Dangerous resort in Honduras. Review: San Pedro Sula Honduras reviews of tourists

Many brave and courageous travelers want not only to get involved in history or beauty, but also to tickle their nerves, test their own masculinity, and in general, just visit the most vicious places in the world, which test the strength of the character of those who dare to visit the cities that are indicated in of all guidebooks as the "scariest" or "most dangerous" city in the world.

It is to you, brave and risky daredevils, that I want to offer a trip to the most dangerous city in the world - San Pedro Sula in Honduras.

This city is located 60 kilometers from the coast Caribbean, in the Sula Valley. Its population is just over 800 thousand people. Standard building - central square and a park, a cathedral, and around - city quarters, hotels and museums. Outside the city there is a tropical forest, and the beauty of a lush nature. It would seem that everything is typical, what can attract a tourist here, especially an extreme?

So, for many years it is San Pedro Sula that has been leading the list of the most dangerous cities in the world. Do you know why? Because for every 100,000 people there are 169 murders a year. This figure is great even for Honduras itself - 20 times more than the "achievements" of its other cities. And also because it is one of the largest centers for the transfer of drugs from Latin America- to the United States. Even Acapulco (the second most dangerous city in the world) is nice and decent compared to San Pedro Sula. Maybe the fact is that you can have a weapon here completely legally (and not one, but five types to choose from, or all five in general), maybe because if the residents did not legally buy this "small" arsenal, they can buy it on the black market (What is the problem, because 70% of weapons in the country were brought in illegally), or maybe because the authorities can not or do not want to do anything about this rampant crime (which is not surprising, knowing the percentage of corruption in this scary city). And, yes, remember that over 85% of crimes in San Pedro Sula are committed with the use of firearms. By the way, in the USA there are only 60% of such crimes.

If you are still in doubt, just watch the photos and videos, many journalists regularly visit San Pedro Sula to capture footage showing that this city is the most dangerous city in the world.

By the way, I can't help but warn the daredevils who go to Honduras for thrill, - you should not follow the example of the local population and get involved in fights, especially with the use of weapons - you will clearly not like the prisons of Honduras.

To summarize this excursion, I would like to note that Honduras is not only blood, pain and drugs. It is worth being objective - this is beautiful country with its history, nature, attractions and even comfortable tours for tourists. Just remember where you are, get out of the line of fire when shooting, do not mess with the black market, be ready, if anything, and better buy tickets from trusted travel companies. And if you are an extreme - just do not get lost on the streets of this most terrible city!

More than 400 kg of cocaine were found by police in a truck with soda, which was moving from Costa Rica to Honduras

More than half of the cocaine produced in Central America originates from Honduras and the Republic of El Salvador. In 2011, police in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula discovered the first Mexican-run drug laboratory in Central America.

The residents of San Pedro Sula are extremely angry at the aggressiveness of drug trafficking gangs. The photo below shows a woman who witnessed the execution of 9 innocent people by bandits. Most of crimes in the city are not investigated.

In 2008, the daily homicide rate in San Pedro Sula reached such a level that coroners had to "wholesale" the bodies in refrigerated vans before taking them to the mass grave sites.

One of the most dangerous groups - "Mara Salvatrucha" (Mara Salvatrucha) - was founded by Salvadoran migrants who began to massively move towards the United States in the early 1980s and settled in California. Already in the early 1990s, the American authorities decided to begin the expulsion of members of the "Mara Salvatruch" home and, thus, the influence of the gang began to spread to Central America. A characteristic feature of the members of the group is a body covered with tattoos.

In 2013, the situation escalated so much that Catholic Church decided to mediate in the reconciliation process between the 18th Street Gang and the previously mentioned Mara Salvatrucha. In the photo below - the members of the group communicate with the Bishop of San Pedro Sula.

Too soft gun laws in Honduras do not help to improve the situation: more than five units of weapons for personal use - so much a citizen of this country can have. The photo below shows a gun and a pistol confiscated from members of the 18th Street Gang.

