Tegucigalpa - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SUV. - Feb 2022
We are very happy we have an SUV with good clearance and good tires. There are a lot of tough speed bumps in the city and when travelling through Honduras, there are always unexpected potholes. Most people have tinted windows, and I would recommend it. There are some good mechanics, but also some bad ones. I recommend taking your car to the dealer for repairs- it is more expensive, but worth it for the peace of mind. - Oct 2019
SUV. - Jul 2018
Lots of people like SUVs, but they're not strictly necessary. A Toyota Camry has served us well. You will need to know how to navigate pothole-ridden, Third World-style roads, especially if you're traveling to the countryside (which I highly recommend, by the way). - May 2018
Bring an SUV; don't bring anything nice. You have an excellent chance of getting in an accident while in-country. The cops and the insurance company will try to get you to pay the other person whether it was your fault or not. One spouse was taken into police custody and held for 6 hours while they tried to get her to pay out of pocket for a motorcyclist's broken arm even though she was not at fault and she had insurance and she had diplomatic immunity. You will have to have your windows tinted. An AID worker was robbed at gunpoint in front of the Intercontinental Hotel because his windows weren't tinted. An LE Staff member was robbed a block from the embassy. I have not heard of any carjackings, but people have been robbed at gunpoint in their vehicles. I'd say there is an incident involving a diplomat or LES that we hear about monthly. Housekeepers are at even more risk of being robbed. - May 2018
Anything really. Most people have light SUVs. 4-wheel drive and high clearance is good as the roads are terrible, especially if you plan on taking trips to Copan Ruinas or the north coast (which you will definitely want to do). A sedan/coupe is ok as well. A couple mechanics will pick up your car at the embassy/your home and return it. Cheap and they seem to do a good job. I've never heard of someone being carjacked, though a local employee did have someone steal the battery out of his car. You need to get your windows tinted and be careful. A direct hire driving around with his windows down got mugged a gun point in the middle of the day in one of the safest parts of the city. This sort of thing does not seem to be common, but it has happened. - Apr 2018
4WD if you want to leave the city. Tint your car windows. - Jun 2016
- V8 with hills may help. Tint your windows when here like everyone else. - Feb 2016
High clearance would help sometimes, but there are all kinds of cars and vans here. Windows need to be tinted for your safety. - Aug 2015
One that you don't mind getting beat up. - Jul 2015
Preferably a car that you won't mind getting scratched up if you will be here for a while--the driving here is really aggressive. Most people here get their windows tinted upon arrival to post, and most Hondurans have their windows tinted as well. - Dec 2014
All the American and Japanese vehicle companies are here. Service is pretty good and prices are fair. - Oct 2014
Any type is fine. - Sep 2014
Something with decent ground clearance because the roads are bad with many missing man hole covers. - Aug 2014
Any. - Jun 2014
Any type of car is fine for driving; be aware that you may have to wait on parts for some models. - Mar 2014
We brought a Nissan but 4X4's are the best options since the terrain is very bad. Do not bring anything fancy to avoid carjackings. - Jan 2014
Any kind. I have 4x4 and have never, ever needed to use it in or out of town. My wife has a sedan with no problems at all, she jus thas to drive slower around potholes. - Oct 2013
Any type really -- but roads are bad. So if you have a sedan, plan on going through shocks and brakes more quickly than if you had an SUV. - Jun 2013
SUV, 4x4 is helpful for exploring. Roads are awful. - Jun 2013
A small SUV is ideal for navigating the tight spaces and potholes in the city and for driving on the dirt roads outside of town. - Apr 2013
I'd say any kind -- you don't really need a 4X4 here. We have a 4X4, but a cheap, locally purchased sedan is the daily driver. - Nov 2009
You need an SUV with good ground clearance. I know a family that had a minivan, and they said it was pretty much destroyed when they left. We have a Nissan Pathfinder and it is perfect. - Oct 2009
