Q: What is SHH's policy on cancellations?
If you are forced to cancel your trip, you will receive a refund of your trip payment but not your deposit. However, your deposit may be credited towards any future trip with SHH. If SHH is forced to cancel a trip for whatever reason, the same rule applies. In short, trip deposits are never refundable but always transferable.
Q: Will the internet or international phone calls be available?
Yes! You will have internet access at the hotel. You can also make international phone calls from any Honduran cell phone with a local phone card ($5). In addition, there are plenty of internet/phone cafes in El Progreso.
Q: Where will we be staying overnight?
We will be staying at Hotel La Cascada, a secure and gated hotel comprised of numerous air-conditioned cabanas. At the hotel we will also eat breakfast and dinner every day. The hotel has laundry services and a small pool.
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Q: Where can we get water while down in Honduras?
SHH will provide purified water 24 hours during the trip. If you want to buy your own water, you can purchase purified water for about two Lempiras (ten cents). We recommend that everyone brings a water bottle.
Q: Should we bring food on the trip?
If you have certain dietary needs, feel free to bring food on the trip. However, there is a large supermarket in town where you can buy anything from exotic fruits to Captain Crunch Cereal. Most people bring energy bars or other snacks they can take on-the-go.
Q: How will we be traveling during the trip?
SHH has its own bus and works with a professional bus driver who is available 24 hours during the trip.
Q: What would I be spending any extra cash on?
Usually during the end of the trips, SHH may take a group out to a restaurant, karaoke bar, or another place to relax. These events might cost a few dollars. In addition, SHH can take groups to souvenir shops upon request. Most souvenirs, such as wood carvings, paintings, and handbags, might cost around five dollars. Also, travelers may buy drinks and snacks at local stands. However, most importantly, each traveler must pay the $37 exit tax to the Honduran government when leaving the San Pedro Sula airport. Most travelers bring about $30 to $200 for these extra costs.
Q: Is it safe to bring equipment such as laptops, digital cameras, and iPods?
More or less. They are more likely to be broken than they are to be stolen. If you do decide to bring your digital equipment, be extremely cautious and let the children borrow them at your own risk. There is also a computer for your use at the hotel, as well as a wireless internet connection. If you choose to bring your laptop, we ask that you leave it in your room when you are not using it. The hotel we stay in is very safe, and anything you leave in your rooms should be okay.
Q: What is the dress code in Honduras?
Most people wear clothes similar to what people wear in the US. However, most men and women wear pants at all times, and rarely wear shorts. Nevertheless, Hondurans are quite used to seeing Americans in shorts and tank tops. Travelers should bring summer clothes that they are willing to get dirty in, and maybe one or two sets of clothing for a nice dinner out.
Q: Do we need to speak Spanish to go on a trip?
Absolutely not! We provide translation 24 hours during the trip. On most trips, more than half of the group speaks little or no Spanish at all. In some trips, there may only be one or two Spanish speakers in the group besides our translators. Despite the language barrier, participants forge lifelong friendships with the children and families they meet in Honduras.
Q: Do we need a visa to travel to Honduras?
For all US citizens, a Visa is not required. However, travelers' passports must not expire for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Honduras. People from other countries may or may not need a visa to enter the country. Please check with the Honduran Embassy before departure.
Q: What do I do if I get sick or injured?
The first thing you should do if you get sick or injured is tell a staff member. If necessary, a staff member can take you into town to purchase the needed medication or visit a local clinic. We also recommend taking a morning or afternoon off from the construction site if you are feeling particularly weak or dehydrated. For minor injuries, a first aid kit will be available for trip participants’ use at all times.
Q: What happens if I lose my passport?
Each participant is required to bring two photocopies of their passport to Honduras, one for him/her and one for the SHH staff. In the case that a passport is lost, you will be brought to the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa where they will ask for a copy of your passport and possibly a copy of your birth certificate (which would have to be mailed from the US). This could take up to a week, so be sure to avoid this situation by keeping your passport in a safe place in the hotel.
Q: Is my trip tax-deductible?
Partly. The IRS states that if you receive goods or services in return for your money, then it is not technically a donation. However, $375 of the cost of the trip IS tax deductible. The remaining $375 goes to the projects, supplies including shovels, bricks, school supplies, etc., as well as staff & vehicle costs.
Q: What should I do if people ask me for money or gifts?
SHH prohibits participants from giving monetary gifts to the communities that we work with. This is because we do not want to potentially instigate conflict in the community due to preferential treatment given to an individual or child. If you choose to give a gift (for example, for a child’s birthday), we ask that you consult with an SHH staff member before doing so.
