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News Stories Tagged central america
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Get an authentic taste of Nicaraguan life; talk to locals about politics
Many people here love a spirited discussion about the direction the country should take. If your Spanish is up to the task, don't be afraid to listen in—though within the confines of the local cantina, take what you hear with a grain of salt.
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Traveling around Costa Rica by plane? Make sure your luggage isn't overweight
A luggage weight limit of 11.3 kilograms or 25 pounds is almost always enforced on the tiny domestic planes.
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Be smart about food safety in Central and South America with these tips.
Drink only bottled water, called agua purificada or agua mineral. It is available even at the smallest stores, and is much cheaper than in North America. Use bottled water even when brushing your teeth.
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Be savvy about tipping in Central America.
In many Central American countries, a 10% to 15% tip is already built into the bill. Leave a little extra if your experience was really fantastic.
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Know when to tip in Costa Rica with these guidelines.
Tip only for good service. Costa Rica doesn't have a tipping culture, but positive reinforcement goes a long way. Taxi drivers aren't tipped, but leave an extra 200–300 colones if they've helped you navigate a complicated set of directions.
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Heading to Central America for Holy Week? Make sure you respect local etiquette.
Lent is a popular time for travel in Central America, especially the week before Easter (April 24). Revealing clothing is frowned upon, especially in more rural areas. Be quiet when visiting a house of worship, and don't photograph people praying.
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If you eat only one thing in El Salvador, make it a pupusa.
No food is more typically Salvadoran: it's a fried tortilla filled with beans, cheese, and/or chicharrón (pork skin). A pupusa called a revuelta has all three fillings mixed together.
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