Im looking to travel to somewhere in Central America in mid February for 3 months, I might have to girls travelling with me. Im looking for a place that isnt too touristy and a place where I can surf and indulge myself in the culture of the country. Im thinking Costa Rice, Belize, or Panama. I dont have much money to my name and Im going be saving as much money as I can in the next few months, if any of you guys have any advice, travel tips or suggestions I will very much apprciate it.
Costa Rice, Belize, or Panama are all kind of expensive for central America. Panama is probably the cheapest out of them. Nicaragua and Honduras are very cheap but the beaches can be danger you can get robbed and raped fairly easy. With 2 girls I would stick to Costa Rice, Belize, or Panama it is more expensive but not getting robbed and raped is worth a lot.
I think a LOT of that has to do with being careful- it's not like if you step onto a beach in these places you're definitely going to have something happen. Be aware of your surroundings, don't walk alone on the beach at night, don't wear gold flashy jewellry...you can enjoy those beaches without being terrified or attacked! I knew some people who had AMAZING experiences in the Honduras so going by what they told me, I'd recommend it!
Some parts of Honduras can be fairly safe by Roatan there is a lot of tourists and the police watch out for them and keep the beaches safe. But the majority of the country is pretty dodgy as far as crime goes. The average yearly income is about $400 U.S and there is a lot of guns and crime. If you stay by the center of town you are a lot safer but going off to secluded beaches without a local to guide you is asking for trouble. I have done a little traveling in Honduras I didn’t have any trouble but I did meet a few people who have. I met a girl who was kidnapped in Tegucigalpa raped for 3 days and left for dead in a ditch. I have done a lot of traveling in Nicaragua and I think it is safer then Honduras. The beaches by San Juan Del Sur a fairly safe and cheap but not many places to leave valuables, lots of things get stolen from the hotels. Nicaragua and Honduras are cheap 2-3$ hotels compared to 20-30$ hotels in Costa Rica. That’s where I travel but there is alot of crime and poverty and I wouldn’t recommend wandering around the beaches there to people who have never been to Central America. Lonely Planet guidebooks have good descriptions of the tourist places in those countries. The tourist places are fairly safe because they have extra police and try to keep them secure for the tourist $s.
puerto viejo costa rica! it is pretty chead...you can find a hostel for under $10. surfing is great, food is cheap, people are firendly. i flew into san jose and took a bus to limon close to pv and took another bus there. everything is pretty chead and there are some amazing places to visit. its a little hippy surfing town that is very backpacker friendly
