Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoestring

by Brosnahan, Tom

• ISBN13: 9780864424181
• ISBN10: 0864424183
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-09-01
• Publisher: Lonely Planet

Summary

Containing 127 maps plus a two-page color highlight map, this classic guide is thoroughly updated for travelers headed for Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The book shows places to eat, stay, and be entertained and includes a Spanish language section and glossary.

Table of Contents

Introduction	15	(2)
Facts About Central America	17	(14)
History	17	(3)
Geography	20	(1)
Geology	21	(1)
Climate	21	(1)
Ecology & Environment	22	(1)
Flora & Fauna	23	(2)
Government & Politics	25	(1)
Economy	26	(1)
Population & People	27	(1)
Arts	28	(1)
Society & Conduct	28	(2)
Religion	30	(1)
Regional Facts For The Visitor	31	(43)
Planning	31	(2)
Suggested Itineraries	33	(1)
Highlights	33	(3)
Visas & Documents	36	(2)
Customs	38	(1)
Money	38	(4)
Post & Communications	42	(2)
Traveling with a Laptop	44	(1)
Books	44	(2)
Media	46	(1)
Photography	47	(1)
Time	48	(1)
Electricity	48	(1)
Weights & Measures	48	(1)
Laundry	48	(1)
Health	48	(14)
Toilets	62	(1)
Useful Organizations	63	(1)
Women Travelers	63	(1)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers	64	(1)
Travel with Children	65	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	65	(3)
Legal Matters	68	(1)
Activities	69	(1)
Language Courses	69	(1)
Work	69	(1)
Accommodations	70	(1)
Food	71	(1)
Drinks	72	(2)
Getting There & Away	74	(11)
Air	74	(7)
Land	81	(2)
Sea	83	(1)
Warning	84	(1)
Getting Around Central America	85	(10)
Air	85	(1)
Bus	86	(2)
Train	88	(1)
Car & Motorcycle	88	(4)
Bicycle	92	(1)
Hitchhiking	93	(1)
Boat	93	(1)
Organized Tours	94	(1)
Guatemala	95	(160)
Facts about Guatemala	95	(6)
Geography	101	(1)
Climate	101	(1)
Ecology & Environment	101	(1)
Flora & Fauna	102	(3)
Government & Politics	105	(1)
Economy	105	(1)
Population & People	105	(1)
Education	106	(1)
Arts	106	(1)
Society & Conduct	106	(1)
Religion	107	(1)
Language	107	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	108	(1)
Highlights	108	(1)
Tourist Offices	108	(1)
Visas & Documents	108	(1)
Embassies	109	(1)
Customs	109	(1)
Money	109	(1)
Post & Communications	110	(2)
Books	112	(1)
Newspapers & Magazines	112	(1)
Radio & TV	113	(1)
Laundry	113	(1)
Health	113	(1)
Women Travelers	113	(1)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers	113	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	113	(1)
Business Hours & Public Holidays	114	(1)
Special Events	114	(1)
Activities	115	(1)
Language Courses	115	(1)
Work	115	(1)
Accommodations	116	(1)
Food	116	(1)
Drinks	116	(1)
Things to Buy	117	(1)
Getting There & Away	117	(1)
Getting Around	118	(1)
Guatemala City	119	(15)
Antigua Guatemala	134	(14)
Around Antigua Guatemala	148	(1)
Highlands-Lago de Atitlan	149	(1)
Tecpan Guatemala	150	(1)
Solola	151	(1)
Panajachel	151	(8)
Santa Catarian Palopo & San Antonio Palopo	159	(1)
