Trip Reports – Central America 2007

After being back home for almost 4 months now, I have finally finished writing my trip reports. At the beginning of August 2007, I travelled through Central America and visited the following countries: Guatemala (Flores/Tikal, Antigua, Chichi, Panajachel); Honduras (Copan, San Pedro Sula, Roatan, Tegucigalpa); Nicaragua (Granada); Costa Rica (Liberia, Playas del Coco, La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo); and Panama (Bocas del Toro & Panama City).

On this 2 month trip I caught: 11 flights (3 domestic and 8 international); 9 coach rides; 11 shuttle trips; 7 chicken bus rides; and 3 boat crossings. My trip home was an epic (Panama City; Mexico City; LAX; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; home). Counting transit time, it was about 34 hours before I hit home.

The only trouble I had with aircraft was a dud turbo-prop plane back home from Sydney, Australia. After taxing to the end of the runway, it was decided to not chance any problems with this sick-sounding aircraft and the plane was changed, better safe than sorry (thanks Qantas).

My 12 trip reports contain a total of over 9,000 words including suggestions for accommodation, eating, sightseeing and travel arrangements/border crossing details.

Part 1 - Guatemala - Flores

Part 2 - Guatemala - Antigua

Part 3 - Guatemala - Lake Atitlan

Part 4 - Honduras - Copan & San Pedro Sula

Part 5 - Honduras - Roatan

Part 6 - Honduras - Roatan to Granada, Nicaragua

Part 7 - Nicaragua - Granada

Part 8 - Nicaragua - Granada to Playas del Coco, Costa Rica

Part 9 - Costa Rica - Liberia to La Fortuna

Part 10 - Costa Rica - Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro, Panama

Part 11 - Panama - Bocas del Toro

Part 12 - Panama City

Here are a few of my favourites that I highly recommend:

Favourite Breakfast – A toss up between: Kathy's Waffle House in Granada, Nicaragua; and Mario’s Rooms in Panajachel, Guatemala.

Favourite Restaurant – La Luna, Flores – innovate and fresh food, great ambience and attentive service.

Favourite Bar – Maktub'ar Cafe Jardin in Panajachel, Guatemala closely followed by Monoloco in Antigua, Guatemala.

Favourite Budget Hotel – Hotel Joluva, Nicaragua – personalised service, more of a home stay than a hotel.

Most Relaxing Town/Village – Toss up between: anywhere on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala; and Granada, Nicaragua.

Most Beautiful Sight (people) – The 100s of smiling faces and laughter of children in a small town that I passed through on the way between Panajachel and Antigua. It was the time of day when the kids had got out of school and this mass display of happiness, despite what I would imagine to be few material possessions, was really moving.

Most Beautiful Sight (animals) – An infant whale jumping out of the water right in front of the dive boat in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica.

Most Beautiful Sight (scenery) – This one is too close to call, there are heaps of really beautiful places in all the countries that I visited and trying to come up with a favourite is too difficult.

Most Beautiful Sight (culture) – Tikal, spectacular.

Most Thrilling/Exciting – Toss up between: Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala (flowing lava only metres away); and zipline tour Mombacho, near Granada, Nicaragua (lots of fun).

Most Nail-Biting Journey – Toss up between: Shuttle from Antigua to ChiChi (overtaking on blind corners and over crests); and the descent from Solola to Panajachel in a chicken bus (travelling as fast as a stabbed rat, in the wet, going downhill… crazy).

If you have some favourites, I would like to hear about them.

Great report and links.....

Thanks for all your hard work!

Favorite BEER?

Favorite RUM?

Favourite Beer - Moza (Guatemala), without a doubt.

Can't comment on the rum though as I don't normally drink it. Only if I am drunk and encouraged will I drink that stuff.

Bravo, Blu_Rock - thanks!

nice report. i would have to say lake atitlan is my favorite, here right now. have been to all the places you mentioned but in panama just to change planes. someday.......