CENTRAL AMERICA

GENERAL NOTES

MONEY: It is wise to bring a good supply of cash. If you can get their local currency at home that’s great. However, if you run short it is sometimes cheaper to go to the money exchange rather than an ATM. Some ATM’s charge crazy commissions. I have paid as much as 10% by not paying attention while withdrawing cash. Check the ATM rates and the money exchange rates. Always keep the receipts from an ATM, especially if the transaction gets cancelled. I have had the money taken from my bank account, even though the ATM declined the transaction. (I disputed it, and it got refunded; but it took a long time.)

BUSES: The old school and city buses that were retired in the USA are sent here to be repurposed. They belch smoke and are generally pretty rough riding. They are crowded, hot, and generally have music blasting; but they are super cheap. A 4-hour bus ride will run about $1-3 CDN. Be prepared to be squashed in and possibly stand. I do not recommend them if you are going a long way or if you have bad knees, a bad back, or if you have issues of being cramped. However, they are super cheap and can be a great way to meet locals to learn about the culture. It is also a good way to meet other like-minded cheap foreigners to swap travel stories and get ideas on places to go and things to avoid.

AIRBNB: They are cheaper than a hotel and, many times, just as nice. We set our filters as to how much we want to pay, and what amenities. We always look for a kitchen and Wi-Fi. If possible, our own bathroom, although shared bathrooms have not been a problem. Staying in the host’s home, with their family, can be nice, as they are generally happy to meet and help travellers. Hostels are not always cheaper. We use the Airbnb app and sometimes the Booking.com app, just to compare prices. Hostels.com is also a good source; but remember, the price shown is always per person. If travelling as a couple the double price can work out to more than a private room in a home.

We also check which area we want to be in. It is usually a bit more expensive to be in tourist attraction spots. We like to stay a bit away from those spots but within walking distance. For us, a 2-3 km walk is fine – it gives us exercise. Also, we have found that out-of-the-way places are quieter.

That said, unless they give you specific coordinates, Google Maps is almost useless. Ask the host for a “pin” of the location and a picture of the building. There are so many Saint names for towns, streets and buildings, it gets very confusing. ALWAYS get a contact phone number for your guesthouse. The local taxi or Uber is more than happy to call on your behalf to get the right directions.

Take screen shots of the phone numbers, address and any other helpful information, just in case your cell phone freezes. It happens!

UBER: Not all towns have Uber. If they do, use them! You are given the cost of the trip right on the app. Taxis are generally a rip off. They do not have meters and will quote you a price to take you to your destination, only to find out it is per person! Your taxi ride just doubled in price. It has been my experience that most taxi drivers are crooks. Sorry, if I offend some, but that has been my experience – all over the world! Always ask for the meter, if they have them. I cannot stress this enough!

CELL PHONE: I have a Global Esim through Airalo. It works in 127 countries and automatically connects to local providers. I paid $120 for 365 days of service with 20G, 200 international phone calls and 200 international texts. The countries that are not covered under this plan (Belize was not) I could buy a 7 day plan for under $10. Check your phone to see if it is compatible to accept Esim. The other alternative is to buy a new sim in every country. They are not that expensive ($25), which is cheaper than paying for roaming from your home provider. Considering we always look for an Airbnb with Wifi, we rarely use the roaming on my Esim. We take a screen shot of the location we need to go and of the phone number of the contact person. Taxi drivers are more than happy to make the call for us to drop us off.

WATER: We always request an Airbnb with a kitchen to cut down on eating costs and to ensure we are eating healthy. Every kitchen, so far, has had only one tap in the sink for cold water. The shower is also cold water, but has an flow-through electric heater. If you keep the water pressure low, you get hotter water. We tend to buy drinking water, but for coffee in the morning we take regular tap water and boil it first. Any left over boiled water can get be used later as drinking water.

GROCERIES: If you type in “Grocery store near me” you will most likely be taken to a hole-in-the wall mini-mart. I have nothing against the hole-in-the wall mini-marts, they generally had the basics that we needed, like water, eggs and bread but no fruits, veggies or meat. We started typing in “Supermarket near me”, and it would take us to the same places. Despensa Familiar or Super Selectos are bigger stores to look for.

PHARMACY: It is hard to find bug spray or anti-itch cream in grocery stores. There is generally a Farmacia close by. Always bring a copy of your prescriptions with you! I cannot stress this enough. If, for whatever reason, you lose your meds, they will fill the prescription, if you have it. I have even had it filled by showing them a picture of the label on the bottle. They are generally a lot cheaper than you pay for the dispensing fee back home, for the same exact product.

THE PEOPLE: Contrary to popular belief and fake news, the people are SUPER friendly and helpful. If you speak even a little Spanish they are thrilled at your attempt and will try to speak English to you. Google Translate is a modern day life saver in complex situations. I have had people go 5 or 10 minutes out of their way to take me to a location. They want nothing in return. I carry small Canadian flag pins, and will give them one. It is a small gesture but they love it.

All the women and girls in Central America have long hair. The women have ample bosoms and behinds, and are not ashamed to show off what God gave them. The older women wear dresses, but the younger women wear tight jeans and short, low cut blouses and heels. I don’t know how they don’t break their ankles walking on the rough streets. I have not seen an ugly kid yet. They are all really cute. And they never cry. The kids seem to entertain themselves with nothing, even on long bus rides.

Most of all, be prepared to be laid back. No one is ever in a hurry. Have a plan but go with the flow….