Scam City: San Pedro Sula Honduras Edition

During my three days in San Pedro Sula, I didn’t encounter that many scams since this city is not known for its tourism. The saying goes, where there’s tourists, there are scams. However, I did notice a few things that an unsuspecting tourist could encounter.

Introduction to San Pedro Sula
Delta Air Lines ATL-SAP A319 Business Class
InterContinental Real San Pedro Sula Hotel Review Part 1
InterContinental Real San Pedro Sula Hotel Review Part 2
Hilton Princess San Pedro Sula Hotel Review
The Sights and Sounds of Avenida Circunvalacion in San Pedro Sula
The Sights and Sounds of Boulevard Morazan in San Pedro Sula
The Sights and Sounds of Downtown San Pedro Sula
The Sights and Sounds of Jardines del Valle in San Pedro Sula
The Sights and Sounds of San Pedro Sula Honduras
The Sights and Sounds of Mercado Guamilito in San Pedro Sula
Is San Pedro Sula Honduras Safe for Tourists?
Scam City: San Pedro Sula Honduras Edition
The Various Eats in San Pedro Sula Honduras
American Airlines SAP-MIA 737-800 Business Class
US Airways MIA-CLT A321 First Class Review
Charlotte International Airport Concourse B US Airways Club
US Airways CLT-LAX A321 First Class Review
LAX Airport Virgin America LOFT Lounge

Taxi Drivers at San Pedro Sula International Airport – There aren’t any taxi hawkers waiting to pretty on unsuspecting tourists in the arrivals halls. The taxi cab mafia is located outside where you’ll be offered a taxi since there’s no public transportation to get to your hotel. Don’t take unauthorized cabs where the driver is using his own personal vehicle. I made that mistake and didn’t realize it until I got inside, but I didn’t get kidnapped or anything.

Money changers in Downtown San Pedro Sula – I was approached by a money changer who was offering currency exchange. He looked like a regular person on the street with no indication he was in the money changing business. I didn’t take him up on his offer since it seemed like a scam to me and I had plenty of local currency from the airport ATM.

Counterfeit merchandise in Downtown San Pedro Sula – There seems to be a lot of fake and knockoff items being sold in downtown San Pedro Sula. The cigarettes and toothpaste might seem real, but those are faked easily. Buyer beware.

Banco Lafise cash advance fee on Airport Departure Tax – When you’re departing for an international flight out of San Pedro Sula international airport, you have to pay a departure tax of $39.72. I happened to depart on the day where they had just raised the price on April 1, 2014. The good thing is that you can pay with a combination of local currency and US dollars which is a good way to get rid of your Honduran lempiras.

Don’t pay with your credit or debit card since it will be treated as a cash advance.