San Lucas Toliman	159	(1)
Santiago Atitlan	159	(2)
San Pedro La Laguna	161	(1)
San Marcos La Laguna	162	(1)
Santa Cruz La Laguna	163	(1)
Highlands-Quiche	164	(1)
Chichicastenango	164	(6)
Santa Cruz del Quiche	170	(2)
Nebaj	172	(1)
Uspantan	172	(1)
Southwestern Highlands	173	(1)
Cuatro Caminos	173	(1)
San Miguel Totonicapan	173	(1)
Quetzaltenango	174	(8)
Around Quetzaltenango	182	(4)
Huehuetenango	186	(4)
Around Huehuetenango	190	(1)
La Mesilla	190	(1)
Todos Santos Cuchumatan	190	(1)
Pacific Slope	191	(1)
Ciudad Tecun Uman	191	(1)
El Carmen	191	(1)
Coatepeque	192	(1)
El Zarco Junction	192	(1)
Retalhuleu	192	(2)
Abaj Takalik	194	(1)
Champerico	194	(1)
Mazatenango	194	(1)
Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa	195	(3)
La Democracia	198	(1)
Around La Democracia	199	(1)
Escuintla	199	(1)
Puerto San Jose, Likin & Iztapa	199	(1)
Monterrico	200	(1)
Lago de Amatitlan	201	(1)
Central & Eastern Guatemala	201	(1)
Salama	202	(1)
Around Salama	203	(1)
Biotopo del Quetzal	203	(1)
Coban	204	(4)
Around Coban	208	(1)
Rio Hondo	209	(1)
Estanzuela	210	(1)
Zacapa	211	(1)
Chiquimula	211	(2)
Padre Miguel Junction & Anguiatu	213	(1)
Esquipulas	213	(3)
El Florido	216	(1)
Quirigua	217	(2)
Lago de Izabal	219	(2)
The Road to Flores	221	(1)
Poptun	221	(1)
Puerto Barrios	222	(4)
Livingston	226	(4)
Around Livingston	230	(1)
El Peten	231	(2)
Flores & Santa Elena	233	(7)
El Remate	240	(1)
Around the Lake	241	(1)
Tikal	241	(8)
Uaxactun	249	(1)
Eastward to Belize	250	(1)
From El Peten to Chiapas (Mexico)	251	(1)
Sayaxche & Ceibal	252	(3)
Belize	255	(54)
Facts about Belize	255	(2)
Geography	257	(1)
Climate	257	(1)
Flora & Fauna	257	(1)
Government & Politics	258	(1)
Economy	259	(1)
Population & People	259	(1)
Education	260	(1)
Society & Conduct	260	(1)
Religion	260	(1)
Language	260	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	260	(1)
HIghlights	260	(1)
Tourist Offices	260	(1)
Visas & Documents	261	(1)
Embassies & Consulates	261	(1)
Money	261	(1)
Post & Communications	262	(1)
Media	262	(1)
Weights & Measures	263	(1)
Disabled Travelers	263	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	263	(1)
Business Hours & Public Holidays	263	(1)
Activities	263	(1)
Accommodations	263	(1)
Food	263	(1)
Drinks	264	(1)
Entertainment	264	(1)
Getting There & Away	264	(1)
Getting Around	264	(1)
Belize City	265	(9)
The Cayes	274	(1)
Caye Caulker	274	(4)
Ambergris Caye	278	(4)
Northern Belize	282	(1)
Bermudian Landing Community Baboon Sanctuary	282	(1)
Altun Ha	282	(1)
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary	283	(1)
Lamanai	283	(1)
Orange Walk Town	284	(2)
Corozal Town	286	(2)
Crossing the Border to Mexico	288	(1)
Western Belze	289	(1)
Belize Zoo	289	(1)
Guanacaste National Park	289	(1)
Belmopan	289	(2)
San Ignacio (Cayo)	291	(3)
Cayo District	294	(2)
Xunantunich	296	(1)
Benque Viejo del Carmen	297	(1)
Crossing the Guatemalan Border	297	(1)
Southern Belize	298	(1)
The Hummingbird Highway	298	(1)
Dangriga	299	(2)
Southern Highway	301	(1)
