Central America

Honduras

Location

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua.

There is widespread petty and violent crime. Be aware of bag-snatchers and muggings. Widespread illiteracy, high unemployment and a heavily dependent economy underline the poverty of Honduras. Do not be deceived by the evident US influence on Honduran culture. Modest dress is appreciated and recommended for safety. Personal security, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters. Be aware of poisonous snakes, alligators, scorpions, wasps and other stinging insects. Beachwear not to be worn in towns. Register with Embassy on arrival.

Use bottled water.

Mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains.

Sub-tropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains. Hurricane season June to November.

Frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast.

Cholera, dengue fever, diarrhoea, hepatitis A, HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio, rabies, typhoid, yellow fever.

Urban population expanding; 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), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals.

Road travel at night is inadvisable, not only to reduce the likelihood of assault, but because many vehicles travel without lights. Accidents are common and occasionally fatal. Following an accident you should away the arrival of the police. Owner-driven public buses should be avoided as these are often poorly maintained and recklessly driven.

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