Tegucigalpa - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Security concerns do not impact activities at this post. What impacts activities is traffic. It can seem lawless and very much like a poorly planned video game without traffic lights, rules and at times clearly defined lanes. It is doable if you have lived elsewhere that has tight streets and heavy traffic, however I know some that prefer to only drive at certain times of the day and that can limit the experiences here. Civil engineering did not exist when this city was planned and it shows between the hours of 4-7pm. Traffic can also change at the drop of a dime due to protests. These protests are usually very peaceful, yet utterly disruptive (which they succeed in making their point) when it comes to the added commute times. RSO does a really great job at getting out SAFE notices letting the community know when/where to expect these disruptions. It's rare we are caught off guard about a protest. - Mar 2024
Yup. This is a critical crime post so but if your aware of your surroundings and stay alert (most Americans aren't) then you'll be fine. - Jan 2024
This is definitely a place where you don't walk at night and you don't carry your phone in your hand while walking down the street. At busy intersections, keep your windows up OR stay super vigilant. There are a lot of panhandlers at busy intersections and you get to know a few of them. I usually keep a few small bills for the ones I "know", but I never roll down my window at night. Having said this, I have never been scared or afraid when following the RSO recommendations. Now that one time that I ignored the RSO and took a shortcut through the mountains...that got dicey...lesson learned. Listen to your RSO. - Aug 2023
No, just don't get on a bus or an unauthorized taxi. - Feb 2022
The security situation has improved tremendously over the past three-four years. Most Embassy families live in safe neighborhoods where you will find many people walking/jogging. I have walked extensively over the past 3 years and have never had a problem. There are many gang-controlled neighborhoods in and around Tegucigalpa which you absolutely need to avoid. However, every store you would go to and every person's house you would be invited to are not in those neighborhoods, so as long as you are careful not to get completely lost, you should be fine. We have travelled all over the country and never had any incident. - Oct 2019
Critical for crime (opportunistic crime). There seem to be lots of robberies at gunpoint, and from what I've heard, even within the embassy community. Always be aware of your surroundings. No walking in the streets. Tinted windows. - Jul 2018
Both expats and middle-class Hondurans seem to freak out about security. As an expat you'll mainly be moving around in the safest parts of the city, with armed guards posted every 50 meters or so. My wife and I have walked to and from work every day for three years now without incident. We walk all over the city with our kids, also without incident. Sometimes people get robbed in their car or while walking (more often in their car). Getting robbed is not the same as getting killed, which you've got about zero risk of as an expat who doesn't resist a robbery. All over the world, people lose their iPhones or their wallet from time to time, and it's a hassle, but not an existential threat. That's how crime is for expats in Tegucigalpa. - May 2018
I would not walk around the city or drive with windows open or with windows that are not tinted. Crime is crime of opportunity. It is not directed toward Americans, but if you drop your guard, you make yourself a target. Don't have your cellphone out. Don't flash your money around. Don't wear your real jewelry. Be on-guard for motorcyclists approaching your vehicle. - May 2018
Not as bad as you would think. Gang violence doesn't really impact the expat community. I've never felt in danger and have never felt limited in where I could go and what I could do. Nevertheless, you do need to be aware of surroundings and take precautions. A couple years ago an intern was the victim of an armed robbery a few blocks from the embassy. Local staff are more likely to be a victim of a crime. Protests and rioting were pretty frequent during the election crisis. These were not directed at expats but caused some tense moments and terrible traffic. It does get frustrating that you cannot walk anywhere in the city. - Apr 2018
Yes! Daytime shootings are common, even in "good" areas. Shoot-outs have occurred at our bakery, grocery store, neighborhood and at the embassy. At night, you frequently hear gun shots. - Jun 2016
- Crime. As you've probably heard, Honduras had the highest homicide rate in the world in 2014. There is violent crime, but it predominently is restricted to poor neighborhoods. Usually. - There are not a lot of open or community spaces to stroll. A lot of people go to the (nice / modern) mall, for example, cause it's safe, or Villa Olympic to work out. You don't see a lot of people walking in the streets, and all the car windows are tinted very dark. I still run in my neighborhood, which is a semi-gated community. - Feb 2016
Yes! You cannot walk outside, you have to drive your car with tinted windows and stay in certain safer areas. - Aug 2015
Absolutely. It's a part of daily life here and cannot be ignored or avoided. I cannot just walk to the neighborhood cafe that's just five minutes away without making sure I have around 100 lempiras in my pocket with my other valuables in other places (like my phone in my sock, credit cards in another sock, etc.) in case I get robbed. There are some people who occasionally walk to the Embassy from their homes, but they certainly do so at their own risk. - Jul 2015
YES. Watching your back is a consistent feature of life here. It's not possible to really get around anywhere without taxis. - Dec 2014
Yes, many - especially if you don't speak Spanish well. - Oct 2014
OH YES!!!!! - Sep 2014
Lots if you aren't careful. Teguc is dangerous though not bad for Americans, provided you stay in decent areas and keep your wits about you. Common sense goes a long way here. - Aug 2014
Security around the Embassy was bad but they have added guards. - Jun 2014
Many, and oddly enough the areas right in front of and across the street from the Embassy and USAID are probably the most dangerous place for an American employee as it is one of the most likely places for you to be robbed or have your car broken into. They have guards but they don't patrol --- they just sit in air-conditioned booths and watch out the windows. - Mar 2014
Yes. Honduras has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. You will need to observe heightened security precautions e.g., home alarm systems, traveling in groups, driving in caravans, avoiding some areas, etc. - Jan 2014
MANY, MANY. - Oct 2013
YES. Although I feel safe at home and at work, and while driving with tinted windows, I look out my peephole before I leave the house, and I look around very well before I get out of my parked car. No walking or jogging recommended, day or night, in most areas. - Jun 2013
Where do I start? Murder, robbery, gangs, narcos. This is the most dangerous country on the planet. - Jun 2013
Yes. You can't walk around town at all. Drive only with tinted windows up at all times. Everyone seems to have a gun. - Apr 2013
YES. High murder rate and though Americans aren't targets, there is the possibility that you could be in the wrong place at the wrong time when a shooting occurs -- innocent bystander type stuff. We feel safe at home -- we just keep our doors securely locked and take a good peek out before we leave the house. Also we only jog at approved places. - Jan 2012
We feel really safe here, but you do have to pay attention to your sorroundings. - Nov 2009
Lots! Security greatly alters life in Tegucigalpa. You absolutely cannot walk anywhere, and your car's windows have to be rolled up all the time. Virtually everything you do is affected by the security problems here, especially right now since the coup. Tensions are high and there are protests all the time. So far nothing violent, but you have to stay alert. - Oct 2009
