Honduras Entry Requirements

Honduras Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Information last reviewed June 2024. Always verify with official government sources before traveling.
Honduras greets arrivals with refreshingly simple entry rules: a valid passport, proof you plan to leave, and, depending on your nationality, either a free 90-day stamp or a visa arranged in advance. At San Pedro Sula’s Ramón Villeda Morales Airport the air-conditioned immigration hall carries a faint scent of fresh paint and coffee from the kiosk outside; officers in crisp khaki uniforms flick through passports with practiced speed, check your photo, then slam the entry stamp onto the tile floor. Overland crossings from Guatemala and Nicaragua feel more rustic, wooden booths painted the same cobalt blue as the Honduran flag, chickens scratching at your boots while you hand forms to agents who may fire a few questions in rapid Spanish. Whether you’ve come for the Bay Islands’ coral gardens or the pine-scented trails above Siguatepeque, keep your documents handy and allow 10, 25 minutes to clear formalities.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Honduras honors the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement, letting many visitors enter visa-free while others must secure advance permission.

Visa-Free Entry
90 days

Holders of ordinary passports from these states may enter Honduras without any prior authorization.

Includes
United States Canada United Kingdom European Union Schengen states Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea Chile Argentina Brazil Mexico Uruguay Israel Norway Switzerland

The 90-day period is cumulative for Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua; overland travelers who have already used part of the 90-day CA-4 allowance elsewhere will only receive the remaining balance.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Not applicable

Honduras currently does not issue a separate ETA; nationals who require visas must apply at an embassy.

How to Apply: Not applicable
Cost: Not applicable

There is no online visa-waiver platform for Honduras; either you are visa-exempt or you need a consular visa.

Visa Required
30, 90 days at the discretion of the consul

Travelers not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a tourist visa from a Honduran embassy or consulate before arrival.

How to Apply: Apply in person or by courier at the nearest Honduran diplomatic mission; provide passport, photo, itinerary, proof of funds, and fee. Processing usually takes 5, 10 working days.

Visas cannot be obtained at ports of entry; arriving without one when required will result in denied boarding by the airline or refusal of entry by land/sea.

Arrival Process

Immigration queues move quickly if you have paperwork in order; listen for the clack of rubber stamps and the occasional bark of a sniffer dog circling luggage.

1
Arrival Document Check
Airline staff or border officers first verify passport validity (must extend at least six months beyond entry date) and onward ticket.
2
Immigration Control
Present passport and completed pre-clearance form; officer takes digital fingerprints and photograph, then staples a small entry slip into your passport noting your authorized stay.
3
Baggage Claim & Customs
Collect bags from the squeaky conveyor, then choose the red (declare) or green (nothing to declare) channel; customs agents may single passengers out for random bag search.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least six months and in good condition.
Tourist Card / Entry Form
Usually provided on incoming flights or at land borders; complete before reaching the officer.
Proof of Onward Travel
Return airline ticket or bus ticket out of Honduras within your permitted stay.
Address in Honduras
Name of first hotel, dive resort, or host, officers sometimes ask to confirm you have accommodation.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Keep the small white entry slip safe; hotels and tour operators often photocopy it, and you must hand it back when you exit.
Have printed copies of your next flight; phone batteries can die in the humid air while you wait in line.
If crossing by land from Guatemala at El Florido, arrive before 6 p.m.; the gate closes at dusk and the mountain air turns surprisingly chilly.

Customs & Duty-Free

Honduras allows modest duty-free quantities; anything above the limit is taxed at roughly 15 percent of assessed value at the slick granite counter where you catch a sweet whiff of the officer’s cinnamon gum.

Alcohol
Up to 3 litres of wine or spirits combined
Must be 18+ years; bottles must be sealed and for personal use only.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of pipe tobacco
Must be 18+ years.
Currency
Declaration obligatory if carrying USD 10,000 or equivalent in any currency
Form must be completed on arrival; failure to declare can lead to seizure.
Gifts/Goods
Additional items up to USD 500 value per adult
Laptops, phones, and personal sports gear you intend to take home are normally admitted duty-free, but expensive new electronics may be questioned.

Prohibited Items

  • Fresh meat or dairy from outside Central America, animal-health ban
  • Explosives, firearms, and ammunition without a police permit
  • Counterfeit currency or goods that infringe copyright

Restricted Items

  • Medication containing pseudoephedrine or strong opioids, bring original prescription
  • Endangered-shell coral or black-coral crafts, CITES permit required

Health Requirements

No compulsory shots for most travelers, but mosquito-heavy lowlands make certain vaccines smart insurance.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow Fever , only for travelers arriving from countries with risk (e.g., parts of South America or Africa)

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Typhoid
  • Routine boosters (MMR, DPT)
  • Hepatitis B for longer stays
  • Rabies for spelunkers and wildlife volunteers

Health Insurance

Not mandatory, yet carrying travel insurance that covers medical evacuation from the Bay Islands is strongly advised; private hospitals in Honduras ask for up-front payment in cash or card.

Current Health Requirements: As of June 2024 Honduras lifted all COVID-19 entry rules; still, airlines may impose mask or testing requirements, so check before you fly.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website
Immigration Authority
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
migracion.gob.hn for official visa information and forms
Emergency
Dial 911 for police, ambulance, or fire throughout Honduras
English-speaking operators are rare; ask a local to translate if needed

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Minors who are Honduran citizens or who appear to be dual nationals need notarized consent from the non-traveling parent(s) to leave the country; foreign tourists should carry the child’s birth certificate or passport plus a letter if only one parent is present to avoid delays at departure.

Traveling with Pets

Dogs and cats need an up-to-date rabies shot (given at least 30 days before travel but within 12 months), a veterinary health certificate issued within 14 days of travel, and an import permit obtained online from SENASA; arrive at an approved airport (SAP or TGU) and expect a brief on-spot inspection.

Extended Stays

Apply for a 30-day extension (‘prórroga’) at migración offices in major cities before your tourist card expires; longer stays require temporary residency handled through a Honduran lawyer and proof of income or retirement funds.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear , with shopping links for every item.

View Honduras Packing List →