TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
Travelers are urged to exercise caution and follow media coverage throughout the country. Demonstrations, rally locations, and crowds should be avoided. The crime rate in Honduras remains very high despite the decline in the number of violent crimes committed. It is characterized, especially under the influence of drugs, by a high propensity for violence and a low threshold for the use of firearms. Kidnappings and assaults using guns are common in San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and La Ceiba. Of particular concern are violent youth gangs (maras), which, according to World Bank reports, have now been joined by over 40,000 young people in Honduras. German nationals were also among the victims in the past.
Hitchhiking is strongly discouraged (especially women). But the use of taxis and intercity buses is also dangerous. Occasionally there are raids by the taxi drivers themselves. There have been reports of so-called cloned taxis that imitate official numbers and paintwork. The use of radio taxis is therefore recommended, as the driver, vehicle number and destination are noted there by the taxi center.
Attacks on travelers are reported in particular in the larger cities, on the route from San Pedro Sula to the Mayan site of Copán Ruinas, but also in nature parks and hiking areas. Particular caution is recommended on the Caribbean coast, especially in and around Tela, La Ceiba, and San Pedro Sula. We strongly advise against going to the beach after dark.
Because of the frequent robberies and thefts, travelers should keep jewelry, large amounts of currency and documents in the hotel safe if possible and avoid unsafe districts – especially when it is dark. Copies of identification documents should only be carried with you. Women are advised to insist on being accompanied by another person when instructing the security forces (police, military) to come along. If, despite all precautionary measures, an armed attack does occur, it is recommended that you do not resist.
Economy Potential investors in Honduras are advised to contact the German-Honduran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (external link, opens in new windowhttp: //honduras.ahk.de) in Tegucigalpa for specific information on the investment climate and security aspects, too legal security to obtain. The bilateral investment protection agreement, which came into force in 1998, theoretically helps to overcome reservations, but experience has shown that applying the substance of the agreement is difficult and involves legal hurdles.
Natural disasters Honduras is in the hurricane-prone zone (hurricane season: approx. June to November). During the hurricane season, in the tourist areas, especially on the Caribbean coast and on the islands of “Islas de la Bahia”, impairments in traffic connections as well as electricity and water supply must be expected. Floods often occur after heavy rainfall. The instructions of the authorities (e.g. evacuation measures) should be followed. Before and during your stay in Honduras, please inform yourself regularly in the media and on the Internet about current severe weather warnings and interruptions in traffic routes on the website of the Honduran technical aid organization COPECO under external link, opens in new window http: //copeco.gob.
MONEY
Currency
1 lempira = 100 centavos. Currency abbreviation: L, HNL (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation to the denomination of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 L; Coins valued at 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centavos (2 and 1 centavo coins are very rare).
Credit cards
American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted to a limited extent. Cashless payments are often possible even in rural areas. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are less accepted in Honduras, so for withdrawals an ATM should be chosen that is located in busy places. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., some banks in the capital until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.
Foreign exchange regulations
There are no import and export restrictions for the local currency. Unrestricted import of foreign currency, obligation to declare (only US $ makes sense). Foreign currency may only be exported up to the amount declared, less the exchange amounts.
Currency Exchange
US dollars in cash (not $ 100 bills) or US dollar travelers checks are exchanged in banks, exchange offices and hotels. Euro in cash are now accepted for currency exchange in a few banks.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Spanish in Honduras, a country located in North America according to pharmacylib. English is widely spoken in the north of the country and the Bay Islands in the Caribbean. Also numerous Indian languages.