Messages: 122,945 - Threads: 20,226
posted
19-Jun-2008 15:30
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
23-Dec-2008 10:00
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
,
6,090
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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...
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posted
23-Jun-2005 22:17
by:
juan3 »
last reply
29-Nov-2009 13:23
by:
paulschmidtart »
53
replies
,
71,314
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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...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 11:41
by:
ComeToPanama »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:41
by:
ComeToPanama »
0
replies
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15
views
location: Panama
First of all, I would like to encourage all people who have more information to add their comments to this thread. There are always different sides to all this kind of information, so if anyone seriously disagrees with what is here, feel free to add on. The more information the better...especially if you have actually done this hike in the last month or so. This thread is not meant to cause a huge controversy. As my mom says...eat the chicken, spit out the bones!
From what we have heard first hand from our guests who have hiked this trail alone is that it's considered to be quite treacherous but doable, depending on the condition of the hiker. Parts of the trail are washed away and hard to follow. There are moments when you could feel lost and not be sure which way to walk. This would be worse if the weather up there is bad. It could be necessary to wade through certain ri...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 11:13
by:
scubatravel »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 12:31
by:
eddie964 »
2
replies
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26
views
location: Belize
We are planning a trip to Belize for 10-12 days in mid-March. We are 3 young couples and we would like to divide our time between the jungle/ruins and the beaches/scuba diving,
So far, our initial itinerary includes flying into Belize City and immediately heading down to San Ignacio for 3-4 nights for kayaking, hiking, caving, mountain biking..etc. A day trip or maybe overnight trip to Tikal/Flores is also a must! Then we plan to travel to either Caye Caulker or Caye Ambergris for some relaxing beach time and scuba diving. We would definitely like to dive the Blue Hole, possible even do a live-aboard if it is an option!
Here is where advice is needed!
Are there any other must see stops that we are missing on our itinerary?
Any recommended accomodations at any of our stops?? I always find the most memorable accomodations are from word of mouth!
How long is the drive from Belize...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 11:12
by:
scubatravel »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:12
by:
scubatravel »
0
replies
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14
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We are planning a trip to Belize for 10-12 days in mid-March. We are 3 young couples and we would like to divide our time between the jungle/ruins and the beaches/scuba diving,
So far, our initial itinerary includes flying into Belize City and immediately heading down to San Ignacio for 3-4 nights for kayaking, hiking, caving, mountain biking..etc. A day trip or maybe overnight trip to Tikal/Flores is also a must! Then we plan to travel to either Caye Caulker or Caye Ambergris for some relaxing beach time and scuba diving. We would definitely like to dive the Blue Hole, possible even do a live-aboard if it is an option!
Here is where advice is needed!
Are there any other must see stops that we are missing on our itinerary?
Any recommended accommodations at any of our stops?? I always find the most memorable accommodations are from word of mouth!
How long is the drive from Beli...
more »
posted
01-Dec-2009 08:49
by:
cmonajemi »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 08:49
by:
cmonajemi »
0
replies
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13
views
location: Guatemala
Hi Everyone,
I'll be on Guatemala City on Christmas Day (around 12:00PM). I'll be heading to Antigua right away. Do you think there are collectivos available on Christmas Day at the airport? Would it be safer to find a private pick-up before hand? Does anyone know a Travel Agency that can porvide pick-up at the airport?
Thanks.
posted
01-Dec-2009 07:31
by:
plumboy »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 07:31
by:
plumboy »
0
replies
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8
views
location: Costa Rica
I'm chartering a plane to Sirena from Puerto Jimenez on DECEMBER 9TH, Wednesday, at approximately 1 PM and am looking for folks to come with and share the cost of the flight.
The cost of the flight is $400, to be split by the number of people on board (but make me an offer, and we can talk).
I'll be leaving Sirena by foot on the morning of December 11th, via La Leona and Carate.
For very detailed information about what to expect from the hike, the trails and the park in general, you can check out this website: http://www.corcovadoguide.com/
I can provide more detail to anyone who might be interested. Please email me at casatraveler@gmail.com if interested.
Thanks,
Robert
posted
01-Dec-2009 07:22
by:
cltorpie »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 07:22
by:
cltorpie »
0
replies
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13
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location: Costa Rica
Hey!
My boyfriend and are searching for good tour outfit (or a guide to hire) to do some trekking thorugh the rainforest w/o spending thousands of dollars. We're only looking to do 3 or 4 days hiking/trekking but the only thing I seem to be able to find are really expensive tour companies. We are looking for something more basic and down to earth.
We're totally open to the region as long as there is some good dense rainforest/cloud forest hiking involved! We're looking for a guide or an organization to go with as we don't want to strike out on our own with the camping and its always nice to meet people too!
Thanks in advance for the advice!!
posted
01-Dec-2009 06:26
by:
Phil2012 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 12:26
by:
oceania26 »
1
replies
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20
views
location: Costa Rica
Is a sleeping sack recommended for CA...flying to CR first and only want to take one backpack...only want to take essentials, but will first be using budget hostels/dorms...any recommendations? Thanks.
posted
01-Dec-2009 06:08
by:
pizo »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:32
by:
Stuart333 »
7
replies
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110
views
location: Panama
A couple friends and I went sailing last week in the San Blas/ Kuna Yala and while it was incredibly relaxing and very enjoyable I'm wondering if our experience is the same others have had and want to warn others about our sailing experience.
