Central America is the most beautiful, diverse and misunderstood area in the world. There are so many things that travelers to love about this compact region, including volcanic lakes, Caribbean coastlines, cloud forests, colonial towns, Mayan ruins, humid rainforests, rushing waterfalls, surf spots, abundant wildlife, vibrant markets, and other hidden treasures.
Surrounded by the oceans, the slender land bridge of Central America runs from Mexico to South America and is made up of seven counties and that includes Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama.
It is the home of the ancient Mayan civilization and many vibrant cultures and is filled with rainforests and lava-spewing volcanoes, and you can even chill out on amazing beaches all along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Many parts of Central America are quite cheap to travel in, too and that travelers can afford it.
If you are new to backpacking, Central America is a great place to start your travels because the distances are short, it is affordable, safe, diverse, friendly and beautiful. There are so many amazing things to do in Central America and that can be overwhelming to decide where to start.
Many people have given much thought to what adventures, sights, and experiences might be waiting for them in Central America. When it comes to traveling throughout South America, more popular and well-known destinations like Brazil and Peru steal the spotlight from countries like Nicaragua and El Salvador.
So, here are some tips that guide with everything you need to know in order to have a unique and rewarding personal journey backpacking in this amazing region.
Itinerary:
When it comes about itinerary to backpacking in Central America, there are only two route options that include north to south or south to north.
The north to south is a more popular route among travelers. Mainly most of the backpackers I met were interested in continuing their trips into South America, by way of a sailboat from Panama into Colombia.
In either case the countries you will want to consider some more beautiful destinations for visiting and that includes Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. These are highlight countries that the visitors love to visits. You will really enjoy this recommendable visiting destination and you will love the slim waist of America offers plenty of adventure places in this region.
Packages:
Cost is affordable to all travelers and South America is cheap for tours as compared to other countries. It can vary a bit by country, with Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama tending to be slightly more expensive than the rest.
However, if you stick to hostels, cheaper local restaurants, and public transportation, you can certainly spend less than $50 per day in any Central American countries, and even as low as $20 per day in some of them.
Know your Accommodation:
Hostels and homestays are plentiful in these parts, but if you want fancy spending the odd night somewhere more swish, then bear in mind that most destinations in Central America are yet to capitalize on the trend for flashpacker-style hostels. There can be a hefty price gap between a dorm bed and a boutique abode.
Gorge on local produce:
Chocolate, rum, coffee, cheese that might surprise you at the array of prime produce Central America’s rich soil nurtures. And the best options you can go straight to the source itself. Forget savoring a cup of Guatemala’s single-origin espresso from your local coffee shop, or devouring a bag of Costa Rican chocolate at your desk. Here a number of local entrepreneurs offer wallet-friendly tours of cacao farms and coffee plantations with free tastings thrown in for good measure. You will really love to enjoy the taste of real coffee again and again.
Fly open-jaw:
The distances may seem miniature when compared to North and South America, but don’t be fooled, getting around this linchpin of land can gobble up a surprising amount of time. Cheap local buses seem to stop in every one-horse town, while many private ones operate infrequently and fill up sometimes weeks in advance.
To make the most out of your itinerary fly into one country and out of another. There is often little to no difference in cost, yet you can maximize your time instead of backtracking.
Activitie:
There are many More adventurous activities like zip-lining, horseback riding, scuba diving, and snorkeling won’t come cheap, but they do tend to be well-priced compared to other places in the world. An average guided tour will cost somewhere between $20 and $50, depending on the activity.
Stay Saf:
Central America definitely has a bad rap in terms of safety. While there is absolutely some amount of truth to the idea that Central America can be dangerous, there are also many ways to proactively protect yourself and your valuables. These includes:
- Avoid traveling at night
- always try if possible travel with other backpackers
- pay attention to your surroundings
- Carry a dummy wallet
- Don’t get drunk
- Trust your instincts.
