Central America travel and visitor guide with airport, airline, passport, visa, hotel and vacation information for Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. The area covered by Central America only accounts for .1% of the earth's surface, with 202,000 square miles of land area. There is a moderate population of slightly more than 200 people per square mile.
The area that separates North and South America is considered a subcontinent, not really located in either America. It sits at the southern tip of North America and just northwest of Colombia. Many travelers have learned that this is a great area to vacation because of its tropical climate and visually beautiful land features and beaches.
American influence in Central America is not as strong as it once was when the U.S. controlled the Panama Canal, but most of the state governments have a good relationship with North Americans. All the states have Pacific coast exposure with the exception of Belize, which faces the Gulf of Mexico.
Air travel to Central America is often non-stop from many portions of the United States, and airports are available in each state of the subcontinent.
What You Need to Know
1. Historically, there has been a division among the states of Central America due to influence from both American and Russian politics. After the cold war, conditions improved and most Central Americans have become understanding of tourism. The majority of the citizens are friendly people, but it is always best to discuss plans with a travel guide before embarking on a trip to the area.
2. Transportation from one state to another is rather simple. There are charges accessed for border fees that may be as high as twenty dollars, but border guards are not inclined to make crossings difficult.
3. Most of Central America speaks some form of English with Spanish influence. Belize adopted English as its official language, but there are still factions who speak both Spanish and native languages.
4. Travel within Central America can be expensive if you use public transportation because there is no competition
5. From the U.S., travel to Central America by air is fast, but you might consider taking the bus. From Brownsville, Texas it is about 1,000 miles to the northern border of Guatemala. The cost for the trip should be less than $200 per person. Traveling from Guatemala to Panama costs about the same or a little less than the bus ride from Texas.
6. Currency is not a problem for U.S. citizens. The dollar is accepted almost anywhere in Central America. Other forms of legal tender are not as easy to use.
7. Some states are safer than others. El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala are not considered as safe as Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. Street gangs are dangerous in many areas, so it is important to stay in the more populated areas.
Central America offers a great place to visit when there is an understanding of what places should be avoided and how business is conducted. It is much better to have a travel agent responsible for making plans than to attempt to do so without having any knowledge of the local environment.
Travel Tips
Long Term Airport Parkin Deals for Week or more: Airport hotels will oftentimes offer one, two or even 3 weeks free parking with a single night stay on departure. Call the airport hotel reception desk direct and ask for the best park & fly deal for your circumstances. You must deal direct with the airport hotel - NOT the 800 toll free reservation center. I was recently quoted $235 for 16 days in non-covered airport parking lot. I called direct to airport hotels offering parking deals and ended up with nice room for rest before flight, free airport shuttle and 16 days free parking for $139!!!
Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency.
