department of state honduras travel warning

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Honduras Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Honduras. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Dengue in the Americas May 16, 2024 Dengue is a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some countries are reporting increased numbers of cases of the disease. Travelers to the Americas can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Destination List: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, French Guiana (France), Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Martinique (France), Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Honduras.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Honduras. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Honduras.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Honduras take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Honduras.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are sometimes found in Honduras.

Rabies is also present in bats.

If rabies exposures occur while in Honduras, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers 1-60 years old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites, chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).

• Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
• From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
• Avoid Bug Bites

Chagas disease

• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Honduras, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Honduras. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Honduras include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Honduras. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Honduras’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in Honduras. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Honduras may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Honduras, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Honduras, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Honduras .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Honduras for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Last verified: Thursday, 6. June 2024 at 08:06 AM

Honduras Travel Advisory

• North America
• Central America
• Honduras Travel Advice

We advise caution when travelling to Honduras

Local situation: 3.4 / 5.

We advise caution when travelling to Honduras. We detected travel advisories from 5 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 3.4 / 5

Honduras shares a land border with 3 neighbouring states. For this region of countries (including Honduras), the Advisory Index is 3.4 (average value over all countries). All countries have some reported advisories: Nicaragua (3.6), Guatemala with 3.4 and El Salvador with 3.3 (of 5).

Current informationen on Covid-19 in Honduras

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Honduras. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Honduras.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for Honduras

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for Honduras.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Honduras from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 3.4 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Honduras due to violent crime and the potential for civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/honduras

This is a regional information covering specific areas of Honduras.

Issued by: New Zealand government

Info: If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Info: Do not travel to Chamelecón, Choloma, and Cofradía in the department of Cortés, and the Department of Gracias a Dios due to high levels of violent crime (level 4 of 4).

Advisory issued by: Canada

The Canadian goverment suggests: Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/honduras

Advisory issued by: Finland

Iaktta särskild försiktighet - Våldsbrott mycket vanliga.

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/HN

Advisory issued by: United States

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do not travel to: Gracias a Dios Department due to crime. Country Summary: Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, ...

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/honduras-travel-advisory.html

Individual rating changes for Honduras

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of Honduras. Most recent events first.

Changes from August 7th 2020

The total rating for Honduras changed from 3.7 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government increased their existing warning for Honduras to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 22nd 2020

The total rating for Honduras changed from 3.3 to 3.7 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government increased their existing warning for Honduras to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +2.0).

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for Honduras changed from 3.2 to 3.3 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for Honduras to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 16th 2020

The total rating for Honduras changed from 2.8 to 3.2 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government issued a new warning for Honduras with a rating of 4.0.

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Honduras to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for Honduras changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government issued a new warning for Honduras with a rating of 4.0.

The Canadian government issued a new warning for Honduras with a rating of 2.0.

The New Zealand government issued a new warning for Honduras with a rating of 2.0.

The Irish government issued a new warning for Honduras with a rating of 3.0.

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Honduras with a rating of 3.0.

About Honduras

Honduras with its capital Tegucigalpa is a country in North America (Central America), slightly larger than Tennessee (112,090 km²). The country is located Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua. The climate can be described as subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains. The landscape is mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains. With a population of about 7.64 million citizens.

Honduran flag

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems Honduras is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• as well as several rivers and streams
• deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes
• further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands
• mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water)
• urban population expanding
• with heavy metals

Natural hazzards

• extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast
• frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of Honduras. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• knit apparel
• sugar processing
• wood products

Agriculture products

• African palm
• oriental vegetables

Honduran Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from Honduras.

Export products

• automobile wire harnesses

Import products

• chemical products
• communications equipment
• industrial raw materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for honduras.

Honduras is currently rated at 3,4 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 5 official sources. We advise caution when travelling to Honduras.

Is it safe to travel Honduras in 2024?

Visiting the country Honduras is usually fine. The score is at 3,4 Just keep an eye open, obey local rules and you'll most likely be fine.

How many travel advisories do you know for Honduras?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 5 individual sources for Honduras.

What is the current Corona virus situation in Honduras?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Honduras. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Honduras.

What is the size of Honduras?

