# Honduras Travel Advisory Update: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know Before Booking
Planning a trip to Honduras from Ottawa? Whether you’re drawn to the ancient Mayan ruins of Copán, the pristine Bay Islands, or the cloud forests of La Tigra, there’s important information you need to know before you pack your bags.
On March 24, 2026, the Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Honduras to **Level 2 — Exercise a High Degree of Caution**, with several regions elevated to higher risk levels. The latest update includes new health information about leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by sandfly bites that affects the skin and mucous membranes.
## Understanding the Current Risk Landscape
Honduras faces ongoing challenges with gang-related violence and property crime, particularly in urban areas. Several departments and neighbourhoods are now under “avoid non-essential travel” warnings, including parts of San Pedro Sula, the Gracias a Dios and Olancho departments, and areas within 20 kilometres of the Guatemalan and El Salvadoran borders. However, popular tourist destinations like Copán Ruinas and the CA-11 Highway to the El Florido border crossing remain accessible with appropriate precautions.
The advisory emphasizes that border areas experience elevated criminal activity. If you’re planning overland travel to neighbouring countries, use only official border crossings during morning hours when they’re fully staffed.
## Health Risks Beyond the Headlines
While security concerns dominate the advisory, Ottawa travellers shouldn’t overlook the equally important health risks. The newly added information about cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis highlights the importance of insect bite prevention. This tropical disease can cause disfiguring skin lesions and, in its mucocutaneous form, damage to nose, mouth, and throat tissues.
Honduras also presents risks for mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever, Zika virus, and malaria in certain regions. Travellers may encounter contaminated food and water, leading to traveller’s diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses. Routine vaccinations should be up-to-date, and depending on your itinerary, you may need protection against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies.
## Preparing for Safe Travel
Smart preparation combines both safety planning and health protection. Before departing from Ottawa, schedule a pre-travel health consultation at least six weeks before your trip. A travel health professional can assess your specific itinerary, recommend appropriate vaccinations, prescribe antimalarial medications if needed, and provide insect repellent recommendations containing DEET or icaridin.
Pack a comprehensive medical kit including antimalarials, altitude sickness medication if visiting highland areas, and prescription medications for traveller’s diarrhea. Ensure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation, as healthcare facilities outside major cities may be limited.
Register with the Canadian government’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service, keep digital and physical copies of your passport, and stay informed about local conditions through reliable news sources.
Travelling to Honduras? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.