Honduras Travel Information

Due to the corona virus, Honduras has closed its borders until March 29. For more information about coronavirus, see the entry Entry and Health. According to Abbreviationfinder, HND stands for Honduras in geography.

Safety

Central America generally has a high crime rate, and very high homicide rates in some areas. Norway is represented by an honorary consulate general in Tegucigalpa. The Norwegian Embassy in Mexico City is responsible for the Norwegian Embassy. Contact information for consulates and the embassy in Mexico can be found under “Emergency”.

There have been a number of protests against President Juan Orlando Hern¨¢ndez since early 2019, triggered by proposed health and education reforms. There is still a danger of new clashes between protesters and military forces in the capital and in large parts of the country. If the unrest flares up again, roadblocks and barricades can affect accessibility and create an irregular access to goods and services.

The Norwegian Embassy in Mexico is following the trend and is asking Norwegian citizens to exercise caution and listen to the advice of local authorities as well as avoid seeking out large crowds or places where demonstrations are underway.

Norway is represented by an honorary consulate general in Tegucigalpa. Contact information for consulates and the embassy in Mexico can be found on the embassy’s website.

Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are particularly vulnerable to crime and violence. The crime that affects tourists is usually financially motivated, in the form of theft and armed robbery. Events happen both daytime and evening. Theft has also occurred during the night at hotel/hostels while sleeping. One should not openly bring valuables. Even relatively cheap jewelery according to Norwegian conditions can be sought after for criminals. Luggage and personal belongings should be carefully monitored at airports, bus stations and the like. PCs are highly sought after.

  • Countryaah: Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras. Check to find information of population, geography, history, and economy about the capital city.

The drug-related violence in Honduras is very serious. The violence is brutal and merciless, and even though it is mainly a matter of internal settlement, innocents are also affected.

Particular caution should be exercised in vulnerable zones of the capital and along country roads, and one should not travel on foot outside cities and towns after dark. Act as much as possible in groups in vulnerable places. However, it can be advantageous to have some cash on it, which you can give away if you are exposed to assault. Women traveling alone should exercise particular care.

You should be careful if you are offered drinks out of town. There have been some cases of tourists who have been given narcotics in the drinks.

Sales of drugs and prostitution occur. There are severe penalties for the use and possession of drugs.

From time to time minor riots and demonstrations occur. These demonstrations can have violent consequences. Demonstrations and conflicts should therefore be withdrawn and kept away. Risk of terrorist incidents in Central America is considered low.

There is right-hand traffic throughout Central America. Traffic accidents are a frequent cause of death and accident that also hit tourists. The roads are of varying quality.

When using a taxi, prices should be agreed in advance and it should be agreed that the cab does not – as is often the case – bring other passengers on the trip. Tourists should also be wary of people begging at traffic lights and generally keep windows and doors closed and locked.

There is no rail network in Central America. There are frequent flight connections, including to remote locations. However, when using small airlines, it is recommended to preferably use those who cooperate with or are part of the larger international airlines in the region.

Honduras is particularly prone to high earthquake activity, as well as tropical rainstorms and hurricanes.

Honduras lies above two tectonic plates (continental plates), and near the border of a third. The entire region has grown as a result of volcanic activity between these plates. This causes a high earthquake activity in Honduras. However, the country does not have as high volcanic activity as some of its neighboring countries. Honduras often experience weak shaking.

Honduras’ position between the Caribbean Gulf and the Pacific also makes it particularly vulnerable to tropical rainstorms and hurricanes with subsequent floods and landslides, especially during the rainy season (May – November).

With the exception of Belize, relationships between two people of the same sex are legal in all Central American countries. However, most citizens have a conservative relationship with homosexuality, and it is recommended that gays exercise discretion to avoid getting into unpleasant situations.

Norwegian citizens staying for a shorter or longer period in Central America are encouraged to register at http://www.reiseregistrering.no/.

Norwegian citizens are encouraged to have valid travel insurance. Make sure that the insurance also covers hospital stays and be aware of the type of activities that are not covered.

The local emergency number is 132. The tourist police “Politur” can be contacted on (+503) 2511 8300.

In case of crisis and emergency, Norwegian citizens are encouraged to contact the Norwegian Embassy in Mexico on +52 (55) 50 47 37 00. The embassy’s central table is open Monday-Thursday from 09:00 to 15:00 and Friday 09: 00-12: 00.

Outside office hours, you can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no

Norwegian citizens can also contact Norwegian honorary consulates and general consulates for assistance. There are Norwegian honorary consulates in Belize City (Belize), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Managua (Nicaragua), San Salvador (El Salvador) and Tegucigalpa (Honduras). Updated contact information can be found on the Embassy website in Mexico.

Major Landmarks in Honduras

Entry

Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.

Due to the corona virus, Honduras has closed its borders until March 29.

Norwegian citizens do not need a visa for tourist and business stays of less than 90 days in Honduras. The passport must be valid for up to six months after the scheduled departure date. For extensions beyond 90 days, one must either travel to Mexico, Belize or Costa Rica and return after 72 hours. You can be fined or imprisoned if staying in the country illegally. For up-to-date information on entry rules, travelers are encouraged to check with Honduras’ nearest embassy.

Although Norwegian citizens do not initially need a visa to travel to Central America, only a passport is an approved identification document.

One cannot enter Honduras with emergency passport. If the passport is stolen or lost in Honduras, you can return to Norway on an emergency passport, but not through the United States. If you need to travel further, you must go to the nearest embassy to apply for a new biometric passport.

It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that the travel documents are valid and that the entry and stay regulations are complied with.

Health

Coronavirus (covid-19): Due to the coronavirus, Honduras has closed its borders until March 29.

Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus in the country. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation.

Also, keep track of information from local authorities for exceptional entry regulations. Please note that information may change quickly.

You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.

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There is acceptable medical and hospital quality (private clinics) in all major cities and towns. The offer is otherwise limited. Public hospitals often lack basic medicines and equipment, so Norwegian citizens are advised to use private services. It is common to have to pay before treatment takes place. For severe or difficult diagnoses, it is recommended to use laboratories and hospitals in the United States or Mexico.

No vaccines are required for entry into Honduras. For information on travel vaccines, see the recommendations of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Malaria and dengue fever occur. Therefore, one should guard against mosquito bites with clothing, mosquito nets and/or mosquito spray, possibly also with malaria tablets, in areas where there is a lot of mosquitoes. In the highlands, where the capital is located, there is normally little prevalence of mosquitoes and the risk of malaria is minimal. Therefore malaria tablets will not be needed here. However, the use of such should be considered when visiting the low lying areas and the coast. There are also zika in Honduras. For official health professional travel advice and health professional guidance , you can contact the Institute of Public Health.

The tap water is highly chlorinated. Bottled drinking water should be purchased. Supermarkets in the capital can buy chlorine for disinfecting raw vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to avoid buying food on the street (in stalls, etc.) or in places where you have doubts about hygiene. If in doubt or have no choice, choose well-cooked and cooked dishes and avoid raw vegetables and fruits without peel.

The access to medicines is acceptable. There are no official rules for the import of medications for personal use only.

Practical information

Honduras is one of seven countries that form Central America. The official language is Spanish.

The climate is tropical/subtropical, with rainy season usually lasting from May to November. It is warm and humid on the coast, with somewhat lower temperatures in the highlands where the capital Tegucigalpa is located.

Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Diners are accepted credit cards in most major locations. It is mostly problematic to withdraw cash from vending machines with these cards, but cloning of cards occurs.

Honduras has no railroad. There are well-developed express bus networks from Tegucigalpa to Guatemala, Mexico and El Salvador. Tica bus operates all over Central America, with modern buses with air cooling and toilet. The big hotels often have their own cars/buses.

Local bus transport can be time consuming, but there are regular routes across the country. Few taxis have a taximeter, and the price should be agreed in advance. Car hire is available at the airport and at several hotels. Many local companies operate in the country, but also the major international ones such as Budget and Hertz.

The road network in Honduras is not the best. It is recommended to cross the borders of neighboring countries at the larger border posts.

According to allcitycodes, the area code for Honduras is +504. The telephone and mobile networks are stable. The Internet domain is.hn.

Large malls are usually open 09-21, regular stores 10-19 and banks 09-17.

Holidays: January 1 (New Year’s Day), Wednesday before Easter, Cutting Thursday, Good Friday, May 1 (Workers’ Day), July 19 (Revolution Day), 14-15. September (Independence Days), November 1 (All Saints’ Day), November 5 (first shout of independence), and December 25 (Christmas Day).