Welcome to Central America
Central America attracts vacationers of every kind, particularly those that are obsessed with tradition, historical past, and outside adventures.
If you would like this to be your vacation spot, this Central America journey itinerary is strictly what you’re on the lookout for.
Desk of Contents
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- Central America Itinerary
- Is Central America Itinerary Secure?
- Planning a visit to Central America
- How lengthy do you want in Central America?
- How a lot does it price to backpack Central America?
- Central America Journey Itinerary
- Guatemala
- Belize
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Central America Journey + Security Ideas
- Touring Round Central America
- Buses in Central America
- Finest time to go to Central America
- Central America Itinerary: Last Phrases
Central America Itinerary
You can find cerulean seas, the greenest of forests, breathtaking Mayan ruins, over 300 volcanoes, and a lot extra.
Whether or not you wish to spend 1 week in Central America or 2 weeks in Central America, this itinerary will enable you get organized!
Is Central America Itinerary Secure?
Central America shouldn’t be a harmful place to go to total. Granted, there are just a few dangers, however you possibly can keep away from them by taking precautions and following primary journey security ideas.
The colourful city of Leon in Nicaragua
It’s essential to notice that Central America is a transit zone for cocaine markets, so sure international locations have a better crime price and gang exercise.
The danger of pure disasters can be one thing to think about as a result of there are such a lot of volcanoes and coastlines within the area, which suggests flooding and hurricanes are a risk.
To keep away from this, go to exterior the hurricane season so you possibly can take pleasure in your Central America backpacking itinerary to the fullest.
Planning a visit to Central America
So that you’ve determined you wish to go to Central America? Now comes the essential a part of correctly planning in your journey.
The primary prime tip is to have your whole vital vaccinations taken care of. There are a number of ailments within the space, and it’s greater than price getting just a few jabs earlier than to stop any critical circumstances down the road.
One other essential piece of recommendation is to pack correctly. After we consider Latin America we have a tendency to consider the new climates and exquisite seashores, and sure in fact these are in nice abundance right here.
Nonetheless, there are some areas that may get fairly cool such because the Guatemalan highlands.
So if planning on visiting every part, then it will likely be sensible to carry a mixture of gentle garments in addition to some layers for when issues get chilly.
Additionally make certain to carry high quality, sturdy pair of climbing boots as most of the trails are usually not correctly developed, and also you’ll additionally hold your grip higher if heading throughout the wet seasons.
How lengthy do you want in Central America?
The overall opinion is that Central America could be backpacked in a short time.
And to be honest when taking a look at a map, in fact, it’s fairly small in comparison with South America and different areas of the World.
Nonetheless there’s nonetheless rather a lot to see, so the minimal time wanted from Belize (or The Riviera Maya in Mexico as a preferred jumping-off level) to Panama can be 3 months.
This can be sufficient to cowl all international locations and see all the prime sights.
Alternatively, for these with extra time or want to essentially sink their tooth into the area – 4/5 months can be a lot better.
How a lot does it price to backpack Central America?
Prices in Central America actually do range between international locations.
For instance, backpacking Costa Rica and Panama fall on the dearer aspect, with a each day finances of between $30-35 wanted.
Belize is extra average, with between $25-30 wanted each day.
Then we’ve Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua making up the remaining, that are all very low-cost to backpack.
You’ll be able to journey these international locations on a each day finances of $20-25.
After all these are tough estimates, and keep in mind solely the each day prices of a dorm mattress, meals and a few extras.
What you’ll find yourself spending actually depends upon your type and luxury, as we’re all completely different on the finish of the day.
Central America Journey Itinerary
With so many locations to go to in Central America, this text seems to be at every nation’s finest spots so that you get to see the locations you merely can’t miss.
Guatemala
You can begin your Central America journey itinerary in Guatemala Metropolis, the place you possibly can go to museums, breweries, and many alternative points of interest to get a really feel of the nation.
The colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala
Then, you possibly can go to colonial Antigua and spend just a few days exploring the city. It’s recognized for its cobblestoned streets, handicraft markets, and surrounding mountains.
The Pacaya and Acatenango volcanoes are price visiting, Lake Atitlan is beautiful, and you may go to surrounding cities equivalent to San Pedro, San Marcos, and Santa Cruz.
Belize
When you’re completed in Guatemala, you possibly can head to Belize to proceed your Central American backpacking itinerary.
We suggest you spend most of your time in San Ignacio, which is the guts of inland Belize.
Downtown of San Ignacio, Belize
Right here, you’ll discover Mayan Ruins equivalent to Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, vibrant native markets, and a cave system you’ll have the ability to discover.
Then, you possibly can head to Caye Caulker, a beautiful island that’s good for leisure.
El Salvador
El Salvador might be the following cease in your Central America backpacking journey. At this level of the journey, it’s your decision a calming seashore retreat.
In that case, head to El Tunco, a small seashore city recognized for its browsing. There may be loads of native eats, browsing, and thrilling nightlife ready for you.
Surfers at El Tunco seashore
Then, you possibly can go to El Cuco to chill out and refuel by a hammock on the seashore or take pleasure in some swimming or paddleboarding.
Honduras
Honduras is one other good spot to go to in your Central America journey itinerary.
