Messages: 122,545 - Threads: 20,175
posted
19-Jun-2008 15:30
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
23-Dec-2008 10:00
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
,
6,060
views
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 »
posted
23-Jun-2005 22:17
by:
juan3 »
last reply
17-Nov-2009 03:49
by:
paulschmidtart »
53
replies
,
71,023
views
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 »
posted
27-Nov-2009 16:33
by:
pgincr »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 16:33
by:
pgincr »
0
replies
,
9
views
location: Costa Rica
Big frozen one in Auto Mercado Plaza Mayor in San Jose, what a shame to see this kind of cruelty. Here some of us we try to spare them all.
Bon appetit.
posted
27-Nov-2009 14:22
by:
wildwind2004 »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 14:22
by:
wildwind2004 »
0
replies
,
20
views
location: Panama
I am looking for a hostel with wifi internet in peaceful location where I can walk to a swimming hole, likely with a small cascade, and hopefully a peaceful walk thru the mountains. there may only be one location that suits the bill.
In Costa Rica, Uvita Toucan hostel in southern CR is exactly as described above. La Fortuna in CR also works, but has a crowded swim hole and less peaceful hiking than does Uvita. (Hiking the volcano at La Fortuna tends to have a lot of people on one trail, versus the road/trail from Uvita which leads to several large waterfalls/swimming holes and has no one else as it is largely undiscovered by tourists.)
La fortuna does have a much better nightlife.
However, I can go on vacation only if i can bring my work with me and work via the internet. It works out great because I work till 2pm and can hike and swim the rest of the day.
But it ...
more »
posted
27-Nov-2009 13:38
by:
thebigez »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 13:38
by:
thebigez »
0
replies
,
14
views
location: Panama
I am going to Boquete and am interested in hiking up Volcan Baru. I've seen on this forum that some people have done it by themselves and others have used a guide. I only see the big tour group guides when I search online, which cost $75-$100 per person for a hike. Are there cheaper, independent guides available in Boquete? How might one find or contact them?
posted
27-Nov-2009 13:34
by:
thebigez »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 13:34
by:
thebigez »
0
replies
,
11
views
location: Panama
I am headed to Bocas del Toro and was wondering how late the water taxis are available at night. If I want to stay out and experience the night life, do I need to stay on the main island or are there water taxis available to hotels and hostels on other islands until midnight or later?
posted
27-Nov-2009 12:22
by:
Onion »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 12:22
by:
Onion »
0
replies
,
15
views
location: Panama
Sirs.
I am planning to go with my family to Panama.
I am planning to be three days on Panama, but I will l ike to stay in the historical center. I need a minimum 4 star hotel with internet. Can anhybody recommend a good one and can anybody tell me if the historical center of Panama is safe?
Also, I will like to see typical caribbean see (white beaches with turquoise water). Can anybody recommend a beach? I saw Punta Caracol but hotels are 400 plus. I will like to spend around 100 USD. A rental of appartment can be good, cant it?
Your help will be very well appreciated.
Jose Antonio.
posted
27-Nov-2009 11:47
by:
myownlittleworld »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 11:47
by:
myownlittleworld »
0
replies
,
24
views
Just to let everyone know:
My guidebook reckons that Altagracia is the best place to be on Omotepe. Well, perhaps that is sometimes the case, but right now they have bulldozed and dug up the entire main plaza, and since we're talking about a tiny little village here, that's a lot of the town. Wouldn't recommend it at the moment as such. Perhaps when they've finished someone else can update this thread.
Also, just want to mention, as objectively as possible, a bad guiding experience I had today. I stayed at Hotel Castillo, and immediately was approached by one of the younger family members, William, who wanted to be a guide for us around one of the volcanos. He charged a high price ($20 - should be half that, and he originally quoted double that) and we were going to go to the south of the island instead, but he made a very emotional plea (University, pregnant girlfriends et...
more »
posted
27-Nov-2009 11:44
by:
myownlittleworld »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 11:44
by:
myownlittleworld »
0
replies
,
11
views
Just to let everyone know:
My guidebook reckons that Altagracia is the best place to be on Omotepe. Well, perhaps that is sometimes the case, but right now they have bulldozed and dug up the entire main plaza, and since we're talking about a tiny little village here, that's a lot of the town. Wouldn't recommend it at the moment as such. Perhaps when they've finished someone else can update this thread.
