Travel Guides: All Countries, Central America.
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| | | Rainforests and volcanoes |  | Why go on holiday to Central America?
Not counting Mexico (covered elsewhere on this site), Central America takes in Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Bordered by the Pacific and the Caribbean, which afford some excellent diving, these countries are rich in wildlife, the legacies of ancient civilisations and a variety of stunning scenery including rainforest, mountains, volcanoes and palm-fringed beaches.
How much does it cost?
There are so many options but here are some rough estimates. A 14-day wildlife tour of Belize is from £2,000 including flights, a 16-day trekking holiday taking in Mayan sites and natural highlights of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador is from £1,200.
A seven-night riding holiday in Costa Rica is from £1,600 or a nine-night stay in a national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica costs from £1,400. A 16-day tour of Nicaragua is from £1,200 and 13 days in Panama from £900. Flights are from £500, hostels from £10 a night and city hotels from £50. All prices vary.
When should I go?
For most of the region the dry season, roughly November to April, is best, though prices are lower in the rainy season (May-October). Apart from a daily soaking in the wet season, some roads may become more difficult to use, or even impassable — which could affect access to some areas off the beaten track.
Main festivals in the region include Semana Santa, a week-long celebration before Easter and Christmas to mid-January, when prices tend to shoot up. Belize, nestling by the Caribbean, has no off-season and can be visited all year round.
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| | | Wildlife watching | | What should I do when I'm there?
Visit some of the many national parks such as Corcovado in Costa Rica where you might spot scarlet macaws, the cloudforests of Cerro Verde and Montecristo in El Salvador, volcanic Masaya with its huge craters in Nicaragua, La Tigra (lush cloudforest at 2,270m above sea level) in Honduras and the 1,400,000-acre Darien National Park in Panama.
Go hiking in the Black Forest (Selva Negra) in Nicaragua or explore the rich jungle of the Peten which houses some of Guatemala's best wildlife, or hike up some of Guatemala's 30 volcanoes, including Volcan Tajumulco, Central America's highest peak at 4,220m. For man-made wonders, don't miss the Panama Canal.
Will I see any wildlife?
The region is teeming with wildlife and birds — Costa Rica alone has 800 bird species, 1,200 species of orchid and some 50 species of hummingbird and you're almost bound to come across some during your stay, unless you never leave the capital cities. But by far and away the best bet is to join an organised tour with an experienced guide who will help you spot things you might otherwise miss. Be realistic in your expectations — don't expect to see a jaguar or an ocelot around every corner, but do watch out for monkeys, exotic birds, reptiles and insects.
What about diving?
Top spots in Belize include Lighthouse Reef and Half Moon Caye, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. The country has the northern hemisphere's longest reef, where the warm water is never much deeper than 16 feet.
Costa Rica has great marine life, but notoriously mediocre visibility, even in the dry season.
In Nicaragua, head for the Corn Islands, while in Panama the Archipelago de San Blas off the Caribbean coast consists of nearly 400 islands offering plenty of scope for secluded diving. San Blas is also an indigenous Indian reservation.
In Honduras, check out The Bay Islands, including Roatan where you can do everything from snorkell to night cave diving.
And the cities?
San Jose, the Costa Rican capital has several interesting museums including the Museo de Jade, which has one of the largest collections of jade in the world, and the Museo de Oro Precolombino has some ancient gold pieces.
In Belize City, check out the colonial architecture, the Fort George area and the 1923 swing bridge, made in Liverpool. Panama City is ultra modern but it's worth exploring the crumbling colonial grandeur of the San Felipe district or Casco Viejo.
Managua, the Nicaraguan capital, has suffered heavily from earthquakes and has many new buildings as a result. Many of the city's attractions are to be found around the Plaza de la Republica, including the cathedral and Palacio Nacional.
Tegucigalpa (or Tegus), the Honduran capital, is 1,000m above sea level with Parque Central is at its heart. It's worth exploring the old capital, Comayagua with its fine colonial buildings including a 17th century cathedral and an 800-year-old clock originally made for the Alhambra in Spain.
Guatemala City sprawls over a vast area and doesn't hold much in the way of tourist attractions — most of the sights are to be found in Zona 1 near the Playa Mayor including the bustling Central Market, several museums, the cathedral and the Palacio Nacional.
What about ancient sites?
Tikal, near the town of Flores in Guatemala, is a Mayan site dating back to 700BC and was occupied for more than 1,000 years. Its jungle setting adds to the atmosphere and its buildings teem with monkeys and birds. Lamanai in Belize has some 60 ancient structures. Best reached by a scenic boat ride, the area was first inhabited around 1500 BC with stone buildings going back to 600 BC.
In Guatemala, the ancient city of Copan, near the Honduran border, has some excellent stone carvings. Many important finds from the site are housed in the archaeological museum in the nearby town of Copan Ruinas.
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| | | Colourful markets | | Where's good for nightlife?
In capital cities like San Jose (Costa Rica), Guatemala City, Panama City and Belize City you'll find the usual variety of clubs, bars, cinemas, theatres and casinos but the majority of the region is not really a hotspot for nightlife. Dine out or have a drink in a small town bar and practise your Spanish on the unsuspecting locals.
On the Guatemalan coast at Monterrico between September and January you can release a baby turtle into the sea at sunset — more rewarding than any disco for most visitors.
What's the food like?
Corn is one of the staples of the Central American diet and you'll find tortillas almost everywhere with various toppings and fillings, including the ubiquitous fried and refried beans. Rice and beans feature heavily on many menus served with chicken, pork or fish and often accompanied by fried plantains. Chillies are widely used — check if they're mild or very hot (muy picante).
