Americas - Central America
Messages: 45,085 - Threads: 5,977
Jun 18, 2008 10:30 PM
Irene_Adler
last reply
Jun 18, 2008 10:30 PM
Irene_Adler
0 replies
7,712 views
Welcome to the Central America branch!
1. Welcome to Thorn Tree’s Central America branch!
2. Find out all about Central America here! Things to think about before posting:
3. Has my question already been answered? Check out the FAQ thread and use the Search bar on the right-hand side to find out.
4. Seeking travel companions in Central America? Please post on our Travel Companions branch instead.
5. Please remember this is a forum about travelling in Central America, not a place for political discussions. Please keep all discussions relevant to travelling in Central America or they will be removed.
6. Remember that commercial advertising of any kind is against our website terms and will ...
more »
Central America Branch FAQ
Here are some tips to help you find the information you want and need about Central America:
1. Have a good look around the Thorn Tree before asking your question - quite often your question (or one very similar to it) will have been asked and answered before. Some of the most frequently asked questions are included in this thread below.
2. Research before asking a question and make your question as specific to your situation as possible. It will help you get better, more detailed and useful answers from the community. Invest some preliminary time and our knowledgeable community will help you fill in the gaps.
3. Explore Lonely Planet's Destinations, an online resource which has a wealth of key info and tips.
4. When you're ready to ask a question, choose the relevant country from the drop down menu to ensure the most rel...
more »
May 24, 2013 8:24 PM
wrinkles45
last reply
May 24, 2013 8:24 PM
wrinkles45
0 replies
26 views
San Jose to Tegucigalpa, November 2013
'Looking for input on a 2-week journey in early November, from San Jose to Tegucigalpa, 4 of us. Spirits willing, but 60-year-old joints remind us we are no longer long-distance runners—or even serious hikers. Mary is a small-time coffee roaster. A major focus will be visiting organic/fair trade coffee operations. Flights are set—arriving San Jose Oct 28, departing Tegucigalpa Nov 12 (15 nights). Current itinerary: Nights 1 & 2 in Atenas, visit coffee fincas around San Jose. Then 2 nights in Monteverde—more coffee fincas. Then 3 nights in Brasilito/Conchal, for our beach fix. On to Nicaragua--1 night in Diriamba, then 2 nights in Matagalpa/Selva Negra. On to Honduras for the final 4 nights. Mary knows a coffee grower with a finca near Comayagua.
Mary's friend & hubby are coming, making a party of 4. Traveling via public transport, at times we may look to rent taxis, bu...
more »
May 24, 2013 2:14 PM
kingreyes
last reply
May 24, 2013 6:29 PM
MarocTwizla
1 replies
43 views
location:
Nicaragua
Learning Spanish in Nicargua
Hi there,
I am keen to continue learning Spanish when i eventually reach Nicaragua, but i am unsure on the quality of the schools.
I have studied in Guatemala (Xela), and they have some excellent Spanish schools. What is the quality like in Nic, and where should i look at going too?
Thanks!
May 24, 2013 1:39 PM
miamimikechitre
last reply
May 24, 2013 7:47 PM
maliante
3 replies
52 views
location:
Panama
Corpus Christi Fiesta: 30 May to 9 June,2013. La Villa
Corpus Christi Fiesta 30 May- 9 June,2013. La Villa De Los Santos
Music, mayhem ,mischief and merriment will be the norm throughout this fiesta in the village of La Villa.
Starts Thursday morning(30 May) and the streets will be brilliantly decorated with flowers and leafs of numerous designs and configurations. Its a photographers photgenic dream!
Also during the early morning hours the mischief maker,The Goat and his sidekick El Torito and partner in mayhem making will be dancing up a storm and terrorizing locals and tourist alike. Warning Ladies:The Goat is quite the pervert........!
The central theme;good versus evil. The "Good",Archangel Michael and The "bad",The Gran Diablo and his devil amigos.
Numerous dance troupes will be performing various dances such as, El Torito,Los Diablicos Sucios,El Montezuma,Cabezona and many more. Eventually after hours of music,fir...
more »
Cooking V Eating out
Just wondering what the norm is when travelling in CA regarding eating.
Do you cook your own food or eat out?
In Asia i'd never cook but travelling around OZ NZ and the south pacific we cooked most meals and eat out rarely.
Whats the mix in Central America?
May 24, 2013 10:45 AM
surfstalker
last reply
May 24, 2013 7:53 PM
MrTim
1 replies
39 views
Weather in Costa Rica during July
Hi
I'm trying to plan a trip for July. Thinking of Costa Rica and I read the area of Nosara would be better for that time of year. Dryer.... Can anyone suggest a good place to stay for a solo female traveler during July? Does not have to be fancy =)
Thanks!!
May 24, 2013 9:43 AM
skierpip
last reply
May 24, 2013 9:30 PM
LivinLaVidaLoca
1 replies
43 views
2 months surfing....anywhere...where would you go?
Hi.
My husband and I have a few months off and want to take off and surf.
We are having trouble trying to decide on where to go. I fell in love with Domincan Republic last year as it had waves good for him and me and walking distance from cheap accommodations. He wants to go back to Mal Pais in Costa because it had really great waves for him there. We only were there briefly and I cant remember any waves that were good for me. Two months is a long time if you dont have somewhere to play.
So, Im looking for a place where we can stay for cheap (about 500 a month), waves for us both, preferably walking distance so we dont have to be on the same schedule.
Can any of you travelling surfer people recommend a few places? We cant change the times we go, due to work commitments etc so mid june through early sept is around our time off......be stoked to hear peoples advice.