Honduras has a size of 112,090 km² or 43,278 mi² which is slightly larger than Tennessee.

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for Honduras and bordering countries.

If you want to embed Honduras travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is Honduras safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in Honduras?
• Are there security warnings for Honduras?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Honduras travel advice

Latest updates: Editorial change

Last updated: June 4, 2024 08:03 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, honduras - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Honduras due to crime.

Regional advisory - Avoid non-essential travel

• within 20 km of the border with Guatemala, excluding:
• Copán Ruinas
• El Florido border crossing
• CA-11 Highway to El Florido border crossing
• within 20 km of the border with El Salvador, excluding :
• CA-1 Highway to the El Amatillo border crossing
• CA-4 Highway to the El Poy border crossing
• RN-112 Highway between Palmerola airport and the municipality of El Amatillo
• in the departments of:
• Choluteca: the city of Choluteca
• Colón, excluding the city of Trujillo
• Cortés:
• the eastern neighbourhoods of San Pedro Sula:
• Chamalecón
• Cofradía
• Rivera Hernandez
• the city of Choloma
• the neighbourhood of El Planeta in the city of La Lima
• Francisco Morazán: the city of Comayagüela, excluding the Toncontin airport and the major roads leading there
• Gracias a Dios

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Borders areas

Border areas often see higher criminal activity and violence.

If you’re travelling by land to neighbouring countries:

• use official border crossings only
• consider crossing borders in the morning as they sometimes close unexpectedly early
• avoid anyone suggesting that they can obtain your documents quicker or cheaper on your behalf
• keep the receipt of payment of the border fee until you leave the country

Criminal groups are especially active on the coast between the Guatemalan border and Puerto Cortés. Criminal activities include:

• drug trafficking
• human trafficking

There has also been an increased number of migrants leaving Honduras through Guatemala, particularly at the border crossing in Agua Caliente. This movement results in periodic closures.

The El Florido border crossing in the town of Copán is also closed daily from 9 pm to 6 am.

There has also been an increased number of migrants leaving Nicaragua through Honduras, particularly at the border crossings in Las Manos and Trojes.

Expect possible delays at borders.

Department of Cortés

Street gangs and criminal groups are very active in the Cortés municipalities of:

• San Pedro Sula

The number of murder and violent crime is higher in these areas.

Departments of Colón, Gracias a Dios, Olancho and Yoro

Drugs smuggling and violence pose security threats in the northern departments of:

• Colón

Roadblocks and violent incidents related to land disputes in Colón, mostly in the Aguán valley and in the north coast area near Trujillo, have occurred.

The department of Gracias a Dios is a remote area where law enforcement and access to government services are very limited. Levels of criminal activity are high.

Violent crime is high in the coastal city of La Ceiba. This includes murders and armed robberies.

Although tourists are not the primary target of criminals, you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If you consider travelling to La Ceiba:

• use reputable tour operators only
• choose accommodation with good security measures
• avoid outings outside the resort

Bay Islands

The Bay Islands are generally safe.  Violent crime is lower, but petty crime sometimes occurs.

Some foreigners have been assaulted on beaches, mainly at night. Home burglaries have also occurred, sometimes in rental accommodations.

While in the Bay Islands:

• avoid Coxen hole, Los Fuertes and Suampo neighbourhoods after dark
• avoid isolated beaches and areas
• stay in well-lit areas
• make sure you lock windows and doors at night and when you are away

If you’re docking in Roatán and getting off the cruise ship, you should consider booking a tour or a sightseeing trip through a reputable company to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.

Violent crime

Although the overall situation has slightly improved since 2022, violent crime remains a concern throughout Honduras. The country retains one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and street gang activity is prevalent in certain neighbourhoods. Violent incidents are frequent, including:

• armed robberies
• kidnappings
• home invasions
• sexual assaults

These crimes are carried out by criminals acting individually or as a group.

Many Hondurans are armed. Guns and other weapons, such as machetes and knives, are frequently used. Incidents of armed robbery occur mainly on urban streets during the day and on intercity buses at night. 

The Government of Honduras lacks sufficient resources to properly respond to, investigate and prosecute cases. Infiltration within the security forces by local gangs weaken law enforcement even further. Criminals linked to organized crime often operate with a high degree of impunity throughout Honduras.