Prisons are incapable of controlling criminals. During the prison riot in 2012, more than 12 inmates were killed, and clashes with the guards brought the prison completely under the control of the inmates. The government soon gave up trying to restore order there.

The citizens of San Pedro Sula have to deal not only with the aggression of bandits, but also with the arbitrariness of the guys in uniform: the police often not only indiscriminately kill gang members, but also show excessive cruelty towards “passing by”.

Even the former head of the Honduran Police, Juan Carlos Bonilla, was accused in 2002 of abuse of power and participation in a group of vigilants called "Los Magnificos" (Russian literal "Excellent"). He paid a fine of $ 5 thousand, and was removed from office only in 2013.

In 2013, in an attempt to ease tensions, the Honduran authorities dispatched internal troops to San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.

Armed soldiers and officers often ride on public transport examining passengers for weapons and drugs.

The inhabitants of San Pedro Sula are not only in a state of fear, but also in the deepest poverty: 65% of the population of Honduras lives below the poverty line.

In rural Honduras, only 15% have access to drinking water. Many families wash their clothes and drink water from the same buckets and basins.

Only 20% of Honduras have access to the healthcare system - the rest have to pay out of pocket or solve health problems on their own. In the photo below, volunteers are helping a sick woman.

More than 33 thousand Hondurans are infected with AIDS. For example, the woman in the photo below was infected with HIV 10 years ago when she was raped, and her three-year-old son was also diagnosed with HIV.

In the summer of 2014, the number of families with minors who headed to the border with the United States exceeded last year's figures several times. Many of them left San Pedro Sula in order to avoid the aggression of gangster groups.

The US is doing whatever it takes to send illegal immigrants from San Pedro Sula back home. The photo below shows deported Hondurans arriving in San Pedro Sula on a flight from the United States.

In 2012, it is estimated that Americans expelled more than 32,000 Hondurans from the United States to their homeland.

Despite adversity, the people of Honduras are calling for change and concrete action. In the photo - a member of the Church "Light to the World" with a banner "No juvenile delinquency!"

Yellow fever vaccination is required if the traveler arrives within 6 days of departure or transit from a country where the disease is common. Prophylaxis against malaria is recommended - all year round in most of the country (about 80% of municipalities, especially in rural areas and on the islands) there is a high risk of contracting the disease in the mild form of P. vivax. Increased safety measures should be taken against dysentery, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis B. In provincial areas, there are cases of infections with skin diseases, diarrhea, leishmaniasis, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and rabies. Drug addiction, alcoholism and HIV are becoming more and more common.

It is recommended that you have sunscreen, hats and insect repellent with you. Mosquitoes, which carry most diseases, are widespread throughout the country (especially in some areas adjacent to Caribbean coast), therefore, you should pay special attention to the condition of mosquito nets on the windows of living quarters.

Sanitation and hygiene

All water should be considered potentially unfit for consumption. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice must be pre-boiled. Milk is also usually not pasteurized and must be sterilized. Meat and fish should only be eaten after pre-cooking, preferably hot. Vegetables must be thoroughly washed and pre-processed, and fruits must be peeled.

San Pedro Sula is the second largest city in Honduras after Tegucigalpa. The city is located in the north-west of the country, in the Sula Valley, 60 km from the Caribbean coast. His [...] San Pedro Sula is the second largest city in Honduras after Tegucigalpa. The city is located in the north-west of the country, in the Sula Valley, 60 km from the Caribbean coast. It is inhabited by over 600 thousand inhabitants. San Pedro Sula is an important transport center and a colossal transfer point for drugs from the south to the north, from Latin America to the United States. The constant struggle between groups that are trying to straddle the flow of drugs has led to the fact that the city is considered one of the most dangerous not only in the country, but also in the region. According to a 2011 UN report, there are 86 murders per 100 thousand inhabitants of Honduras annually. This is 20 times the US level. The per capita homicide rate in San Pedro Sula is double the national average. Local authorities say openly that they are unable to control the situation in the city. Esteban Felix, together with the city's police, was on duty for several nights. He captured his night adventures with a camera. Attention! The report contains scenes of violence. not recommended for viewing by minors and people with a fragile psyche We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with: Latin America. Drug trafficking, criminals and drug wars.

Santos Yeuseda March 9, 2012. San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Santos Euceda, in his son's bedroom, shows a photograph of his son Jose, who he claims was killed by a police officer.
Esteban Felix / AP

Jose Euceda March 9, 2012. A mother displays a photograph of her son Jose Euceda, who she claims was killed by a police officer. The city of San Pedro Sula is bursting with violence and crime. Drug cartels and organized gangs are waging their ongoing turf war.
Esteban Felix / AP

Bodies March 11, 2012. The bodies of Lesbia Altamirano and Wilmer Orbera in a billiard room in Choloma, a suburb of San Pedro Sula. Unidentified masked men burst into the establishment and shot the guests of the billiard club.
Esteban Felix / AP

A man on March 11, 2012 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A man at the Catalino Rivas hospital. He claims that he was attacked by a robber with a knife. San Pedro Sula is the most crime-prone city in Honduras. The number of murders per share of the population in the city exceeds the national average.
Esteban Felix / AP

An injured woman on March 11, 2012 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A woman was taken to the Catalino Rivas hospital, who was wounded in the billiard room when unknown persons broke into the institution and shot the guests of the club.
Esteban Felix / AP

Man March 10, 2012. San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The man, who was taken to the Catalino Rivas hospital, claims that he was attacked with a machete during a robbery.
Esteban Felix / AP

An injured man on March 11, 2012 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A man was taken to the Catalino Rivas hospital, who was wounded in the billiard room when unknown persons broke into the institution and shot the guests of the club. 19 wounded were taken to the hospital that night. There were not enough places in the hospital, the floor was covered with blood.
Esteban Felix / AP

Police officer on March 8, 2012 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. A policeman patrols the streets of the city.
Esteban Felix / AP

Crime Scene In March 11, 2012 In The Raiders Killed The Driver route taxi... Relatives arrived at the scene of the crime.
Esteban Felix / AP

Policemen March 11, 2012 - Police officers check the documents of everyone who was in the billiard room on the day of the attack on the establishment by unknown masked men who shot all the guests of the club.
Esteban Felix / AP

City on March 10, 2012. City of San Pedro Sula. The mayor of the city, Juan Carlos Zuniga, admits that the local authorities of San Pedro Sula have little control over the crime situation in the city. The city borders on Guatemala and key international routes drug dealers who deliver drugs from Latin America to the United States.
Esteban Felix / AP

Behind bars on March 8, 2012. Detained at a police station in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Esteban Felix / AP

Pistol March 8, 2012. A police officer demonstrates his old, disabled pistol. \ "U local authorities the authorities do not have the necessary tools to fight well-armed and well-off drug traffickers, \ ”said Juan Carlos Zuniga, Mayor of San Pedro Sula.
Esteban Felix / AP

Police officer March 8, 2012. A police officer shakes his muscles at the police station in San Pedro Sula.
Esteban Felix / AP

A police officer on March 8, 2012, A police officer is on watch at a police station in the suburb of Guamilito, San Pedro Sula. At this time, a film about police officers is broadcast on TV.
Esteban Felix / AP

Search March 8, 2012 - A police officer examines tattoos in an attempt to identify detainee José Alejandra Carranza's affiliation with the Mara Salvatrucha gang. In the city of San Pedro Sula, members of an influential group like Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), having committed crimes, often act insolently and with impunity.
Esteban Felix / AP

Body March 8, 2012 - Forensic examiners examine the body of a minibus driver who was killed.
Esteban Felix / AP

Alberto Varrientos March 11, 2012 - Alberto Barrientos was injured in a raid on a billiard club. He was taken to the Catalino Rivas hospital, the city of San Pedro Sula ..
Esteban Felix / AP

Bloody Prescription March 10, 2012. A man whose head was chopped to pieces by an assailant by a burglar with a machete displays a prescription from the emergency department at Catalino Rivas Hospital.
Esteban Felix / AP

Crime scene on March 9, 2012, in the body of shuttle bus driver Wilmer Barahona. His body hung from his seat belt after being shot.
Esteban Felix / AP

The Republic of Honduras ("depths") is a state located in Central America, bordering Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. It also includes a large number of islands. The country is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and The Pacific.

The basis of the relief of Honduras is a plateau, crossed mountain ranges. Highest point- Mount Cerro Las Minas (2870 m).

Total area - 112,090 sq. km, the population is more than 8,000,000 people, among whom 90% are mestizos, 7% are Indians, 2% are blacks, 1% are whites. 42% of the population are Catholic, 2% - Protestant, 56% - atheists. Official language- Spanish.

The capital is the city of Tegucigalpa.

Honduras cities

Tegucigalpa ("Silver Hill") is one of the most interesting cities country, located at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level, leading its history from 1536. Here, history and modernity are very harmoniously combined, a magnificent Mountain landscape and modern architecture, wealth and poverty.

Comayagua - former capital states - a city with a pleasant climate and beautiful landscapes. The locals here anxiously keep their history. The tower chimes of the city cathedral are considered one of the oldest clocks in the world (1100).

The small town of Santa Lucia is a 16th century colonial village that has not lost its charm today. In the vicinity of the city there is a famous serpentarium, where you can see representatives of local snakes.

The city of Choluteka is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the country.

Scientists suggest that the birth of the Mayan civilization took place in the city of Copan. Get more detailed information about this period can be found in the local Archaeological Museum... It is interesting to know that Copan's ball court is the largest and best-preserved sports facility of the Mayan era, and the hieroglyphic staircase is the longest known text of this civilization (about 1250 characters).

The city of San Pedro Sula is the second largest in the country and a major industrial center. Famous for El Cusuko National Park and beach areas.

But the city of Trujillo is famous not only for its exquisite architecture, but also for its magnificent landscapes.

La Ceiba - Chief tourist town Honduras. The resort gathers a large number of guests in May, when the annual Carnival is held.

How to get to Honduras

There is no direct flight between Belarus and Honduras.

You can get from Minsk to Tegucigalpa with only two connections - in Amsterdam and Atlanta. The total travel time here will be about 60 hours (a lot of time between flights), and the cost of the flight is about 2,000 euros per person.

For all questions related to your trip to Honduras, please contact travel company"Thank you - travel" - managers - professionals will select the travel option that is most acceptable for you.

The territory of Honduras is influenced by a tropical trade wind climate with pronounced hot and moderately hot zones.

The average winter air temperature on the Caribbean coast reaches +24 degrees, summer - +27 degrees. Annual precipitation reaches 2,700 mm (mainly from September - October to January - February). In the northern part of the country, the heat is mitigated by breezes.;">

In the center - on average +25 degrees in summer (maybe +32 degrees), in winter - up to +22 degrees. Annual precipitation is 1700 - 3000 mm.

On the Pacific coast, the average annual temperature is +26 degrees. The main precipitation falls from June to October and ranges from 2000 mm to 3000 mm per year.

Tropical hurricanes are possible in Honduras.

The best time to travel to the central regions and the Pacific coast is from December to January - April, along the Caribbean coast - all year round.

Honduras Accommodation

The hotel base of Honduras is at a good level and corresponds to international standards... The country has a large number of hotels 3 *, 4 *, 5 *, where excellent conditions for living and quality service.

A well-developed infrastructure includes air conditioning, satellite TV, a separate bathroom, a telephone in each room, and on the territory of the hotel there are laundries, dry cleaners, beauty salons, parking lots, supermarkets.

The cost of living in a high-end hotel ranges from $ 70 to $ 85 per night.

You can rent a room in a small cozy boutique hotel, rent a villa, bungalow or apartment - everywhere you will meet friendly staff and comfort.

The beaches of Tela are quiet, calm, with good service and national cuisine based on seafood. Here you can go scuba diving or play golf.

Trujillo Beach only gets crowded in June when the International Music Festival takes place. At other times, you can relax here against the backdrop of the sea and the sun, almost alone.

Roatan Island Beach is White sand, sea Sun, beautiful nature, the opportunity to work out aquatic species sports.

Families with children will love Omoa Beach - here, in addition to attractions, there is a water park with entertainment for both young tourists and adults.

You can find a real iguana on Utila beach. Here, not only the gentle sun and warm sand, but also the opportunity for diving.

The beaches of La Ceiba are pristine jungle, diving and river rafting.

The beaches of Puerto Cortez and San Lorenzo are different beautiful architecture and El Tigre is famous for its volcano and beautiful mountain scenery.

Banks, money, exchange offices

The currency of Honduras is the lempira, equal to 100 centavos. There are paper banknotes in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100,500 lempires and coins in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50 centavos in circulation. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

Banking hours:

Monday to Friday - from 9.00 to 16.00 (some - until 18.00)

Saturdays - from 9.00 to 12.00 - 14.00

The main exchange offices Tegucigalpa - until 24.00 - 1.00

Day off - Sunday

You can exchange currency at banks, large hotels, airports and exchange offices.

Credit cards of the world's major payment systems and travel - you can pay with checks in large hotels, shops, restaurants and tourist complexes... V small towns it is almost impossible to do this. Travel - checks (preferably American Express, Visa, Thomas Cook in US dollars) can only be cashed at banks in Tegucigalpa.

Tipping in Honduras is 10-15% of the check amount.

Tourist safety

The security situation in the country is very ambiguous, so you just need to follow basic rules:

• Valuables, large amounts of money and documents should preferably be left in the hotel safe
• In crowded places, it is recommended to keep an eye on personal belongings and not leave them unattended.
• Don't wander the streets alone
• Public gatherings and street demonstrations should be avoided
• You should not be on the streets unaccompanied at night
• You should start taking anti-malaria pills before traveling.
• Increased safety measures should be taken against dysentery, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis B
• It is recommended to bring sunscreen, hats and repellents
• Only boiled water should be eaten and used for brushing teeth.
• Only boiled milk should be eaten.
• Meat and fish should be eaten only after preliminary heat treatment.
• Vegetables and fruits must be washed thoroughly. Vegetables - subject to heat treatment, fruits - peeled off

Transport

Domestic flights from La Ceiba to Tegucigalpa are operated by TACA, Aerolineas Sosa and CM Airlines.

The main means of transportation in Honduras are buses and minibuses connecting the main settlements of the country. A trip of 0.5 hour will cost 1 US dollar, 5 hours along the serpentine - about 7 US dollars.

The ferry travels from La Ceiba to Roatán.

The cost of a taxi ride should be negotiated in advance.

To rent a car, you need the following documents:

The rental price is 30 - 120 euros per day, depending on the brand of the car and the duration of the lease.

Sightseeing the city of Tegucigalpa should begin with the Iglesia de San Francisco church, which has a rather unusual architecture and interior design, the San Miguel Cathedral and the park area of ​​Parque Central. From a historical point of view, the old university, which is the Art Museum, and the old Casa Palace, the Presidency, are also interesting. In Parque La Concordia, you can see exact copies of Mayan sculptures that are in various museums in Honduras. You can better learn the history of the country in National Museum anthropology and history and the Natural History Museum. Suburban pride local residents are the Gothic Basilica De La Virgen de Suyapa (Virgin of Suyapa - patron saint Central America) and the rain forests of La Tigra National Park, home to about 200 species of birds, about 140 species of animals and 170 species of plants.