Also, just want to mention, as objectively as possible, a bad guiding experience I had today. I stayed at Hotel Castillo, and immediately was approached by one of the younger family members, William, who wanted to be a guide for us around one of the volcanos. He charged a high price ($20 - should be half that, and he originally quoted double that) and we were going to go to the south of the island instead, but he made a very emotional plea (University, pregnant girlfriends et...
more »
posted
27-Nov-2009 11:06
by:
lizzyjp »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 11:06
by:
lizzyjp »
0
replies
,
15
views
location: Guatemala
Hi
I will be travelling in Guatemala in December and am planning my itinerary. I wondered if anyone can advise how public transport is affected by Christmas, are buses running normally? Thanks, Lizzy
posted
27-Nov-2009 11:04
by:
lizzyjp »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 11:04
by:
lizzyjp »
0
replies
,
12
views
location: Honduras
Hi
I will be on Utila island over new year and would like a recommendation for budget accommodation (around US $10 - 15 a night) as my guide book does not have many helpful suggestions! I would prefer a hostel environment as I am travelling alone so that would make it easier to meet people.
Thanks, Lizzy
posted
27-Nov-2009 10:28
by:
wanderwander »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 16:17
by:
pgincr »
6
replies
,
93
views
location: Costa Rica
I was planning to go to Peru for the holidays, but it's looking like it may be out of my budget. The plan B is Costa Rica, but can't decide if it's really worth the premium cost right now...
Costa Rica seems to offer beautiful beaches, birds, jungle & nature (which i like) but it seems like less variety of things to see culturally compared to Peru (i.e. no ancient ruins, cool villages, traditional markets, good food, etc) I might be completely off-base, but i hate to spend $1,000+ 12 hour flights, just to hang out on beaches and zip line through the jungle...(i'm looking for more of a trip vs an expensive, chill/beach vacation)
Could someone (who has been both places) please give me the scoop? Thank you.
posted
27-Nov-2009 08:39
by:
vicnkate »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 08:39
by:
vicnkate »
0
replies
,
15
views
We'd like to travel from Coban to Sacpulas by bus. It seems most people travel to Sacpulas from S.C. del Quiche, or are heading eastward from Huehue. Does anyone know the schedule of buses westward from Coban? Is there another mode of transportation available? Our eventual destination is Nebaj. Thanks in advance.
posted
27-Nov-2009 06:42
by:
dreadhead »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 12:14
by:
chicachapina »
4
replies
,
47
views
I know it's the rainy season but August is the only time I can go to Central America. Is the rain going to totally limit my activities? I've read that it should be fine, only raining a couple hours during the day.
I will be in Panama, CR, and Nicaragua for 6 to 7 weeks.
I'm looking for positive feedback please.
Cheers
posted
27-Nov-2009 03:43
by:
miamimikeshostel »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 03:43
by:
miamimikeshostel »
0
replies
,
18
views
location: Panama
The hamlet of Las Minas in Herrera Province;in the heart of the Azuero Peninsula will honor the village patron saint,Santa Barbara with a grand party!Music,dancing and lots of Seco rum! A very authentic,old Spanish Colonial style party...
posted
27-Nov-2009 02:38
by:
slightlygingerman »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 13:39
by:
hopefulist »
1
replies
,
39
views
location: Guatemala
Hi everyone,
We are two people looking for a rainforest trip in guatemala probably in the north around tikal. We'd like to spend a few nights in the forest exploring, hiking, swimming and learning about the wildlife and Mayan history and culture. We're happy for it to be as adventorous as possible so long as we get to see wildlife and of course Tikal. Also, including cloud forest would be a bonus too. Expert, knowledgeable guides are an absolute must.
We have about 5-7 days for this trip depending on the itinerary.
Does anybody have any recommendations of trips they've been on that they would like to pass on. I've tried various websites but these are just foreign tour operators in the main and we'd rather spend our money locally if possible.
Any help or advice you could give would be much appreciated.
Cheers people
posted
27-Nov-2009 01:47
by:
zatrjuje »
last reply
27-Nov-2009 12:36
by:
chicachapina »
2
replies
,
60
views
location: Panama
Hi,
As my wife and I are traveling to panama late Dec an Jan and plan to stay mostly at beaches (Bocas, San Blas,...) and we were wondering if it is needed to take drugs for malaria.
I pose this question as I have heared from many that there can be nasty side effects to these drugs and would try to avoid them if possible. Of course we will take a moscito net, repelent and...
We would appriciate any suggestions or if needed which drugs have been proven as least problematic.
Thanx
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 »
Booking hotels is simple with Lonely Planet. See our reviewed and recommended hotels and book online.
Tweak your wanderlust
With you all the way
Tweets, feeds and more
Go behind the scenes
Travel inspiration to your door
© 2009 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.
