Overland Honduras Travel
Pan American Highway > Honduras
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Honduras
- 2 Entering Honduras with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Honduras
- 4 Gas and Diesel price in Honduras
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Honduras
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Honduras
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Honduras
Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.
Entering Honduras with a Car or Motorbike
Where indicated certain sections correct as of: Septempber 2023
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Honduras, application instructions and fees see: Honduras Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
This border was notorious for corrupt officers, but recent positive experience shows that the situation has improved. Reports show that different immigration officials at different entry points may ask for different paperwork or none at all, so either arrive with lots of copies of everything or just be prepared to walk to the nearby copy agents that are at every border.
Some of the photocopies that may or may not be requested at the border are shown below:
- Passport credential page of registered owner (original and 4 copies).
- Online precheck-in confirmation email from https://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn. (printed or visible on electronic device)
- COVID-19: Vaccination card OR Proof on paper of either 14 days of full vaccination or negative test (PCR or antigen) within 72 hours.
- Vehicle title (original and 4 copies).
- Vehicle registration (original and 4 copies).
- Drivers license of registered owner (original and 4 copies).
- 4 more copies of the owner's Passport, clearly showing the Honduras immigration stamp and the entry payment receipts.
- Copies of cancelled TIP from exiting country
If you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is endemic, officials at the border may ask you for your vaccine certificate. Honduras is considered free of Yellow Fever and they are going to try to avoid having you bring the fever into the country. Please note that you should have the vaccine at least 10 days before entering the country.
Process at border
Again, this will vary from day to day depending on the mood of the officer on duty.
Entering At Corinto Border
Nov 2021 Corinto: Guatemala stations are on the Honduras side in the same buildings as Honduras Immigrations and Customs. There are no stations or personnel on the Guatemala side. The way they have this set up, I don't think helpers are allowed in.
- a day or so before crossing, go to http://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn/Login and fill out the pre-check-in. Unless you have a Honduran SIM card it is next to impossible to do this on a roaming cell connection (it took me abt 2 hours over roaming). If you didn't, they will send you walking back across the border to a business that has internet, who will charge to do it for you. There are 2 parts to the form. After finishing the first part (immigration info) and back at the home page, the link to the second part (health info) is in fine print at the top.
- when you arrive, you'll be stopped at the border gate by a uniformed Aduana (customs) official who will take your TIP and Passport and check the VIN number on your vehicle. There is no charge here. They will give them back and flag you through to the customs area (on the right in Corinto).
- Make a hard right and park close in the parking lot and go to the blue and white striped container office just as you enter and get your temperature taken. The Honduran immigrations agent told me there should be a young woman there I was to pay her 50 L, but she wasn't there and someone else did it after trying to call her and it was no charge.
- Go to immigrations. Immigrations is the first building (on the island in the center of the parking lot) The Guatemala Salidas window today was the first window on the back of the building, next to the Honduran Entradas windows. Get him to stamp you out of Guatemala. Then, get in line at the Honduran window and present your passport, your temperature check paper (from the health office), and show them your email confirmation with the pre-check-in number and maybe the QR code. Follow instructions to take fingerprints and photo and pay the entry fee (I paid in Quetzals) and he will eventually stamp you into Honduras.
- Aduana (customs). In Corinto this is in the building at the back of the parkinglot. Go to the Guatemala window and give him your TIP and copies of your registration and passport credential page. He took other copies at no charge. I may not have needed to give him the copies I did. He will come out and check the VIN number, possibly make a cursory search, and eventually give you back the TIP after signing it that it is canceled. He signed mine on the back side.
- Go to the Honduras Aduana vehicles window on the other side of the same building (it wasn't marked: just ask at any window and they will direct you). He will tell you what copies your need (especially the passport stamp page) and send you walking back across the border to the help business, who will make the copies you need. I only had to provide one of each copy he asked for, not 3-4 (both sides of the TIP and the immigrations stamps page in my passport: the rest I had pre-copied). While you're there, change your money with the ladies next to the border gate. When you get back, the Aduana agent will come out and inspect the VIN number and take what notes he thinks of during the inspection, and then he will ask a lot of questions about the vehicle back at his desk: number of cylinders, fuel, 4WD, etc. He will eventually ask for the TIP fee (780 L today) and he wouldn't take USD or Quetzales, so I had to hike back across to get my money changed. He will eventually give you the TIP. I didn't get any TIP stamp in my passport as others have mentioned.
- There were 2 police check points and an army check point within a few feet of each other leaving the compound. Both police checkpoints stopped me and checked the TIP and my passport. The army post didn't.
Entering At El Florido Border Near Copan Ruinas
- September 2023
I filled out the Honduras entry pre-check forms using the Android app the day before arrival. I received a confirmation email with a QR code.
