Honduras is an extremely beautiful, but poor country. While the cost of living is very low, most expats usually come to this country for one of two reasons. First off, it has amazing wildlife with untouched national parks and beautiful jungles, secondly many expats come to Honduras to help in development, either in community, infrastructure or medicine.
Climate
Honduras has plenty of mangroves, rainforests and mountain ranges. Usually the temperature is very hot and very humid all year round. It should be noted that due to the mountainous regions of Honduras, the temperatures differ by altitude rather than due to the change in season. Usually highs will average about 90 degrees Fahrenheit and about 68 degrees Fahrenheit for the average lows. Coolest temperatures are usually found in higher elevations.
Government
The government of Honduras is classified as a democratic constitutional republic with a total population of 7.3 million people. Honduras is the tenth poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with each person averaging only slightly more than $3,000 in income each year. It should be noted that the political stability of the country is widely questioned and there have been many problems in recent past. Besides political stability, crime is endemic and can be extremely violent due to the fact that government resources are usually few or non existent. It is advisable that if you are an American and visiting Honduras, you should register with the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa. You can also register via fax or phone, to do so contact the U.S. Department of State.
Regarding foreign entry requirements, a visa is not required, however you do need to carry your passport. You can stay in Honduras for up to 90 days with a valid US passport. You can receive more information regarding traveling to Honduras at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras.
Tax System
The tax rate in Honduras for the most part is moderate. The individual top income tax rate is 30 percent. The top tax rate for corporations is also 30 percent (this includes 25 percent tax and 5 percent temporary social contribution tax). Besides individual and corporate taxes, other taxes in Honduras include a value added tax (VAT), and a capital gains tax.
Medical Care
Medical care in Honduras is hit or miss. In fact, the quality of medical care can greatly vary depending on the area you are located in. For the most part, quality medical care is non existent or extremely difficult to find. Unfortunately, Honduras lacks infrastructure and basic medical supplies. In addition, hospital service is non existent outside of the major cities and even in major cities ambulance service is spotty.
If you are an expat developing a business in Honduras and would like to have medical insurance, your best bet is to purchase travel insurance with a medical evacuation component. In the case that you are seriously injured or ill, you can be flown to America or to a nearby country with better facilities.
Real Estate
If you are an expat and would like to purchase real estate, it should be known that there are a number of restrictions against foreign owned real estate. First off, there are specific regions such as the coastline and land 40 km from any international border and the restriction against a foreigner owning more than 3/4 of an acre. It should be known that in several regions, the zoning laws may be different for foreigners.
Purchasing real estate in Honduras can be tricky and you should have legal representation from the area. In addition, corruption is endemic and the lack of judicial security means that protection of property rights is very weak. It is also not a good idea to be an absentee landlord, or if so, to know your renters or the community before leaving the area. Since roads and infrastructure is rather shoddy, building a new home can be extremely difficult, especially if you prefer modern conveniences.
For those looking to rent, expect basic housing. In some major cities, you may be able to live in an apartment or home with modern conveniences, however, these homes are usually built for the tourism industry. If you want to live within the community, amenities will not be as abundant.
Shopping
In major cities, you will find a wide selection of shopping including several hotels, restaurants, casino and several night spots. It should be noted that in general, Honduras is an agricultural society, so venturing outside of the major cities will usually yield only very small markets.
For the most part, prices are relatively cheap to reasonable. However, American conveniences such as electronics can be much more expensive found in Honduras than stateside. Besides normal shops, Honduras is famous for several festivals including The Easter Festival, in which there are plenty of crafts and goods available.
Cost of Living
Since Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the world, the cost of living is relatively very low. However, for expats looking for a little comfort and convenience you can generally find nice accommodations at very low prices. For instance, many hotels in Honduras are generally about $25 to $50 per night, meals are also cheap as well. Hostels can cost as low as $10 and some lodging in areas outside the cities can be much less expensive. Honduras is also pretty affordable to travel through, however don’t expect first class. Buses are generally the most widely used types of transportation and within cities, a taxi is easy to hail. Taxi’s are usually inexpensive, however negotiate a price before leaving. Utilities might be higher than in the US, but service is not available in all areas.
Extradition from Honduras
The Extradition treaty between Honduras and the United States of America was signed on January 15, 1909
The Honduras Supplementary treaty was signed on February 21, 1927
Map of Honduras
