Central America Safety?! Any suggestions will help.
 

Hi Everyone,

My name is Steve and next week I booked a flight to Cancun (5 month return). The plan is to bus:

-to Guatemala (stay there for three to five weeks)
-then to Honduras (stay there for one week)
-then to Nicaragua(stay there for three to five weeks)
-then to Costa Rica(stay there for one week)
-then to Panama(stay there for one week)

I am a male and will be traveling alone. My Spanish is limited but I can usually get by in Latin America.

I usually feel very comfortable because other foreigners are going the same route as me but at this time of year it might not be like that because of the hurricane season.

Here are some things that I am concerned about and any information will be helpful:
-I'm concerned about going through the borders alone
-I'm concerned about taking the bus alone
-There is a slight worry about the potential for a hurricane

Any thoughts or comments would be helpful.

Steve

How are you getting back from Panama to Cancun?

Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama borders would be the tricky ones.

Avoid Guatemala City, Managua, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.

Hi, again, Steve -

I would highly recommend you find a great Spanish school with a homestay option (cheap as well as productive) and plant yourself for a few weeks; Guatemala is a great place for that and you can search the forum for recommendations since it comes up a lot. Or ask hear if you want an earful. ;-)

The more Spanish you speak and understand, the more comfortable you'll feel but more importantly, it will make all the rest of your travels in the region richer - more connections with locals and the local culture. It's also a great way to meet other travelers - you might hook up with others heading your way or at least get advice on the bits that bother you - border crossings, buses, etc. I love traveling alone (smallish late 50's woman) and generally don't feel lonely because there are always interesting locals and fellow travelers around.

Re: hurricanes, your trip is unlikely to be impacted, although I recommend trip insurance if you're paying out much in nonrefundables. It's a good idea to watch this website, though, so you can head inland to avoid 1 on the off-side chance 1 is heading your way. www.nhc.noaa.gov

Have a great trip!!

Don't worry too much. I know many single female travellers who have done the same trip as you and they have all been safe and had a great time (some of them have hitchhiked through Mexico & Central America!). Use common sense and you'll be fine.

To answer your questions...

Most borders are no problem. At the Mexico-Belize border, a scam is going on where Mexican Immigration officers ask for money from almost every visitor leaving Mexico. Visitors who don't know the rules usually just hand over 300 pesos or so. There is no departure fee when leaving Mexico at a land border. There is a legitimate tourist fee, but this is collected by the airline (if flying to Mexico from Canada or USA). To avoid the scam, bring a copy of the airline receipt (showing the fee payment) as proof of payment, and show it to Immigration.

On the Belize side of the border, I know several people who have been denied entry to Belize because Belize Immigration did not think they were bona fide tourists.

A better idea might be to avoid that border and Belize.

On buses, keep an eye on your luggage. I try to keep it within arm's length. I prefer NOT to take night buses.

I wouldn't worry too much about hurricanes. We don't get hurricanes every year. From now until November, there is a small chance in Yucatan region. In Belize, the greatest probability is Sept/Oct. As you get further south of Honduras, the probability decreases. My best advice is stay tuned to local media and in the event of a hurricane, get away from water.

This seems like a lot of long bus rides only to stay in a country for a week. I might not try to go as far as Panama.

Yes. What happens after you finish in Panama? How do you get back to Cancun?

Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador have a four-nation immigration and customs union called the CA-4. You are allowed 90 days in those countries. Not 90 days in each, but 90 days in the four countries combined. Your possible seven weeks max (77 days) is bumping up on that. Don't exceed it.

I agree with hopefulist. Five months in the region gives you a great opportunity to improve your Spanish. Take advantage. Guatemala is full of Spanish schools.

Costa Rica and Nicaragua are very safe, the rest...mmm be careful.

julianrios - All of the CA countries have rough spots to avoid and opportunistic crimes against tourists, including Nica and CR; saying they're 'very safe' seems to be more of a reflection about how you felt traveling there than it is the reality on the ground for new travelers. I can say that I have felt 'very safe' in Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras but would advise travelers to be careful wherever they go.

Hello I have been to a couple spanish speaking countries on cruises (Puerto Rico, Mexico,Belize) and I have spent about a month in the Dominican Republic and enjoyed the culture, food, beer, women, music, and water activities the entire time. I had the mix of colmados, small remote towns and campos. Among of these countries i liked very much culture, place and food of mexico. and car rental service are very good. when i reached mexico i took airport rental service from oscarcancunshuttle, really i enjoyed a lot with its guides..:) :)

Two out of three posts of a brand new poster with advertising for a car rental company? SPAM