• Remain aware of your surroundings at all times
• Maintain your cellphone charged
• Avoid travelling after dark
• Avoid walking alone
• Keep a low profile
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• don’t resist if you’re threatened, hand over your cash and valuables immediately

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs. Thefts commonly occur in: 

• popular tourist areas
• bus terminals and airports
• shopping malls and hotel lobbies
• restaurants, including patios

To avoid becoming a victim:

• be suspicious of recent acquaintances or strangers approaching you
• avoid accepting rides or invitations from strangers
• avoid hitchhiking
• ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secured at all times
• avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• avoid showing signs of affluence

State of emergency

Local authorities periodically declare a state of emergency in various municipalities to fight against gang-related crime and extortion.

While a state of emergency is in effect, security forces have increased rights to conduct searches, seizures and detain persons of interest.

If you are travelling in an area where a state of emergency is in effect:

• be aware that you may be subject to searches by security forces
• always cooperate with military and police officers
• carry valid ID at all times and be prepared for various checkpoints
• allow extra time to reach your destination
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation

Express kidnappings

Express kidnappings can occur in urban areas.

These kidnappings are often committed by organised gangs or taxi drivers. The kidnappers usually take their victims to an ATM and force them to make a cash withdrawal.

• Avoid hailing taxis on the street
• If you’re threatened, don’t resist

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Demonstrations take place regularly. In Tegucigalpa, demonstrations may occur:

• at the National Congress and Central Park
• at the National Autonomous University of Honduras
• at the United States Embassy
• at the Centro Civico
• at the Presidential Palace
• at the Hospital Escuela
• on Suyapa and Centroamerica boulevards
• on La Paz and Los Próceres avenues
• along the Peripheral Ring Road

In San Pedro Sula, protesters usually gather at the Monumento a la Madre.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Honduran law prohibits political activities by foreigners. Participating in demonstrations or activities may result in you being detained or deported.

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs.

Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Snacks, beverages, gum and cigarettes may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

• Be wary of accepting these items from new acquaintances
• Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common.

Rescue services may not be consistent with international standards. Not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags to warn of unsafe conditions.

• Only undertake scuba diving and other water activities with a well-established company
• Don’t swim alone alone or outside marked areas
• Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas
• Monitor weather warnings

Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as hiking, diving, mountain biking and other adventure activities can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in during summer.

If you intend to practice adventure tourism:

• never do so alone, and do not part with your expedition companions
• obtain detailed information on your activity and on the environment in which you will be before setting out
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• avoid venturing off marked trails
• ensure that you’re adequately equipped and bring sufficient water
• stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• refrain from using facilities or equipment if you have doubts on their safety
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary

Road travel

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Accidents causing fatalities are common. The number of traffic accidents involving tourists has also increased.

Road conditions

Many roads are poorly delineated due to regular flooding. Driving can be dangerous due to:

• roaming livestock and wildlife
• poorly maintained roads and bridges
• unpaved roads
• inadequate lighting
• lack of signage
• lack of guardrails
• winding mountain roads
• overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles
• slow-moving or heavy traffic, especially in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa

If you’re travelling by land, use caution between:

• El Progreso and La Ceiba
• Chamelecón and Copán via Cofradía
• Copán and Gracias Lempira
• Limones to La Unión

Between Tegucigalpa to Trujillo, you should use the RN39 and transit via Gualaco, San Esteban and Bonito Oriental rather than the RN41 via Salamá et Sabá.

Road safety

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They often drive at excessive speeds. They may be aggressive and reckless.

If you drive in Honduras:

• always drive defensively
• maintain a heightened awareness along all routes
• plan your trip ahead of time, especially if you plan to visit a rural area
• avoid road travel at night
• keep your car doors locked and the windows closed at all times
• avoid picking up hitchhikers
• carry a cell phone and a charger
• avoid renting cars and motorcycles from operators who don’t provide insurance
• ensure that helmets meet international safety standards

Police officer impersonation

Gang members and criminals sometimes disguise themselves as police officers. At legitimate police checkpoints, you should see:

• a police vehicle
• green cones
• at least five police officers

If you have any doubts, you may contact the Honduran Transit Authority by dialing 911 to confirm the location of the roadblocks and the identity of the individuals stopping you before rolling down your window or opening your door.

