Is Honduras Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Is Honduras safe for solo female travelers?
After traveling extensively throughout Central America as a solo female traveler, Honduras is probably the one country that people perceive as being the most dangerous. And that’s not without merit — based on the Global Peace Index, Honduras ranks last out of all the Central American countries.
Many backpackers in Central America pass through Honduras very quickly or skip it entirely.
But is Honduras actually that dangerous? Can you safely visit as a solo female traveler? I did it, and I’m going to share my personal experience and tips for traveling safely in Honduras.
Overview of Honduras
First, let’s talk a little bit more about Honduras.
This country is located in Central America, a region that consists of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Honduras shares borders with Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Like every Central American country except Belize, Spanish the primary language spoken in Honduras. Honduras has a population of 10.6 million people, and the capital is Tegucigalpa.
Popular tourist destinations in Honduras include the Bay Islands (especially Roatan and Utila) which are located off the Caribbean coast of the country. The Bay Islands are famous for their great beaches and excellent scuba diving. Roatan and Utila are by far the most visited destinations in Honduras.
Copan is also popular. This lovely little town is close to the border with Guatemala and it’s famous for its Mayan ruins. Pico Bonito National Park and Lake Yoyoa are two emerging tourist destinations in Honduras.
In Honduras Dangerous?
Without getting into a history lesson about the situation in Honduras, let’s just say that the country has been struggling with issues of crime, violence, poverty, and corruption for a long time.
More than 60% of Hondurans live in poverty, and many people live in chronic fear from the violence caused by gangs and the drug trade. Gender-based violence against women is also a huge problem in Honduras. Less than a quarter of murders in the country are investigated, and less than 15% reach a conviction.
So yes, Honduras is dangerous. I won’t sugarcoat it and pretend like Honduras is Switzerland. Statistically speaking, Honduras is at the bottom of the list of the safest countries in Latin America.
That being said, tourists are not likely to become the victims of crime and violence in Honduras. It’s the Honduran people who have the most to worry about. And that is why I still recommend visiting Honduras. It’s very easily to travel safely in this country as long as you use common sense and take basic precautions.
I did not have a noticeably different experience in Honduras compared to all of the other countries I’ve been to in Central America, and it’s definitely possible to travel here safely on your own.
Here are some of my top safety tips for solo female travelers in Honduras:
1. Don’t go off the beaten path.
One of the easiest ways to stay safe in Honduras is to stick to the tourist trail.
This is simply not a destination where you should be trying to get off the beaten path and discover hidden gems. Because of the overall security situation in Honduras, it’s just not a country where you should be stopping in random towns or places you’ve never heard of and assuming they will be safe.
However, the main tourist destinations I mentioned above (the Bay Islands, Copan, Pico Bonito, and Lake Yoyoa) are very safe. They have good tourism infrastructure and safe ways of traveling to these destinations. In fact, the Bay Islands and Copan feel like they’re almost in their own little bubble.
While there are plenty of other places in Honduras that are also safe, it’s not always easy to know that as a tourist. So this is one country I recommend not going off the beaten path on your own.
2. Avoid the big cities.
Another safety tip for Honduras is to minimize the amount of time you spend in the big cities. The larger cities in Honduras are often hubs from crime and drug- or gang-related violence.
The capital Tegucigalpa is honestly one place to skip entirely in Honduras. It doesn’t have a ton of tourist attractions, and it’s out of the way for most travelers due to its location and the fact that it doesn’t actually have an international airport. Not to mention, it also has some really rough parts.
Many travelers will find themselves in the second-largest city San Pedro Sula at some point since it has a large international airport, flights to Roatan, and a big bus terminal. Notoriously dangerous, San Pedro Sula earned the dubious nickname “The Murder Capital of the World” at one point. While you might need to transit through this city to get elsewhere, I would definitely recommend not spending any time there.
Finally, La Ceiba is the third-largest city in Honduras. This coastal city has ferries to Roatan and Utila, so again, you might need to transit through here. It’s fine for that, and there will be other tourists around. But you certainly don’t need to spend any additional time in this city, which also has a pretty high crime rate.
3. Don’t take public transport.
“Chicken buses” are a common form of public transportation throughout Central America. While I took chicken buses some short distances in Guatemala, I avoided them entirely in Honduras.
It’s not the chicken buses are always unsafe, but they make lots of stops and different people are constantly getting on and off. It’s safer to use a reputable bus company or take a tourist shuttle.
Reputable bus companies in Honduras include Hedman Alas, Transportes Cristina, and Casasola Express. These are a little more expensive than the chicken bus, but faster and safer, and still affordable.
Personally, I took a Hedman Alas bus from San Pedro Sula to Copan and had zero issues.
Tourist shuttles are another safe option for getting from Point A to Point B in Honduras. These also offer international routes taking you to popular destinations in Guatemala and El Salvador.
4. Learn some Spanish.
This is the same advice I give for most countries in Latin America, and it also applies to Honduras. I often talk about feeling safe and at ease in Latin America, but being able to get by in Spanish certainly helps.
You don’t need to speak Spanish to travel in Honduras, especially in the touristy Bay Islands. But English is not widely spoken in Honduras (it’s pretty much not spoken at all outside the hospitality industry) so knowing some of the basics can definitely help you feel comfortable getting around on your own.
5. Don’t forget food and water safety.
One aspect of staying safe in Honduras is avoiding getting sick. So that’s why I wanted to take the time to point out the importance of food and water safety while traveling in Honduras.
Food hygiene standards in Honduras might not be what you’re used to which can cause stomach issues. I recommend traveling with Pepto Bismol tablets in Honduras. You should also avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables that might have been washed in water, and be careful with street food.
When it comes to water, you cannot drink the tap water in Honduras. I recommend getting a LifeStraw water bottle which automatically filters all water to make it drinkable. I travel with this everywhere and it’s great. It also saves you money from having to buy bottled water and it’s better for the environment.
Is Honduras Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Honduras can absolutely be safe for solo female travelers. The majority of people who think it’s too dangerous to travel there alone have probably never been and likely aren’t well-traveled or well-informed.
Is it the safest country in Central America? No. Would I recommend it for your very first solo trip? No. If you’re looking for somewhere much safer and easier to travel in, I’d pick Costa Rica instead.
But Honduras is worth visiting and perfectly safe for travelers if you use common sense and take basic safety precautions. I really enjoyed my time in Honduras, and would not hesitate to return.
Related Guides:
