Honduras : Safety by CitySan Pedro Sula is a city in northern Honduras.
It is the second-largest city in Honduras after the capital Tegucigalpa.
Though it has a very bad reputation for being a dangerous city, it also offers gastronomic and cultural diversity at its best.
Another plus is the fact that the beaches are nice and they are about an hour or two away from the city, so you can come and go the same day and have a great time in San Pedro Sula.
The people of San Pedro Sula, like most Hondurans, are friendly warm people. Just be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Warnings & Dangers in San Pedro Sula
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
San Pedro Sula is unsafe to visit, and has many dangers. You should be aware that tourist hotspots, public transportation and some streets are places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists on the streets, too.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Public transport is highly risky in San Pedro Sula. There have been robberies in public transport and buses are sometimes stopped while the robbers attack or harass the passengers. Be wary of unlicensed taxis since you might get kidnapped and robbed.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
As for pickpocketing and bag snatching, it is a recurring concern on the streets of San Pedro Sula, so be careful and hold your bags tightly by your side. Make sure you don't flash your valuable possessions on the street, or better yet, leave them in your accommodation.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
As for the natural disasters in San Pedro Sula, the rainy seasons that last from May to November bring many disastrous threats such as floods, hurricanes, and landslide. Apart from that, Honduras is located in an active earthquake zone so tremors can be expected.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Mugging is also an issue in San Pedro Sula. In such a situation, hand over all your possessions immediately and do not resist. Armed bandits often attack minibusses and vans loaded with tourists traveling from the airport to their hotels in San Pedro Sula. Avoid poorly lit and deserted areas.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The risks of terrorist attacks in San Pedro Sula are low, but since they shouldn't be ruled out, you must remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
As in almost any city, there is a great risk of getting scammed if you're a tourist. Always check everything twice and negotiate everything in advance. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Many women have traveled alone to San Pedro Sula and haven't had any problems at all. However, this country isn't the safest in terms of females traveling solo, especially at night and you should exercise precaution measures at all times.
So... How Safe Is San Pedro Sula Really?
Though its residents (and many tourists) say that San Pedro Sula is a gorgeous city, you should keep in mind that it has extremely high rates of crime.
The most common form of crime is petty theft, pickpocketing and purse snatching occurring all the time on the streets of San Pedro Sula.
This means that you should keep your valuables in a concealed place and avoid going out with jewelry and flashy objects.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Streets of San Pedro Sula are known for robberies that happen both during day and night, often carried out by two-man teams on motorcycles that snatch items from pedestrians.
Violent crime is a serious issue in the entire country, with crimes such as kidnappings, rape, assaults, and murders.
Armed robbery is a common problem, with armed bandits attacking minibusses and vans loaded with tourists traveling from the airport to their hotels in San Pedro Sula.
Sometimes they even stop the buses to rob and assault the passengers and drivers.
Murder rate may be the biggest concern for foreigners.
During the period between 2010 and 2015 Honduras had the highest murder rate in the entire world.
Because of this, visitors are strongly advised against discussing the details of their travel plans and accommodation in public.
How Does San Pedro Sula Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| San Pedro Sula | 17 |
| Tegucigalpa | 33 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
Useful Information
Visas
Most countries do not need a visa to enter Honduras for any stays shorter than 30 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your date of arrival. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Honduran embassy for further information.
Currency
Honduran lempira is the official currency in Honduras. All corners of the city have ATMs all around but be careful when handling it on the streets. Credit cards are usually accepted in tourist-related establishments.
Weather
San Pedro Sula has a tropical climate which is characterized in this country by cooler, milder weather in the mountains with lower temperatures of about 16°C to 20°C.
Airports
Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport also referred to as La Mesa International Airport is the main and busiest airport in Honduras, serving San Pedro Sula. It is located 11 km east of the city of San Pedro Sula.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to San Pedro Sula, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
San Pedro Sula Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
| Low °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
| High °F | 77 | 79 | 82 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 81 | 79 | 77 |
| Low °F | 61 | 61 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 63 |
Honduras - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| San Pedro Sula | 17 |
| Tegucigalpa | 33 |
gun
i was shotted
Yes. You probably were.
agreed
Ridiculous
Most dangerous city in the world, really? It can’t be worse than Liverpool.
The statistics say otherwise.
not as dangerous as yorkton
The best part I enjoyed was all the gals looking me over like a piece of candy in a candy store. I thought it might be my imagination until my wife got mad & told me to quit flirting. If you are used to that you might not notice but that has never happened to me before or since.
You looked like you were able to pay.
No problems for me
While I wouldn’t wander the streets alone at night – which is something I don’t do regardless where I’m traveling – I wouldn’t take this city off the list just because they have a high-crime rate, this isn’t tourist-related, it’s drug-related.
You gotta watch your back but you’ll have fun if you know where to go
Just like Colton already commented, just because the city has problems with gangs it doesn’t necessarily translate into problems for people who land in the city for a few days of fun in the sun. If you’ve had San Pedro Sula on your list and really want to visit it then go for it but make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Since we’re talking about a city that was once the murder capital of the world I would exercise caution when exploring the city. To be honest, I visited the city along with other friends so I have no idea what would have been like for a solo traveler. Our travel agent basically said we had to act as normal as possible while not flaunting any possessions when we’re out.
Ubering around is way safer than using public transport and it’s downright cheap so we made this our go-to means of transportation.
Roatan is an island that would appeal to most tourists, the offshore reefs make it perfect for divers of all levels. The locals are both polite and friendly. Let’s face it, most of their income comes from tourism and they know it.
When talking about San Pedro Sula I find it best to talk about caution. Being aware of your location, not sharing where you’re going or where you’re meeting with random strangers, carrying as little cash as possible, all these are things that will prevent you from standing out from the crowd, no matter where you’re traveling.
If you’re here for the nightlife I would be extra careful not to get drunk, regardless if you plan to use an uber after or not. Being on top of your game is vital, otherwise you might find yourself a target for midnight robbery.
Wow, that was a long typing session. But to recap, this city is far from being the kind of city where you can do what you please, when you please. Common sense will get you a long way.
Sleep at airport or stay in hotel
Thanks for the advice! I thought about staying one night in a hotel in San Pedro Sula, but maybe I’ll just fly directly to Roatan or I’ll sleep at San Pedro Sula Airport.