Placencia	302	(2)
Punta Gorda	304	(2)
Around Punta Gorda	306	(3)
Honduras	309	(148)
Facts about Honduras	310	(6)
Geography	316	(1)
Climate	316	(1)
Ecology & Environment	316	(1)
Flora & Fauna	317	(3)
Government & Politics	320	(1)
Economy	320	(1)
Population & People	320	(1)
Education	321	(1)
Arts	321	(1)
Society & Conduct	321	(1)
Religion	322	(1)
Language	322	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	322	(1)
Highlights	322	(1)
Tourist Offices	323	(1)
Visas & Documents	323	(1)
Embassies	323	(1)
Customs	324	(1)
Money	324	(1)
Post & Communications	325	(1)
Books	326	(1)
Media	327	(1)
Photography & Video	328	(1)
Electricity	328	(1)
Laundry	328	(1)
Health	328	(1)
Women Travelers	328	(1)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers	329	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	329	(1)
Business Hours & Public Holidays	329	(1)
Special Events	330	(1)
Activities	330	(1)
Language Courses	331	(1)
Accommodations	331	(1)
Food	332	(1)
Drinks	332	(1)
Entertainment	333	(1)
Spectator Sports	333	(1)
Things to Buy	333	(1)
Getting There & Away	334	(1)
Getting Around	335	(3)
Tegucigalpa	338	(13)
Around Tegucigalpa	351	(4)
Western Honduras	355	(1)
Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula	355	(1)
Comayagua	356	(2)
Around Comayagua	358	(1)
Siguatepeque	359	(1)
Around Siguatepeque	360	(1)
La Esperanza	360	(1)
Cuevas de Taulabe	360	(1)
Lago de Yojoa	361	(1)
Pulhapanzak	361	(1)
Balneario Bahr	362	(1)
Santa Barbara	362	(1)
San Pedro Sula	362	(7)
Parque Nacional Cusuco	369	(1)
Carretera de Occidente	370	(1)
La Entrada	370	(1)
Copan Ruinas	371	(4)
Around Copan Ruinas	375	(1)
Copan Archaeological Site	376	(5)
Santa Rosa de Copan	381	(2)
Around Santa Rosa de Copan	383	(1)
Gracias	383	(3)
Around Gracias	386	(1)
Parque Nacional Celaque	386	(1)
Nueva Ocotepeque	387	(1)
El Poy & Agua Caliente	388	(1)
Northern Honduras	388	(1)
Puerto Cortes	389	(2)
Travesia & Baja Mar	391	(1)
Omoa	392	(1)
Tela	393	(4)
Around Tela	397	(3)
La Ceiba	400	(6)
Around La Ceiba	406	(2)
Parque Nacional
Pico Bonito	408	(1)
Amaras	409	(1)
Trujillo	410	(5)
Around Trujillo	415	(2)
Santa Rosa de Aguan	417	(1)
Limon	418	(1)
Bay Islands	418	(5)
Roatan	423	(12)
Utila	435	(6)
Guanaja	441	(2)
Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands)	443	(1)
Eastern Honduras	444	(1)
La Union	444	(1)
Around La Union	445	(1)
Parque Nacional La Muralla	445	(2)
Catacamas	447	(1)
The Mosquitia	447	(3)
Southern Honduras	450	(1)
Tegucigalpa to Nicaragua	451	(1)
Tegucigalpa to the Pacific	451	(1)
Golfo de Fonseca	451	(1)
Choluteca	452	(3)
San Marcos de Colon	455	(1)
Border Crossing to Nicaragua	455	(1)
Border Crossing to El Salvador	455	(2)
El Salvador	457	(60)
Facts about El Salvador	457	(1)
History	457	(4)
Geography	461	(1)
Climate	461	(1)
Ecology & Environment	461	(1)
Flora & Fauna	462	(1)
Government & Politics	462	(1)
Economy	462	(1)
Population & People	463	(1)
Education	463	(1)
Arts	463	(1)
Society & Conduct	463	(1)
Religion	464	(1)
