Traveling Through Central America: Essential Information to Be Aware of Before Your Trip

Central America, which connects the USA to South America, is one of the world's most beautiful regions. It's made up of seven countries: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

All of these countries are extremely beautiful, but traveling through them is no walk in the park. Things work differently in Central America, whether it's transport or safety, but as long as you follow the information in this guide, you're on an incredible trip.

Prepare for the Humidity

Central America is hot and humid in most places. The region is filled with dense rainforests, which push water into the atmosphere and create specific clouds, causing high humidity.

You'll notice in some mountainous areas in the likes of Guatemala are nowhere near as humid as somewhere like Granada in Nicaragua, but it's always best to be prepared for the worst.

When you're searching for accommodation, you should always try to find somewhere with air conditioning, even if it's more expensive, you'll thank yourself for the long rain.

Know Some Spanish

Besides Belize, the rest of the countries in Central America have adopted Spanish as their national language. While it's easy to get by using English in major cities, once you get out to the countryside, things change. Most locals don't understand a word of English unless they work in the tourism industry.

You don't need to be fluent or even close, but some simple words and sentences can go a long way. Download a language learning app like Duo Lingo, which is a great resource for picking up the basics of all major languages.

Even when you're in Belize, many people there can speak Spanish, but English is the official language there, so it's easier to get by.

If you've got data on your phone, you can just download the Google Translate app and use it if you don't understand what someone is saying or would like to say something to a person in Spanish.

Don't Walk Alone at Night

Central America has somewhat of a bad reputation, but if you use common sense and have your wits about you, you'll be fine during your trip.

Walking home alone at night is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they're there. Petty crimes do happen in this region, particularly after dark, so it's best to avoid walking home alone at night. Take the cheap cab or tuk-tuk instead; it's only a couple of dollars and well worth it compared to getting robbed.

Be Mindful of Hurricane Season

The hurricane in Central America is pretty predictable; it's usually between May and November, so if you're traveling to the region during this time, you better prepare for a hurricane.

It might not even happen, or if one does come, the country you're visiting may not be affected, but knowing what to do in the event of one will help.

You should not attempt to go outside at all and ensure you always stay away from windows. Listen out to local news stations, too; these will be able to notify you with alerts in case the place you're in needs to be evacuated.

Get Your Vaccines

One big part of travel is vaccines; it's just something you have to do as a traveler unless you want to fall victim to a disease that could be deadly.

While each country has its own vaccine requirement list, the recommended options for the region include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies, typhoid, and cholera. Your doctor may advise you to get other shots depending on what parts of the country you visit. Generally, more remote areas have a higher risk of diseases.

Learn the Currencies

All the countries in Central America have their own currency except El Salvador, which has adopted the US dollar (great news for Americans).

While many establishments will accept US dollars, it's essential to get some local currency when you arrive in a new country.

Here is each country's national currency:

Belize - Belize Dollar (BZD)

Guatemala - Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)

Honduras - Honduran Lempira (HNL)

Nicaragua - Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)

Costa Rica - Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

Panama - Panamanian Balboa (PAB) + US dollar (USD)

Not All of the Countries Are Cheap, so Budget Wisely

There's a common misconception that Central America is a cheap region; sure, some countries might be a little cheaper than where you're from, but you'll be surprised when you get there how expensive some things can be especially famous tourist attractions.

When you look at the list of countries as a whole, Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama are quite expensive. Guatemala and Nicaragua are around mid-range but get cheaper the more rural you go. The cheapest of the lot are El Salvador and Honduras.

Get Yourself Ready for Border Crossings

Border crossings aren't fun; they're sketchy, take so long to get through (even worse in the heat), and require a steady head until you cross the line.

Whether you like it or not, they're just part of the fun in the part of the world. But, one thing you can control is how you act in this situation; if you just stay calm and know that everything will be alright, you'll get there in the end.

Remember to always check your foreign affairs government website to find out the entry requirements for your nationality. What might be okay for one person may not be allowed for you, so check in advance to cover yourself.

Enjoy Your Travels Through Central America

Hopefully, these tips for Central America will be helpful for your upcoming trip. This is one of the most underrated regions in the world that a lot of people tend to avoid because of the information they've seen on the news or read online.

Yes, bad things do happen, but they happen everywhere, so if you plan properly, it heavily reduces the chances of anything bad happening to you.