El Salvador and Honduras share a 402-kilometer border. There are two official border crossing points along this line—El Poy in the north and El Amatillo in the east. The immigration offices’ open hours and availability at the border of all CA-4 Treaty countries (El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua) are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can cross anytime. Both sides of the border were well organised and streamlined. This crossing point is on the Pan American Highway. I visited this point as part of the IBRG CATEX-24 expedition.
After completing the El Salvadorian exit procedures it is a short walk across the bridge that spans the border river Río Goascorán to reach the Honduras facilities which is where for me at least an unexpected adventure began. The whole atmosphere on both sides was very relaxed and there were no restrictions on photography.
El Salvadorian Side
In the planning phase of this trip we explored the possibility of travelling with our El Salvadorian hire car across the border to the coast at Isla del Tigre to get a different perspective on the HNNNISV tripoint in the Golfo de Fonsca. This proved impossible as there was no cross border hire car arrangements, so due to time constraints we planned to spend a few hours in the border town of Goascoran, Honduras.
The Bridge
After clearing passport control, a short walk led to the border bridge across the river to Honduras. One final check of paperwork and we walked into the next Central American country on our journey. For border enthusiasts, crossing points are fascinating places, there is the local traffic, transport links, fixers and chancers as well as all the infrastructure. In Central America there is also the colour, vibrancy and cool vibes too.
Honduran side
The passport and customs control building was a lovely old neo colonial building. The atmosphere was relaxed, lots of money changers around, who apparently give good rates.
Well, that was unexpected!
My friend who was travelling on a Danish passport was processed quickly, then it was my turn. In the planning phase we had checked on entry requirements and all the countries did not require one. Indeed, the CA-4 Treaty countries (El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua) had a common 90 day visa shared between them.
What I was unaware of was in August 2024 the UK government had imposed visas on Hondurans wishing to visit the UK and subsequently the Honduran government reciprocated with a quid pro quo measure. In short, UK passport holders required a Consulate issued tourist visa costing $60 USD. There was no option to get one on arrival.
Checking online whilst standing at passport control gave conflicting information, in the end we explained we were only spending a couple of hours in Honduras so I was allowed into the country (without my passport being stamped). I was however, for the first time denied entry to a country. If my plans were different and I needed to travel further south I would have had to visit the Honduran embassy in San Salvador and get a visa.
So back to Plan A which was to spend a couple of hours in a local border town. We headed south about 1 km, before being stopped at a security checkpoint. Although I explained I had been informally allowed to enter the country, the police officer would not allow me to go any further.
My visit to Honduras was restricted to the immediate area around the passport control facilities. It was a shame, and I was disappointed. Lesson learnt however, check and check again, as the rules had changed just before our visit.
Date of Visit: 01/12/2024
Barry's Borderpoints 