If the economic situation in the States has led you to think about relocating and you are considering Honduras, even with its current political state, there are several things that you should consider first.

1. Where have you learned about Honduras? Thanks to the internet, there are loads of ways to learn about this great country. However, what is the source of your information? Is it a tourism agency, a real estate agent, a travel agent, or anyone else who has something to gain from your moving here? Make sure you consider the source as misinformation is prominent, even among bloggers (they may have only spent a week here!).

2. Have you ever been to Honduras? If the answer is yes, for how long? Did you fall in love with the country or did you fall in love with the resort? Everyday life in Honduras is very different from what you may experience in just a week or two year. I suggest coming down and renting for at least 6 months or so: just long enough to give you a variety of typical Honduran scenarios, but short enough that you won’t be scarred for life if you can’t handle it.

3. Do you speak Spanish? If not, you may want to start learning now. English is not widely spoken in Honduras, despite what your travel guide may have told you. While your Spanish will improve drastically  just by using it here on a day to day basis, you are going to want to have a base to build off of.

4. Don’t trust anyone. I know that sounds terrible, but so much of what you read isn’t true, and misinformation is so prevalent. Even the Honduran Consulate offices in your home country have been known to give bad information. Attorneys are corrupt, land deals go bad, and even your “friends” may be looking for a way that they can get something from the Gringo. Just keep your eyes open.

5. Two words: CULTURE SHOCK. It will happen, no matter how prepared you think you are for the move. Even long time expats still get hit with it sometimes, when the Honduran line of reasoning is so different from our expat “norm.”