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Trusted Customer
May 2024
The trip was great, and it was so nice having everything organized in advance.
Nadine Daoud
May 2024
Great value. I think the trip was priced very reasonably for all that we received.
Trusted Customer
Apr 2024
The trip was worth what I paid for it and I'm glad I chose to travel with Contiki.
Alice Huitson
Apr 2024
Everything was so easy, didn't have to lift a finger! Our trip manager was very organised and managed everything for us which made the trip so enjoyable. He was genu...
Trusted Customer
Apr 2024
The Viva Costa Rica trip was amazing. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone had an enjoyable experience. It was a perfect blend of leisure and adve...
Central America & the Caribbean Tour Selection Trips
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When people think about Central America, many associate the region with violence, drugs and gang related misconduct. While there are crimes that go on in this region, many areas are very well protected for any traveler to visit. That said, Central America guided tours to the region are a highly recommended way to travel if you’re worried about safety. Most countries, though are, in fact, very safe whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or a group of friends.
Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Nicarargua are perhaps the safest (and generally more expensive) countries to travel to. Although there are some areas here and there where it is advised to not travel to, these countries are always seeing influxes of thousands of tourists every year looking to enjoy the wealth of wildlife, culture and food that is distinct than anywhere in the world.
Other countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are more on the cautionary side. When traveling to these countries especially, the capital city is always a little more dangerous.
Guatemala, for example, is safer in areas outside of cities such as Antigua and Atitlan. For transportation in Guatemala, it is advised to use only uber and not local taxis or buses. Walking alone at night is not advised, nor is showing off your phone or other valuables when you walk.
It is helpful to speak to locals about it. Many are very friendly and it’s always good to know which areas are unsafe and should be avoided when traveling in Central America.
Central America, sitting in between Columbia and Mexico, is an incredibly vibrant and exciting travel destination filled with biodiversity, culture and a mecca for marine life. It has a population of more than 42 million people. The following are countries classified as being a part of Central America:
Depending on what time of the year that you go, the packing list for Central America tours can differ. In general, however, these are the top 6 essentials to carry when traveling to any of the 7 countries:
Swimwear: whether you are traveling to Lake Atitlan or the San Blas islands, swimming in either the pacific or caribbean waters is something to not miss out on.
Secure backpack: this is helpful when walking around the towns and especially in market places where pickpocketing is expected. Make sure to always pack refillable water bottles, your phone with a downloaded offline map, sunglasses, sunscreen, wallet, bug spray and more.
Sneakers: motorbiking, hiking or exploring on foot is a must in Central America. The best places are the hidden gems tucked away by cobble pathways in small towns, views atop mountains and hilly streets that criss cross next to beaches that has the best, local restaurants and stores.
Travel insurance: Other than your visa, this is the next most important thing.
Cash: All the countries have different currencies from one another and having cash ready, especially if you plan to visit marketplaces, is extremely useful. Make sure to withdraw before you leave as getting cash in Central America itself can be more expensive.
Stomach medicine: don’t underestimate the power of a bad stomach, and the likelihood at that. Anything from fresh fruits, vegetables, ice, street food and altitude sickness can ruin the itineraries in a trip, so it’s wise to pack tums, tylenol and pepto-bismol before you leave.
Caribbean weather is mostly hot and sunny all around. 27 degrees celsius is the average while in the southern islands, temperatures can soar to 38 degrees. The wet seasons typically experience rain in bursts no more than an hour from May to October. Cold winds from the north happen sometimes but are infrequent and rare.
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