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| Written by Loco Gringo | |
 The people of Honduras are extraordinary. You can always expect a smile and a friendly warm embrace wherever you go. Like most of the countries in this region the majority of the people are poor. Honduras is a country stuck in time, not succumbing to the ideals and fast-paced occidental societal pressures that have taken other Central American countries by surprise. Take some time and mingle with the people, you will never forget their warm hearts and giving personalities. Driving within Honduras is quite pleasant. The majority of the roads are very good, except for the road leading to and away from Copan. The police and the military do not bother you too much. There are several police checkpoints and sometimes the police and the military run roadside blitzes. Always travel with your paperwork. Mayan Ruins While you are in Honduras take the time to enjoy this unique part of the world. However you choose to enter, plan a day at the Mayan ruins of Copán. If you entered at the Aqua Caliente border crossing continue on past Santa Rosa de Copán to La Entrada. Turn left at the La Entrada junction and continue toward Copán, the turn off is almost immediately after entering this city of La Entrada. From here it is about a two hour drive. The road is generally good and paved except for a very small section as you near the ruins. In September 1996 a new spectacular museum opened on the grounds of the Copán’s ruins. This museum is considered to be the foremost in Central America. The entry way is like a portal, something like you would see at Copán’s Temple 22. Inside the museum are numerous serpent carvings, the Rosalila excavations and currently the Copán stela originals are being brought into the museum for preservation—don’t miss this spectacular exhibition. Entering Honduras Driving within Honduras is quite pleasant. The majority of the roads are very good, except for the road leading to and away from Copan. The police and the military do not bother you too much. There are several police checkpoints and sometimes the police and the military run roadside blitzes. Always travel with your paperwork. Immigration & Aduana Same procedure, proceed to immigration and receive your entry visa and stamp, $2 US. Aduana will request the usual paperwork and identification: passport, car registration, car title, and driver’s license. The officers will then type a Permiso De Entrada—Salida Temporal and Fuerzas Armadas De Honduras. These forms will allow you and your vehicle passage in Honduras for 30 days, cost is $30 US. There is another form that lists about 50 miscellaneous items the officers may fill-in for additional charges. If you plan to stay in Honduras for longer than 30 days you must go to the Transit Police station and Migration office before the expiration date in order to secure an extension. This extension may be for up to six months. Military Next you must pass a military inspection, $2 US for the transit permit. Show the officer your documents and passport. He will check them along with your personal belongings and then let you proceed when he feels that all the regulations are fulfilled. Military inspections always seem to be the most tedious and difficult—have patience and don’t forget to smile. Copan to San Pedro Sula Driving Time: 3 hours Kilometers: 171 Miles: 106 Hwy: CA 1 From Copan head towards La Entrada, about a one hour drive. At La Entrada you can travel on to San Pedro Sula or turn right towards Santa Rosa de Copan. Please note that Santa Rosa de Copan is different from Copan and the department (equivalent to a county or province) that you are in, which is called Copan. Therefore, when asking for directions be specific. Copan to San Pedro Sula will take you approximately 3 hours. There are many places to stay in San Pedro Sula—make sure you park your car in a Parqueo for safety, car theft is notorious in San Pedro Sula. There are several parqueos next to Central Plaza and the Gran Hotel Sula—use them! From Esquipulas to San Pedro Sula Driving Time: 4 hours Kilometers: 235 Miles: 146 Hwy: CA 1 From Esquipulas head for Santa Rosa de Copan. At Santa Rosa de Copan, you can go on to San Pedro Sula via La Entrada. The first few hours will take you through breathtaking mountains; after passing Santa Rosa de Copan follow the signs for La Entrada. An alternate route is to head toward La Esperanza and then on to Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Learned Lessons Don’t drive these roads at night. There are many animals along the road and theft is common around La Entrada. Most of the roads are very good and you can expect to maintain a comfortable speed. Nevertheless, remember that you are sharing the roadway with children, livestock, carts and parked vehicles—take your time and enjoy the scenery. Special Directions The route via La Entrada and San Pedro Sula is visually stimulating and the roads