Thorn Tree travel forum

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:

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Pros and cons Malpais-Puerto Viejo

Still trying to decide which coast for February surf trip with son. We want waves, beach bars and lively towns to stroll around at night.
Malpais Pros:
Great surf year round, uncrowded
Great weather, no rain
Plenty of cheap hostels
Montezuma close by
Cons:
Dusty and dry
Tom and Gisele live there
town set back from beach
very spread out
there is a hotel that costs $400 a night
Puerto Viejo:
Great surf in Feb
plenty of cheap hostels
cheap, good eats
day trips close by
beach bars
can bike anywhere except to Bocas
cons:
rain
localism in the lineup
crackheads

amatuer night in san joey

A very happy not crappy new year to all!
just seeking an activity (even the wholesome type, parades, festivities, bull jumping er whatever) can it be that the fiesta san pedro is all of this.. or anyone know anything else to do for a celebration in the central valley this year?
gracias beebo

Transportation while in Nicaragua

My husband and I will be traveling for the first time to Nicaragua in March 2010 for one week and are looking to visit 2-3 locations while there. This question is related to how we should get around once in Nicaragua. Initially, I assumed that we would rent an 4x4 and drive ourselves. However, I've heard quite a bit about issues that arise when driving in Nicaragua that is causing us to reconsider our mode of transportation.

The first problem is that we do not speak Spanish. For a traveler with language barrier issues is it better to self drive, use the bus system, taxis or arrange private shuttles?

If we drive ourselves our biggest concern is with the idea of being pulled over by Nicaraguan police and hassled when we're so severely limited with the language issues. Based on what I've read it sounds like this happens to almost everyone. Is that a gross overstatement?... more »

Pacific Coast Beach Towns

My husband and I will be traveling for the first time to Nicaragua this March 2010 for one week. We're looking for adventure travel and time on the beach. We've selected Ometepe and Cerro Negro for our adventure locations, but are still unsure of where to spend 2-3 day of beach time. We're not surfers (but may consider taking a lesson or two while there), but like to relax, enjoy the surf and sand. We'd like nice accommodations and are willing to pay $100 a night to be on the beach. We definitely want a location with some kind of small town of village within walking distance of the beach & and hotel. We've considered the following locations, but find mixed and varied reviews on each.

• Las Penitas/Poneloya - We're unsure of how "clean" or nice these beaches are as well as the accommodations in the area.

• San Juan de Sur - It sounds like we can get the accommodations...

Midrange Hotels in Montezuma?

My boyfriend and I will be Montezuma for New Years and are looking for a mid range place to stay (around $40-50/night). I keep seeing great budget places (but more for single travelers) or really expensive resorts. Anyone have any advice? (Hotel Lucy is already booked).

Gracias!

Time on the Beach in Nicaragua

Hey guys,

My husband and I will be in Nicaragua for exactly one month in January. We have been roughing it in South America and are looking forward to spending some time on the beach.

We plan to spend some time in Granada. What else would you suggest for us?

Thanks so much!

ziplining in lanquin

Hi I was curious if anyone here has ever done the ziplinning/ canopy tour offered near Lanquin (a place called "parque natural Guayaja") and if they recommend it?

Or has anyone done ziplinning near Tikal? Info and advice?

Thanks!

Antigua to Copan(visit the ruins) to La Ceiba on the same day.

Hi Guys,

I'm planning a trip to Guatemala and Honduras in January and I need your help to finalize my itinerary.

Is it possible to take a shuttle in Antigua at 4:00 AM, arrive in Copan around 9:30 AM, visit the ruins and have lunch there and than take the Hedman Alas bus at 14:30 PM to San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba.

Btw, How far is the ruins visitation site from the Bus Stop?

I'm going to Roatan afterwards and I really would prefer to catch the morning ferry on the next day.

I've been to many other Mayan sites, so I don't want to spend too much time in Copan.

Thanks in advance for your advices.