Backpacking costa rica is a rite of passage for any backpacker keen on exploring south or central america. Best backpacking holidays in america backpacking tours. One day you could be exploring the ancient mayan ruins of tikal in guatemala, and the next youre in belize kicking back in. Theres so much to love about this compact region, including volcanic lakes, caribbean coastlines, cloud forests, colonial towns, mayan ruins, humid rainforests, rushing waterfalls, surf spots, abundant wildlife. Torn apart by civil war from 1960 to 1996, guatemala is slowly recovering and is now becoming a mustvisit destination in central america. My flights were with virgin atlantic from london to miami. As a backpacking destination, central americas seven countries offer some of the worlds most diverse and. Everything you need to know antigua, guatemala usually the first stop on the gringo trail.
The ultimate backpacking central america travel guide for 2019. Backpacking central america the ultimate 2020 guide hostelworld. Advice about central america so my girlfriend and i are going on a five week trip to central america this summer and we plan on going through nicaragua, guatemala, belize and around cancun in mexico. The ultimate guide to backpacking central america central america is a diverse, beautiful, and misunderstood area of the world. It helps if you can speak some spanish or portuguese in brazil, but i found that most people were eager to help me and felt somehow responsible for this blonde gringa. The following apps are especially useful if youre going backpacking. This summer i am planning to spend three months traveling around central america alone. Yes, that means below mexico and above colombia, there in the middle.
Are you traveling with friends or backpacking alone. Luggage limits are a consideration when considering how to pack for backpacking. This ultraminimalist 7piece central america packing list is inspired by a traveler i met in mexico that packed only 4 pieces of clothing for her 5 month backpacking journey. Most of the countries in central america have a common gringo trail which is all the hot spots in the country for tourism. The further south go when backpacking central america, the more expensive things get. From tshirts to travel towels, torches to trousers, read on to find out how to pack for backpacking central america and other tropical destinations. Backpacking through central america with just a carryon. The dry season begins around november and lasts till about april. Check out these backpacking apps and choose your favorites to download. Where to backpack in central america coffeewithasliceoflife. The route of flowers is aptly named for the astounding display of coloured flowers in bloom following rainy season. Jul 30, 2017 the central american backpacker trail differs greatly from its southeast asian and european cousins. Explore more of central america with the rough guide to central america on a budget. Costa rica is definitely the jewel in the central american crown for a variety of reasons.
Travel across america on one of our tours and experience the fast paced east, the slow moving south and the laidback west. Costa rica caters to firsttime backpackers as well as resort travelers who. Oct 21, 2015 on a cold december morning in san francisco i couldnt stop looking at this one girls feed on instagram. Costa rica is one of the safest countries to go backpacking in central america. America alone available for download and read online in other formats. So without even thinking it through i bought a one way ticket to panama city. You just never know when those tropical storms might hit and when they do, youll get drenched pretty quickly. Petty theft, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, is one of the most common forms of crime in central america. Diving here is cheaper than in the caribbean and most parts of mexico. Depending on your time frame, there is a wide range of places to begin and end your backpacking trip. Backpacking through central america with just a carryon september 16, 2014 march 19, 2015 by snarkynomad as perhaps some of you may know, i am a scrawny weakling with embarrassingly atrocious upper body strength huge fan of minimalist travel, and the unhindered wandering it allows.
This new, fully updated edition of the rough guide to central america on a budget is the ultimate guide to the region, covering all seven central american countries in depth with rough guides unique tellitlikeitis style. You find make friends down there, most of the buses that you take in guatemala will be full of other tourists. The ultimate central america packing list clothing. I travelled solo in south america for 10 months and didnt feel unsafe at all. Apr 14, 2016 some of my journey through central america. Putnams bowling alone has identified a central crisis at the. On a cold december morning in san francisco i couldnt stop looking at this one girls feed on instagram. Central america is a relatively compact region, easily travelled and very popular.
Sep 20, 2016 my backpacking packing guide breaks down what im packing in my 53l backpack for longterm travel to central america. Travelling central america, backpacking central america, solo travel central america, central america. Most of the main attractions are out at sea in the form of hundreds of cayes, many with beautiful beaches and the 184mile long longest in the northern hemisphere. If you download these 14 backpacking apps, then youll learn languages, make friends, manage trip logistics and stay safe. Any advice on places we should hit or anything we should know buses, safety, etc. Central america is an amazing part of the world to go backpacking. She had just finished backpacking panama and all i could think about was, yea, i could do that, and i could do that alone. How to pack for backpacking central america the gap year. My mini guide to backpacking travel in central america. Central america is characterized by a warm tropical climate with two seasons, the dry and wet. May 04, 2020 best travel itineraries for backpacking central america.
