San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in Honduras, was listed as the most dangerous city in the world (as of 2009). After backpacking Tegucigalpa, I took a Transportes Cristina bus to check it out.
Why go to San Pedro Sula?
If you are on your way to La Ceiba, which is the gateway to the popular Bay Islands of Roatán and Útila, or, like me, on your way to Guatemala via the Corinto border crossing, then the chances are that you will end up coming through San Pedro Sula
What is the crime rate in San Pedro Sula?
You’ll do well to remember that San Pedro Sula has a very high crime index of about 79 to 80, with a homicide rate, although significantly down from 2014 levels, of roughly 26 per 100,000 residents. It remains an industrial hub plagued by gang extortion.
Street gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 still control certain neighbourhoods and engage in local extortion of businesses and public transport.
I am not into Danger Tourism, where thrill-seekers deliberately visit politically volatile regions, active war zones, or areas with high crime rates to experience an adrenaline rush and ultimately get hits on their YouTube channel.
But I was curious to see how the vibe was in a city that ranks as the 14th most dangerous in the world.
To see how bad it was on a day-to-day basis, for people going about their business.
And of course, to see if it was really safe for the backpacker passing through.
I arrived at the San Pedro Sula bus station:
I took a minivan to the centre and then walked the 12 blocks to the Hotel Martell.
After checking in, I headed back into the centre. No passport, no bank cards, just 10 dollars worth of Lempiras, easily accessible in my shirt pocket and a burner phone in the front pocket of my jeans.
Honduras used to have a good railway network. Here is a small depot with abandoned engines:
And here is the old train station:
Here is the Municipal Park with the St. Peter the Apostle Cathedral:
And Letras de San Pedro Sula (wasn’t expecting this):
I was here during the pandemic in 2021.
I passed the Despensa Familiar where I picked up a few beers and then headed back. With such a reputation, walking around used up quite a bit of mental energy.
I retired for the afternoon, did my immigration PreCheck for departure and caught up on some blogging.
Here are my thoughts summed up in my latest YouTube video about whether San Pedro Sula is safe for backpackers.
Conclusion:
Places classed as dangerous, based on homicide rates due to intergang rivalry or cartel activity, don’t make it dangerous for a backpacker passing through.
As a backpacker, it would be wise not to flash your wealth, avoid these classic travel mistakes, don’t wander too far from the centre, and avoid going out at night.
8 thoughts on “San Pedro Sula: Is It Safe for Backpackers Heading to La Ceiba”
We passed through San Pedro Sula on the way back to the US with a five hour layover. I asked a cop at the airport where we should go in town for a leisurely lunch. He said: “nowhere”! “Do not go into town, it’s not safe.” We took his advice.
It aint that bad. Well depends what type of traveller you are. After dusk aint a good idea to be out and about. Government of the world like to say that such and such country is dangwrous. Yet never except their own country needs fixing. School shootings, Mall shootings, stabbings in the UK. nuts. And say dont go to Syria, Pakistan. Best countries ever.
I think if you stay within the main the roads you’ll be fine. The problem is when you begin to detour & enter “barrios” … being from nyc & having visited newburgh.. i can say I felt more scared there than SPS. I had the same experience as you did in SPS & i visited Tela, Puerto cortes, and la ceiba. Overall, I had a very nice experience.
The thing I’ve learned about places that are supposed to have awful reputations is that travelers almost never have problems in these spots
SPS sounds like it’s in the same boat.
I respect all of these places and use common sense whenever traveling through. I don’t deeply fear them though because I grew up in northern New Jersey in the 80s; inner cities were like war zones back then with drugs and gangs.
The trick is to avoid places where locals are hanging out and loitering, making eye contact with you, etc. Bad news. Immediately turn around; head back towards people who have a little more going on in their lives.
Ditto for coming across homeless encampments quite common in rough cities. Unfortunately many of these folks are severely mentally ill and drug addicted. Turn around or confidently walk through if you need to and you’ll be fine.
Yeah. Belem was nuts in a few areas. Adopt the Alpha Male position. But eyes peeled at all times and keep a distance.. Backpack clipped to my jeans belt loops, ready to run if needed.
BTW this ranks #2 on Google for me when I searched “San Pedro Sula”. Well done. I just looked it up after my wife (then new girlfriend) mentioned visiting the city. She stayed in a decent neighborhood but noted some parts definitely being sketchy. This was way back in 2008.
We passed through San Pedro Sula on the way back to the US with a five hour layover. I asked a cop at the airport where we should go in town for a leisurely lunch. He said: “nowhere”! “Do not go into town, it’s not safe.” We took his advice.
It aint that bad. Well depends what type of traveller you are. After dusk aint a good idea to be out and about. Government of the world like to say that such and such country is dangwrous. Yet never except their own country needs fixing. School shootings, Mall shootings, stabbings in the UK. nuts. And say dont go to Syria, Pakistan. Best countries ever.
I think if you stay within the main the roads you’ll be fine. The problem is when you begin to detour & enter “barrios” … being from nyc & having visited newburgh.. i can say I felt more scared there than SPS. I had the same experience as you did in SPS & i visited Tela, Puerto cortes, and la ceiba. Overall, I had a very nice experience.
Thanks for the comment Melissa. Have you been to Georgetown in Guyana?
The thing I’ve learned about places that are supposed to have awful reputations is that travelers almost never have problems in these spots
SPS sounds like it’s in the same boat.
I respect all of these places and use common sense whenever traveling through. I don’t deeply fear them though because I grew up in northern New Jersey in the 80s; inner cities were like war zones back then with drugs and gangs.
The trick is to avoid places where locals are hanging out and loitering, making eye contact with you, etc. Bad news. Immediately turn around; head back towards people who have a little more going on in their lives.
Ditto for coming across homeless encampments quite common in rough cities. Unfortunately many of these folks are severely mentally ill and drug addicted. Turn around or confidently walk through if you need to and you’ll be fine.
Yeah. Belem was nuts in a few areas. Adopt the Alpha Male position. But eyes peeled at all times and keep a distance.. Backpack clipped to my jeans belt loops, ready to run if needed.
BTW this ranks #2 on Google for me when I searched “San Pedro Sula”. Well done. I just looked it up after my wife (then new girlfriend) mentioned visiting the city. She stayed in a decent neighborhood but noted some parts definitely being sketchy. This was way back in 2008.
Great to hear that 1 (or some) of my pages rank high! deffo needed in these lean times..