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Americas - Central America

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19-Jun-2008 15:30
Irene_Adler

last reply
23-Dec-2008 10:00
Irene_Adler

0 replies
8,503 views


Topic Locked Welcome to the Central America branch!

Welcome to the Thorn Tree's Central America branch.

We hope you find plenty of useful information about travelling to Central America here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the Central America FAQ thread before posting a new thread; you may find many of the answers you seek there, and the FAQ thread has been updated as of December 2008! It also contains helpful information about how to search the forum and advice for how to post your questions. If you are a returning user or a Central America guru, please help us keep the FAQ thread up-to-date by adding important information which is absent, or pointing out information which is no longer being represented accurately.

Choosing a country to post to:

When you make a post and choose a country from the drop down menu, your post will... more »

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23-Jun-2005 22:17
juan3

last reply
27-Jul-2010 09:07
VenessaP

56 replies
86,383 views


Pages 1 2 3 4

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 »

08-Sep-2010 15:23
spadway

last reply
08-Sep-2010 15:23
spadway

0 replies
14 views
location: Guatemala

Language School In Antigua

I just wanted to leave a comment about language schools in Guatemala. My girlfriend and I spent 6 weeks in Centeral America this summer. Two of which were spent studying at Tecun Uman in Antigua. Mario, the director was fantastic, he arranged for us to be picked up in Guatemala city even though our flight was coming in at 11 at night. That night, we were taken to meet him at the school and dropped off at our families home (Lucia Carcuz familia). Mario helped us get our bags when they did not arrive and took care of any needs we had. My language teacher Carlos was great, I had never taken Spanish and after two weeks, I was able to hold basic conversations. My girlfriend had Anna, and she raved about her as well. Antigua is not the place to go to get rid of tourists. There are plenty of them and food/beer is expensive for Guatemala. If we return, we would probably study in Xela for a mo... more »

08-Sep-2010 15:20
atitlanjack

last reply
08-Sep-2010 15:20
atitlanjack

0 replies
13 views


Driving from Saskatchewan to Guatemala

I'm driving to Guate at the end of the month (Sept) in a chicken bus (old school bus), stopping in Oregon, Vegas, National Parks anywhere that takes our fancy, plenty of time, lots of Mexico, Escondido (room for boards)....
I speak good Spanish, have done the trip before, live in Gautemala and I have room for more.........
anyone want to join me???

08-Sep-2010 14:51
sean420

last reply
08-Sep-2010 15:57
peej

2 replies
24 views
location: Nicaragua

honduras

I was in Nicaragua last year

08-Sep-2010 13:35
ajkuntze

last reply
08-Sep-2010 13:35
ajkuntze

0 replies
12 views
location: Honduras

Half Moon Bay Resort or Lands End or...?

Going to Roatan in April. Want to stay at a small, relatively quiet inn or bed and breakfast that has great service, nice rooms, easy access to good snorkling (and beautiful sunsets would also be nice). Don't want to be surrounded by a lot of tourists or feel like I am in Cancun, if you know what I mean. If you had between $50-$90 a night to spend on any place in Roatan, where would it be and why? Thanks for any ideas, suggestions. AJK

08-Sep-2010 13:20
ssavage

last reply
08-Sep-2010 16:38
peej

1 replies
15 views
location: El Salvador

bus strike

Just heard on the news about bus drivers strikes for the next 5 days around Santa Ana area. A bus driver was shot today and many buses are not running around Juayua, Santa Ana and connecting villages. The news has said that 70% of S. A has been closed down and 1000 more military personel have been drafted in. Its all to do with new laws being introduced etc. My question is has anyone heard any different? Im in Juayaua at the moment and was not able to get to Apenaca because of banditos? Hoping to get the bus to Santa Ana tomorrow.

08-Sep-2010 13:14
lshing

last reply
08-Sep-2010 13:14
lshing

0 replies
13 views
location: Honduras

Trip Report: Copan Ruinas and Ixbalanque Spanish School

Since I basically based my decision to study Spanish for two and a half weeks in Copan Ruinas on feedback from this forum, I thought I would post a follow-up trip report.

Upon arrival, I thought I'd have to get out of this town pretty fast, it was just so tiny. But once I started Spanish classes at Ixbalanque and started to unwind from the fast-paced lifestyle of Los Angeles, I really enjoyed it. The school was surprisingly good (I have gone to Spanish schools in Guate, Nica, Ecuador, and Peru prior to this trip). The teacher was organized, had a ton of creative exercises and games to make drills more fun, and was adept teaching at a more advanced level. The woman who runs the school, Amadea, was incredibly helpful. The school includes one activity a week (such as a trip to the Hot Springs or a horseback riding trip to a small Mayan village) but she helped me to arrange transporta... more »

08-Sep-2010 10:42
fionak

last reply
08-Sep-2010 10:42
fionak

0 replies
21 views
location: Costa Rica

visiting costa rica for the first time (take 2)

sorry about my cryptic question regarding accommodation, trip advisor conflicting reports etc. I did omit the key topic of my question and that was accommodation in Alajuela specifically. I was looking at a number of different places to stay ie. Alajuela backpackers, Los Volcanes, Mi Tierra etc as to which is a nice place to stay for our first few days before heading off. Reports regarding these places were quite conflicting & I just want to make sure that our choice is a favourable one. Our price range isn't truely budget but not high end either.
Does anyone have any suggestions????

cheers

08-Sep-2010 10:30
abdelnaby

last reply
08-Sep-2010 11:03
andiamotony

1 replies
40 views
location: Honduras

At least 20 killed in horrific SPS massacre-what does this mean for travel?