If you follow these guidelines, youre bound to have the time of your life. Travellers are attracted to caribbean beaches, temples and its easy access proximity to the united states of america. The beauty of traveling through central america is the ability to experience so many different countries and cultures in such a short amount of time. We are simply a couple travelling through central america from tijuana to colombia. Sep 16, 2014 backpacking through central america with just a carryon september 16, 2014 march 19, 2015 by snarkynomad as perhaps some of you may know, i am a scrawny weakling with embarrassingly atrocious upper body strength huge fan of minimalist travel, and the unhindered wandering it allows. Choosing a general central america backpacking route and itinerary that works for you. On the whole the region is over rated with its northern reaches mexico see.
Check out my revised 3 months in central america packing list that i put together after my trip. Welcome to a firstofitskinda definitive rundown of the best backpacking spot in each state plus two runnersup based on a survey of backpacker readers. Best backpacking holidays in america backpacking tours usa. Backpacking apps make a trip safer, smoother and more fun. Backpacking bargains will seem like a distant memory almost as quickly as your trusty savings will diminish. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and dont forget to purchase travel insurance before you go. Backpacking in guatemala will reward you with incredible scenery and natural wonders, from volcanoes to limestone pools and huge lakes, strong indigenous cultures and colourful clothes, delicious. Learn what backpacking gear to take, how to learn the language and how to choose travel insurance. What i wish i packed my backpacking trip through central america officially begins today, which means that im all packed up and ready to goa feat that was not even slightly easy to achieve. Many parts of central america are very cheap to travel in. Central america archives backpacking across the world. Not all prices include the full cost of accommodation as i was working in exchange for free stays, so please check the individual costs for each country below. Yet the hues remain throughout the year, in the brightlypainted towns the winding road threads together. Tips on how to pack for backpacking save space and the hassle of trying to find an iron by rolling your clothes instead of folding them.
One day you could be exploring the ancient mayan ruins of tikal in guatemala, and the next youre in belize kicking back in caye caulker and taking in the caribbean island life. Traveling alone doesnt mean youre alone the entire time. When we travel alone, theres always the chance well lose a device while hostel hopping or hiking. Apr 26, 2015 where to backpack in central america central america is a whirlwind of fun, wildlife, oceans and mountains. In this interview with the ultraminimalist packer, deanne ballard, learn how she spent 5 months traveling mexico and central america with only 4 clothing items she. It is by far the best time of year for a backpacking. You will be in awe hiking active volcanoes and feel like youve transported back in. I never felt in danger here, and the locals are extremely kind and welcoming. Dec 16, 2016 my backpacking central america budget. May 04, 2020 backpacking costa rica is a rite of passage for any backpacker keen on exploring south or central america. This is a summary of the itinerary we followed for the 8 weeks we spent travelling through this amazing part of the world which took us from playa del carmen, mexico technically north america and down to panama city. But with so many countries inside it is sometimes overwhelming when coming to decide where to gohow long to stayand where not to go. The central american backpacker trail differs greatly from its southeast asian and european cousins.
I am a 21 year old female and have never gone on a long backpacking trip before. Central america ultraminimalist travel packing list. If you arrive from south east asia or central america into europe then youre in for a nasty shock. Backpacking through south america alone convenient planner calendar organizer daily weekly monthly student for researching things to know when traveling to peru. My mini guide to backpacking travel in central america part. Im a bit new at traveling by myself and was wondering if anyone had advice, tips, suggestions, etc. Often, in the common imagination, the words to which it is associated. Rough guides intrepid authors have climbed up mayan monuments, braved chicken buses and hiked through jungle to give you advice on what to see, how to budget and. Backpacking packing guide for central america youtube. The slim waist of the americas offers plenty of adventure. The weather is hot and unless you decide to travel to guatemala and climb a volcano, you really only need to pack summer clothes.
