Americas - Central America
Messages: 44,823 - Threads: 5,954
May 11, 2013 6:52 PM
MrEd
last reply
May 12, 2013 5:54 PM
enroutesiglo
4 replies
219 views
location:
Costa Rica
El Sabor de Ojochal
I hear there is, was, or will be a food festival in this vicinity, but have failed to ascertain the temporal coordinates, and wheras the place is a bit off the grid, I'm a bit leary of falling in sketch sitch. I would appreciate advise from anyone qualified (that means having been to Cosa Rica).
May 11, 2013 5:27 PM
raquelita
last reply
May 11, 2013 5:27 PM
raquelita
0 replies
87 views
location:
Guatemala
Transmetro bus on a Sunday morning, Guatemala City?
I have free time from 9am til noon tomorrrow before I go to the airport. My hotel is in Zone 13 near the Los Arcos stop (green line). Where could I get off and walk around safely? Or is the natl museum of Archaelogy open then? Any details, suggestions welcome.
May 11, 2013 3:59 PM
LeinsterMel
last reply
May 18, 2013 7:00 AM
MrSoS
7 replies
341 views
location:
Nicaragua
Onwards from Managua airport
Hi everyone,
I'm flying into Managua in a couple of weeks. I've travelled extensively in the past but this is my first time solo, so I'd appreciate any guidance!
I'm arriving into Managua airport after 8pm at night, and am not planning to explore Managua and would ideally like to head straight for Leon. Would it be better to get a place to stay in Managua for the first night and make my way up to Leon in daylight, or is it possible (and safe) to get a bus or taxi to Leon from the airport?
Any suggestions/tips would be appreciated!
Mel
May 11, 2013 3:09 PM
ElAguila
last reply
May 15, 2013 1:19 PM
ElAguila
13 replies
377 views
location:
Guatemala
Traditional Mayan Q'eqchi' Ceremony in Peten
I've spent quite a bit of time recently meeting indigenous people in Guatemala and Belize, and I'm flying back to Flores again, planning to arrive on May 17 or 18. There will be a traditional Mayan Ceremony to ask for blessings for Life for all humanity; for a good Harvest of the seeds since May is the month of seeding; for Peace and Love for all humanity; and for continuing success in growing their project to build a school for the rescue and the preservation of the Maya Q’eqchi’ culture. This traditional ceremony and sacred Maya offering will be held at a ceremonial site in a rural area in the hillside outside of San Luis in Southwestern Peten. The ceremony will take place from May 20 through May 22, and will be attended by many indigenous Maya and their spiritual leaders from all around Guatemala and Mayan villages in neighboring Belize. I have been given permission by the organiz... more »
May 10, 2013 9:58 PM
yorgos
last reply
May 11, 2013 7:21 PM
yorgos
6 replies
260 views
location:
Honduras
San Pedro Sula-Livingston-Quirigua-Copan route
My gf lands in San Pedro Sula at 3pm. I will have already spent a day there and I do not wish to spend another night. Our plan is to visit Livingston, take the boat to Rio Dulce, visit Quirigua and visit Copan too, in the minimum time possible.
Questions:
a) Landing at 3pm in SAP I understand there is no way we can cross the border with Guatemala the same day, right? What do you suggest, could we get to Omoa? Or just take it for granted we spend the night in SAP and the next day take a bus to Puerto whatever and then get to Livingston?
b) LAnding at 3pm in SAP...is there a way we can be in Copan the same evening? Is there bus service say at 5pm? Is it safe?
c) From Quirigua to Copan Ruinas. Possible in one day? How many hours would it take? Is there something like a shuttle bus?
May 10, 2013 8:56 PM
robbo15
last reply
May 15, 2013 6:36 AM
MrEd
7 replies
321 views
location:
Guatemala
Transport to Semuc Champney
Keen to go to Semuc Champney but not sure how. Also want to avoid chicken buses as I hear they're dangerous? Any tips/advice on this most appreciated.
May 10, 2013 8:53 PM
teamflames
last reply
May 15, 2013 6:17 AM
miamimikechitre
6 replies
374 views
location:
Panama
Review: Darien Gapster/San Blas Adventures
also posted in Colombia forum
After travelling through South America for more than a year we recently had to find our way into Central America, many people had recommended a sailing trip through the San Blas as an exciting way to get to Panama. In Cartagena we stayed at Mama Llena hostel which has plenty of information on the yachts that make the crossing and after meeting lots of people who had done the trip the other way we decided we were not particularly excited about the 2 day open sea crossing with the majority of people reporting heavy sea sickness. I had come across the website the Darien Gapster which does an alternative trip from Capurgana up near the border with Panama. So we sat down with their representative who works in the same hostel and got a bit more information. We could not find a lot of info on the web but what we did seemed to be mostly positive. We liked the id...
more »
May 10, 2013 11:23 AM
JackieLala
last reply
May 18, 2013 7:10 PM
likeeveryoneelse
15 replies
541 views
location:
Nicaragua
Highly Recommended Taxi Driver Out of Granada
I just wanted to let you guys know about a taxi driver I recently hired just a few weeks ago (April 2013). I needed to get from Granada to Managua, stop at a hotel and drop off bags, then continue to Estelí (in the highlands), stop there for a few hours, and then go back to the hotel in Managua. I had heard that $80 from Managua to Estelí was the going rate for taxis (one way) and that I wouldn't find anything cheaper (nicaliving.com), which is why I'm excited to tell you about my new taxi find:
Transportes González
Luis González
Cell phone: 8579-9147
He advertises "Viajes a cualquier parte de Nicaragua" which means trips to anywhere in Nicaragua. We found him through our amazing hotel owner Katya Najlis at Hotel Terrasol in Granada. She arranged our entire trip, exactly how I wanted it, for just USD $125 TOTAL. Amazing, right?
Luis was a very cautious driver, not too slow...
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May 10, 2013 11:14 AM
petersketer
last reply
May 13, 2013 7:09 AM
MrSoS
7 replies
270 views
location:
Nicaragua
Five days in Nicaragua, where to go?
I have some time off of work and found a super cheap ticket into Managua next week. Flight lands at 1:00 pm and from then have four days to hang. Looking to surf and hang on the beach but would rather not be in an over crowded place like SJDS sounds to be like. Any recommendations for a chill little surf town that's easy to get to and not super touristy?
Thanks!
May 10, 2013 10:07 AM
acadiaphile
last reply
May 13, 2013 1:26 PM
hermosajoe
7 replies
254 views
location:
Costa Rica
Help me figure out which Monteverde canopy tour/zip line I used?
I visited Costa Rica in 1997 and enjoyed a great canopy tour/zip line trip while in Monteverde. I'm hoping somebody who has been there more recently can help me remember which operator it was. As I recall, it was off the main road. We then traveled a bit (by van?) and hiked a bit to the base of a big tree. The base of the tree was open and the interior was of the tree trunk was covered with cargo netting/ladders. We climbed up inside the tree to an opening which put us on a platform from which we were hooked onto the zip line. From there, we traveled from one tree/platform to another, gradually passing through the canopy.
Does this sound familiar to anybody? I wouldn't be surprised if the tree is long gone now, but I was hoping to return there with my 9 and 11 y.o. daughters this summer. (Apparently my description of the set up made them think of Winnie the Pooh.)
Thanks in adv...
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May 10, 2013 9:52 AM
acadiaphile
last reply
May 13, 2013 10:45 AM
racandee
2 replies
135 views
location:
Costa Rica
Advice for using SANSA website?
The place where we're staying gave us instructions on how to use their travel agent credentials to get a discount flying on SANSA (one of the regional air carriers in Costa Rica). After failure on a PC, I managed to log in on a Mac (no snickers!). But once in, the system reported no flights were available on the dates requested--yet if I try to make the reservations using the main SANSA site, or Kayak, or by phone, the flights are available.
While I wait for a response form the folks who offered the initial information, I'm hoping another savvy traveler might have some useful advice.
Thanks in advance!
May 10, 2013 9:37 AM
summonsy
last reply
May 18, 2013 4:47 PM
abuelafromGranada
5 replies
244 views
location:
Guatemala
Belize City - Guatemala - Belize City in 11 days
Hi, bit of a travel dilemma. I'm travelling for a total of two months and long story short, I fly from Punta Gorda, Belize to Belize City. I then have 11 days before flying from Belize City back home to London. I will have already spent 10 days on Caye Caulker/San Pedro, some time up in the north at Orange Walk Town and Sarteneja, and 4 weeks down south in Punta Gorda. (i.e. have definitely spent enough time in Belize by then!)
I really want to travel to San Ignacio (easy from Bz City) and do ATM there. I then would like to go to Tikal/Flores. However, that won't really 'use up' 11 days of my time, but I also need time to get back to Bz City for my flight home. I've heard incredible things about Antigua, but I don't know if it's too far to get there and back to Belize City via Guatemala City? I've also heard great things about Samuc Champey, but again, San Ignacio/Flores/SC won't u...
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May 10, 2013 7:58 AM
JISNA
last reply
May 12, 2013 11:48 AM
kevinberg53
3 replies
131 views
location:
Nicaragua
Can anyone recommend a Dentist / Endodontist in Managua
Hi there I will be visiting Managua soon. Potentially I may need the attentions of a dentist / endodontist.
My Spanish is limited.
Does anyone have a recommendation.... Tx
May 10, 2013 6:35 AM
Ricin_Beans
last reply
May 12, 2013 8:19 AM
Ricin_Beans
9 replies
262 views
Kerouacesque road trip down south
Consider if you will, an aging hippie who has never been to outside the US. He wishes to broaden his horizons to exotic regions. Perhaps he should start with by dropping in on his neighors to the south?
Considering this, I have envisioned a Kerouacesque road trip from Colorado to Colombia and back. Is this possible in 9 weeks this September? Isnt the weather harsh then?
We plan on purchasing a VW Vanagon and camping. Will border crossings be a hassle? what's with the security situation, I mean like will locals always be trying to rip us? And how do they take to public displays of affection between men?
And how bad is the vermin situation down there? Will we be constantly beset by scorpions, tarantulas, gila monsters and such? What is the best way to deal with encounters with the denizens of jungle and desert?
Lastly, would anyone like to join us? We have room for one m...
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Prepaid phone cards in Central America
Hello,
I am travelling Central America from June to Spetember this year. I would like to buy a phone card in each country so I can do local calls to guest houses / travel agencies and send and recieve short messages from Germany. If it is affordable an internet flat-rate would also be great.
Is it easy and affordable to buy a phone card in these countries? Where can I by one (airport/supermarket/internet cafe)?
I know Central America is not a single country ;-), so every advice on any of the countries (including Mexico) will be appreciated!
Thank you,
Philipp
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