Money Matters
Anticipating Costs
Basic Fees of Honduras UMVIM:
· Scheduling deposit: A $200 deposit is required to be placed on the UMVIM calendar. The $200 must be received within 60 days and will be applied to per diem fees. The fee is non-refundable if you cancel.
· United Methodist Volunteers in Mission charges mission teams $45 per person per day for teams of 8-14. This covers food, lodging and transportation. Check with the UMVIM coordinator for the cost for teams smaller than 8 or larger than 14.
After team expenses have been paid, per diem fees are also used for vehicle maintenance and administrative costs for the UMVIM program. Any surplus money is then placed in the General Mission fund.
· Construction material donation: $3000
· Exit tax from Honduras airport: Approximately $35.00 per person. This is paid at the airport upon departure. It is payable in US dollars or lempiras.
Some other common costs for UMVIM teams to Honduras:
· Expenses in order to apply for, or to renew, a US passport.
· Cost of immunizations.
· Airfare from home city to Tegucigalpa/San Pedro Sula.
· Meals en route.
· Insurance from GBGM for accident/injury.
· Tips for baggage porters
· Personal spending money for souvenirs/snacks.
· Translator fees are $30-$50 per day.
· Extra group activities and sight-seeing costs.
Sending Team Fees to Honduras
 |
Teams may send fees in two ways: by
check or by bank transfer of funds. Receiving a check takes about 4 weeks
and the bank holds the check for another 30 days so if you use this method
of payment you should mail your check from the US about 60 days before your
arrival date. The UMVIM coordinators will send you the instructions for
mailing a check. If you choose to use the wire transfer method for payment,
the funds will be available in about 3 days. Therefore, you should wire the
funds about a week before your arrival. The UMVIM coordinators will send you
these instructions. Please indicate which method you will be using when you
receive your fee sheet.
|
US Dollars
| U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and tourist destinations. |
| U.S. dollars can be changed for lempiras in the airports upon arrival. Dollars should be new or nearly new. Bills that are worn, ripped or written on will not be accepted. |
Credit Cards
| Credit Cards are widely accepted in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and tourist destinations. |
No Traveler’s Checks
| Traveler’s checks will not be accepted even in banks. |
Security
| As with all valuables, it is best not to be obvious with your money. Don’t flash a wad of cash when making a purchase. Carry large quantities of cash in a security waist pouch under your clothes. Carry smaller quantities of money to use in your pocket. |
At each site, teams stay in a place that is secure for the team’s valuables. The only people who will enter your rooms are either team members or trusted local individuals who will enter to clean. Team members can tuck their cash and passport in an out-of-the-way corner of their suitcase and leave it there during work.
The contents of this page were most recently updated on Wednesday July 29, 2009