Backpacking costa rica how to plan an awesome itinerary. Goes in order from belize, guatemala, honduras, nicaragua, costa rica. Tips for backpacking central america home facebook. Single woman backpacking central america travel blog. I would recommend putting one rain jacket on your central america packing list hoodiefleece. We realize that the smallest tips can help other travellers. Single female travelling alone in central america americas.
A veteran backpacker gives 12 tips for how to stay safe and have fun when backpacking solo. If you are contemplating backpacking central america, then this is a great place to start. As a young backpacker with big ideas about seeing the americas your way you have just hit on the best way to do it. Lost frequencies are you with me dj snake middle audio ft. Central america is a whirlwind of fun, wildlife, oceans and mountains. Youll also spot plenty of local and foreign women going about their business solo, so youre unlikely to stand out. I returned from nicaragua to miami with american airlines spirit is the strictest on luggage limits both in the cabin and in the hold 15kg is the cheapest hold luggage.
Choosing a general central america backpacking route and itinerary that works for you will help in some of the basic planning on your journey. Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in america. My backpacking packing guide breaks down what im packing in my 53l backpack for longterm travel to central america. Quitting your stable job to backpack around south america sounds like a radical idea, but for christy offret. Traveling through ca proved over how backpacking in central america is completely different than anywhere else read more. For this price, youll get a hostel dorm a private room with a fan and a shared bathroom in cheaper countries, local meals and street food 0. We travelled through all 7 central american countries. Best travel itineraries for backpacking central america. Its the home of the ancient mayan civilization and many vibrant cultures, its filled with rainforests and lavaspewing volcanoes, and you can chill out on amazing beaches all along the carribean and pacific coasts. Depending on your plans, either hiking boots, hiking shoes or trail runners. Do be aware volcano climbs and jungle treks are some of the best experiences you can have in central america and you dont want to miss out. Here are the countries i visited as well as the average amount i spent each day. The rough guide to central america on a budget rough. Backpacking through south america alone is not as scary as people seem to think it is.
Backpacking usa solo united states lonely planet forum. Costa rica has the most developed tourism scene of all the central american countries. If you are contemplating backpacking central america, then this. I took a taxi from my hostel at 4 am and was dropped off at a deserted field that doubled as one of the bus stops to the ferry port. The country is packed with a vast array of prime backpacker destinations. Sep 11, 2015 check out my revised 3 months in central america packing list that i put together after my trip. Its all about the game of preference and ones attitude towards different cultures and societies of the world thus consequently one may assume that the things liked by one person in any one of. How to pack for backpacking central america the gap year edit. From ahuachapan in the north, the 45kilometre ruta snakes along rolling hills of coffee and dense jungle, waterfalls and volcanoes. We were greeted by smiling locals, who would often stop us in the street simply to thank us for giving their home a chance. Essential for evenings and cooler days up in the highlands and cloud forests, a good hoodie or fleece will come in. Costa rica is a small country in central america, long and narrow between panama to the south and nicaragua to the north.
Backpacking in central america archives tales of a. Cost of travel table backpacking costs in 90 different. Backpacking central america its an ongoing debate whether central america is better for backpackers or south asia. I have heard costa rica is a good backpacking destination but would really like to see other countries. I would really like to travel central america, but am unsure about the safety of it for backpacking alone. My mini guide to backpacking travel in central america part 1. Gemma thompson is a writer and broadcaster and specialises in solo female travel. Any usa backpacking trip wouldnt be complete without the nightlife of new orleans and las vegas. Backpacking in central america archives tales of a backpacker.
Ive done europe solo for 2 months, but thats my only backpacking experience i can compare it with so advice on how it differs as well as thoughts on my itinerary would be great. Dec 18, 20 central america is characterized by a warm tropical climate with two seasons, the dry and wet. How backpacking in central america is completely different. While i was traveling solo through central america, i stayed overnight in san pedro sula, honduras, which happened to be the murder capital of the world at the time. Jan 24, 2019 central america is an amazing part of the world to go backpacking. Feb 14, 2017 so heres a list of vacation options for the rest of your hiking life. Now its just a matter of deciding whether to enjoy the wildflowerstrewn highlands of arkansas, or the cobbled shores of lake superior, or the cloudpiercing peaks of western wyoming, or. Packing for 3 months in central america the wandering blonde. The rough guide to central america on a budget rough guides. Theres also the chance that someone could target a solo. Oct 28, 2019 backpacking through south america alone is not as scary as people seem to think it is.
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