I have just returned home from five weeks travelling throughout Central America, beginning in Mexico and flying out from Costa Rica. I was booked on an Intrepid tour so therefore did little research or preparation before leaving, assuming everything I needed to know I could learn through my tour. I guess it was nice to travel without any expectations however had I did my research before I left, I would have had a much better idea of what I was in for.  

Central America is incredible; don’t get me wrong. Pristine beaches, massive green mountains and rolling hills, volcanoes, lakes, jungles and rainforests. Central America has it all. You are surrounded by nature, wildlife, culture and adrenalin-packed adventures. But keep in mind you are travelling through third world countries where the poor far outnumber the middle class and wealthy.

The ten things you may find helpful if you plan on travelling to Central America;

1. Pack and use your bug spray often and liberally. Don’t be shy. Be generous. The itch and sight of them are not worth the pain.  Once bitten there is a 24-hour delay before you start to feel the itch, then a two-day itch fest where you cannot control yourself, before huge red welts appear over your body, particularly your legs. They will look horrid for at least a week or longer. Insects are everywhere, and they are hungry.

   
   

2. You will have to pay entry and exit fees when crossing the border between countries by land, so have US dollars ready, some accept local currency. It does not matter your nationality; everyone has to pay. You may also need evidence of flights out of Central America so be sure to have this printed and in your documents. Screenshots are not always accepted.  

   
   

3. Pack your rain jacket, poncho or umbrella wherever you go because you never know when you will get a downpour of rain, particularly in October and November.

   
   

4. There are Centoes in Mexico. These are giant sinkholes you can swim in, usually where a cave ceiling has collapsed in. They are a great experience and I highly recommend visiting a couple at least. Look them up on the web or ask around and choose your preferred ones. You can choose from covered, uncovered and partly covered ones.  Many of them come with an entry fee. I also suggest you don’t wear sunscreen, deodorant or creams before hopping in as they try to keep the water as clean and fresh as possible. They suggest you also have a shower before going in.  

   
   

5. Learn the difference between different Mexican food. It is everywhere and cheap at local restaurants or street vendors. We ate it often and never got sick. It was delicious. Choose from tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas, empanadas, fajitas, and the typical dish of rice and beans you can find just about everywhere.  Just helps to be able to identify and differentiate between all of the different choices.

   
   

6. It is beneficial to learn some basic Spanish phrases and greetings as there is very little English in Central America. Sign language can only get you so far. Other than learning the basics, I suggest you download a translation app like Google Translate or Dialog - Speech Translator which you can use without the need for Wi-Fi. Packing your phrasebook or Lonely Planet guide is great to read and practice on your long travel days.

   
   

7. Any time you take cash out of an ATM in Central America, you get charged a withdrawal fee which is usually somewhere between $6-$8. If you have an account with ING, they refund all your withdrawal fee’s or I am with Citibank who does not charge for withdrawing money despite still getting the message pop up on the ATM. So I suggest you always shop around before committing to a travel bank card as they can become expensive for some.

   
   

8. We found all day trips were quite expensive through Intrepid tours. But by visiting the smaller street vendors on the roadside and asking for their best price, we could often get a much better deal for half the amount. You can bargain with them whereas shop stores have overhead costs which mean their prices are usually that bit higher. Expect to pay at least $100 for day trips.

   
   

9. Each country in Central America is different. In terms of currency, culture, scenery, and safety level. Spanish is the predominant language for most of the countries with English spoken in Belize. US dollars can be used however the exchange rate is not always the best.

   
   

10. Getting around and between countries is super easy. The ADO bus in Mexico is easy and comfortable to get around. If arriving at the airport, you will find the bus depot at Terminal 2. But hopping on the local ‘chicken’ buses can be lots of fun mixing and being up close with the locals (and I mean really close once the bus is full). With no air-conditioning, there is nothing like sitting on the bus with the wind passing through your hair looking out at the jungle.  

I hope these top ten tips help make you feel more comfortable and give you an idea of what you may come across when travelling through Central America.

Have you been to Central America before? What are your thoughts? Can you suggest anything to our readers? Feel free to comment below and add to the conversation.