Best...
more »
May 23, 2013 8:12 PM
kcooper1102
last reply
May 24, 2013 2:41 PM
wiremu
3 replies
90 views
location:
Costa Rica
Question about bus from San Jose to Manuel Antonio Quepos
Hello
I will be arriving in Costa Rica about midnight June 1st...want to take the express bus to Manuel Antonio that same day. I had read online about getting tickets early and normally I would do something like that at least the day before but obviously am unable to; I was wondering if I would have trouble getting a ticket the same day. If anyone has any experience with that, please let me know your thoughts.
May 23, 2013 2:54 PM
cdedelman
last reply
May 23, 2013 2:54 PM
cdedelman
0 replies
40 views
location:
El Salvador
Lake Coatepeque or Joya de Ceren
I have a short layover in San Salvador, El Salvador and am being picked up and going on a tour by a tour company there. I have the option of going EITHER to Lake Coatepeque or Joya de Ceren. What would you recommend? I´d be interested to hear all thoughts you might have about either/both.
Thanks!
May 23, 2013 12:28 PM
mskini
last reply
May 24, 2013 1:04 AM
lucapal
4 replies
91 views
location:
Belize
Honeymooners
Hi,
My fiance and i are looking into places to honeymoon. We've recently been interested in Belize and have 10 days schedule in November. Would anyone be able to recommend the best way to spend these 10 days in Belize? We are both big into out door activities, and are trying to budget out trip as much as possible. Any tips would be great, thanks!
May 23, 2013 12:26 PM
donesteban
last reply
May 24, 2013 9:35 PM
MollyManana
1 replies
43 views
location:
Panama
place to stay in playa santa clara
Amy recommendations? The 2 hostels mentioned in lonely planet are quite expensive
Chitzen Itza and other ruins in Central America
Hi all,
I'm currently in the planning stages of a 3 month trip to Central America, flying into Cancun and leaving Panama. From Cancun I'll be going down to Belize fairly quickly after a visit to Tulum. Reason being that 3 months is not as long as I'd like so I will be spending longer in some countries than others.
I'm going to be visiting lots of ruins on this trip, including Tikal and copan but I am in two minds about chitzen itza. It will take a few days out of my time and it sounds like it will be very crowded, but.... It does look amazing. So is it worth the detour and will I forever regret not going or should I use my time to see more elsewhere?
Thanks
Woody
May 23, 2013 5:27 AM
MarielleJob
last reply
May 24, 2013 6:37 AM
StripeG1
4 replies
154 views
location:
Nicaragua
Long term volunteering in Nicaragua
Hi all,
Me and my boyfriend are planning a trip to Central America (from January till... we wanna go home). We want to have some time to travel around, but mostly the trip is meant to work at a volunteer project/organization (in Nicaragua). For now the plan is to find a project for the duration of 4-6 months (although longer could be an option as well).
Now our question... Could someone point us in the direction of a project or organization that could use two volunteers (or one, separate projects are fine too) for a minimum of 4 months???
Our preference is a 'social' project, we're looking to work with people (as in: no animals or constuction projects). It doesn't matter what, could be teaching, could be at an orphanage, anything is fine as long as it has to do with helping people.
If possible it would be great to find a project which can offer us some sort of room and boa...
more »
May 23, 2013 12:21 AM
susanmarie77
last reply
May 24, 2013 8:11 AM
MrEd
7 replies
239 views
location:
Guatemala
Antigua efficiencies
I have been looking for a place to stay in Antigua that is safe, not too expensive and near the central park area. This place sounds almost too good to be true, low rents, website looks lovely, near Merced Cathedral. My concern is why it has not been reviewed by any site and why I cannot find any comments from people who have stayed there. If it is as good as it looks, I would think everyone would be talking about it, especially since I have heard that it is not always easy to find good inexpensive rentals in this area. If anyone has personal experience about this place, I would love to hear it. Also, I welcome the names of any other places in the general area. I am a single woman, looking for studio size. Thank you for any help.
May 22, 2013 8:42 PM
ninedeuce
last reply
May 24, 2013 6:54 AM
MrEd
21 replies
448 views
location:
Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo to Panama border on foot
We're staying in Manzanillo before heading to Bocas Del Toro. Does anyone know how long the hike from Manzanillo to Gandoca village? I hear it's 2.5 hours to Punta Mona, but I'm not sure how long it takes to get from there to Gandoca. We have to get to Bocas Town by 4, so I suppose we should get to Gandoca by noon?
May 22, 2013 7:48 PM
NicaChica76
last reply
May 24, 2013 6:34 PM
MarocTwizla
6 replies
204 views
location:
Nicaragua
Bed Bugs in Nicaragua?
Just wondering if anyone has experienced bedbugs in any of the hostels/motels in Nicaragua? Or if they are known to be a big problem there? Thanks!
Welcome & Getting Started
Our Community Guidelines and Community FAQs will help you get started.
Businesses and commercial interests please note, this is a strictly no advertising community. Our members do not tolerate solicitation or guerilla marketing, and accounts are for travellers only.
Email: community@lonelyplanet.com with feedback or questions.
Featured Threads on This Branch
• Central America FAQs
• Where to go in Central America in September?
• How touristy is Central America?
• Corcovado National Park practicalities
• Are buses really that terrible?
Nominate the best threads in this branch by clicking on the heart icon in any thread
Join us on Facebook & Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @lonelyplanet for the best in travel tips and inspiration.
If you’re on Twitter, tag your travel related tips with #lp and we’ll share the best of them with our community of followers.
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.