Honduras

Hondurashttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/central-america/hondurasHondurashttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/central-america/honduras/touring-honduras-safelyWith such a diverse and unadulterated terrain, getting around Honduras can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you explore Honduras safely.2018-01-18T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/central-america/honduras/touring-honduras-safelyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Your trip is sure to be filled with adventure, intrigue and fascinating discovery. But, with such unadulterated terrain, getting around can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/central-america/honduras" target="_blank" title="Is Honduras safe? Crime Watch">explore Honduras safely</a> via public transport.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#crime"> Carjackings and kidnappings in Honduras </a></li> <li><a href="#bus"> Bus travel in Honduras </a></li> <li><a href="#taxi"> Catching a cab in Honduras </a></li> <li><a href="#boats"> Criminals posing as fishermen: beware of boats </a></li> <li><a href="#avoid"> Areas to avoid </a></li> <li><a href="#borders"> Border security </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="crime">Carjackings and kidnappings in Honduras</h2> <p>Crimes such as carjackings and kidnappings are often committed along roadsides, so extra care should be taken when driving or riding as a passenger. The main highway between San Pedro Sula and Siguatepeque is particularly dangerous.</p> <p>When riding in a vehicle, regardless of area, you should always keep the doors locked and windows rolled up to avoid incidents at traffic lights and other stops, such as the traffic backups that often occur on downtown streets. Driving at night should also be avoided for safety reasons.</p> <h2 id="bus">Bus travel in Honduras</h2> <p>Bus travel in Honduras should be done with care and only during daylight hours. You're also strongly advised to only use first-class conveyances and stay away from economy buses, because they can pose a safety risk.</p> <p>The public bus system, known as "colectivos", is particularly dangerous. The fleet can easily be identified by their yellow color, as they are typically former U.S. school buses. There have been a number of reports of armed attacks on these public buses by local gangs, including armed robberies, assault and rape, often resulting in serious injury and sometimes even death.</p> <p>Public buses are also dangerous due to poor equipment and reckless driving. In early 2008 a public bus overturned in La Esperanza and rolled down a ravine. The accident occurred on a hazardous stretch of road aptly referred to as "Flight of the Angel" and resulted in the deaths of 27 people. This area of roadway should be avoided for obvious reasons, as should the use of public buses.</p> <h2 id="taxi">Catching a cab in Honduras</h2> <p>Taxis are a welcome alternative to buses and are plentiful. Always make sure you call for a radio dispatched taxi rather than picking one up from the street. Upon hiring a taxi, be sure to agree on a fare first, prior to departure, and have enough small bills on you to pay the driver at the end of the ride. Many don't carry change, so be prepared. It's handy to get the driver's name and license number for your records.</p> <p>It's also strongly recommended that you insist that the driver not pick up any additional passengers during your journey to avoid any possible shady activity.</p> <h2 id="boats">Criminals posing as fishermen: beware of boats</h2> <p>The option of boat transport is a possibility, but not strongly recommended for safety reasons. Private sailing vessels are often the target of thieves for armed assaults and robberies. Many of the criminals pose as fishermen and often hang out off the northeast coast amidst the numerous small islands that line the area. Boat travel is probably best avoided.</p> <h2 id="avoid">Areas to avoid in Honduras</h2> <p>As with any travel destination, there are certain areas that tend to be more dangerous than others, and as such should be avoided. The road that leads from Juticalpa to Telica, as well as the turnoff on Route 39 to Gualaco, San Estaban, and Bonito Oriental are especially risky due to heavy criminal activity and gang violence.</p> <p>As far as dangerous terrain, the road from Tegucigalpa to Choluteca contains hair raising mountain curves that are difficult to negotiate. Additionally, poor conditions and frequent animal crossings make the trek from El Progreso to La Ceiba another rough passageway.</p> <h2 id="borders">Border security</h2> <p>Travelers should pay close attention in border areas, especially those areas near <a href="/travel-safety/central-america/el-salvador/crime-in-el-salvador" target="_blank">El Salvador</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/central-america/guatemala/risky-business-in-guatemala" target="_blank">Guatemala</a> and <a href="/travel-safety/central-america/nicaragua/avoiding-crime-in-nicaragua" target="_blank">Nicaragua</a>, as these locations have seen increased incidents of armed robberies.</p> <p>Pay very close attention to your surroundings and avoid openly flashing valuables or exchanging large amounts of money so as not to attract unwanted attention. Border areas are often unmanned or poorly guarded during the early evening and night time hours so the best time to travel in these areas is in the morning or early in the day.</p> <p>With glorious natural beauty and a fascinating culture, Honduras offers visitors a chance to experience life at its best – pure and simple. But along with rugged natural terrain comes the challenge of making your way around safely, and avoiding crime while doing so. By preparing ahead of time and exercising caution in your travels you will be able to see this beautiful country in all of its glory... without any incidents.</p>iStock/Jodi Jacobson 0637498566 iStock Honduran island of Roatain in the Caribbean

