C.America safety/weather/travel - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**LaurieL622** · 10-11-2005, 10:17 AM

ok thanks so for the support guys....i've been doing major research in the past few days have i've come up with all kinds of questions. i think i know the answer to them but i just wanted to get a feel for what tpunks think....

so anyone who knows, plz help!!

does anyone know if the hurricanes down there (Stan) has affected tourism, is it still safe to travel or are a lot of the roads/cities closed?

it seems like everyone has their 2cents about safety issues when traveling to central america (sans CR, of course). lots of crime on travelers? how about non-spanish speaking women? basically.....will i get kidnapped and killed??

how many packers visit central america?

is it impossible to get through panama by bus? how are the road systems.

whats the best way(time and money) to get from country to country? is there an extensive bus system or are we talking about riding the chicken trucks.

anyone who's been...plz share your experiences as i am starting to get cold feet.

thanks everyone!

**worldwidemike** · 10-12-2005, 03:39 AM

I've been to every country in Central America except Nicaragua. All of them are great for backpackers, and I highly recommend them. Your normal guidebook (Lonely Planet, Let's Go, Rough Guide) will give you the bus schedules, and they're fine. Expect to be a bit more squeezed in than you would back home (normal seating is 3 across on a "school bus" bench seat that in America would sit only two). However, it's great for bits of culture. I remember last November in El Salvador, the bus stopped to pick up these two Salvadorans on the side of the road. They looked like your typical peasants...traditional clothing and all. I'm checking them out sitting there, then all of a sudden, the women pulls out a cell phone and starts jabbering away. Just the incongruity of my expectations and the realities of 21st century struck me as funny, and a nice slice of life...

worldwidemike

**LaurieL622** · 10-12-2005, 02:56 PM

thanks mike!

well my ticket is booked for san jose, CR.....and i'll be gone through halloween and thanksgiving. i can't say that's a bad thing....i'm very relieved. i don't like spending the holidays in the same place every year. it's a shame that i'll be home (and broke) for xmas and new years.

I'M OUTTA HERE in a little over 2 weeks. *whew*

keep advice and comments coming. i look forward to reading anything and everything!