Americas - Central America
Messages: 44,782 - Threads: 5,947
May 9, 2013 5:57 AM
Great_Zamboni
last reply
May 11, 2013 6:38 PM
MrEd
11 replies
317 views
location:
Panama
buying property on pacific coast
Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone can offer information about their experience purchasing property on the pacific side of Panama. If you have any info to share I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks and happy travels....
May 8, 2013 4:07 PM
wanderingjay
last reply
May 10, 2013 11:03 AM
MrEd
13 replies
390 views
location:
Belize
Belize to Panama direct?
Our continuing wandering will soon be taking us from Tikal, Guatemala to Belize to learn to SCUBA. What we want to do after that is travel the most direct way possible to Panama in, say, early June.
We have done too many longish road trips lately and baulk at the challenge of getting from one to the other by bus. Flights seem to (all?) go via San Salvador...
Anyone know of a way of getting from Belize to Panama direct? Is there a sea route maybe?
Thanks in anticipation of your help as ever!
James
May 8, 2013 2:56 PM
dinastra
last reply
May 11, 2013 3:36 PM
dinastra
4 replies
244 views
location:
Nicaragua
Travelling out of Managua airport to San Juan Del Sur
Hi
Starting out a 17-day trip in Nicaragua by enjoying some beach time. Any recommendations of getting from the Managua airport straight to San Juan Del Sur? Is the taxi ride from the aiport to the local bus expensive?
Was looking into the private buses, but it's 40$ per person :(
Thank in advance for your help
D
May 8, 2013 11:47 AM
setphenbarnes
last reply
May 16, 2013 6:16 PM
rainboots7731
10 replies
329 views
location:
Nicaragua
Nicaragua and where
Hi we have a very short holiday in Nicaragua on an 11 night guided trip, Managua, Granada, Leon, Ometepe Island, San Juan del Sur and back to Granada. We have 4 more days before we have to return home so the question you may be able to help with is, should we travel to Costa Rica, the corn islands, the rio platano biosphere reserve or perhaps go to Honduras?
I know it's crazily short but any suggestions would be welcome
Cheers
Steve
May 8, 2013 10:44 AM
thesnaggle
last reply
May 10, 2013 5:41 AM
MrEd
39 replies
1,050 views
Central American Road Trip Help
I'm a 20 year old college student with a real fascination with central and south america. Growing up in the U.S we are very exposed to information about Europe, Asia and obviously our own history but info on our southern neighbors is scarce despite the large number of Hispanics now in the U.S. It is so mysterious to us. We see it as this land of jungles, beautiful women and white sand beaches but also one of poverty and danger. Anyways the point is I want to travel through central america next summer. I will have 2-3 of my buddies with me and we want to drive from Orlando, Florida to Texas and into Central America all the way down to Costa Rica or Panama and back. I know crazy right? We want to spend 3-4 weeks doing this. The total driving time I believe is something like 4 and a half days. Here are my questions for anyone who has ever done anything like this or who has information th... more »
May 8, 2013 8:15 AM
saramaried
last reply
May 10, 2013 7:13 AM
saramaried
7 replies
190 views
HOSTEL recommendations in Puerto Viejo :)
hola todos!
I need recommendations on Hostels/budget options in the puerto viejo area. I dont want to be too far from the village, but being a bit outside is good!
Ive heard Pagalu is good, however its in town and not as close to good swimming beaches. Then there is La Ruka, hard to find info on them but I have been to their site. Has anyone stayed in these, or ones similar?
My sister and I are young so we like to meet new people however we would rather not sleep where the party is :)
Por favor ayudame!!
Muchas Gracias
Sara D
May 8, 2013 8:13 AM
Leslienichols
last reply
May 9, 2013 2:17 AM
Leslienichols
7 replies
273 views
location:
Costa Rica
Travel between Costa Rica and Panama
Hi there,
I'm planning on going to Tortugeuro in June before moving on to Panama City. I'd like to stop off in Limon on the way down (and maybe see the sloth sanctuary between Limon and Cahuita). I've had a look around the web and on here and can see lots of information on how to get to Tortugeuro and Limon from San Jose, but not how to get in between the two. Does anybody have any advice on how to do this? What are the most convenient and cheapest ways to get from Tortuguero to Limon?
And any advice on the best way to get down to Panama City from Limon / Cahuita? I know it's relatively easy to get to Bocas from Limon but I'm meeting friends in Panama City so need to get there.
Thanks,
Leslie
May 8, 2013 4:59 AM
tongzheng316
last reply
May 15, 2013 6:39 PM
summonsy
8 replies
240 views
location:
Belize
Scenic flight of Great Blue Hole
Hi guys
We will visit Belize in this August and we will mainly stay in Caya Caulker as we are divers.
We will cross the border from Chetumal (Mexico) and skip Belize City (if possible).
We will have at least three day diving in those reef and of course a day at Great Blue Hole.
However, I notice that we have no chance at all to see the Great Blue Hole in sky, I think it looks better in this way.
If we take the boat to the Great Blue Hole, are we possible to see the whole sharp of the hole, or we can hardly feel that we are inside a hole?
What is the best way to experience the Great Blue Hole in air?
Is the inter-island flight able to fly over this hole? Or we have to pay again for a purpose-made scenic flight?
By the way, we will live in Yuma's house in Belize (haven't booked yet), how's that? If any of you are there, say hi to me! haha. (6/7 Aug - 10 Aug)
Thanks...
more »
May 8, 2013 4:18 AM
BOOMER1
last reply
May 8, 2013 6:23 AM
BOOMER1
4 replies
232 views
location:
Costa Rica
For those still concerned about malaria in Costa Rica...
