Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

All Topics about San Pedro Sula All Cities in Honduras

1. Taxi Scams

Avoid overpriced or unofficial taxis. Always use radio-dispatched taxis for a safer and fairer ride.

Recognizable Vehicle: Official taxis have distinctive signs, logos or number plates.
Radio-dispatched: Only use taxis that are radio-dispatched to ensure safe and fair pricing.
Avoid Street Hails: Street hailed taxis can be more likely to overcharge or pose safety risks.

Be cautious when exchanging currency on the street. Use reputable exchange offices for better rates.

Reputable Exchange Offices: Look for licensed exchange offices with visible signage and security measures.
Avoid Street Vendors: Street vendors may offer unfavorable exchange rates or pass counterfeit currency.
Check Exchange Rates: Know the current exchange rate to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous vendors.

Be wary of officers asking for bribes or directing you to an ATM to withdraw money. If in doubt, go to a police station.

Legitimate Police Uniform: Police officers wear uniforms with name tags and badges.
Ask for Help at a Station: If uncertain, ask for help at the nearest police station instead of complying with their requests.
Don't Carry Large Amounts: Avoid carrying large amounts of cash to minimize potential loss in case of a scam.

Avoid buying goods from street vendors or unlicensed stores. Purchase items from reputable shops instead.

Reputable Shops: Look for licensed shops with visible signage, security measures, and customer reviews.
Avoid Unlicensed Stores: Unlicensed stores may sell counterfeit or low-quality goods.
Check for Quality: Inspect goods carefully before purchasing to ensure they meet your expectations.

Be cautious when taking a bus from the main station. Make sure to verify the destination and the fare before boarding.

Verify Destination: Check the final destination of the bus before boarding.
Avoid Unofficial Buses: Only use official buses with visible signage and scheduled routes.
Negotiate Fare Before Boarding: Agree on the fare before boarding to avoid overcharges.

Be cautious when eating street food. Choose stalls with clean conditions and busy customers.

Clean Conditions: Look for stalls with clean cooking surfaces, gloves, and hygienic practices.
Busy Stalls: Choose stalls with a steady flow of customers as they are likely to serve fresh food.
Avoid Unattended Food: Avoid street food that has been left unattended for long periods.

Use ATMs located in well-lit and busy areas. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

Well-Lit Areas: ATMs in well-lit areas are less likely to be tampered with.
Busy Areas: ATMs in busy areas are more likely to have security cameras and fewer opportunities for theft.
Cover the Keypad: Cover the keypad while entering your PIN to prevent shouldering attacks.

Avoid unsolicited guides. If you need a guide, arrange one in advance or through a reputable tour agency.

Arrange Guide Ahead: Book guides in advance or through a reputable tour agency to avoid scams.
Avoid Unsolicited Guides: Unsolicited guides may lead you to overpriced or low-quality attractions.
Check Reviews: Check reviews and ratings of tour agencies or guides before hiring them.

Book accommodations in advance through reputable websites or agencies. Avoid street vendors offering rooms at unusually low prices.

Reputable Booking Sites: Use trusted booking sites with secure payment options and customer reviews.
Avoid Street Vendors: Street vendors may offer rooms at unusually low prices or of poor quality.
Check Reviews: Read reviews and ratings of accommodations before booking to ensure a positive experience.

Be wary of overly friendly locals offering help or inviting you somewhere. They may be trying to lead you into a scam.

Recognize Friendly Scams: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Avoid Isolated Locations: Avoid following strangers to isolated locations or into unmarked buildings.
Stick with Trusted Friends: Trust your instincts and stick with friends you know when exploring the city.

Be aware of your surroundings and keep personal belongings close. Use a money belt or hidden pocket for valuables.

Stay Aware: Stay alert in crowded areas to minimize the chances of being pickpocketed.
Use a Money Belt: Hide your valuables in a money belt or hidden pocket for added security.
Don't Display Valuables: Avoid displaying valuable items, such as smartphones and wallets, to reduce attractiveness to thieves.

Research attractions in advance and compare prices. Avoid street vendors offering tickets at unusually high prices.

Compare Prices: Compare ticket prices for the same attraction across different sources to avoid overpaying.
Avoid Street Vendors: Street vendors may offer tickets at unusually high prices or provide counterfeit tickets.
Check Online Reviews: Read reviews and ratings of attractions before visiting to ensure a positive experience.

Be cautious when accepting business cards. Some may contain hidden information that can be used for identity theft.

Inspect Business Cards: Check the card for unusual details or symbols that could indicate a scam.
Avoid Unsolicited Cards: Don't accept business cards from strangers unless you are expecting them.
Shred Unwanted Cards: Dispose of unwanted cards securely, either by shredding or burning them.

Be vigilant when handling money. Check the authenticity of bills and compare them to genuine ones.

Check Authenticity: Feel the bill, check for watermarks, holograms, and security threads.
Count Money Carefully: Count your money carefully to ensure you received the correct amount.
Pay Attention in Transactions: Pay attention during transactions and compare the bills given with the ones you have on hand.

Ignore unsolicited lottery notifications. These are typically scams aimed at tricking people into sending money.

Ignore Notifications: Do not respond to unsolicited lottery notifications or emails.
Report Scams: Report any suspected scams to local authorities for further investigation.
Be Skeptical: Be skeptical of lottery notifications, especially if you did not enter a lottery.