Honduras recently announced – and then reversed — new measles-related entry rules for travelers. Here’s what happened, what’s in place now, and what to expect going forward.
Honduras has stirred some talk in the tourism community with its recent back and forth over measles-related rules for travelers. The situation has changed fast, creating confusion and leaving questions. Here’s a straightforward look at what’s going on as of right now for anyone planning a trip to Honduras.
Why Honduras Is Addressing Measles
Rising measles concerns worldwide have prompted Honduras to act, given its childhood vaccination rate of 77% in 2023, which falls short of the level needed to prevent outbreaks. On June 27, the government issued a national health alert in La Gaceta, the official government gazette. The alert declared a health emergency due to the risk of imported measles cases, called for strengthened border health checks, and launched a vaccination campaign for residents, particularly children. It also required travelers from 24 countries with active outbreaks (including the United States, Canada, and Mexico) to show proof of vaccination or testing.
The Initial Plan for Travelers
The June 27 health alert proposed strict entry rules. Starting July 7, 2025, all travelers (both foreign visitors and returning Hondurans) entering by air, land, or sea would have needed to present proof of a measles (MMR) vaccination or a negative test taken within 72-80 hours of arrival. The rule applied to travelers from countries with ongoing measles outbreaks, as identified by the Ministry of Health. Vaccination stations were planned for airports, seaports, and land borders to process those without proof, ensuring compliance at entry points.
The plan raised concerns in tourism-heavy areas like the Bay Islands. Roatán, a hub for cruise ships and divers, faced potential disruptions, as did mainland destinations. Honduras’ tourism industry, a key economic driver, depends on international visitors, so the proposed requirements worried local businesses about reduced travel and economic losses.
The Policy Reversal
Following pushback against the health alert from tourism stakeholders, the National Institute of Migration (INM) and the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa both clarified last Friday on July 4, 2025, that no proof of measles vaccination or testing is required for any travelers entering Honduras, regardless of nationality or travel mode (air, sea, or land). This change ensures that tourism remains unaffected while Honduras focuses on domestic prevention.
⚠️ Update: No requirement for proof of a measles and rubella vaccine for U.S. Citizen travelers arriving in Honduras. Note, however new requirement for Honduran citizen minors aged 12 months to 10 years old, including dual national Honduran and U.S. national minors. 🔗 For more… pic.twitter.com/hFqCxPVSAz
— U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa (@usembassyhn) July 4, 2025
So What’s Required Now?
Here’s the situation for travelers as of July 8, 2025:
- No Entry Restrictions: Foreign nationals and Honduran adults do not need to provide measles vaccination proof or a negative test to enter Honduras, whether arriving by plane, cruise ship, or land border.
- Honduran Minors Departing: Honduran citizen children (including dual nationals) aged 12 months to 10 years must show a valid MMR vaccination card when leaving Honduras for countries on the Ministry of Health’s outbreak list. This does not apply to entering Honduras.
- Cruise Travel: Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival have not changed their Honduras itineraries, and no measles-related checks are required at ports like Roatan or Mahogany Bay.
Without explanation, Honduras has reversed its requirement that Americans must be vaccinated against measles to enter the country.
The start of the rule was previously announced for July 7.https://t.co/rD5zQ2EATL
— Frommer’s (@Frommers) July 5, 2025
Looking Ahead
Rather than targeting visitors and tourists, Honduras is now focusing on vaccinating its residents against measles, especially children, to boost its coverage rate, as outlined in the health alert. A national campaign, coordinated by the Ministry of Health, operates vaccination stations at health centers around the country. These stations target kids most at risk and are for residents, not travelers at entry points. The Ministry of Health is also strengthening surveillance at borders and airports, as mandated by the health alert, to monitor potential imported cases.
It’s worth noting here that Honduras is the only Central American country to have addressed measles vaccination requirements for travelers at this time. Belize and Costa Rica, with 34 and 1 case respectively in 2025, focus on domestic vaccination without entry restrictions, while Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama report no cases or traveler mandates. Travelers can expect no measles-related entry rules in Honduras for now, but checking official sources like the Honduran health or immigration departments keeps you in the loop.
