San Pedro Sula, the second largest and most important city of Honduras, one of the most most dangerous in the world with a murder rate of 173 per 100,000 resident, reportedly as the highest in the world (outside a war zone). Now the "winner" seem to be Caracas, the Venezuelan Capital, but I read not too much is changed in San Pedro.
Murders then, but illegal arms and drugs trafficking, gang wars, petty crime, high levels of corruption too.
"A city that all tourists would do better to avoid."
Nevertheless San Pedro Sula is an interesting city and worths couple days visit, for railfans, as I am, there is a railway depot /museum to see. During the daylight walking in the city center as well as in the suburbs, does not give special problem, and it is quite safe just using common sense. What jumped out at me, the little movement on the streets and the air is tense. Doors and windows of almost all houses are protected by railings reminiscent of the prisons.
At newsstands, headlines I could read the description of the previous day's crime:
"Matan la policia dentro de bus" / "Policeman killed on the bus"
The day before, that of my arrival in San Pedro Sula, a policeman was killed on a bus on the route from Puerto Cortés and San pedro. My same path... Massacred with two shots in the eyes and one to the mouth. He had seen something that was better not to see and share Message is clear, don't see but in case, shut up.
At the night, movement of cars and people become very limited and the atmosphere become really unpleasant and stressful. All open commercial activities (restaurants, petrol stations, pharmacies...) are protected by armed guards.
Even at both Mac donald's doors there is a security man.
To feed my curiosity I went out in the night but was extremely complicated to find taxi. Finally one accepted to guide me 1h trough the city but i felt he was so nervous, maybe afraid i could have some strange plans...
And when I said him I wanted go outside the ring road, it was too much and he just drived me back to the hotel.
I have been in Honduras at May 2014
Murders then, but illegal arms and drugs trafficking, gang wars, petty crime, high levels of corruption too.
"A city that all tourists would do better to avoid."
Nevertheless San Pedro Sula is an interesting city and worths couple days visit, for railfans, as I am, there is a railway depot /museum to see. During the daylight walking in the city center as well as in the suburbs, does not give special problem, and it is quite safe just using common sense. What jumped out at me, the little movement on the streets and the air is tense. Doors and windows of almost all houses are protected by railings reminiscent of the prisons.
At newsstands, headlines I could read the description of the previous day's crime:
"Matan la policia dentro de bus" / "Policeman killed on the bus"
The day before, that of my arrival in San Pedro Sula, a policeman was killed on a bus on the route from Puerto Cortés and San pedro. My same path... Massacred with two shots in the eyes and one to the mouth. He had seen something that was better not to see and share Message is clear, don't see but in case, shut up.
At the night, movement of cars and people become very limited and the atmosphere become really unpleasant and stressful. All open commercial activities (restaurants, petrol stations, pharmacies...) are protected by armed guards.
Even at both Mac donald's doors there is a security man.
To feed my curiosity I went out in the night but was extremely complicated to find taxi. Finally one accepted to guide me 1h trough the city but i felt he was so nervous, maybe afraid i could have some strange plans...
And when I said him I wanted go outside the ring road, it was too much and he just drived me back to the hotel.
I have been in Honduras at May 2014
