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“Reconsider travelto Honduras due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have an increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 25 Aug 2026
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Is El Progreso safe? 🇭🇳
Honduras · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, El Progreso scores 46/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No. El Progreso faces high crime and scam risks that make it unsafe for casual visitors. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
El Progreso 🇭🇳
Honduras · Assessed 15 October 2026
46
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime47/100CautionCrime index 71.9 / 100
Sentiment47/100CautionMixed concerns
Advisories50Caution
Stability59Fair
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:56:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Honduras: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-13T13:56:59.8620889-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
High risk
34
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
45 / 100 (Mixed concerns)
45
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
101k residents
86
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
31.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Honduras31.4South Africa43.7
14
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery occurs on highways and in urban areas; gangs have established checkpoints demanding payments from travelers.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in markets and bus terminals; remain vigilant in crowded places.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed concerns
47/100
Reported feel45Mixed concerns
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Traveler reports indicate unease about nighttime safety and scams, though some feel secure in hotel zones with private security.
No. El Progreso faces high crime and scam risks that make it unsafe for casual visitors.
El Progreso has a homicide rate of 31.4 per 100k and scores poorly on crime and governance indicators, with recent reports of gang checkpoints on highways and fraud targeting tourists. While violent crime is less frequent than in Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula, street crime and scams remain elevated, particularly in Palermo and Montevideo neighborhoods.
Recent developments
- Oct 2024Police captured a woman known as 'La China' for aggravated fraud in the Montevideo barrio— La Prensa HN
- Oct 2024Authorities arrested alias 'La Nohemí' for aggravated fraud in the Palermo sector, Jesús de Nazareth invasion— La Prensa HN
- Jul 2026Reward offered for information on MS-13 leader Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, indicating ongoing gang activity— VOA News
- Mar 2026National Autonomous University of Honduras reported criminal groups control 65% of national territory, including checkpoints on major highways— Travel Warning Check
Common scams
- Fake police or immigration officers demanding fines at checkpoints
- Advance-fee fraud involving fake rental or tour offers
Full briefing
El Progreso presents notable safety risks despite its smaller size compared to Honduras’s major cities. Recent fraud cases in the Palermo and Montevideo neighborhoods show scammers targeting locals and visitors with aggravated fraud schemes, often posing as officials or offering fake services. Gang activity remains a concern, with MS-13 and Barrio 18 maintaining influence and setting up illegal checkpoints on highways between Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, where travelers may be extorted. While the city lacks the extreme violence levels of San Pedro Sula, the homicide rate of 31.4 per 100k reflects a serious underlying risk, and reduced tourist police presence limits rapid response capabilities.
Travelers should avoid walking alone after dark, particularly in Palermo, Montevideo, and other barrios identified by local police as high-incidence zones. Use only official taxis or transport arranged through your hotel, and never accept rides from unverified individuals. Keep valuables concealed, carry minimal cash, and remain alert in markets and bus terminals where pickpocketing occurs. Stay in accommodations with private security, such as Hotel H4 El Progreso or Hotel Casa Blanca, and avoid displaying signs of wealth. Monitor local advisories and avoid travel during heavy rain periods when flooding can exacerbate isolation and risk. Given the Level 3 U.S. advisory and Canada’s recommendation to exercise a high degree of caution, treat El Progreso as a location requiring heightened vigilance, not a relaxed stopover.
Was this El Progreso, Honduras report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 El Progreso districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the El Progreso safety map.
Barrio PalermoavoidRecent fraud arrests reported here (Oct 2026); higher risk of scams and opportunistic crime.
Barrio MontevideoavoidSite of a recent aggravated fraud arrest (Oct 2026); exercise extreme caution, especially at night.
Invasión Jesús de NazarethavoidInformal settlement where recent fraud arrest occurred (Oct 2026); avoid unless necessary and only during daylight with caution.
Centro HistóricocautionCentral area with markets and transport hubs; petty theft possible, avoid walking alone after dark.
Zona IndustrialcautionFactory and warehouse district; moderate risk of theft, avoid isolated areas after dark.
Barrio El CentrocautionCommercial core; pickpocketing reported in crowded areas, remain vigilant with belongings.
Colonia Las PalmassaferResidential area with lower crime incidence; hotels like Hotel H4 and Casa Blanca are located here with private security.
Residencial Los PinossaferQuiet residential zone with infrequent crime reports; suitable for visitors seeking lower-risk areas.
07 · After Dark
Is El Progreso safe at night?
63% of people in Honduras say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Armed robbery occurs on highways and in urban areas; gangs have established checkpoints demanding payments from travelers.
After dark, be most careful around Barrio Palermo, Barrio Montevideo, Invasión Jesús de Nazareth, Centro Histórico. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
El Progreso safety FAQ (2026)
Is El Progreso safe right now (2026)?
No. El Progreso faces high crime and scam risks that make it unsafe for casual visitors. El Progreso has a homicide rate of 31.4 per 100k and scores poorly on crime and governance indicators, with recent reports of gang checkpoints on highways and fraud targeting tourists. While violent crime is less frequent than in Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula, street crime and scams remain elevated, particularly in Palermo and Montevideo neighborhoods. (Assessed 15 October 2026.)
Is El Progreso safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this El Progreso report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of El Progreso should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Barrio Palermo, Barrio Montevideo, Invasión Jesús de Nazareth as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in El Progreso (2026)?
- Fake police or immigration officers demanding fines at checkpoints
- Advance-fee fraud involving fake rental or tour offers
How does El Progreso compare with other places in Honduras (2026)?
El Progreso ranks #2 of 6 Honduras destinations we've assessed, scoring 46/100. See the Honduras safety overview for the full list.
How is this el-progreso safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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