Sometimes, thieves also pose as victims of road accidents.

• Don’t stop to help a person at the side of the road
• Report any suspicious incidents at the next police checkpoint

Public transportation

Public transportation in Honduras is unsafe and unreliable.

Most urban public buses are poorly maintained. Drivers are reckless. Accidents are common.

Incidents of armed robbery are frequent on public buses. Incidents of arson have also occurred.   

• Avoid intercity public transportation
• Use only companies that offer non-stop service from your place of departure to your destination

Some taxis are an acceptable option for transportation.

When travelling to the airport, you may pre-arrange your pickup with your hotel prior to your departure. Authorized airport taxis drivers wear easily identifiable ID badges.

• Use a reliable taxi company recommended by your hotel
• Don’t use white street taxis
• Never board taxis at taxi stands or flag taxis in the street
• Never use shared taxis
• Make sure the driver doesn’t pick up other passengers along the way to your destination
• Note driver’s name and plate number
• Negotiate the fare in advance
• Make sure you have small bills as taxi drivers often don’t make change

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Honduran authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid at least 6 months from the date of entry.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Student permit: required

Student permit

If you intend to study in Honduras, you must obtain a student permit which can be obtained from the immigration authorities once you arrive in the country.

National Institute of Migration – Government of Honduras

Customs declaration form

You must complete the Government of Honduras' customs declaration form prior to entering or leaving the country.

After completing the online form, you must present the QR code to the customs authorities, either on paper or electronically.

Customs declaration form – Government of Honduras

Entry stamp

Immigration authorities will stamp your passport upon arrival and write down the number of days you are allowed in the country. The 90-day period is not guaranteed, and the decision is at their discretion.

You may face a fine and possible delays if you fail to present an entry-stamped passport when departing Honduras.

• Make sure your passport has been stamped upon arrival
• Take good note of the maximum length of your approved stay

Central America-4 Border Control Agreement

Under the terms of the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement (CA-4), Canadian tourists may travel freely within any of the following CA-4 countries:

• El Salvador

You can travel between these countries for up to 90 days without having to undergo entry and exit formalities at border immigration checkpoints.

You must still check in at immigration counters when you enter or exit these checkpoints.

The 90-day period begins at the first point of entry to any of the CA-4 countries. You will be fined if you exceed the 90-day limit.

Entering by land

If you plan to enter by land, you need to pay 3 USD or the equivalent in lempiras.

Stay extension

You can apply for extensions of up to 30 days at a time, at the discretion of the immigration authorities. You must request this extension and pay the required fee at the Honduran immigration office before your first 90-day limit expires.

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them:

• a return or onward ticket
• proof that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay
• Children and travel

The age of majority in Honduras is 21. The country has strict requirements for the entry and exit of minors.

A minor must show a written and notarized authorization to travel:

• signed by both parents if travelling alone
• signed by the non-travelling parent if travelling with one parent only

The written authorization must be in Spanish and authenticated by the Honduran authorities prior to arrival.

This is also enforced if the minor has a residential or citizenship tie to Honduras inherited from one of the parents, even if the tie has not been legally registered.

Travelling with children

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 6 May, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country   where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)   is a risk in this country. It is caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from triatomine bugs, which are active at night, by using mosquito nets if staying in poorly-constructed housing. There is no vaccine available for Chagas disease.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited in availability. The quality of care varies greatly throughout the country.

Public medical services and facilities remain below Canadian standards. Medical facilities are understaffed and underfunded. They lack medical supplies and adequately trained professionals.

You should use private health care where possible. There are some private clinics and hospitals in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa as well as in tourist areas such as the Bay Islands. However, they are often limited and services are expensive.

Doctors typically require upfront payment in cash. They may only speak Spanish.

Emergency services may not be able to access areas outside of major cities. Emergency medical facilities are also very limited on the Bay Islands. Major medical procedures and surgeries may require medical evacuation to a major centre.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Some prescription medication may not be available in Honduras.

If you take prescription medication, you’re responsible for determining their legality in the country.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack your medication in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions

Air pollution

Air pollution can be severe in major cities, especially at its peak during the dry season between March and May. It may primarily affect the elderly, pregnant women and children, and people suffering from respiratory ailments.

