Central America Travel: Variety is the Spice
Your Central America travel should be as eclectic as the cultures and landscapes freckling the region. To put it all together, get some help from the Web. You'll find sites dedicated to each of the region's seven countries, as well as advice and shared experiences from other travelers. Whether you prefer to keep your itinerary open-ended or you want to book everything in advance, the Web can enhance your experience of Central American tourism. We've selected some sites to help you get started.
Expand All Guide SectionsCentral America Travel Basics
In a word: vibrancy. Perhaps more well-known for its brutally war-torn past, Central America has ... read more »
Central America Travel Requirements
Political unrest and violence have largely subsided in Central America, but traveling the region ... read more »
Getting to Central America
You can fly in from the United States relatively easily and inexpensively. All seven countries have ... read more »
Central America Hotels
You don't have to rough it-but you can. Tourism is strong and growing across the region, which ... read more »
Getting Around in Central America
You can travel around the region cheaply, and there is a good chance that your ride will be entertaining. Organization, regarding time schedules and seat reservations, depends on the country and mode of transportation. Driving yourself from place to place might be a better option if you plan to travel to remote areas, but you'll need to be aware of varying road conditions depending on season and country. We've found some Web sites that can help you determine your best course.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Central America's major airline is El Salvador-based TACA, which flies to all seven countries. However, because the region is so compact you might find buses and cars more efficient than flying between cities.
- Flights and car rentals can be booked online but that's not the case with bus rides. Instead you can use the Web (particularly the sites recommended below) to get a better sense of where bus stations are and plan around those locations to ease your mind before you go.
- Be prepared for some crowding and disorganization when you travel around Central America. In some countries, you may be flagging buses down from the side of the road, or squeezing into a seat next to a vendor selling food and drink. Patience and a sense of humor should make things easier.
- As we mentioned in the "How will I get to Central America?" section of this guide, train travel in the region is sparse. Where it does exist, train travel in Central America is unfavorable. You won't find many lines for passengers, as most were built to transport produce to harbors and markets. Alternate methods of transportation are generally more convenient and available.
- In Guatemala, you'll find what are known as chicken buses. These boisterous school buses pack in people and, at times, chickens. First-class Greyhound buses also run here, and both modes are inexpensive. But the chicken buses, although less comfortable, may offer a better glimpse of Guatemalan culture. See these articles about endearingly unpredictable buses in Guatemala:
Dulcinea's Picks
For general information ...
Rough Guides
has a "Getting around" section for each country. Evocative descriptions show you what to expect as you traverse the region by bus, bike, car, or plane.
For buses ...
Tica Bus
provides bus service throughout the region, and lets you view schedules, get rates, and make reservations online. A map pinpoints locations of agencies and terminals, and shows routes between countries.
If you're driving ...
Drive Me Loco
tells you everything you need to know about driving in Central America. The "Guide" describes what you will encounter as you cross borders, and discusses routes, documents, insurance, and what to expect from the border patrol. In addition, the "Central America" section covers individual countries including specific routes, entry points, and fees you will encounter.
Budget Car Rental
has a Central America section that lets you link to each country to make a rental reservation (country pages are in Spanish, so click the "English" icon, or American flag). It may be cheaper to book ahead of time, rather than waiting until you arrive.
For flights ...
Vayama
's site is fun, simple, and efficient. An interactive map lets you zoom into each country to display airport locations, and lets you click on your departure and arrival locations. Vayama then searches for the lowest fare on the Internet.
TACA
and its affiliates, Aviateca, NICA, TACA de Honduras, and Lacsa, service all countries in Central America. You can search for flights and book online. Based in El Salvador, TACA has numerous satellite offices, and promises low fares around the region.
For train travel ...
The Railroad Development Corporation
(RDC) is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, management and investment organization that maintains trains in developing countries. You may contact RDC for information about steam train tours in Guatemala.
AmericaTravel
provides rail tours of Costa Rica, including one-day tours and customized itineraries. You can read about tour packages and make reservations.
Panama Canal Railway Company
is the oldest transcontinental railroad in the world, and has been connecting Panama on the Pacific Coast with Colon on the Atlantic since 1855. You'll find schedules, rates, and historical background.
Central America Blogs and Forums
The Web can give you a taste of a destination before you go, and one of the best ways to prepare ... read more »
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