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/central-america/honduras/honduras-health-and-weatherBefore you pack your bags for Honduras, here are a few tips to help you prepare for the climate and weather, and required vaccinations to keep you healthy.2018-01-18T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/central-america/honduras/honduras-health-and-weatherhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#healthy"> Staying healthy </a></li> <li><a href="#weather"> Weather and natural disasters </a></li> <li><a href="#adventure"> Adventure time in Honduras </a></li> <li><a href="#nude"> A note for nudists in Roatan </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="healthy">Staying healthy</h2> <h3>Insect-borne illnesses in Honduras</h3> <p>Insect-borne illnesses are quite common in Honduras, particularly <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/malaria" target="_blank" title="Malaria: Travel health tips">Malaria</a> and <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/what-you-need-to-know-about-dengue-fever" target="_blank" title="What you need to know about Dengue">Dengue Fever</a>. The northern areas are most notorious areas for contracting Malaria, however Dengue is relatively widespread throughout the whole country. <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/honduras/dengue-spreads-across-central-america-red-cross-scales-response" target="_blank" title="Dengue spreads across Central America, Red Cross scales up response">In early 2019 there was an outbreak of Dengue Fever in Central America</a>.</p> <p>The Honduran Ministry of Health stated that during an outbreak and state of emergency in 2010, there were over 66,000 confirmed cases of classic Dengue and 83 deaths. Most cases were reported in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.</p> <p>Typhoid and Hepatitis A are also present in Honduras, so it's best to get the vaccinations required for those before you travel.</p> <p>Yellow Fever and Zika virus are also present in Honduras. It is recommended to get the necessary vaccination for Yellow Fever before you travel to Honduras as it is a requirement for re-entry into several countries such as United States, Australia, UK and others.</p> <h3>How to keep the mosquitoes bites at bay in Honduras</h3> <p>If you’re planning a visit, pack plenty of good quality insect repellent (preferably containing the ingredient DEET) and use it copiously during your stay. There are also locally made insect repellants available at pharmacies in Honduras, some travelers swear by it and it may be worth giving it a go if the repellant you bought from home isn't keeping the swathes of mosquitoes at bay. Grab some anti malarial medication as well before you travel to Honduras.</p> <p>You should bring clothing that'll adequately cover your skin, such as long sleeved shirts, pants and closed-toe shoes. The less exposed skin, the lower the risk of receiving an insect bite.</p> <h3>Mountain leprosy</h3> <p>Honduran authorities have reported a surge in cases of leptospirosis, sometimes referred to as mountain leprosy. The disease is most commonly contracted by walking or swimming in water that’s been contaminated by animal urine. If caught quickly, the disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics. However, it’s probably not something you’d like to experience – so avoid coming into contact with dirty water.</p> <h3>Air pollution</h3> <p>During the dry season, severe air pollution can become a problem, particularly for those suffering from existing respiratory issues. This is made worse by widespread forest fires that often spring up and agricultural burning. If you happen to be in Honduras when pollution levels are high, take appropriate precautions; such as wearing a face mask to protect your nose and mouth, and remaining indoors whenever possible. </p> <h3>Can I drink the tap water in Honduras?</h3> <p>Tap water quality is no good in Honduras, so avoid drinking tap water at all costs. You should also avoid consuming fruit that's been washed with tap water, and drinking soft drinks with ice in them, since the ice may be contaminated. Bottled water is widely available, but you should consider packing a reuseable water bottle to reduce your environmental impact, and boil water back at the hostel to refill.</p> <h2 id="weather">Weather and Natural Disasters</h2> <p>Given its tropical climate and location, Honduras is quite susceptible to hurricanes.</p> <p>Hurricane season typically runs from June–November. But, tropical storms can pop up frequently, bringing high winds and torrential rains which can in-turn cause flooding and landslides. Rural areas see the most damage, with entire roads being washed away.</p> <p>The area is also prone to earthquakes, and the dry season can bring severe drought and subsequent forest fires. Take this into consideration when planning your trip, so you can avoid potential weather concerns during your stay.</p> <h2 id="adventure">Adventure Time in Honduras</h2> <p>The rugged terrain in Honduras makes it a prime location for adventurers. Activities are widely available, from whitewater rafting and kayaking to scuba diving and canopy tours, but keep in mind the country enforces little–to–no safety standards on such activities. This makes already-risky acts far more dangerous.</p> <p>Over the past several years a number of trouists have lost their lives while participating in adventure sports in Honduras. If you plan on partaking, do so with extreme caution.  </p> <h2 id="nude">A Note for Nudists in <span>Roatán</span></h2> <p>Travelers should be aware that <span>Roatán</span> happens to be a popular destination for nudists – particularly the Paya Bay Resort. </p> <p>The resort isn’t 100% nude, however they do have certain designated weeks when it becomes a nudist colony. So, if your itinerary includes a stay there and you don’t want to spend your time without clothing, plan accordingly. Check out <a href="http://www.payabay.com/" target="_blank">the resort’s website for information on the nudist schedule</a>.  </p> <p>In addition to the scheduled weeks, the resort is also divided into three zones. Zone 1 is completely nude, Zone 2 is for topless sunbathers, and Zone 3 is for those who prefer clothing. Plan ahead, or you may get the surprise of your life!</p> <p>Waterfalls, beaches, mountainsides and national parks give travelers to Honduras the opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. The locals who welcome you to their country and share their unique heritage, culture, and traditions make this one of the most memorable places to visit. Just be sure to prepare ahead of time so you can stay healthy and know what to expect once you get there. </p>iStock/helovi 0855198224 iStock Two canoes on the Rio Platano