Tips for an Easy Honduras-Guatemala Border Crossing

Crossing any border is an adventure in itself. The excitement of exploring new countries, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures is an incredible thrill for any traveler. The Honduras-Guatemala border is one of Central America’s most exciting border crossings, and it is relatively easy to cross. 

When I crossed going from Copan Ruinas in Honduras to Antigua, Guatemala, I was expecting long wait times and a lot of confusion. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how helpful and friendly everyone was and how smoothly our transition went. However, having a guide on how to cross would have made me feel a lot better. 

So, without further ado, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cross the border and what you need to know.

What Do You Need to Cross the Border?

Before crossing the Honduras-Guatemala border, be sure you have all the necessary documents. 

You’ll need a valid passport at least six months from expiration.

A visa is not required for most nationalities, but it’s best to check the latest information regarding visa requirements for both Honduras and Guatemala. For example, EU, UK, American, Mexican, and Canadian citizens do not require a visa, so you can just rock up at the border with your passport and clear immigration.

If you’re traveling by air or sea, you’ll need to check if there are any additional requirements. For example, Honduras and Guatemala require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have come from a high-risk country.

Documents you’ll need:

• Immigration form, given to you at the border post
• Health form (for Honduras), given to you at the border post
• Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination / Negative Covid-19 test from within the past 72 hours
• Proof of onward travel, though they usually just ask about your plans and don’t typically ask for any proof.
• Yellow Fever Card: This proof of vaccine is required for Honduras if you are traveling from a high-risk country. You can find out more about which countries are considered high-risk here.

Disclaimer: Things often change in the world of red tape and travel, so don’t just take our word for it. Before leaving for your trip, check with your embassy and the country you are going to for any new changes. 

Costs for Crossing the Honduras-Guatemala Border

You’ll need to consider several costs when crossing the Honduras-Guatemala border. 

The first is the visa fee, which is $30 for a single entry or $60 for multiple entries. You’ll only need to pay if a visa is required, as is the case for American, British, and EU citizens. It’s best to check with your embassy or consulate for the latest fees. You can also review the Honduras World Visa Guide for up-to-date information. 

There may also be additional fees for crossing the border. Most travelers can expect to pay $3 to enter Honduras. You can pay in USD, which is preferred, or the equivalent in Honduran Lempiras or Guatemalan Quetzal. There is no fee to enter Guatemala or exit either country.

Border Crossing Locations

Corinto

Corinto is one of Guatemala and Honduras’s most popular land border posts near the Caribbean. This border crossing primarily connects travelers departing from La Ceiba (and the Bay Islands of Utila and Roatan) or San Pedro Sula in Honduras with destinations like Rio Dulce, Livingston, and Flores in Guatemala.

El Florido 

El Florido is home to a border crossing just 10 km (6 miles) from Copan Ruinas in Honduras. It is popular with travelers departing from Copan Ruinas in Honduras and traveling onward to Guatemala City and Antigua.

The process for crossing the Guatemala-Honduras border is the same, no matter which one you cross.

Two Options for Crossing the Honduras-Guatemala Border: 

If you cross the border by land, follow these steps to get from one country to the next.

Option 1: The Do-It-Yourself Chicken Bus

It is possible to organize this crossing by yourself. You’ll need to take a chicken bus (local transportation in Central America) from your point of origin to the border at either El Florido or Corinto.

Once you arrive at the border post, you will walk through the border, after which you can grab another chicken bus to your next point of interest.

Option 2: An Organized Bus

It is also possible to take an organized bus from Honduras to Guatemala and vice versa. 

Companies such as Mayan Caribbean Travel arrange trips between the countries and from one popular destination to the next within Guatemala and Honduras.

Organized buses are more comfortable and less chaotic than chicken buses. It is also nice to know you have a ride waiting for you on the other side. Way more convenient.

If this sounds like the option for you, note that the bus will drop you off at the border. While you go through immigration and your passport is stamped, the bus will be checked. Then, as you cross the border on foot onto the other side, the bus will be waiting for you to take you the rest of the way.

For example, if you are traveling between the capital cities, you could take a bus between Tegucigalpa to Guatemala City. The journey is long, but the buses are surprisingly comfortable. I even found buses that offered a VIP class, and tickets included a snack and a bottle of water. Plus, taking an overnight bus is a great way to save on a night’s accommodation. 

It is also possible to book a seat on a shared minivan from Guatemala City to Copan Ruinas, a major tourist destination. Just note that the ride will take about 8 hours.

Honduras-Guatemala Border Map

Knowing where to cross the border between Honduras and Guatemala is key. There are two main border posts, also called La Frontera. You can cross at La Frontera/Corinto, popular with people leaving the Bay Islands of Honduras and traveling to places in northern Guatemala, such as Flores. 

La FronterEl Florido is the other popular crossing point. This connects travelers from the western portion of Honduras (think Copan Ruinas) to Antigua and the capital city of Guatemala City. 