During periods of high pollution:

• wear a mask and use air purifiers
• limit your activities outdoors
• monitor local media

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Honduras are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Honduras to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Honduran authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences or heavy fines.

Honduras is used as a drug trafficking hub between South and North America.

• Pack your own luggage and monitor it closely at all times
• Don’t transport other people’s packages, bags or suitcases
• Never exchange money for strangers, as this is a common request from money launderers

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Honduran law prohibits the export of:

• antiques and artifacts from pre-colonial civilizations
• some birds, feathers, flora and fauna

Investments

Disputes related to property acquisition or other investments are costly and take time to resolve.

Many tourists have reported complications during real estate transactions in Honduras.

If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in Honduras:

• seek legal advice in Canada and in Honduras before making commitments
• choose your own Honduran lawyer specializing in real estate
• avoid hiring a lawyer recommended by a seller
• visit the property in person before purchasing
• carefully review the sales contract as it may contain irregularities
• confirm the name of the last owner and verify that the property is free of any mortgage or taxes from the local property registry (Instituto de la propiedad)
• confirm that there are no heritage or land ownership disputes

Political activities

It’s illegal for foreigners to participate in local political activities, rallies or public demonstrations in Honduras.

Political involvement may result in your deportation or expulsion.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Honduras.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Honduras, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Honduran law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, same-sex couples are not legally recognized.

LGBTQ2 travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

Avoid public displays of affection.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Honduras.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Honduras, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Honduran court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Honduras to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

You may drive in Honduras with your valid Canadian driver license for up to 3 months.

At all times when driving, you must carry:

• your driver’s license
• your passport
• the vehicle’s registration

In the event of a car accident:

• remain at the scene
• don’t move your vehicle until the authorities arrive
• call 911 to report the accident and request Transit Police

Failure to remain at the site may be considered an admission of guilt under Honduran law. However, some accidents may attract a crowd that could turn hostile. If you feel unsafe:

• ensure your windows and doors are locked
• drive to the nearest police station or a secure location
• report the accident to the police and your insurance company as soon as possible

If you are involved in a road accident causing injuries, you may be temporarily detained, regardless of culpability. 

International Driving Permit

The currency in Honduras is the lempira (HNL).

You cannot exchange Canadian dollars in Honduras. You can easily exchange U.S. dollars.

ATMs are available in urban areas but not all foreign cards work at all ATMs or points of service. They may be rare in rural areas.

A valid passport is required for all financial transactions.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings  - United States’ National Hurricane Center

Rainy season

The rainy season extends from May to November. It can lead to severe flooding.

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged.

• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions
• Stay away from flooded areas
• Monitor weather reports
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Wildfires are common between December and April.

The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a major fire:

• stay away from the affected area, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Honduras is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis can occur.

Even minor earthquakes can cause significant damage.

Tsunami warnings may be issued after a strong earthquake. A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

• COPECO  - Honduran disaster relief agency (in Spanish)
• Earthquakes  - What to Do?
• Latest earthquakes  - U.S. Geological Survey
• Tsunami alerts  - U.S. Tsunami Warning System

Local services

In case of emergency, dial 911.

There are tourist police forces in the following cities:

• Cantarranas
• San Lorenzo
• Santa Lucía
• Tegucigalpa
• Valle de Ángeles

Consular assistance

Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua

For emergency consular assistance, call the office of the Embassy of Canada to Honduras, in Tegucigalpa, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Honduras - Travel Advisory Honduras - Travel Advisory

One important issue to keep in mind when visiting Honduras is security. Street crime is a principal concern: including theft, pickpocketing, and armed robberies in. As a precaution, one should avoid wearing excessive jewelry and visibly carrying cellular phones, valuables or large sums of money when walking in downtown areas. In the event that one’s passport is stolen or lost, or that one experiences a threatening situation, it should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section.  Americans living or traveling in Honduras are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website http://step.state.gov so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Additional information is also available through the Consular Information page for Honduras at: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/honduras.html , and the Embassy webpage:  https://hn.usembassy.gov/ .  

