COVID-19 Travel Guidelines and Restrictions

Please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travel website to be aware of the most up-to-date travel restrictions and guidelines.

THE JOURNEY – GET READY!

If you want to make a Kingdom difference, you have come to the right place. Care4Communities is always looking for mission journey teams to come to the island and develop relationships with the people of La Colonia.  If you want to make the journey, the first thing you will need to do is understand our mission philosophy.  If our philosophy makes sense to you, and you want to make the journey, complete an information questionnaire. Once you and/or your team have been approved, you will be contacted to begin the arrangements. Below is some helpful information you need to know.

MISSION JOURNEY PREPARATION

  • First and most importantly, obtain your passport! Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport
  • We recommend having regular meetings to prepare your team for the journey.  A great resource for this is Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert’s book Helping Without Hurting – Leaders Guide.    There is also a companion participant’s guide.
  • Recommended immunizations (Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, and Tetnus). This is a guideline and not a requirement for entry into the country. Your doctor or health-care provider should determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. Residents in Jacksonville, Florida, can contact Ellen Terello at 904.798.4810. Ellen is a registered nurse at Travel Clinic Jacksonville and can administer recommended immunizations. For more information go to http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/honduras.aspx
  • Obtain prescriptions for Malaria and Antibiotic (Cipro) from your family physician.
  • Roatan, Honduras, is very HOT and you should contact your physician to ensure you are healthy enough for the journey.
  • We recommend that you take garlic tablets prior to and during your journey, as this seems to help repel mosquitoes and sand fleas.
  • Learn some Spanish phrases, if possible. There are many free sites available online. A simple internet search will get you there, or check out www.studyspanish.com/travel.
  • Hold team fund raisers and send support letters well in advance of your journey. The normal cost per person is…
    • Airfare (varies)
    • $50 per person per day for food and lodging
    • $100 per person for supplies (depends on project(s))
    • Airport Departure Tax ($37) Note that as of February, 2021, this tax should be included in your tickets to Roatan.  Be sure to check with your carrier to verify that it is included.

AIRLINE AND FLIGHT INFORMATION

  • For airline and flight information go to http://www.roatanisland.net/transport.htm.
  • You may use other airlines to fly into San Pedro Sula, Honduras, followed by a three hour bus ride to La-Ceiba, Honduras. From there you can take a 1.5 hour ferry boat ride to Roatan. You may also check with airlines in San Pedro Sula and fly into Roatan (no flights at night.). For Ferry boat times and prices, go to http://www.roatanisland.net/transport.htm.
  • You will be asked to complete customs forms during your flight. When filling in the customs form, indicate that the items you are carrying are “personal”, and that you are going to Honduras on a mission journey. If one of the forms or the immigration official asks where you will be staying in Roatan, Honduras, give the address:
    • Care4Communities
      La Colonia, Sandy Bay
  • Also, please consult these websites for the latest updates on travel guidelines and restrictions.

IMMIGRATION REGISTRATION

  • Immigration has imposed new security measures.  To expedite the immigration process when you arrive on an international flight, you can do a pre-registration online.  To pre-register, go to http://prechequeo.inm.gob.hn/Login. Click here to see instructions on how to complete the registration. It is now translated to English, but some parts of the translation may be difficult to understand, so the guide can still be useful.
  • When you arrive at the Roatan immigration area, if you state that you are pre-registered, you will be directed to an express line.  IN ORDER TO DO THE ON-LINE REGISTRATION YOU MUST BE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF TRAVEL

PACKING CHECKLIST

  • Pack one set of clothing and personal items into a carry-on bag. There are situations where luggage sometimes does not arrive with your flight. Typically, missing luggage arrives the following day. Often there are size and weight restrictions. You should check with the airlines before leaving to see if there are any current embargos. Here are some other things to remember when packing for your journey:
    • Pack light-colored clothes and plan to mix and match skirts/slacks/shirts to save space. Most clothes are not wearable for more than one day due to the heat, so people should pack at least one outfit per day and a couple of extra shirts/under-garments.
    • Women: It is recommended that women be very conservative with their clothing. Short shorts, spaghetti-strap tops and bikini-type swim wear are not acceptable.
    • Men: It is recommended that men bring shorts vs blue jeans due to the heat unless the work they are doing make jeans more appropriate.
    • Passport: DON’T LOSE IT! Many teams give their passports to their leader who safeguards them in the hotel/lodging safe.
    • Mask and/or face covering
    • Money for souvenirs, etc… (small bills are best)
    • Bug Repellent
    • Flashlight
    • Bible
    • Journal and pen
    • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Sunglasses
    • Hat/Bandana
    • Sun screen
    • Comfortable tennis shoes… you will be on your feet a lot and the terrain is rocky and hilly
    • Water shoes or sandals
    • Umbrella or poncho (October through December is the rainy season in Roatan)
    • Camera
    • Extra batteries
    • Back-pack or something to carry your water and other items during the day
    • Waist Pouch (women – not advisable to carry a purse)
    • Snacks (be mindful of the heat and to not choose snacks that will easily melt)
    • Prescribed medicine (and Malaria and Cipro Medications)
    • Over-the-counter medications (drug stores are not readily available) (i.e., Tylenol, Allergy medicine, etc)
    • It’s always good to bring a reusable water bottle
    • Light jacket. Although not needed for Roatan, the airports and plane are often chilly.

LODGING IN ROATAN

MONEY MATTERS

  • The Honduran currency is the Lempira and it has a value of about 24.04 Lempiras to one US dollar as of 2021 (Click here for the most current conversion). Dollars are usually accepted in souvenir shops and hotels. Smaller denominations are preferable.
  • We recommend you not wear flashy or expensive jewelry. We strongly recommend that you leave all jewelry with sentimental value at home. NEVER LEAVE IMPORTANT ITEMS LYING AROUND AS THEY MAY DISAPPEAR. PLEASE KEEP UP WITH CAMERAS ESPECIALLY.

CODE OF CONDUCT – See our Mission Philosophy

ORGANIZE YOUR JOURNEY

  • In coordination with C4C, we strongly urge Leaders to prepare a daily agenda, outlining each day’s activities. We also recommend that you plan devotion time each day. Some teams have opted to have a time of devotion in the morning and some have opted to have a time of singing and devotion in the evening. This is the Leader’s call. We have found that having a time of singing and devotion in the evenings allows the teams time to share their day’s experience and discuss “what went well” and “areas of improvement.”

RECREATION ACTIVITIES

  • There will be some available down time (at the direction and planning of C4C and your Leader). Honduras is famous for many water sport activities and home to some of the most inexpensive scuba diving available. Many teams have opted to spend their last day (Friday) at Gumbalimba Park.

IS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE?

  • “Ms. Peggy”, Director of Clinic Esperanza, provides medical assistance to the people of La Colonia. She may also be available to assist Teams. Alternatively, Anthony’s Key Resort (which is next to La Colonia) normally have two doctors on staff who also may be able to provide assistance.

NOW LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Care4Communities