are in great condition. If you want to visit the coast or the Bay Islands, this is the route to take. Copan While you are in Honduras take the time to enjoy this unique part of the world. However you choose to enter, plan a day at the Mayan ruins of Copán. If you entered at the Aqua Caliente border crossing continue on past Santa Rosa de Copán to La Entrada. Turn left at the La Entrada junction and continue toward Copán, the turn off is almost immediately after entering this city of La Entrada. From here it is about a two hour drive. The road is generally good and paved except for a very small section as you near the ruins. This gorgeous village with cobbled streets passing among white adobe buildings with red-tiled roofs and small cafes is 1km from the famous Maya ruins. As you pass the ruins drive around the curve and into the heart of the town. The village has a lovely colonial church and a timeless pace, everything slows down in Copan. The archaeological site at the ruins is open daily and includes the Stelae of the Great Plaza, portraying the rulers of Copán, dating from 613; the ball court and hieroglyphic stairway; and the Acropolis, which has superb carved relics of the 16 kings of Copán. There are hot springs a one-hour drive from the village, and the nearby picturesque mountain village of Santa Rita de Copán has a beautiful plaza and a peaceful colonial church. San Pedro Sula—Tegucigalpa—Choluteca Driving Time: 6 hours Kilometers: 330 Miles: 204 Hwy: CA 1 The splendid drive between San Pedro Sula to Tegucigalpa takes about 4 hours. You will pass through miles of pineapple fields as you ascend into the mountains that surround this beautiful area. At Tegus head through town and follow the signs for Choluteca, CA 1. This is a 2 hour drive descending from the mountains. As you drive this route there are a lot of things to see which may perk your interest. There are small shops situated along the road which offer fruits, candy and pottery particular to each distinctive region. The fruits are particularly delicious and shamefully inexpensive, pick some up for lunch. If your stomach is rumbling, stop at one of the fifty or so restaurants located along Lago de Yojoa for a delicious and an economical fish meal. A few miles past the lake you can explore underground caverns at Las Cuevas de Taulabe. About 20 miles before you reach Tegucigalpa there is a picnic area and zoo called Parque Aurora. This is a great place to stop and rest before entering Tegus. Learned Lessons Follow the highway through Tegus and head toward Choluteca. There are plenty of gas stations outside the city on the San Pedro Sula—Tegus route, thus don’t worry about filling up in San Pedro Sula. However, fill up before you leave Tegucigalpa because there are few stations between Tegus and Choluteca. If you need to exchange money before entering Nicaragua, do so in Tegucigalpa. Very few places in Nicaragua will exchange travelers cheques. Don’t forget that you must have US DOLLARS for your entry into Nicaragua! Special Directions Follow the signs leading out of San Pedro Sula toward Tegus. You can expect thick fog in the upper mountain regions, thus watch your speed and take special precaution if you are driving at night. Sign In For More FREE Information On Honduras |
Tab One
Mexican Car Insurance
Mexico has traffic laws very similar to the United States. The application of their laws is what accounts for the differences, and the reasons for needing Mexican insurance. DriveMeLoco has partnered with Mexican Online Insurance to provide you with the best Mexican Insurance available and is backed by four of Mexico's largest and most respected insurers, GNP, ABA/GMAC, ACE Seguros, and HDI Seguros.
Insurance is not available in some of the other countries, see the Guide for more information.
Tab Two
Guide Update
If you are traveling and find something missing or incorrect in the Gringos Guide we'd love to hear about it. Please drop us an email and we’ll make sure your updates get into the next edition of the Guide and also onto the website.
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Tab Three
Pod Cast Mayan Ruins
A-Pod-Calypto: Mayan Ruins Tours
This is a four part series presented by Lonely Planet, it is a good intro to the Mayan Ruins. You can listen here or download to your computer.
| Part 1. 15 min. | Part 2. 19 min. | Part 3. 12 min. | Part 4. 13 min |
What documents do I need?
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What is the Darrian Gap?
The Darrian Gap is a big stretch of jungle that prevents any overland travel from South to Central America, thus you got to ship your vehicle around the trees by sea. Sign-up to get the complete information about the Darrian Gap.
Should I take my gun?
Bringing guns or drugs into Mexico is not recommended. You may go to prison even if you were not aware of the Mexican law. Having said that, I have done one or the other over the years or been with others . . . more