We booked through our hostel (Mamallena - they couldn't have been more helpful or friendly, they were really great, I highly recommend the place) and since there were only 3 of us we were hooked up with a couple other girls for the trip, so 5 girls altogether. The islands were incredible, bright blue waters, picture perfect islands (from afar anyway, up close they are covered in trash which is sad) really lovely.
The boat is run by an American guy as are most of the boats in the San Blas from what he told us. He seemed like a nice enough guy, he's been in the area for years now from what he says but I started taking everything he sai...
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posted
01-Dec-2009 05:30
by:
blazer123 »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 05:30
by:
blazer123 »
0
replies
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16
views
How is the local colectivo/chicken bus system along the Pacific coast of Guatemala?
posted
01-Dec-2009 04:32
by:
nzlauren »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 12:15
by:
maliante »
4
replies
,
72
views
location: Panama
Hola fellow travelers,
Can anyone recommend a nice, clean, safe hostel in Panama City? I am planning on just spending one day and two nights in the City before I catch my flight home. I would like to explore Casco Viejo during that one day while I am there but am a little weary to stay in Casco Viejo because I have heard it is not the safest place. A friend suggested Luna´s Castle? Or I have heard Via Argentina in El Congrejo is a safe place to stay...
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Muchas gracias!
posted
30-Nov-2009 23:19
by:
subrsrini »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 23:49
by:
qwovadis »
2
replies
,
35
views
hi,
my wife and i land in san jose on 28th dec 20.30 hours. we fly out on 10th jan.
we like to do hikes- max-day trips, preferable 5-6hours, rafting, zipwire.
beach - just laze around. cannot swim. like to see turtles as well.
so our trip at this moment
29th dec- leave for manuel antonio.
1st jan leave for tamarindo area- to see turtles mainly.
3rd leave for monteverde
6th leave for arenal
9th leave for sanjose.
do you think given the time it is better to hire a jeep and drive around or bus /shuttle is equally as good.
am i spending too much time in manuelo antonio. i would rather like to spend new year eve in a happening beach place.
suggestions and comments will be much appreciated
regards
sri
posted
30-Nov-2009 22:45
by:
jufr18 »
last reply
30-Nov-2009 22:45
by:
jufr18 »
0
replies
,
17
views
location: Costa Rica
These guys do lots of shuttles to and from the arenal/ la fortuna area. Has one had any experience w/ them to share? It sure as heck is more convenient to use them from Jaco to La Fortuna than too bus it back to san jose and up.
posted
30-Nov-2009 18:10
by:
sk8uno »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 09:31
by:
braxman »
3
replies
,
79
views
location: Nicaragua
My friends and I are planning a quick trip in March to either Belize or Nicaragua, and we are looking to spend about a week lounging on a beautiful beach and relaxing. Any recommendations for best beaches in Nicaragua? We are looking for the following characteristics:
(1) A sand beach, not a rocky beach. We want to be able to lay out on the sand and relax.
(2) Good for swimming.
(3) Relatively easy to get to from Managua.
(4) Has at least one good hostel.
(5) Isn't too secluded. We want a beach that we can walk to from our hostel. We would like a place with at least a small town to get to know. We don't need a crazy nightlife though.
If anyone can recommend a place that fits these characteristics, I would really appreciate it! I've been reading about SJDS...does it fit these characteristics? I'm a bit worried that it's too crazy of a town and that the beaches are...
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posted
30-Nov-2009 18:06
by:
sk8uno »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 06:17
by:
LanSluder »
2
replies
,
56
views
location: Belize
My friends and I are planning a quick trip in March to either Belize or Nicaragua, and we are looking to spend about a week lounging on a beautiful beach and relaxing. Any recommendations for best beaches in Belize? We are looking for the following characteristics:
(1) A sand beach, not a rocky beach. We want to be able to lay out on the sand and relax.
(2) Good for swimming.
(3) Relatively easy to get to from Belize City.
(4) Has at least one good hostel.
(5) Isn't too secluded. We want a beach that we can walk to from our hostel. We would like a place with at least a small town to get to know. We don't need a crazy nightlife though.
If anyone can recommend a place that fits these characteristics, I would really appreciate it!
Edited by: sk8uno
posted
30-Nov-2009 17:15
by:
thogthecaveman »
last reply
01-Dec-2009 11:32
by:
njscott63 »
18
replies
,
206
views
location: Costa Rica
Hi, this is going to be my first time leaving the country. I live in southern California and I will be flying to Costa Rica. I'm a bit overwhelmed and am not really sure where to begin. I already bought the Lonely Planet book on Costa Rica and have been reading it. I will be traveling by myself and and plan on being in Costa Rica for approximately 3 weeks. I would also like to travel as cheap as possible. Can you all help me out and give me some tips or point me in the right direction?
I think what I'm going to do is have the first couple of days booked at a hostel for when I arrive and then just start wandering around and finding places to stay as I arrive in new cities. Is this common and how most people do it? Thanks so much!
Central America: Destination information
The seven nations of Central America occupy a land area about a quarter of the size of Mexico. Despite its diminutive size, this narrow strip is a remarkably varied slice of the globe boasting an arra... more »
Central America on a Shoestring
Scale Mayan pyramids, worship the sun on palm-fringed shores and chill out in the shade of a smoldering volcano. buy it »
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