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Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

Getty Images

Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Traveling Abroad? US Warns Against These Countries

U.S. travel advisories are issued in four levels: exercise normal precautions, exercise increased caution, reconsider travel, and do not travel.

By NBC New York Staff • Published May 9, 2023 • Updated on May 10, 2023 at 10:53 am

What to know.

The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries -- continually updating them.

Drug trafficking, crime, terrorist threats and civil uprisings are some of the factors behind the travel advisory levels given to the countries on the list.

Are you planning a trip abroad? Do you wonder if your destination is safe?

Get New England news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NECN newsletters.

With the recent deaths of a 9-year-old New York City boy who was shot and killed less than an hour after arriving in the Dominican Republic for a spring break family trip and the discovery of a missing man from Indiana who was found dead in a clandestine burial pit in Mexico after a traffic accident led to his alleged murder are just some of the recent headlines that has caused pause for some people to travel abroad.

However, the safest way to travel, is to be aware ahead of time of where one is going and the precautions one should take.

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As of Tuesday, May 9, there are 18 countries that were issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory by the State Department. Level 4 is the highest level in the advisory system due to the likelihood that travelers may encounter life-threatening risks.

"This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time," according to the State Department .    

The countries under the Level 4 advisory (and the dates when there listings were updated) are:

Meanwhile, 29 other countries are at Level 3: Reconsider Travel. This level, according to the State Department, encourages travelers to avoid certain places due to safety and security risks.

When it comes to this level, the State Department says: "Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time."

The countries under a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory (and the dates when their listings were updated) are: 

The rest of the countries on the list are at a Level 2 and Level 1.

According to the State Department, a country with a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory warns travelers to aware of their surroundings and also to be cognizant that conditions could change at any time.

"Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time," the description for Level 2 reads.

Meanwhile, places with a Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions advisory have the lowest advisory level when it comes to security risk.

"This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time, the State Department's website says when it comes to Level 1.

However, there are two countries on the list, as of Tuesday, that have a travel advisory that is out of the ordinary: Israel, the West Bank and Gaza as well as Mexico. These two countries have an "Other" advisory level and were given that level within the past year in October and March.

In the instance of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, its travel advisory reads , that there are terrorist groups, lone-wolf terrorists and other extremists plotting possible attacks, with some areas having more risk than others.

The State Department warns travelers not to travel to "Gaza due to terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict." It also warns travelers to "exercise increased caution when traveling to: Israel due to terrorism and civil unrest" as well as "West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest."

Mexico's travel advisory warns of "violent crime -- such as homicide kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery," which according to the State Department is both widespread and common in the country.

Mexico's warning is broken down specifically by region, as follows, as outlined by the U.S. State Department :

Do Not Travel To:

• Colima state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Guerrero state  due to  crime .
• Michoacan state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Sinaloa state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping
• Tamaulipas state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping.
• Zacatecas  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Chihuahua state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Durango state  due to  crime .
• Guanajuato state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Jalisco state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Morelos state  due to  crime .
• Sonora state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes  state due to  crime .
• Baja California Sur state  due to  crime .
• Chiapas state  due to  crime .
• Coahuila state  due to  crime .
• Hidalgo state  due to  crime .
• Mexico City  due to  crime .
• Mexico State  due to  crime .
• Nayarit state  due to  crime.
• Nuevo Leon  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Oaxaca state  due to  crime .
• Puebla state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Queretaro state  due to  crime .
• Quintana Roo state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• San Luis Potosi state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Tabasco state  due to  crime .
• Tlaxcala stat e due to  crime .
• Veracruz state  due to  crime .

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

For additional information the countries listed, or those in Level 1 or 2, visit the U.S. Department of State's website, or click here.

This article tagged under:

State department issues new travel warning for Caribbean country

• Published: May. 30, 2024, 2:04 p.m.

People walk past a shrouded body lying on a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph) AP

• Chris Mautner | [email protected]

The U.S. State Department issued a new security alert for the country of Haiti last week, following months of gang violence and riots in that Caribbean country.

The department’s travel advisory for the country is currently at Level 4, “Do Not Travel,” which is the department’s highest warning.

“The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk,” the alert says. “The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel.”