This from AM Costa Rica:
"Sometimes major achievements are so low-keyed that they go unnoticed. Such is the case with Costa Rica's fight against malaria.
In 2006, there were 2,903 cases reported. This year there have been three cases. Last year there were just eight.
The Ministerio de Salud said that the country is well on the way of eliminating the disease by 2015."
Yet medical sites still show malaria as endemic and encourage you to flush toxic anti-malarials through your body when planning a short vacation. Nuts (IMO)...
May 8, 2013 12:50 AM
KEIRHJOYCE1979
last reply
May 13, 2013 10:40 AM
racandee
17 replies
390 views
HELP !!!!!!
The more I look into things the more confused I get. I've booked a flight to Cancun from Ireland on the 6th of July. I can roughly stay a month in Central America. I want to travel down the coast and then into the Guatemalan highlands and back then to copan and Bay Islands before visiting El Salvador. I have 30 days vacation.
This is my rough incinerate. What should I skip what should I include. I haven't booked my return flight yet but have I enough time to include Nicaragua and fly home from there in stead of San Salvador.
Cancun- Playa del Carmen-Tulum- Cayenne Caulker- Livingston-Rio Dulce- Tikal-Antigua-Guatemalan Highlands-Copan-Bay Islands- Playa Del Trunca ...........(Leon, Granada, Ometepe???)
have I enough time should I skip Copan and Bay Islands. I would like to visit Honduras(box ticking:)) )
May 7, 2013 7:46 PM
tmcclain4
last reply
May 8, 2013 2:31 AM
enroutesiglo
1 replies
87 views
Guetzaaltenango Chela
Our son is in San Pedro , Guatamala and wants to go to Guetzaaltenango Chela , can anyone recommend language schools there. Any other tips for this city or travel from San Pedro to Guetzaaltenango Chela ? Is Chela a lot more rainy than Antiqua? He was in Antiqua before. Thanks.
May 7, 2013 6:49 PM
littlegreenthing
last reply
May 10, 2013 4:12 AM
soniaberode
6 replies
304 views
location:
Guatemala
Planning trip Coban-Tikal-Rio Dulce-Copan
Hello everyone!
I have been browsing the internet/guidebooks/boards and have come up with a plan for a 2-3 week trip through Guatemala. I live in Panajachel and have seen the majority of Western Guatemala but am planning a loop to go through some other areas. Below is my tentative plan. Any advice on places I have gone wrong about buses and transport, or if you know of a better way of doing something, or anything amazing I have missed nearby, would be greatly appreciated! I will be with a friend and would like to keep costs as low as possibly but don't mind the occasional splurge. I like to keep things fairly low key and prefer to be away from large crowds. I am most interested in seeing all the natural wonders of Guatemala, meeting some nice people, and experiencing local communities along the way.
Places are listed in order of visit, I am not planning to reserve anything more ...
more »
May 7, 2013 2:32 PM
ibergstrom
last reply
May 13, 2013 2:43 PM
panamajack
2 replies
117 views
location:
Panama
Panama City Tour Guide/Driver
My husband and I are flying into PTY in a few weeks and arrive around 8:00 am, and then we don't have to catch our next flight until late in the afternoon. Does anyone know a great tour guide/driver who'd be willing to pick us up from the airport, show us around for a few hours, and then drop us off before our next flight? Thanks!
May 7, 2013 1:19 PM
jmccon2
last reply
May 8, 2013 10:37 AM
truenic
6 replies
267 views
location:
Belize
Transportation from San Ignacio to Caye Caulker
Hi :) Based on the suggestions provided on this forum, I've decided to stay on Cay Caulker, but I'm wondering what are my options getting from San Ignacio to Cay Caulker? I don't believe there is an airport in San Ignacio, so I'm thinking the only way is via bus or shuttle.
For the bus, would I take the bus back to Belize City and then somehow find my way to the dock for the water taxi? And what time the bus departs?
Anyone know if a shuttle runs between the dock and San Ignacio and how much it would cost?
Thanks,
Janet
May 7, 2013 11:51 AM
chloejay
last reply
May 12, 2013 2:39 PM
sugee
8 replies
312 views
location:
Costa Rica
Would love some tips for our 1 week Tamarindo-area adventure!
Me and 3 girlfriends (all age 23-24) will be flying into Liberia in early June for a week of relaxing, hopefully learning to surf, eating local food, and of course partying. We're planning on taking the local bus to Tamarindo, where we've booked a hostel for the first two nights. We only booked two nights because we want to stay flexible in case we hear of awesome things to do in other towns!
We would very much appreciate tips for must-sees (turtle hatching?), must-dos (ziplining?, etc), inexpensive but good schools/beaches to learn to surf, places to eat on a budget or even shop for groceries, bars with a good party scene, etc.
Thanks in advance everyone!
Welcome & Getting Started
Our Community Guidelines and Community FAQs will help you get started.
Businesses and commercial interests please note, this is a strictly no advertising community. Our members do not tolerate solicitation or guerilla marketing, and accounts are for travellers only.
Email: community@lonelyplanet.com with feedback or questions.
Featured Threads on This Branch
• Central America FAQs
• Where to go in Central America in September?
• How touristy is Central America?
• Corcovado National Park practicalities
• Are buses really that terrible?
Nominate the best threads in this branch by clicking on the heart icon in any thread
Join us on Facebook & Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @lonelyplanet for the best in travel tips and inspiration.
If you’re on Twitter, tag your travel related tips with #lp and we’ll share the best of them with our community of followers.
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.