How to Cross the Honduras-Guatemala Border: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Leave Honduras

The first step in crossing the Honduras-Guatemala border is to leave Honduras. If you are crossing independently, grab a colectivo bus from your accommodation to La Frontera/El Florido or La Frontera/Corinto, depending on which border is closer. 

This is a relatively straightforward process. 

At all Honduras-Guatemala borders, the two countries share one building. This is great because you won’t have to deal with a lengthy no man’s land between countries, which is a regular occurrence at borders across the region. Everything in one place streamlines the process and gives you less of a headache! 

Once you arrive, you’ll need to go to the immigration office. There is a line to exit Honduras where you will present your passport and have your fingerprints taken. There is no fee to leave Honduras via land.

Step 2: Enter Guatemala

Next, you’ll walk to the adjacent window to enter Guatemala. 

This is also a straightforward process. 

You’ll need to go to the Guatemalan immigration office at the border and present your passport. This may take a bit more time.

The officials will scan your passport stamps to ensure you have not overstayed your CA-4 visa. This visa is granted to travelers who enter Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Everyone is given a CA-4 visa stamp upon arrival, and many nationalities do not have to pay a fee. 

This visa gives you 90 days to stay between all four countries.

There are only fees to enter Guatemala if you need to organize a visa beforehand. 

Always check with the Guatemalan embassy to ensure you do not need a pre-approved visa. 

Step 3: Go Through Customs

After entering Guatemala, you’ll need to go through customs. 

This is where your luggage will be inspected to make sure you’re not bringing in any prohibited items. You may also need to declare any items you bring that require a declaration, such as large amounts of cash.

Once you clear customs, you are officially in! Wahoo!

Pro tip: There is a place to exchange any leftover currency, and rates are fairly reasonable. 

If you don’t have a pre-arranged bus waiting, you can grab a shared bus to Puerto Barrios, the next town. From there, you can easily catch a bus to Guatemala City or organize transportation to other great locations through Maya de Oro, a local bus company.

This process is the same if you are crossing from Guatemala into Honduras. You will need to show your passport, immigration forms and your Covid-19 vaccination or negative test as of March 2023. 

Officials don’t always ask for this, but it is definitely better to be prepared.

The only differences are that you pay $3 to enter Honduras and must complete a health declaration, which you can do here. When dealing with money in Central America, it is best to have exact change. Carrying USD is especially helpful, but you can also pay the fees in Honduran lempiras or Guatemalan quetzal. 

All in all, you should expect wait times of anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour unless the border is extremely backed up. Having both immigration offices in one building really speeds things up!

Helpful Tips for Crossing the Honduras-Guatemala Border

Dealing with Officials

At the border, you’ll be dealing with various officials, from immigration officers to customs agents. Therefore, it’s essential to be polite and respectful at all times. Remember, these officials are just doing their jobs, and treating them respectfully will make the process smoother.

Watch for Guards

At some border crossings, there may be guards present. These guards are there to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Ensure you follow any instructions they give you, and don’t do anything that could be perceived as a threat. 

Keeping your receipts is also highly advised. If you pay the $3 fee to enter Honduras, keep it until you exit again. Cheeky guards may ask for proof that you have paid—even though you are clearly already in the country—so the receipt will keep you from paying twice.

Wait Times

At busy border crossings, you may experience long wait times. This is especially true during peak travel times. Therefore, make sure you have plenty of time to cross the border and factor in any potential wait times when planning your trip.

You should also avoid crossing on Sundays because both Guatemala and Honduras shut down for a day of rest, and officials are definitely a little slower. You could find yourself waiting a very long time otherwise. 

The banks are also closed, so if you do not have exact change, you will be forced to pay whatever you have without change or wait until Monday.

Daily Limits

When crossing the border, be aware that there may be daily limits on how much cash you can bring into the country. This is to prevent money laundering and other illegal activities. 

Make sure you know any limits that may apply to you, and don’t try to exceed them.

CA-4 Visa Limits

Both Honduras and Guatemala are members of the CA-4 Visa (as well as El Salvador and Nicaragua). This visa agreement allows most travelers 90 days across all four countries. 

At the Guatemala-Honduras border, Guatemalan immigration officials will carefully count how many days you’ve been in this region. They will even write how many days you have to remain on your Guatemala entry stamp.

They do this because there is a fee if you overstay your visa. It is typically $10 per day, but double-check with your embassy. Or better yet, don’t overstay.

Different ways to cross: Land, Air, or Sea

The procedure for crossing the border can vary depending on whether you’re traveling by land, air, or sea. The process above outlines how to cross the border by land. 

If you’re flying, you’ll need to go through customs and have your passport stamped, just as you would for any other new country you visit. 

The biggest difference if you are traveling by air is that an exit fee is already built into the price of your plane ticket. So, you shouldn’t have to pay additional costs unless you overstay your visa.

Final Thoughts on Crossing the Honduras-Guatemala Border

Both Honduras and Guatemala are stunning countries that deserve to be explored. Now that you know how to cross the border, why not add both to your next trip to Central America? 

FAQ