“Violent crime, including kidnapping for ransom, occurs regularly along many roadways in Haiti and U.S. citizens should assess their own safety and security when deciding whether to travel by road,” the alert said. “You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so.”

The Toussaint-Louverture airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, has resumed operations the State Department said, but the number of flights remains limited and is subject to decisions made by commercial carriers.

Travelers should confirm the status and availability of their flight through their carrier’s official website or customer service agent.

The airports in Cap-Haitien and Les Cayes are also open for departing flights, the alert said, although flight availability might be limited.

If you are in Haiti, the State Department recommends the following:

• Avoid crowds.
• Follow local media for updates and avoid areas where violence or disruptions are happening.
• Keep a low profile.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Be prepared to shelter in place for an extended time.
• Stay inside after dark.
• Stay alert in areas frequented by foreign visitors.
• Review your personal security plans.
• Have travel documents up-to-date and easily accessible.
• Carry proper identification.

The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a missionary couple from the U.S. were attacked and fatally shot by gang members after leaving a youth group activity at a church earlier this month.

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
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Honduras Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 17, 2023, honduras - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to Honduras due to crime and kidnapping . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• Gracias a Dios Department due to crime .

Country Summary : Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common. Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and narcotics and human trafficking, is widespread. Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Honduras.

If you decide to travel to Honduras:

• Avoid demonstrations.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Exercise caution using cell phones in public, including inside of cars while stopped in traffic.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report for Honduras.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Gracias a Dios Department – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Gracias a Dios is an isolated area with high levels of criminal activity and drug trafficking. Infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police and military presence is scarce.

• The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Gracias a Dios as U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the area.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas

Travel Advisory Levels

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State Department issues 'worldwide caution' for travelers, warns of anti-LGBTQ+ violence

The U.S. State Department issued a “ worldwide caution ” for Americans overseas Friday, warning about potential threats to LGBTQ+ travelers and other violence.

“The Department of State is aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against LGBTQI+ persons and events and advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the advisory said. The warning did not name any specific terrorist organizations or events.

The security alert also highlighted the general “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” The State Department previously issued a similar advisory in October in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

The warning advised Americans to stay aware of their surroundings “in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues frequented by LGBTQI+ persons.” The State Department also advised travelers to sign up for its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which communicates updates and can help locate users in case of emergency.

"The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"We take seriously our commitment to provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions," they added.

‘We’re here to stay’: Why drag is critical in the US and sometimes safer abroad

The advisory comes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security warned last week that foreign terrorist organizations or their supporters could target LGBTQ+ “events and venues” during Pride Month in June.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Denver has received more than 1,400 unaccompanied migrant children

Data: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services via N.Y. Times ; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

Between 2015 and 2023, Denver received more than 1,400 unaccompanied migrant kids , most from Honduras and Guatemala, per U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data.

Why it matters: Unaccompanied migrant children are an especially vulnerable group as federal, state and city leaders spar over sheltering and supporting foreigners who have crossed the border without permission.

What they're saying: "Migrant children, who have been coming into the United States without their parents in record numbers, are ending up in some of the most punishing jobs in the country," per a recent New York Times investigation .

• "This shadow workforce extends across industries in every state, flouting child labor laws that have been in place for nearly a century."

State of play: Denver officials are trying to prevent those outcomes through initiatives like their asylum-seeker program , which "provide actual sustainability for families and allow kids to focus on being kids," Denver Human Services spokesperson Jon Ewing tells us.

Zoom out: Other Colorado cities have also received a sizable share of unaccompanied children during this time span, including Aurora (1,330 kids) and Colorado Springs (about 700), per federal data.

How it works: The data comes from migrant children sponsors' ZIP codes obtained by the Times through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Data: U.S. Department of Human Health and Services via N.Y. Times ; Note: Includes places that have received at least 100 unaccompanied migrant children; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

The big picture: The number of unaccompanied migrant children in Denver pales in comparison to that of other major cities.

• Houston (about 32,000 kids), Los Angeles (about 12,700) and Dallas (about 8,500) received the largest shares of the 550,000-plus unaccompanied migrant children who arrived in U.S. cities during that period.

The bottom line: Addressing the border is one thing — but hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied kids are already in the U.S., and looking to local, state and federal officials for help and protection.

Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.