Language	464	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	464	(1)
Planning	464	(1)
The Best & the Worst	465	(1)
Tourist Offices	465	(1)
Visas & Documents	465	(1)
Embassies	466	(1)
Customs	466	(1)
Money	466	(1)
Post & Communications	467	(1)
Books & Films	467	(1)
Media	468	(1)
Laundry	468	(1)
Health	468	(1)
Toilets	468	(1)
Useful Organizations	468	(1)
Women Travelers	469	(1)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers	469	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	469	(1)
Business Hours & Public Holidays	469	(1)
Activities	470	(1)
Accommodations	470	(1)
Food	471	(1)
Drinks	471	(1)
Things to Buy	472	(1)
Getting There & Away	472	(2)
Getting Around	474	(1)
San Salvador	475	(15)
East of San Salvador	490	(1)
West of San Salvador	490	(1)
South of San Salvador	491	(2)
Western El Salvador	493	(1)
La Libertad	493	(2)
La Costa del Balsamo	495	(1)
Lago de Coatepeque	495	(1)
Cerro Verde & Volcan Izalco	496	(1)
Santa Ana	497	(3)
Lago de Guija	500	(1)
Metapan	500	(1)
Parque Nacional Montecristo-El Trifinio	500	(1)
Ruinas de Tazumal	501	(1)
Ahuachapan	502	(1)
Apaneca	502	(1)
Santa Ana to Sonsonate	503	(1)
Acajutla	503	(1)
Parque Nacional El Impossible	504	(1)
Eastern El Salvador	504	(1)
The Interamericana	504	(1)
Carretera del Litoral	505	(1)
Isla Montecristo	506	(1)
Usulutan	506	(1)
San Miguel	506	(3)
El Cuco	509	(1)
La Union	510	(1)
El Tamarindo	511	(1)
Santa Rosa de Lima	512	(1)
Ciudad Segundo Montes	512	(1)
Perquin	512	(1)
El Mozote	513	(1)
Northern El Salvador	513	(1)
Chalatenango	513	(1)
Dulce Nombre de Maria	514	(1)
La Palma	514	(3)
Nicaragua	517	(72)
Facts about Nicaragua	517	(1)
History	517	(7)
Geography	524
Climate	252	(273)
Ecology & Environment	525	(1)
Government & Politics	526	(1)
Economy	526	(1)
Population & People	526	(1)
Education	527	(1)
Arts	527	(1)
Religion	527	(1)
Language	527	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	527	(1)
Planning	527	(1)
Highlights	528	(1)
Tourist Offices	529	(1)
Visas & Documents	529	(1)
Embassies	529	(1)
Customs	530	(1)
Money	530	(1)
Post & Communications	531	(1)
Books	531	(1)
Media	532	(1)
Photography & Film	532	(1)
Time	532	(1)
Weights & Measures	532	(1)
Health	532	(1)
Women Travelers	532	(1)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers	532	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	533	(1)
Business Hours & Public Holidays	533	(1)
Special Events	533	(1)
Activities	533	(1)
Language Courses	534	(1)
Work	534	(1)
Accommodations	534	(1)
Food	534	(1)
Drinks	535	(1)
Entertainment	535	(1)
Things to Buy	535	(1)
Getting There & Away	535	(2)
Getting Around	537	(1)
Managua	538	(10)
Around Managua	548	(1)
Parque Nacional Volcan Masaya	548	(2)
Volcan Momotombo	550	(1)
Leon Viejo	550	(1)
Pochomil	550	(1)
Other Beaches	550	(1)
North of Managua	551	(1)
Matagalpa	551	(3)
Jinotega	554	(1)
Lago de Apanas	555	(1)
Estelf	555	(3)
North to Honduras	558	(1)
Northwest of Managua	559	(1)
Leon	560	(4)
Poneloya	564	(1)
Northwest from Leon	564	(1)
South of Managua	565	(3)
