Travel Central America and the Caribbean, You Will Discover the New
World all Over Again!
Why travel Central America? A
Panama cruise or a
Costa Rica vacation? There are several
reasons, each of which is, by itself, too compelling to just glance over.
Experience the awe and wonder as you walk on the
trails (in the footsteps) of the Mayas. History will jump right at you.
The books don't tell the whole story. Being there, means you can stand on
the present and actually reach back and tough the past.
I have a friend from Tegucigalpa, capital city in
Honduras, went to school with more two Belizeans who were in my graduating
class. And yes...
I have struggled with the speed of the Spanish
speaking from Costa Rica and Panama, but none of the natives of
these countries ever bragged about the pristine beauty of the natural
landscapes they had in their backyards.
Travel to Central America: anywhere from Belize
to Panama, and you will discover a tropical paradise.
Diversity reigns in Central America. Here is a
little run-down on some of the countries in this region.
Belize
About half the population is Catholic, 10% are
Maya descendants, English is the official language, but you can be
understood in Spanish, Mayan, or Creole.
Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth.
Although you may not find a mile of railroad, there are a lot of ways to
get around. If you love the sea and sand you will spend most of your time
along the western shores and cays.
Let's go southward on our Central America travel
now to Belize's big neighbor - Guatemala.
Guatemala
Do you speak Spanish
or an Amerindian language? There are several officially recognized
Amerindian languages in Guatemala, including Quiche and Cakchiquel.
Regardless of language, your travel to Central
American country of Guatemala should leave you near-speechless as you
visit places such as the Maya ruins at Tikal, exotic wildlife, and the
active volcanoes.
The four tallest ( all over 12,000 feet)
volcanoes in Central America "reside" in Guatemala. Santa Maria and Fuego
were active in 2004.
Now, on to a smaller neighbor on the tropical
Pacific Ocean front.
El Salvador
Although not a major force in World Cup Soccer
competitions, I always took note of the blue and white jerseys of the El
Salvador team.
Travel to El Salvador and you will discover more
than soccer talent. There are volcanoes, beautiful landscapes, tropical
beaches.
Visitors from many countries, including the
United States, need to have a visitor visa to travel to this Central
American country. To find out if you need a visitor visa to travel to El
Salvador, go to the
Salvadoran Embassy website.
Honduras
Nearly 7 million residents, with rivers snaking
across the landscape, Mayan landmarks and a run to the sea north or south,
where else?
Honduras offers a choice between a Pacific Ocean
beach experience and a warm Caribbean Sea swimming.
The weather is influenced on the northern portion
by the warm and humid waters of the Caribbean Sea. The southern section
bordering the Pacific is usually hot and dry.
Visitors to Honduras will find a range in prices
for accommodation; from less than $30/night to more than $200/night.
As with most places you will ever visit, the more
questions you have answered before you venture, the greater will be your
adventure.
Nicaragua
Continuing our travel to Central America, here is
Nicaragua. Look at a map of this Central American country and you may
first notice the 3000 sq. mi. Lake Nicaragua.
This lake was part of the ocean but an enclosure
occurred when the land rose. The water is fresh, but has tuna fish and
even sharks adapting to it's environment.
The 69% Mestizo population has Spanish as their
official language. The
tourism
ministry in Nicaragua thinks their "virgin beaches, colonial cities,
tropical forests and the second largest lake of Latin America" should make
you want to travel to this Central American paradise.
Costa Rica
No need to ask your doctor - a look at a lush
green rolling Costa Rican landscape is good for your health...
...and Central Costa Rica has plenty of this
natural 'medicine'.
You can even take your pet with you to Costa
Rica, providing you all have your travel documents. The
Costa Rican
Embassy gives concise information about travel and tourism, with
contact information should you have more questions.
Panama
Consider a Panama cruise. The Panama Canal is a major shipping gateway and
the country even uses the US dollar as currency. Visitors from the US will
have no currency exchange headaches.
Just imagine cruising through the Panama Canal -
that's a family adventure not too soon forgotten. And it's not just
that...
Sports fishing awaits you, the rainforest calls,
and you have a choice of Pacific or Caribbean beaches!
So why travel Central America? Well, because
you've got to Belize it, there is Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
You can have Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.
It is history, culture, and the environment. It
is all that quality and variety in a family adventure
vacation means... and more. |
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