Americas - Central America

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Dec 20, 2012 1:08 PM
kyrral1

last reply
Jan 18, 2013 9:24 AM
steve486435

18 replies
823 views
location: Guatemala

Pages 1 2

Any suggestions on the best beer? best coffee?

Beer to drink there and coffee to take home. Is ice readily available.

Dec 20, 2012 12:54 PM
kyrral1

last reply
Jan 17, 2013 8:21 AM
gabor2k12

5 replies
568 views
location: Guatemala

Are there any active (red lava) volcanos

Anything close enough to Antigua for a day trip?

Dec 20, 2012 12:52 PM
Debran

last reply
Dec 22, 2012 9:25 AM
Jirijirimo

17 replies
756 views
location: Costa Rica

Pages 1 2

Leisurely driving along the coast

For part of our trip in a couple of months we will be driving from accommodations in Playa Flamingo to Santa Teresa. On yourtravelmap.com it seems to want you to go inshore quite a bit, but it definitely looks possible along the coast. I’m sure it adds more in time (5+ hrs. v. 7+ hrs?) Basically I’m wondering if any of this drive, be it from Playa Junquillal to Nosara, or Playa Samara to Santa Teresa, is it worth the time and effort to drive part of this travel day along the coast.

Dec 20, 2012 12:38 PM
Musafir01

last reply
Jan 23, 2013 2:00 PM
voluneergirl

3 replies
414 views
location: Nicaragua

Cigar Factory Tour in Esteli

While on a day trip to Esteli, I want to visit a cigar factory. Can anyone suggest me one which doesn't require an advance reservation.

Edited by: Musafir01

Dec 20, 2012 10:05 AM
PurpleRose87

last reply
Jan 11, 2013 11:17 AM
RayitoG

14 replies
802 views
location: Nicaragua

Best way to make payment on property sale

We were wondering what would be the best way to make the payment for a property in Nicaragua since our funds are abroad. Can transactions/ transfers be made or do we need to open an account in one of the Nica banks? What is the safest way to go about this???

Dec 20, 2012 10:02 AM
gallagher3939

last reply
Jan 19, 2013 8:03 PM
emta23

6 replies
426 views
location: Costa Rica

two months

starting a sabbatical in Montezuma...plan on a week there and moving on...
that's where you'll come in...recommendations?
Would like to hike, bike, learn how to surf...
Not in bad shape but the years have taken it toll on my knees so nothing to crazy...

Ruins would be fun would prefer things off the beaten path...

Look forward to your sugestions

Traveling to other countries is definitely an option...give me a reason to go ;o)

Dec 20, 2012 7:27 AM
woowoo83

last reply
Dec 22, 2012 6:48 AM
elmerfuddlightk...

12 replies
744 views

West Coast USA

Hi,

I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to the West Coast next October, it will be my and partner and we are both 30. Our initial plan is looking something like this:

Fly into San Francisco - 4 nights here
Hire a car - drive down to San Luis Obipso for 1 night
San Diego - 2 nights
LA - 4/5 nights
Vegas - 4/5 nights
Grand Canyon - 1 night (may just do a helicopter trip from Vegas price depending)
Yosemite - 1 night
Back to San Francisco

I was wondering if anyone thought it would be worth visiting Reno on the way back to SF? My partner thought there wasn't much point after going to Vegas, I would be interested in any opinions, and also on our rough plan. We have up to 3 weeks to spend on the trip and excluding flights and car hire we would be looking at a budget of around £2500 for the both of us.

Dec 20, 2012 6:50 AM
Zoolou

last reply
Dec 21, 2012 4:17 PM
wiremu

4 replies
495 views
location: Costa Rica

Itinerary, accommodation and getting around

I posted a while ago when first planning this trip. The itinerary is coming together, but if anyone has any advice based on what we've currently got planned it would be welcome.

We arrive 21st Jan:

First night Alajuela (flight arrives quite late)
Public bus to Bijagua for 2 nights near Tenorio
Public bus to La Fortuna for 2 nights near Arenal
Jeep-boat-jeep travel to Monteverde for 2 nights
Shuttle to Montezuma/Mal Pais for 4 nights
Final night back in Alajuela (fly early next morning)

General opinions welcome, plus any answers to:

1. Do we need to book all our accommodation in advance at this time of year?
2. Is there anywhere that really stands out that you'd recommend to stay in any of these places? The only place we've booked so far is La Carolina Lodge near Tenorio and this is at the top end of our budget ($75pp). Everywhere else we'd be looking for something ... more »

Dec 20, 2012 5:30 AM
adventure35

last reply
Dec 20, 2012 5:03 PM
chefhagan

3 replies
240 views

Flights from Panama to Lima

Hi Guys, need some advice. Im arriving in Panama city Central America on the 17th March next year and plan to stay for around 4 days and then i have to book a flight to Lima South America. Looking at prices online now and its around 360euro do you think I should book now or wait till I get to Panama????

