A pattern has also emerged of armed hold-ups of U.S. citizens and other travelers, occurring after the victims arrive at San Pedro Sula Airport and continue overland by road to other destinations in northern Honduras. The bandits are believed to use airport spotters and cellular phones or radios to coordinate the assaults. Although not a primary tourist destination, the Department of Olancho has a reputation for being one of the most violent areas in Honduras. Armed assaults of buses and private cars, sometimes involving rapes and killings, have been on the upswing on the stretch of unpaved road between Limones and La Union, Olancho. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and the local police.
Medical care varies in quality.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical evacuation, has proven useful. Penalties in Honduras for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Lengthy judicial delays can also be expected.