In Nicaragua, try nacatamales — cornflour dumplings boiled in plantain leaves stuffed with vegetables. On the north coast of Honduras, try pan de coco (coconut bread). In Panama, ropa vieja (old clothes) is beef sauteed with garlic, tomatoes and onions served with yellow rice. The national drink in Nicaragua is punolillo — made from toasted corn and cocoa. The Costa Rican version is horchata — a cornmeal drink flavoured with cinnamon.
Fresh fruit juices are good everywhere. Local beers include Gallo in Guatemala and Belikin in Belize - they're lagers and cheaper than US and European beers.
What should I buy?
Explore Guatemala's colourful markets - one of the biggest is at Chichicastenango where you may pick up some of the weavings and textiles the country is famous for. Leather goods, wooden items including salad bowls, chopping boards and masks and locally grown coffee (cheaper from the farms rather than the shops) are also good buys in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Honduras and Panama are known for their wood carving (especially Honduran wooden instruments), embroidery, basketry, leather and ceramics. Most countries have a good selection of T-shirts and colourful posters from national parks which make good souvenirs for youngsters.
What is there for children to do?
As with adults, the areas outside the cities hold most charm for youngsters, from exploring an exotic environment and seeing wildlife, to viewing volcanoes and snorkelling off the beaches.
City highlights for the young include San Jose's Serpentaria or snake and reptile house where you can see live specimens and a children's museum (museo de los ninos) with hands-on displays. In Guatemala City they can see the whole country in the Parque Minerva in Zona 2 with its scale relief map of Guatemala with towers giving a panoramic view.
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| | Fact File : Central America |
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| | | Central America | | Did you know?
The Mayan temple sites at Tikal in Guatemala featured in the 1977 Star Wars film as the base for rebel troops.
Language
Generally Spanish plus some Indian languages. Belize is officially English speaking but Spanish is spoken in the north.
Visas
None required.
Getting there
Most flights to Central American capital cities are via the US, usually Miami. Some flights also go from London via Madrid.
Flying time from London
Eight to 10 hours to the US then onward flights averaging two to three hours. Some flights will require an overnight stay in the US, others a short stopover.
Getting around
Flying between countries or within countries is fastest and there are plenty of local airlines. If you're not limited time-wise, local buses are cheap, frequent but often crowded, though it all adds to the atmosphere. You can hire a car but be aware that road quality varies and in the rainy season some may be washed out. Avoid driving at night. The Pan American Highway runs for 318 miles from Mexico, through Guatemala to El Salvador. Buses also link most countries, but border crossings can mean long delays.
Currency
Belize, the Belizean dollar; Costa Rica, the colon; Guatemala, the quetzal (Q); Nicaragua, the cordoba; El Salvador, the US dollar; Panama, the US dollar (known as Balboa); Honduras, the Lempira. US dollars are the best currency to bring into most countries and are especially useful if you're travelling between several countries.
Costs
Costs will vary. For example living costs in Honduras are low (budget travellers can get by on as little as £15 a day for accommodation and meals) but expect to pay more in countries where tourism is more developed such as Costa Rica. Most of the cost will be on your journey, especially as flights will usually be via the US.
Weather
In this tropical zone, temperatures are warm year-round, though it can be cool at night, even in the dry season and temperatures are generally cooler in mountainous regions. Rainy season is May to October — rain tends to be heavier on the Pacific Coast and it can get hot (up to 100F) and steamy in the lowlands. The rain doesn't last all day but tends to come in short, sharp bursts. On the Caribbean coast, rain can fall at any time and is less predictable than on the Pacific side, though generally lighter.
Time difference
Five to six hours behind GMT.
International dialling code from the UK
El Salvador 00 503, Panama 00 507, Belize 00 501, Guatemala 00 502, Nicaragua 00 505, Costa Rica 00 506, Honduras 00 504.
Voltage
El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica 110v, Belize and Guatemala 115v to 125v, Panama 120v, Honduras 110v and 220v. Plugs tend to be the American two flat pin variety.
Opening hours
Vary but average 8am to noon and 2pm to 6pm with a two-hour siesta, especially in smaller towns. Some shops stay open till 7pm. Banks keep shorter hours, typically 9am to 3pm. Government offices usually close at 4pm.
Health — Before you go
Malaria is present in several countries. Check with your GP for the appropriate anti-malarial medicine as this can vary from region to region. Recommended jabs include polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Take out adequate travel insurance to cover all medical expenses.
Health —When you are there
Protect yourself from insect bites with insect repellent and by covering arms and legs. Car accidents are common — walk and drive defensively. Wash your hands frequently and peel fruit before eating. The old rule of "cook it, peel it or forget it" is a good one. Avoid tap water and drink the bottled variety or boil water if you are trekking.
Warnings
In some countries (eg El Salvador and Nicaragua) it's impossible to exchange sterling. Take US dollar travellers' cheques and cash. Most visits to the region are trouble free but each country has its own hazards, ranging from crime to earthquakes. For current travel advice, see the Foreign Office website at http://www.fco.gov.uk
Emergency
Guatemala Tourism Police 110; Costa Rica 911 for general emergencies, 117 for Police and 118 for fire; Belize City 911; Panama Police 104, fire 103; Honduras Police 119, fire 198; Nicaragua Police 118, fire 265 0162; El Salvador 123/121 (all services).
Customs
Though you may want to get your camera out every time you see someone in traditional Mayan or Indian dress, it's best to ask before you snap away.
Pets
Central America is not covered by the Pet Travel Scheme so leave your cats and dogs at home.
Tipping
Average 10% if service is not included. For taxis, add 5-10%.
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