Follow Google Maps to Aduana El Florido. The building is on the right side of the street when you get to the border. Immigration and Customs for both Guatemala and Honduras are in the same large room so all you need to do is read the signs and go to the correct counter. I found the officials friendly and helpful. Guatemalan Tigo cell service worked great at the border too.
- STEP 1: Guatemalan Immigration Exit Stamp
First approach the Guatemalan Immigration counter to get your exit stamp. This was free of charge.
- STEP 2: Honduran Immigration Entry Stamp
Then go to the Honduran Immigration counter to get your entry stamp. The official charged me 30 Quetzales and scanned my fingerprints. The official never asked about my precheck paperwork or QR code, but maybe I was already in the system and so he did not need to ask, I do not know. The Honduran immigration official gave me 75 days because I had already used 15 of my original 90 day entry stamp in Guatemala. So now I have 75 days left to spend in the remaining CA-4 countries.
- STEP 3: Cancel Guatemalan TIP at The Guatemalan Aduana
When I reached the Guatemalan Aduana counter the official told me to make the following copies:
- 3X copies of my US driver’s license
- 3X copies of my passport credentials page
- 3X copies of my new Honduran entry stamp
- 3X copies of vehicle registration
- 3X copies of vehicle title
- 1X copy of Guatemalan TIP that is to be cancelled
The official directed me to walk back towards Guatemala for about 1 minute and on the opposite side of the street is a red building where the store owner can make copies and exchange money. At this store I also exchanged all my Guatemalan Quetzales for Honduran Lempira. When I returned I handed all the paperwork to the Guateman Aduana official and she handed around half the paperwork to the Honduran Aduana officials and we all went out to inspect my license plate and VIN numbers at the same time. The Guatemalan Aduana official then canceled my TIP and handed me the signed document showing that it was cancelled. It is very important to save this paperwork for future use because there are instances of Overlanders returning to Guatemala and for whatever reason the TIP was never cancelled in the system and the Overlander needs to pay fines and do more paperwork as a result. So showing this document upon re-entry into Guatemala may save yourself from a major problem. The Guatemalan TIP was cancelled for free.
- STEP 4: Obtain Honduran TIP at Honduran Aduana
Next go to the Honduran Aduana counter with your newly cancelled Guatemalan TIP and begin the process of obtaining the Honduran TIP. The Honduran Aduana officials gave me paperwork and a bill that needed to be paid at the same red building just down the street. Plus they wanted 2X copies of the cancelled Guatemalan TIP. I walked back to the red building, paid a little over 900 Lempiras for the TIP bill and a couple copies. I returned to the Honduran Aduana desk counter and the officials issued me a new Honduran TIP. The Honduran TIP is a colorful document and must be kept in the vehicle at all times. The officials reminded me that I must present this to any police that ask for it and also cancel the Honduran TIP when I leave the country. The Honduruan TIP is good for 90 days. Always double check the VIN number, license plate number and other information on the TIP for accuracy.
Immediately upon entering Honduras there are a handful of checkpoints that may or may not want to inspect your new paperwork.
Links To Other Border Crossing Guides
Another detailed step-by-step guide from January 2023 for the Guasaule border Nicaragua/Honduras can be found here - with two dogs, a cat, and a van this took just under 2 hours: [1]</br>
I crossed on Friday, Nov 12, 2021, arriving at 9:30 AM and leaving at 2:30 PM. Once I drove across the border, the only queue I really had to wait in was the Honduras Entradas window, with between 5 and 20 people at a time. I don't know how long it would take without mistakes: probably about 2.5-3 hours.
Detailed instructions from Oct 2014, including GPS POI's, Map of office locations and pictures can be seen here: El Salvador to Honduras El Amatillo Border Crossing
The process is described very clearly at Through Honduras in one day|PanAm Notes (also available to download in pdf format).
Detailed instructions as of 24th April 2016 crossing from Guatemala to Honduras at Corinto with a motorcycle. Full details including paperwork requirements, GPS coordinates and photographs can be found here http://www.tiger800rtw.com/?p=1259
NOTE: You may encounter locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See Border Crossing Helpers for advice.
Cost of entry
Again, it depends. Expect to pay, roughly:
- $3.00 USD per person for entry (price as of 24th April 2016)
- Payment of $35.00 USD for vehicle permit (price as of Feb 2017)
Permitted length of stay
90 days.
Honduras is part of the CA-4 Border control agreement. This agreement grants travel between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua for a TOTAL of 90-days. The number of days remaining on your CA4 is written in your passport as you travel from country to country. The 90-day limit begins when you enter any country that is part of the CA4 agreement. To avoid penalty and fines, Exit the CA4 countries and enter into Costa Rica or Mexico/Belize before the 90-days limit expires.
Extension of stay
Unknown.