At least 20 people were brutally murdered in a massacre at a shoe-making shop in colonia Valle de Sula, San Pedro Sula:

http://www.laprensa.hn/Sucesos/Ediciones/2010/09/07/Noticias/San-Pedro-Sula-Al-menos-20-muertos-dentro-de-zapateria

What does this mean for travelers to San Pedro Sula or surrounding areas? Will this lead to a new wave of violence in the area?

What steps is the government taking to crack down on violent crime and restore security?

08-Sep-2010 09:02
LanSluder

last reply
08-Sep-2010 11:21
LanSluder

3 replies
102 views
location: Belize

Anger, Angst and Attacks in Toledo, Belize

CROCODILE SANCTUARY BURNED IN TOLEDO, BELIZE, ALLEGEDLY BY ‘MAYA MOB’ INCITED BY LOCAL ‘FORTUNETELLER’ FOLLOWING DISAPPEARANCE OF TWO LOCAL CHILDREN

The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) facility near Punta Gorda, Toledo District, Belize, operated as a volunteer reptile rescue and rehab center by a young American couple, Vince Rose and wife Cherie Renee Chenot-Rose, was burned to the ground early Sunday, September 5. From news reports, a group of about 100 villagers from San Marcos village, armed with rifles, shotguns and machetes, came to the ACES property on Water Hole Road in the Forest Home area when the couple was away, looking for two missing children they believed were at the ACES facility. The ACES caretaker was frightened to go to the facility and protect it due to the mob of villagers.

The villagers reportedly shot some of the crocodiles and the property ... more »

08-Sep-2010 08:38
jetpack721

last reply
08-Sep-2010 08:38
jetpack721

0 replies
13 views
location: Belize

Private tour guide in Hopkins, Belize?

We're staying on the beach in Belize next spring but want to do a lot of day trips to the jungle, ruins, etc. Does anyone have leads on private tour guides that might be able to accommodate two families?

08-Sep-2010 08:04
chiri

last reply
08-Sep-2010 09:29
SoloHobo

1 replies
19 views


Caribbean coast and malaria

I'm trying to plan a trip in late October - early November and was going to include some time on the Caribbean coast.
Some guidebooks suggest that anti-malarials are necessary travelling further south eg to Cahuita.
What would be the general opinion on this? Is there much resistance to standard anti-malarial meds?
Thanks for any advice.

Chiri

08-Sep-2010 06:59
kat1070

last reply
08-Sep-2010 13:45
Delmonte

3 replies
52 views
location: Guatemala

Can anyone in Guatemala update current road closings info?

I'm flying to Guate City tomorrow (Sept. 8) and need to travel to Xela either tomorrow or Thursday. Does anyone know if the pullman buses or tourist shuttles are able to get through the highway area that was closed due to the mudslides? Are there alternate routes to the InterAmerican highway route by bus? I really appreciate posting of any current information.

08-Sep-2010 06:37
ramilicious

last reply
08-Sep-2010 09:10
LanSluder

2 replies
31 views
location: Belize

Sunscreen

How available is sunscreen in Belize? I don't intend to check bags, so with the insane TSA rules, this makes bringing enough sunscreen for 10 days impossible. I've read that sunscreen is "expensive" in CA... how expensive?

08-Sep-2010 06:14
westbrook

last reply
08-Sep-2010 09:24
SoloHobo

3 replies
53 views
location: Costa Rica

Spanish study and Volunteer Work ASAP

I am trying to plan a trip in November and December to Costa Rica. I am going to quit my job in the States to learn Spanish and do some volunteering. I need to do make the plans quickly and cheaply, but most importantly I want to be as efficient as possible (even if it costs more).

Questions:

1. What is the best, most efficient Spanish language program in Costa Rica? There seem to be a million options with a variety of different programs and prices.
2. Do I need to get a visa to travel and study in Costa Rica? Can I buy a one way plane ticket?
3. Would I be smarter to go in January if it means I can stay longer?
4. Should I go with the housing provided by/recommended by the Spanish language school?
5. How easy is it to find aid organizations once you are there or should that already be arranged when planning the trip?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I nee... more »

08-Sep-2010 04:13
evanrossmiller

last reply
08-Sep-2010 04:13
evanrossmiller

0 replies
13 views
location: Nicaragua

Language School in Leon

Hi. My friend and are heading to Nicaragua next week and we want to take a few weeks of Spanish classes in Leon. Has anyone had good experiences with a particular language school there and with specific teachers at that school. Also if anyone has advice on cheap accomodations for while we are there that would be great.

thanks,
evan

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