Around Masaya	568	(1)
Granada	569	(4)
Around Granada	573	(1)
Rivas	574	(1)
Rivas to Costa Rica	575	(1)
San Juan del Sur	575	(2)
Lago de Nicaragua	577	(1)
Isla de Ometepe	578	(3)
Archipielago de Solentiname	581	(1)
San Carlos	582	(1)
Rio San Juan & El Castillo	582	(1)
The Caribbean Coast	583	(1)
Managua to the Caribbean	584	(1)
Juigalpa	584	(1)
Rama	584	(1)
Bluefields	585	(2)
Laguna de Perlas	587	(1)
Puerto Cabezas	587	(1)
Corn Islands	588	(1)
Costa Rica	589	(110)
Facts about Costa Rica	589	(4)
Geography	593	(1)
Climate	593	(1)
Ecology & Environment	594	(1)
Flora & Fauna	594	(3)
Government	597	(1)
Economy	597	(1)
Population & People	598	(1)
Education	598	(1)
Arts	598	(1)
Society & Conduct	598	(1)
Religion	599	(1)
Language	599	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	600	(1)
Highlights	600	(1)
Tourist Offices	600	(1)
Visas & Documents	601	(1)
Embassies	601	(1)
Customs	602	(1)
Money	602	(2)
Post & Communications	604	(1)
Books	604	(1)
Newspapers & Magazines	605	(1)
Radio & TV	605	(1)
Film & Photography	605	(1)
Time	605	(1)
Electricity	605	(1)
Laundry	605	(1)
Health	606	(1)
Women Travelers	606	(1)
Gay & Lesbian Travelers	606	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	606	(1)
Business Hours & Public Holidays	607	(1)
Special Events	607	(1)
Activities	607	(1)
Language Courses	608	(1)
Accommodations	608	(1)
Food	609	(1)
Drinks	609	(1)
Entertainment	610	(1)
Spectator Sports	610	(1)
Things to Buy	610	(1)
Getting There & Away	610	(1)
Getting Around	611	(2)
San Jose	613	(15)
Central Valley & Highlands	628	(1)
Alajuela	629	(1)
Sarchi	629	(3)
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas	632	(1)
Heredia	632	(1)
Barva	633	(1)
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrilo	633	(1)
Rain Forest Aerial Tram	634	(1)
Coronado	634	(1)
Cartago	634	(2)
Turrialba	636	(1)
Monumento Nacional Guayabo	637	(1)
Northwestern Costa Rica	638	(1)
Monteverde & Santa Elena	638	(5)
Canas	643	(1)
Parque Nacional Palo Verde	644	(1)
Reserva Biologica Lomas Barbudal	644	(1)
Liberia	644	(2)
Parque Nacional Rincon de La Vieja	646	(1)
Parque Nacional Santa Rosa	647	(1)
Parque Nacional Guanacaste	648	(1)
Penas Blancas	648	(1)
Ciudad Quesada	648	(1)
Fortuna & Volcan Arenal	649	(1)
Tilaran	650	(1)
Northern Lowlands	651	(1)
Los Chiles	651	(1)
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui	651	(1)
Caribbean Lowlands	652	(1)
Puerto Limon	652	(2)
Parque Nacional Tortuguero	654	(1)
Tortuguero	655	(1)
Barra del Colorado	656	(1)
Cahuita	657	(3)
Parque Nacional Cahuita	660	(1)
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca	661	(3)
East of Puerto Viejo	664	(1)
Sixaola	665	(1)
Southern Costa Rica	665	(1)
San Isidro de El General	666	(1)
San Gerardo de Rivas	667	(1)
Parque Nacional Chirripo	667	(2)
Palmar Norte & Palmar Sur	669	(1)
Sierpe	669	(1)
Bahia Drake	669	(1)
Golfito	669	(3)
South of Golfito	672	(1)
Puerto Jimenez	672	(1)
Parque Nacional Corcovado	673	(1)
Neily	673	(1)
San Vito	673	(2)
Paso Canoas	675	(1)
