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Date:         Tue, 14 Apr 1992 12:40:46 -0500
From:         "KELLY CUNNINGHAM AKA RANDOM DEVIATE"
              <F_CNNGHAMJK@CCSVAX.SFASU.EDU>
Subject:      Honduras

In case you're interested...


STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Honduras
============================================================
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.

Randomly,         ____
Kelly Cunningham (_/\_)
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU