Honduras border report and question
 

For all the angst expressed about crossing into Honduras (I read, for example, one report from a guy who spent almost $400 including paying his various "helpers," and others reporting crossing times of up to 5 hours), I paid a total of US$33 in local currency and took 45 minutes to import myself and the bike. This was pretty comparable to entering Mexico or Guatemala. No one tried to scam me, no one even so much as offered to "help" me, and the aduana and migracion officials on both sides of the border were totally on my side, including the ones who worked through lunch and others who scooted up the road somewhere to find a working photocopier....at no charge.

I'm still stunned. May I recommend to one and all: the El Florido/Copan Ruinas crossing from Guatemala. All pavement, relaxed riding, and 2000 feet of altitude to keep the heat tolerable.

FWIW, it took about the same amount of time, plus 10 quetzales, to depart Guatemala. The moneychangers offered a reasonable rate, but allowed themselves to be bargained up to a pretty good rate changing my quetzales for lempiras. And my Spanish is as atrocious as any you'll hear.

But I do have a question: I was told that I cannot exit with my bike to El Salvador, then re-enter Honduras on the way to Nicaragua. Once I exit, I cannot re-enter. They said that in order to do this, I have to first go to Mexico, Costa Rica or Belize after leaving Honduras; only then will they allow the bike back in. For me, they said, it would be no problem; it's the bike that would create a problem--and no, I can't just buy another temporary import permit. I asked three times and got the same answer.

If true, this means skipping El Salvador and exiting directly to Nicaragua, which was not what I planned at all. This, in turn, means riding through the capital city, and I'm allergic to capital cities. Can anyone shed any light?

Thanks in advance!

Mark

Although I have never heard this before, that entry and return into Honduras to/from El Salvador is not permitted with a bike ,seems rather odd. What are Honduran motorcyclists to do if they want to visit ES?
This does require further investigation, something does not seem right.
As to your revulsion to the idea of riding thru la capital , do not fear. The city is really not all that big and as you come in from the northeast on CA 5 the signage to Danli or to the south coast is clear enough.The main highway route bypasses the city core on the south ,past te airport .Just be sure to follow the signs and it should take no more than 20 minutes and you will be through and out into the pine clad mountains on the east.

We crossed in the north at Puerto Barrios about 1 month ago - it was very easy and all paved....honduras was a bit of dive and we rushed through it whereas Nicaragua was just glorious... have a great ride.

Cheers
Jules

Thanks for the response. I´m going to leave it to someone else to try leaving and re-entering: I decided that just because it doesn´t make any sense doesn´t mean it won´t happen that way.


Today I rode through the capital, which was much as you described. Tomorrow: Nicaragua.

enjoy,

Mark

You must have picked a good day, or a better border.

It took me 4 hours and $62, I paid a helper and he did the work, I just sat and read a book.

Honduras was a pain, Nicaragua was great, I spent 4 days there in Granada at Jimmy 3 Fingers place, great food, cheap has aircon and a bar and internet, all the basics of life :)

Cheers
TravellingStrom

Two further details on that crossing: first of all, when I didn´t come up with exact amount to pay my fees, the women in the aduana deliberately gave me too much change. In other words, they tipped me. I thanked them.

Second, there was a minor mistake on my paperwork, so I rode back down there from Copan Ruinas the next day to have it corrected. The very helpful man in the uniform grabbed my import form and passport and jogged into his office, returning a few minutes later......with a cancelled import form, wishing me safe journeys in Guatemala! I had to break the news that I wasn´t actually going to Guatemala, and he looked properly disgusted at that. But, following some long, animated phone calls he did me up a brand new import form and stamp, free of charge, and I took off across the country for Nicaragua again. This all took maybe 30 minutes. Not bad, hey?

TS, you wouldn´t by chance have sussed out a repair shop or a tire place in Granada? My rear tire lasted less than half what I expected, about 4000 miles, and I´m no longer entertaining fantasies about making it to the motorcycle parts promised land of Colombia.

Mark

Go and see Jimmy, he has 4 Harley Davidsons, so he is on the bike scene.

He is on Calle Consulado, about 3 blocks from th ecentral park. Ask anyone for Jimmy Three Fingers, they will usully show you by following them on their pushbike.

Failing that, you may have to make it to Costa Rica, but it will be more expensive there, what bike are you riding?

Cheers
TS

Thank! I´ll get right on it....as soon as I can bear the thought of leaving this airconditioned internet cafe.

Mark