ability of Honduran law enforcement authorities to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents, and to prosecute criminals is limited.

Bay Islands and Copan Ruins 

Areas frequented by tourists, such as the Bay Islands (including Roatan, Utila and Guanaja) and Copan Ruins, have notably lower rates of violent crime and increased law enforcement services. U.S. government employees have no restrictions on travel to these areas. Travelers should still exercise reasonable precautions. Of note, foreign residents of the Bay Islands who purchase properties have reported increased incidents of harassment, including being the victims of violent attacks, after becoming involved in disputes.

Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings and local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities.

Read the Travel Advisory for Honduras for additional information.

Demonstrations: Demonstrations regularly occur in Honduras, particularly near the Presidential Palaces, Congress, and the universities in Tegucigalpa. Additionally, some protests directed toward the U.S. government, usually small in size, can occur around the U.S. Embassy.  Protests often result in the extended closure of major roads in the cities and highways connecting the major cities.  U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Honduras should avoid large gatherings or events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate, protest, or cause damage as a byproduct of celebrating an event, such as after soccer matches. 

Victims of Crime: If you are a victim of crime, call the national police by dialing 911. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Also contact the U.S. Embassy at 011-504-2236-9320 or 011-504-2238-5114 (and after-hours at 011-504-2238-5114, extension 4100). We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on resources for victims of crime
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

Severe Weather: Honduras is vulnerable to hurricanes, heavy rains, and flooding, especially between June and November. For up-to-date information, visit Honduras’ National Emergency Management Commission (COPECO) website for current alerts, as well as the National Hurricane Center’s website.

See the Department of State page for information on scams.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur.  Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Special circumstances:

• Marine Safety and Oversight: Honduran military personnel commonly board private vessels in Honduran territorial waters to verify crew and passenger documentation. 
  Criminals have been known to pose as fisherman and commit armed assaults. If your vessel is hailed by a suspicious vessel, contact the U.S. Coast Guard by radio or INMARSAT at (305) 415-6800.
• Investment: Many U.S. firms and citizens operating in Honduras have found corruption to be a serious problem. Due to poor regulation, financial investments pose high risks and have led to substantial losses.

Exercise extreme caution before investing in real estate. Fraudulent deeds are common and have led to numerous disputes. In addition, threats and violence have been used against U.S. citizens involved in property disputes. Numerous U.S. citizens have reported significant delays in resolving judicial cases and/or lack of cooperation from courts and the legal system.  

For further information, review the State Department’s Investment Climate Statement and the U.S. Embassy’s information page on purchasing property in Honduras.

• Customs Regulations: Strict regulations apply to the import-export of items such as vehicles, medications, and business equipment.  Honduran law prohibits the export of artifacts from pre-colonial civilizations, as well as certain birds and other flora and fauna.  For specific information, contact the Embassy of Honduras in Washington, DC and see our Customs Regulations. 
• Firearms: No one may bring firearms into Honduras, except for diplomats or individuals participating in sporting events who have obtained a firearm permit from the Honduran Ministry of Security or Ministry of Defense prior to travel.  
• Adventure Sports: There is little to no oversight of safety standards in Honduras.  You should research service providers to ensure they are using internationally acceptable or certified equipment, guides, safety measures, and instruction.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Honduras. However, many activists report that crimes committed against the LGBTI community go unpunished. There have also been cases of police harassment of patrons in LGBTI nightclubs. LGBTI travelers should exercise caution, especially when expressing affection in public.

See our LGBTI travel information page and section 6 of the Department of State's Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Honduran law requires access to buildings for persons with disabilities; however, few buildings are accessible. Please review the information on the State Department’s Traveling with Disabilities website.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Staff, facilities, and supplies in Honduras are not necessarily up to U.S. medical standards. There are adequate facilities for advanced surgical procedures in case of non-elective emergencies.

Honduras lacks the infrastructure to maintain water purity and food safety. Diarrheal illness is very common even in large cities and luxury accommodations. Only sealed commercial water containers (bottles) are considered safe to drink.

Air pollution can aggravate or lead to respiratory problems during the dry season due to widespread forest fires and agricultural burning.

The State Department and the U.S. Embassy will not pay your medical bills:  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. 

Medical insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Prescription medication:  If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Embassy of Honduras in Washington, DC to ensure the medication is legal in Honduras. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Always ensure you have enough medicine to cover your travel time, and research its availability in Honduras, or whether there is a viable replacement.

Medical Marijuana:  Marijuana, even for medicinal use and with a prescription, is illegal in Honduras. A traveler who is found to have any amount of marijuana in their possession (including vape cartridges, edibles, organic cannabis, etc.) will face criminal prosecution for possession or trafficking.

The following diseases are prevalent in Honduras:

• Chikungunya
• Dengue Fever
• Malaria
• Zika
• COVID-19

Please review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for further information.

Vaccinations: Honduras requires proof of Yellow Fever immunization if traveling to or coming from another country endemic with Yellow Fever. Check with your airline for vaccine requirements and be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Effective June 2, 2021: All travelers, regardless of age, must provide either proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or negative test results for a PCR, Antigen or ELISA COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours before entry into Honduras. Passengers must show the test results at check-in.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Road Conditions and Safety: Because of crime, poor road conditions, and heavy commercial truck traffic, driving in Honduras can be dangerous. The U.S. Embassy discourages car and bus travel after dark.  

• Honduran roads are poorly lit and poorly marked.
• Traffic signs are often inadequate or non-existent.  
• Drivers don’t always use headlights at night.
• People and animals wander onto the roads.
• Rockslides are common, especially in the rainy season (May through December) and can cause closure of major highways.  

Dangerous stretches of road include:

• The road between Tegucigalpa to Choluteca: Be aware of mountain curves.
• The road from El Progreso to La Ceiba: Bridges may be in poor condition due to regular flooding.
• CA-5 and the highway between San Pedro Sula and Tela, particularly near the palm tree plantations near El Progreso: Carjackings and robberies that target SUVs and usually occur at night.
• The road from Juticalpa to Telica, and from the turn off to Gualaco on Route 39 to San Esteban and Bonito Oriental: Rival criminal elements engage in violent acts against one another. Avoid this road and stay on the main Tegucigalpa-Juticalpa-Catacamas road while traveling in Olancho.

While Honduras and the United States have signed and ratified a Stolen Vehicle Treaty, existing Honduran laws protect good faith buyers (even of stolen vehicles), so the recovery and return of these vehicles to their original owners is not guaranteed. Vehicle insurance may mitigate loss; please check with the National Insurance Crime Bureau or with private insurance carriers about coverage details.

Traffic Laws:  In an accident, contact the Honduran Transit Authority (“Transito”) by dialing 911.  

• Honduran law requires all vehicles involved in an accident to remain in place until Transit Authority agents arrive. 
• Notify your car insurance company as soon as possible, preferably right after the accident. 
• Carry personal identification documents, including your driver’s license, copies of passports, and vehicle registration cards while driving.

Public Transportation:  Avoid public transportation in Honduras.  

• If you must travel by bus, always travel during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses. 
• Choose taxis or rideshares carefully. Use Radio-Taxi services (companies that operate by phone) or app-based rideshare programs rather than hailing a taxi on the street and note the driver’s name and license number. Hotels and resorts may be able to recommend trusted taxi or shuttle services. Instruct the driver not to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before you enter the vehicle, and have small bills available for payment, as taxi drivers often do not make change.
• When possible, travel in groups.

See our Road Safety page for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Honduras, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Honduras’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Guatemala should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.  Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings.