Is it safe to travel to honduras as an American citizen?

Question

I'm thinking about going with my wife, and two daughters

Answer 1

Yes it is, based on having just returned from Honduras two weeks ago. But as with any location, there are unsafe areas. I don't know where the unsafe areas are, but my companion on the trip (who lives there) said she wouldn't take me there. I was very pleased with my trip, though, and while there I was primarily in the mountain areas or San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa (the largest cities) with a couple of excursions to the Copan Ruins and the waterfalls at Puh' la Pan Sak. That's not the correct spelling, but the water was so dang cold I forgot to write it down.

One thing you might find surprising is the police force. They dress in army camo and carry automatic rifles. Also many residences have armed guards outside their gates.

Speaking of gates, the residential areas I went thru have closed residences behind walls. Picture thi: When you turn down a street, it looks like you're in a warehouse district, Just a street full of flat walls, connected all the way down the street, but when you enter the gates, a whole new world open up. The homes behind the walls are complete with backyards and everything to which you are accustomed.

Be prepared to see many influences of American culture, as well. You may never have been so glad to see a Dunkin' Donuts or Burger King.

There are zillions of motorcycles on the streets, but not the big hogs you see here in the states. Primarily 100-150 cc bikes are averywhere.

I didn't make it out to Eastern Honduras, but I will next time, and next trip I willl be more accustomed to my camera, so I will get better photographs.

I hope you have a wonderful trip. It will be easier if you speak Spanish or travel with a guide or someone else who does, but don't be surprise to find a few places there where your native language is spoken. However, those are few and far between.

MNO

Answer 2

For a time back while the earth was still cooling, I lived in a small town on the east coast. It was safe but quite a different culture. Recently I returned from a cruise that docked for a day off Roatan Island just off the east coast of Honduras. We spent part of the day playing with the dolphins and part on a beautiful beach that had the clearest water and the greatest snorkeling. I would go back to Roatan in an instant and could well imagine spending several days there kicked back and basking.
Don't forget some really good travel medical insurance that includes coverage if you need to be transported by air to get good treatment. Honduras in general is not as up to date as the USA regarding sophistication and availability of health care. A good place to look is http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/index.htm where you should click on the little red phone booth and follow through to read about "Worldwide Health" insurance from TravelGuard. They are the industry leader.
Best wishes.

Answer 3

Yes, it is safe. I lived in Honduras for two years (I'm from Oklahoma) and I never had any problems. I spent almost all of my time in Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and Danli. In Tegucigalpa, like most big cities, there are gangs and the like but if you avoid those neighborhoods you'll be fine. San Pedro Sula is much the same way. If you're going as a tourist, you'll have no reason to even get near those places.
Hondurans are very friendly, like most Latin Americans. They are used to North Americans. Any problems I had while I was there wasn't because I was American. I always felt safe (of course if my wife and daughters had been with me I might have been more cautious!)
Just for fun, here are a couple of uniquely Honduran Spanish phrases:
Chequeleque como panqueque (Alright!)
Se me animalio (It got me)
Catrachos (Hondurans)

Have fun!

Answer 4

yes, if you speak Spanish or is traveling with someone who speaks Spanish, its much easier, but u can survive stressfully w/o that. Honduras is beautiful, some parts anyway.

Answer 5

The only thing I am scared of, and we do not have many of in America is billions billions billions of small noisy blood thirsty disease mosquitoes.

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