Hi,

This is just a very preliminary post regarding time and money. One friend and I will be travelling to the region at some point (unimportant when) between November 2008 and March 2009. We will be on a budget, i.e. backpacking, staying in hostels, and taking local transportation (probably buses) wherever bearable.

We have a maximum timeframe of about eleven weeks, but an eight-week trip would be ideal if it's possible to do it without rushing. We are interested in Mexico and whatever of Central America we are able to see given our time limitations. (I.e. we will go as far south as possible before we run out of time.) We are interested in both site-seeing and relaxing/beaches, although probably slightly more interested in the former.

I will be flying out of Los Angeles and my friend will be flying out of Guatemala City (to commence the trip).

I have had difficulty in finding how much time it takes to get across the land, but the following is a first-draft itinerary based on estimations. Are there any outlandish or impossible parts to this??

Fly from our respective cities to somewhere in inland Mexico such as Guadalajara or Monterrey. Spend 4-6 weeks travelling towards Yucatán/Cancún. Cross the border into Belize and continue for another 4-5 weeks Belize->Guatemala->El Salvador->Honduras and ->Nicaragua if time. From there we will finish our holiday and both fly to Los Angeles.

First, is that a reasonable amount of time, or is it easily too little/too much??

Second, are those the kind of countries in which you can generally find a proper meal for a few dollars, a bed for <$10, or an inter-city bus trip at prices that won't hurt too much??

Last, how much actual time does it take for the bus rides?? Obviously distances vary greatly, but are rides between major Mexican cities ones that take hours or days, and how long would it take to drive across, for instance, El Salvador (just to get an idea)?? Any specific examples would be greatly helpful, as I can find virtually no information on this online, and I don't want to buy a travel guide until I'm sure of exactly which countries I will be visiting.

Thanks so much to whomever can help!!

Oh and one more question, actually: Are there any suggestions as to whether we should begin the trip in Mexico as above, or reverse it and finish up there??

It's worth investing in a good guidebook if you're at this stage of planning.

Check out the website for TicaBus:

www.ticabus.com

for bus schedules and fares within Central America. TicaBus serves all the Central American countries except Belize, and connects to Tapachula, in southern Mexico.

Parts of Mexico are still very reasonable. Places like Cancun are going to be a lot more expensive. Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua can still be pretty reasonble. Belize tends to be more expensive, as would Costa Rica, if you get that far south. But $10 isn't going to get you much for accommodation in any of those places. Loosening the purse strings a bit would make a lot more available to you.

www.copaair.com

Good web specials.These are big countries no way you will do them
all in the time you have.Might hook
up in the Yucatan with a cheap flight into Cancun and bus down to
Chetumal into Belize do the Caribbean side to Bocas del Toro down to Panama City then Ticabus up the Pacific Side back into Mexico.

The Moon guides have excellent detail on shoestring lodgings
are great guidebooks might pick up those...

You might find more information of the kind you are looking for on the Thorn Tree. Lots of folks there are backpackers and budget conscious travelers. With the exchange rate growing steadily in favor of he dollar, this might be a good time to travel. If the dollar starts to sink things could get pricier.
Have you checked on the availability and price of one way air tickets? You might find it more convenient to get an open-jaw flight in and out of Mexico.
Mexico is a biiiig country and there is lots to see with a favorable exchange rate -- good over the road buses etc. Good Luck.