Guide to crossing the border between El Salvador and Honduras with a car.
El Salvador is separated from Honduras by a river, like many other borders. The roads had been exceptional after Guatemala and we were keen to find out if this was the same for Honduras.
We arrived at the El Salvador border point at El Amatillo. First we had to cancel our Temporary Import Permit. Now this is a bit of a weird one. After passing an official looking crossing point you are accosted by the usual touts and money changers. A guy latched onto us, not taking no for an answer. But we just like to do things for ourselves it’s more fulfilling. It gives us some reassurance that we are not being ripped off as well. The officials told us to take the next right. Which we did. It was a dirt track, bit strange, but in the distance was a building that looked kind of official. A sleepy security guard with a shotgun directed us round the back to a window. The lady wanted a copy of the original TIP which we had and she stamped the original to indicate that it had been cancelled. And that was it! Then it was back to the main road.
You come to another checkpoint. Here we were waved straight through. So we just continued on. Eventually you come to a bridge over the river. Here we were greeted by the same tout still trying to get us to employ his services! He’d ridden his bike to keep up with us. Gotta respect his determination. Pass the plethora of mariatchi musicians and there is an office just on the other side to the right. In here there is a guy behind a desk, where you are asked for your passport and proof of vaccination and PCR results. Age is required and then he gives you a slip of paper indicating that you passed the test. What test? We weren’t quite sure, but we passed. PCR tests aren’t required in El Salvador so we were a little confused.
Then it’s off to the Honduras side. A little more threatening in atmosphere, lots of guys hanging around outside the immigration building and looking quite dodgy. Inside you queue to get to a counter on the right. Here your passport is checked and a payment of $3.00 per person is made. You receive a receipt for thi and your visa should be done and stamped. Then on the opposite side is a window with hundreds of stickers where you can sort out your TIP for the vehicle. And, as per usual, the car is checked for VIN and registration and authenticity. A copy and original of driving license, title and a copy of the exit TIP from El Salvador are required. We didn’t have the copy of the TIP but the guy behind the glass copied it for us, no charge. The cost for the TIP was $35. Time passes as the man stamps stuff and checks his computer several dozen times. Eventually you receive two papers stapled together which is your TIP for Honduras.
And that was it. Job done and off into Honduras and another unknown.
It wasn’t long, though, before we hit a huge traffic jam of juggernauts stretching for 12 kilometres. Nothing moving. It seemed the only thing to do was copy all the other cars and create a new lane on the opposite side of the road. Why wouldn’t you. Lorries came towards you and it was a bit sketchy at times but we had a jeep so we could drive on the bank when there was no space for three lanes. It was a lot of fun! It turned out that this jam was due to a single broken down truck!
Welcome to Honduras.
