From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL ADVISORY -- Honduras
Date: 14 Apr 1992 10:40:17 -0500
Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Honduras
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Honduras - Warning
 April 13, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to exercise 
caution when traveling to areas in Honduras which border El Salvador 
and/or Nicaragua.  Travel conditions in other areas of the country 
are normal from a security standpoint.  U.S. citizens should avoid 
all overland travel from El Salvador.  Bring all funds needed for 
your stay in Honduras because it is extremely difficult to transfer 
funds into Honduras rapidly from other countries.  Visas are not 
required for U.S. citizens visiting Honduras.  End summary.

Honduran/Salvadoran Border:  Overland travelers are cautioned that 
Salvadoran guerrillas and cross border bandit groups operate out of 
areas near the Honduran/Salvadoran border.  The guerrillas have on 
occasion indiscriminately attacked civilian traffic on Salvadoran 
roads.  A ceasefire in El Salvador took effect February 1, but it is 
too soon to know its effect.  Guerrilla-placed land mines on rural 
roads in El Salvador continued to cause civilian casualties.  The 
Department accordingly strongly recommends that U.S. citizens travel 
between Honduras and El Salvador by air, and not by land.  
Conversely, travelers who feel that they must enter Honduras from El 
Salvador by land should contact the Consular Section of the American 
Embassy in Tegucigalpa for up-to-date information.

Honduran/Nicaraguan Border:  Travelers are advised that travel by 
road, even on main highways, between Nicaragua and Honduras is 
uncertain and potentially hazardous.  The presence of extensive 
minefields on both sides of the border particularly along the Rio 
Coco and in the Atlantic coast region presents a danger to anyone 
venturing close to the border at other that the El Espino, Las 
Manos, and Guasaule border crossings.  (The El Espino Crossing is 
known by the name La Fraternidad.)  It can be hazardous to venture 
off main roads in the
Honduran/Nicaraguan border area.
  
Those travelers who have no alternative but to travel by land into 
or out of Honduras should be aware that the Las Manos and El Espino 
border crossings between Honduras and Nicaragua as well as the Agua 
Caliente border crossing between Honduras and Guatemala are open 
only during daylight hours.  The Guasaule border crossing is open 
daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.   Travelers can expect a lengthy and 
meticulous search of their vehicles and belongings at all the 
crossings.

There has been a significant increase in the number of reported 
street crime incidents (such as robberies and pickpocketing 
incidents) in urban areas.  Travelers should take appropriate 
precautions on the street and when using public transportation.  
Valuables should never be left unattended in automobiles regardless 
of whether the vehicle is locked and/or in an apparently safe area.

Several cases of cholera have been reported in Honduras along the 
El Salvador and Guatemala borders.  The risk of disease can be 
reduced considerably by washing hands before eating, drinking only 
boiled of purified water, and avoiding food from outdoor vendors.  
In addition, visitors may wish to take precautions against malaria 
prior to travel.  Contact the Centers for Disease Control's 
International Travelers' Hotline on (404) 332-4559 for further 
information.

Travelers to Honduras are encouraged to bring sufficient funds 
(credit cards, travelers checks and cash) to defray all their 
expenses.  It is impossible to cash personal checks and is extremely 
difficult to arrange for the transfer of funds from abroad 
subsequent to arrival.  This is particularly true in the case of 
travel to the Bay Islands, where banking facilities are limited.

Adoptions:  The Honduran government has suspended adoption 
processing for foreigners until further notice.  All appointments 
with the Honduran courts and Junta Nacional de Bienestar Social 
(Junta) have been canceled.  Prospective adoptive parents should 
check with their attorney, the adoption agency, or the Consular 
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa before traveling to 
Honduras.

Visas are not necessary for U.S. citizens entering Honduras, 
although a valid American passport is required.  There is an airport 
tax of approximately 10 dollars for travelers leaving Honduras by 
air.  All U.S. citizens visiting Honduras are encouraged to contact 
and register with the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa.  The U.S. Embassy 
telephone numbers during working hours are 32-3120 and 38-5114.  For 
any after-hours emergency, call 32-3125 or 32-3126.  The U.S. 
Embassy in El Salvador is located at 25 Avenida Norte No. 1230 in 
San Salvador.  The telephone number there is 26-7100.

No. 92-79

This replaces the advisory dated February 27, 1992, to reflect that 
Honduras has suspended processing of foreign adoptions until further 
notice.