Central Pacific Coast	675	(1)
Puntarenas	675	(3)
Reserva Biologica Carara	678	(1)
Jaco	679	(1)
Quepos	680	(2)
Manuel Antonio	682	(1)
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio	683	(3)
Dominical	686	(1)
Uvita	687	(1)
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena	687	(1)
Peninsula de Nicoya	687	(1)
Playa del Coco	688	(3)
Playa Tamarindo	691	(1)
Parque Nacional Marino
Las Baulas de Guanacaste	692	(1)
Playa Avellana	693	(1)
Playa Junquillal	693	(1)
Santa Cruz	693	(1)
Nicoya	694	(1)
Parque Nacional Barra Honda	694	(1)
Playa Nosara	694	(1)
Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional	695	(1)
Playa Samara	695	(1)
Playa Naranjo	696	(1)
Paquera	696	(1)
Montezuma	696	(1)
Malpais	697	(1)
Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco	698	(1)
Panama	699	(94)
Facts about Panama	699	(8)
Geography	707	(1)
Climate	707	(1)
Ecology & Environment	708	(1)
Flora & Fauna	708	(1)
Government & Politics	709	(1)
Economy	710	(1)
Population & People	710	(1)
Education	711	(1)
Arts	711	(1)
Society & Conduct	711	(1)
Religion	712	(1)
Language	712	(1)
Facts for the Visitor	712	(1)
Highlights	713	(1)
Tourist Offices	713	(1)
Visas & Documents	714	(1)
Embassies & Consulates	714	(1)
Customs	715	(1)
Money	715	(1)
Post & Communications	715	(1)
Books	716	(1)
Media	717	(1)
Photography & Film	717	(1)
Time	717	(1)
Electricity	717	(1)
Laundry	717	(1)
Weights & Measures	717	(1)
Health	717	(1)
Dangers & Annoyances	717	(1)
Business Hours	718	(1)
Public Holidays & Special Events	718	(1)
Activities	718	(2)
Work	720	(1)
Accommodations	720	(1)
Food	720	(1)
Drinks	721	(1)
Entertainment	721	(1)
Spectator Sports	721	(1)
Things to Buy	721	(1)
Getting There & Away	722	(1)
Getting Around	723	(2)
Panama City	725	(15)
Around Panama City	740	(1)
Panama Canal	740	(2)
Canal Area	742	(1)
Isla Barro Colorado	743	(1)
Cerro Azul	743	(1)
Baha'i & Hindu Temples	743	(1)
Beaches	744	(1)
El Valle	744	(2)
Isla Taboga	746	(2)
Archipielago de Las Perlas & Isla Contadora	748	(1)
Veraguas Province	748	(1)
Colon & Around	748	(1)
Colon	748	(1)
Fuerte San Lorenzo	749	(1)
Portobelo	750	(1)
Isla Grande	750	(1)
Peninsula de Azuero	751	(2)
Chitre	753	(2)
Villa de Los Santos	755	(1)
Guarare	755	(1)
Las Tablas	755	(1)
Chirqui	756	(1)
David	757	(4)
Around David	761	(1)
Golfo de Chiriqui	761	(1)
Playa Las Lajas	761	(1)
Boquete	762	(3)
Los Pozos de Caldera	765	(1)
Parque Nacional Volcan Baru	766	(1)
Around Volcan Baru	766	(1)
Volcan	766	(2)
Bambito	768	(1)
Cerro Punta	768	(1)
Guadalupe	769	(1)
Parque Internacional La Amistad	769	(1)
Rio Sereno	770	(1)
Puerto Armuelles	771	(1)
Bocas del Toro	771	(1)
Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos	771	(1)
Bocas del Toro	771	(6)
Isla Bastimentos	777	(1)
Other Islands	777	(1)
Chiriqui Grande & Almirante	778	(1)
Changuinola	779	(1)
Eastern Panama	780	(1)
Archipielago de San Blas	780	(2)
Darien	782	(11)
Glossary	793	(4)
Spanish For Travelers	797	(7)
Online Resources	804	(5)
Index	809	(1)
Map	809	(1)
Text	810