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
From personal experience and asking at the border (May 2018) it is permitted to leave a vehicle in Honduras for a limited time. Note that you still must exit both Honduras and C-4 countries prior to the original date provided upon entry (ie the clock keeps ticking while you are away).
Exiting with a vehicle
- The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
- The registered owner is stamped out of Honduras at immigration.
Driving in Honduras
Recommended books for Overlanding in Honduras
Travel insurance for Honduras
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
Insurance is not required in Honduras
Cost of insurance
N/A
Where to purchase insurance
N/A
Driving license
Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.
Driving side of road
Right.
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
The Police and Military will absolutely try to bribe you if you do not have the following:
- 2 safety triangles
- A fire extinguisher
In 2017 the police forces had a major clean up with many policemen loosing their job especially the ones who did not do their job properly. Today their focus is to assist and help instead of stopping you to look for reasons to fine/bribe like for not carrying the above mentioned items.
Police checks on roads are always made in groups and marked with cones for their own safety. If a guy by himself or a group comes out of the bushes there is something wrong. Slow down, wave and keep on driving.
Roads
General Road quality
Roads in Honduras vary greatly. The Pan American is paved and good quality for the length of the country. Lesser roads are gravel and can be very bumpy and rutted.
Road signs
Road signs are mostly common, but can not be relied upon.
Toll roads
Parts of CA-5 are in the process of being tolled.
Bribery in Honduras
Honduras is probably the most corrupt country on the Pan American Highway, and you will almost certainly encounter bribery attempts by the Police and military. Many Overlanders have special stories about how common bribery is in Honduras, with most foreigners being stopped 5-10 times on the Pan American Highway alone.
Based on own experience and reports on ioverlander since 2017 this has improved a lot. In 2017 the police forces had a major clean up with many policemen loosing their job especially the ones who did not do their job properly. Today their focus is to assist and help instead of stopping you to look for reasons to fine/bribe like for not carrying the above mentioned items.
Police checks on roads are always made in groups and marked with cones for their own safety. If a guy in uniform by himself or a group in uniform comes out of the bushes there is something wrong. Slow down, wave and keep on driving. See the bribery tips page for advice.
Checkpoints
Police checkpoints are common in Honduras, especially on the Pan American Highway. You'll primarily be asked to show your Passport, Vehicle registration, drivers license, and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border. Depending on how official the checkpoint actually is, this used to be a perfect bribery opportunity for the police/military but has improved since 2017.
Traveling with pets
According to travelers in 2012, you need: [1]
Travelers in 2013 wrote this when traveling from El Salvador to Honduras: [2]
- A Health Certificate for the animal in Spanish (updated at least every four months)
- A vaccination record (the European Pet Passport works well)
You might not be asked for either one, but you should have them ready.
Gas and Diesel price in Honduras
Last updated: December 2015 (Diesel September 2013)
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular | L18.59 HNL per Liter |
| Premium (95) | L20.49 HNL per Liter |
| Normal Diesel | $1.20 USD per Liter |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Gasoline is common along the Pan American Highway.
Gas and Diesel Quality
Diesel quality poor, ULSD not available. Various octane levels of gasoline available.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night is absolutely not recommended in Honduras, due to safety considerations.
Vehicle parking
Find a secure parking lot to park for any length of time. Price unknown.
Special driving considerations
We were stopped many times by the police. They always wanted to check the papers and sometimes look inside the car, but were always friendly and let us go.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Honduras - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Honduras
Camping is not popular in Honduras and roadside camping is not recommended.
Camping guide books
Unknown.
Drinking water
Tap water in Honduras is not safe to drink.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Honduras
Purchase maps before arriving, good ones are very difficult to find in Honduras.
GPS Maps of Honduras
- Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[3]
- Garmin: Apparently no map of Honduras.
- TomTom: No map of Honduras. [4]
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Honduras
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
- A few places in Honduras - Camping Places & Sights in Honduras by Pawsontour
- Camping Sites: Honduras - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
- Central America Camping Locations - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
- Camping Log 1: Central America - List of campsites, shopping, fuel, propane and border crossings with excellent descriptions and GPS co-ordinates.
- White Acorn camping log page - GPS co-ordinates and excellent description of campsites]
- Overland Honduras Alliance - Website dedicated to welcoming overlanders to Honduras created by the Honduras Information Project and backed by lodging and camping businesses in Honduras.
Special Overland Travel interests
None.
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Honduras
Buy
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
- ↑ Central American Borders and dogs
- ↑ Traveling with dogs from Canada to Argentina. Experiences and Infos.
- ↑ OpenStreetMap Honduras
- ↑ TomTom Map availability
Helpful External links
- Honduras: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Honduras - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Honduras travel guides at wikivoyage
- Honduras - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