Interesting places in the city of Comayagua are the Comayagua Cathedral, the first Central American University, the La Marced church, the San Francisco church and convent, the bishop's residence, museums - Colonial, Anthropological, Historical. The very picturesque Parque - Central and Dom - museums of Jose Trinidad Cabanas and Francisco Morazán are very popular with tourists.

The city of Santa Lucia is famous not only for its serpentarium, but also for its carved wooden crucifix - a gift from King Felipe II - the site of the annual Cristo Negra festivities.

The most Beautiful places Choluteki towns are close to the traditional Parque Centralle. These are the 17th century Cathedral, the building of the Municipal Library and the quarters of old colonial houses. Nearby, on the island of Isla el - Tigre, at an altitude of 783 meters is located dormant volcano, a fishing village and a large number of restaurants with excellent seafood cuisine.

Copan is known as the cradle of the Mayan civilization. Here you can see architectural and sculptural monuments of that period, pictograms, hieroglyphs and much more. You can learn more about the history of the Maya in the Archaeological Museum. Near the city you can enjoy the views the most beautiful waterfall El Ruby and hot springs pouring into natural bowls.

Not far from the city of San Pedro Sula is the village of Omoa, which is one of the favorite resorts of Honduras and has magnificent landscapes.



La Ceiba is the starting point for excursions to the islands of Islas de la Bahia, to the Butterfly Museum, to national park Pico - Bonito, mangrove swamps and waterfalls.

Cuisine and restaurants

Main dishes in Honduras are made from legumes, rice, unsweetened bananas, fish, meat, herbs and vegetables. The following dishes are especially popular with tourists and locals:

"Arros" (rice dishes) - fried meat, fish or seafood

stuffed chicken stewed in coconut milk with vegetables and pepper

"Baho" - beef - grilled over charcoal with bananas and cassava, stewed in coconut milk, baked with spices

alligator sausages

thick soups with rice, milk and vegetables

"Tapado" - meat stewed with cassava

"Sopa de caracol" - Honduran shellfish soup with vegetables and spices

fish dumplings

seafood pancakes

green prawns with curry

"Pescado - frito - con - tahadas" - fish, fried or baked, with potatoes

pickled fish - telapia

cinnamon rolls

yucca, banana, jam and coconut pies

From drinks - "Horchata" (from rice and cereals, processed and fermented)

Pikuados (made from milk and fresh fruit)

"Frescoes" (from fresh fruit, sugar and water)

"Batidos" (fruit juices with milk)

Ouabul (mashed banana mixed with coconut milk and diluted with water) and traditional coffee

From alcohol - "Guaro" (bread vodka), rum, "Chicha" (from sugar cane or pineapple peel), local beer

Shopping and shops

Store opening hours:

Monday to Friday - from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 18.00

Saturdays - from 8.00 to 17.00

The most popular souvenirs brought from Honduras are clay products - flower pots, figurines of gods and animals, ashtrays, stands.

Customs

The import of currencies is not limited. The export of US dollars is regulated by the declared at the entrance. Gold and jewelry must also be declared.

Allowed to import:

• International driving license
• Passport (over 21 - 23 years old, depending on the company)
• Credit card

  It is forbidden to import:

  • Up to 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 450 g of tobacco
  • Up to 2 bottles of alcohol with a total volume of up to 2.2 liters
  • Perfumes for personal use - in reasonable quantities
  • Gifts with a total value of up to $ 50
  • Items and things for personal use

    It is allowed to import and export pets if you have an international veterinary certificate and a special permit. When importing dogs, you must have a certificate of vaccination against rabies, hepatitis and distemper.

    • Perishable food
    • Weapon
    • Drugs and narcotic drugs (including some drugs without a doctor's prescription)
    • Antiques and antiques without permission
    • Rare species of animals and birds, their skins and stuffed animals

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