Thanks

Dec 20, 2012 2:57 AM
ronys

last reply
Feb 17, 2013 3:21 AM
BOOMER1

8 replies
506 views
location: Costa Rica

Which camera to take

Hello
Me and my wife will be travelling in CR in January for 3 weeks, we will be travelling around with a rented car, mostly in nature reserves. Because of the robbery warnings I haven't decided yet which camera to take; the Nikon D300 + Nikon 18-200 or canon G12. Not worried about the weight of the D300 but the d300 with the 18-200 is much more noticeable than the G12.
Please your recommendations
Thanks
Rony

Dec 19, 2012 6:41 PM
doylejc

last reply
Jan 19, 2013 7:57 PM
emta23

4 replies
1,302 views
location: Costa Rica

2 weeks of solo travel in Costa Rica after studying

Hey Lonely Planet,

I have learned a lot from previous threads, but seeing as there are about 35,000 of them, I have not gotten through them all. So I apologize if I am asking questions that have already been answered.

I am planning to study abroad in Costa Rica from June to July of 2013. During my studies I will live in a quiet rural town with a host family as I learn Spanish and participate in health care-related community service and studies. Afterwards I would love to travel around Costa Rica for a couple of weeks before heading home. I will be travelling by myself and am looking to plan a trip in which I can let loose, relax, and enjoy beaches/beautiful scenery/wildlife after two months of working hard and being somewhat isolated. So far Montezuma and Puerto Viejo sound like towns I would like to visit but I am open to other suggestions as well (keep in mind that I will know... more »

Dec 19, 2012 4:51 PM
likeeveryoneelse

last reply
Dec 20, 2012 9:04 PM
markharf

8 replies
726 views
location: Nicaragua

exchanging venezuelan currency

im moving to nicaragua next week. My friend went to venezuela recently, and got a bunch of cash. When he left the country they refused to exchange it back to US dollars. When he got back to the US, the US told him there was an embargo or whatever, and its illegal to exchange venezuelan money in the US.
Does anyone know if this ban is all over? could i bring it with to Nicaragua and exchange it for cordobas there? There is literally thousands of US dollars worth of venezuelan money here, and it would come in handy to be able to exchange it there if possible.

Is there any way to find out ahead of time?

Dec 19, 2012 2:41 PM
paulwhiterock

last reply
Dec 21, 2012 1:54 PM
elmerfuddlightk...

10 replies
421 views

Solo Christmas in Antigua or Atitlan

Will be there solo..any suggestion for meetings, parties or just hanging out..Nice place to stay? I am on my way to
Meet a good friend in Panama City Dec 28 or 29..wish fly out of Gratis city direct...any tips or ideas??
Any info mucho appreciated
Paul

Dec 19, 2012 1:52 PM
nns415

last reply
Dec 21, 2012 6:44 AM
elmerfuddlightk...

2 replies
292 views
location: Belize

Lamanai

Anyone have any recommendations on tours from San Pedro to Lamanai. I've called a few places and its about $150/person.
Any recommendations on tour groups from San Pedro would be great.
Thanks

Dec 19, 2012 12:45 PM
ayjain

last reply
Dec 19, 2012 5:50 PM
SoloHobo

7 replies
1,422 views

First time costa rica itinerary 10 days..suggestions?

tentative schedule : also any interesting thigns to do in the areas mentioned that are not written in the schedule. esp in la fortuna I am always open to suggestions! =)

Day 1- fly into liberia..if possible fly to tambor
day 2- Montezuma, or Maipais, Or santa Teresa (do waterfalls, atving, beaches)
day 3 - "
day 4- fly out to Drake Bay..
day 6 - Cano island snorkeling ( have been seeing this is closed..is it still closed in early january)
day 7-th dolphin swimming maybe.. if in morning can fly out in afternoon (costacetacea- company by Shawn Larkin or divine dolphin ) ....or if there is a late evening flight..fly back to arenal
day 8 ..arenal (either day before or early morning) arenal volcano tour, la fortuna waterfall
janaury 6th- river rafting, maybe hot springs in afternoon
january 7-th canyoneering/rapelling , head back to liberia
jan 8- return flight

thank ... more »

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