Moto taxi in Honduras
You’ll be able to go to La Ceiba, a beautiful seaside city the place you possibly can take pleasure in your time, after which take a ferry to Utila, a pleasant island the place you possibly can take pleasure in a PADI Open Water 4-day diving course.
If you happen to’re already an authorized diver, you must contemplate the Superior Open Water course or just join dives that curiosity you. There are additionally jungles and freshwater caves to discover!
Nicaragua
Subsequent, you possibly can go to Nicaragua the place you possibly can go to Leon, which is the perfect introduction you possibly can should this nation.
The seashore in San Juan del Sur
Leon is a colonial city the place you’ll have the ability to take pleasure in superb meals and go to locations such because the Leon Cathedral on the coronary heart of the city and go black sandboarding at Cerro Negro.
How about visiting Lake Apoyo? Or, even look into an lively volcano by visiting Masaya, the one open volcano you possibly can drive to as a substitute of climbing.
Costa Rica
To proceed your Central America journey itinerary, you possibly can go to Costa Rica and go to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
It’s paradise on earth and you’ll take pleasure in exploring espresso plantations, climbing trails, and even have zip-lining adventures.
Tropical surroundings in Costa Rica
There are additionally butterfly, hummingbird, and frog sanctuaries, and you may stroll on hanging bridges and spot wildlife.
You’ll be able to finish your keep in Tortuguero, a jungle recognized for being a nesting space for native turtle species.
Panama
You’ll be able to wrap up your Central America journey itinerary in Panama and head to Cerro Punta the place you possibly can take a 1-day climbing tour on the Quetzal Path.
Casco Viejo, Panama Metropolis
You’ll be able to ship your baggage forward of you and it’ll land in Boquete, a beautiful city the place you possibly can relaxation in bungalows earlier than you head to Bocas del Toro, a celebration city.
There, you possibly can discover Cayos Zapatillas and different great locations.
Central America Journey + Security Ideas
Typically, Central America shouldn’t be too harmful to go to, however you continue to have to take precautions. Observe these journey security ideas:
- Don’t journey at evening, however if you happen to do, take a taxi as a substitute of strolling or taking a bus.
- Keep away from doing medication.
- Keep away from faucet water, particularly in rural areas.
- Bear in mind to get your FREE journey insurance coverage quote earlier than you journey for peace of thoughts whereas on the highway.
- Crime charges are excessive in capital cities so restrict your time there and be vigilant.
- Study primary Spanish phrases or have a translation app in your telephone for emergencies.
- All the time take note of your environment.
- Keep away from unhealthy neighborhoods and remoted areas, keep on with the group.
- Don’t gown in costly garments or put on flashy gadgets, mix in.
- Don’t flaunt your valuables or go away them unattended.
- Solely carry the money you want for the day with you, retailer the remaining in a safe location.
If you happen to observe these precautions, you received’t have a nasty expertise whereas touring in Central America.
Touring Round Central America
Touring round Central America by bus generally is a good choice as a result of it’s low-cost and simple.
Quick-distance buses are often known as hen buses. They’re cheap however not 100% secure, so watch out and regulate your belongings.
A colourful repurposed faculty bus used as a neighborhood mode of transport in Guatemala
For long-distance journey, use luxurious liners like Ticabus, King High quality, or Transnica, that are dependable and secure however will price somewhat extra.
Buses in Central America
By far the perfect and most cheap approach to get round Central America is by the great ol’ buses. While the cost-benefit is sensible, you’ll even discover that some areas of this area can solely be accessed by bus anyway.
In Costa Rica and Panama, they’re the perfect developed, and the rides can be fairly easy with most roads in good situation.
Within the extra northern components (particularly Guatemala and Honduras) you’re gonna be in for a trip!
Inside cities and cities, make sure you take a hen bus a minimum of as soon as for the expertise, because it actually is one among a sort and likewise a ceremony of passage for vacationers heading to Central America.
Finest time to go to Central America
Fortunately attributable to its small dimension, Central America is way simpler to plan for in the case of the climate, particularly compared with its big neighbor of South America.
Many of the area follows the identical dry and moist season patterns, so that you’ll know what you’ll more than likely be in for. The dry season runs from December till April, and is usually thought-about the perfect time to go to.
Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica, for instance, has common temperatures of 75-79°F, with highs of 84°F and lows of 68°F.
Rainfall ranges from 180-310mm for every of those months. The moist season, which runs from Could till November, is in fact a lot wetter.
While it could possibly make challenges for getting round, it’s additionally a very stunning time to go to because the jungle comes alive with its vivid and luscious greens.
It’s additionally cheaper, as you’ll be there throughout off-peak season. An instance of a location throughout the moist season is Flores, in northern Guatemala.
Common temperatures vary from 75-83°F, with highs of 94°F and lows of 68°F. Rainfall ranges wherever from 4-7.5 inches every month, which is a giant enhance from the 1-3 inches anticipated within the dry season months.
Central America Itinerary: Last Phrases
Central America is kind of a magical place to go to and this Central America journey itinerary can function a information.
Use it to plan your journey and have enjoyable backpacking by unimaginable international locations with rather a lot to supply!
In case you are excited about heading additional South you possibly can see our South America itinerary to get some concepts on the place to go.