Had anyone been to any of the following countries:
Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.
If so what were your experiences, where is great, where is not, also internally where are the best places to go in each country.
The main questions are whether it is worth (if coming down from the Yucatan peninsula) going through Belize AND Guatemala or just Guatemala.
Also is it worth going to Nicaragua or would it be better to zoom through there to spend more time in Costa Rica and Panama.
Thanks.
my friend has been to all these countries, plus el salvador
from what i remember, costa rica was wonderful, panama was really interesting, el salvador was a bit scary as were parts of honduras, and nicaragua was his favourite for its lakes. i'm not gonna ask him for more info - he's in thailand at the mo. you should probably ask for info at: http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=12
I think El Salavador is out
Based on the fact we will only have a set amount of time and it is last on the list of places to go.
belize...
... is lovely, i spent 2months there last year and moving out there again this year, hurrah! sorry, um... if you have time to come through Belize I would definitely recommend it, there are some really interesting ruins and rainforest reserve places, and beautiful white caribbean beaches at Placencia (less touristy than the northern Cayes as well). It's a great mix of Caribbean and Central American landcsapes/cultures. And you can pop across the border to Guatemala at Benque Viejo and go to Tikal and Flores. Tikal is not to be missed I reckon. Spent a couple of days in Honduras around Tegucigalpa too...
um, pm me if you want more info! Have a great time!
Thanks!
I wish I had 2 months to spend in one place, alas it is four months to do Cuba to Argentina.
I've
been to Honduras and Panama, but only on business so I didn't see much. Panama just seemed very american (Panama City anyway) but reasonably cosmopolitan, if a bit scary round the old town. Nice canal.
Honduras has got some amazing jungle towards the north (border with Guatemala) and we stayed in Copan - s'alright as Mayan ruins go, but probably not the best. It is a tad scary as well though, every shop/restaurant around Tegucigalpa has there own armed guard. But if you're wondering around in a suit looking like a gringo (which I was) then it sort of magnifies it.
Check the FCO website before you go!