BootsnAll Travel Community

Just been up in central america recently, here are my highlights!

Antigua, Guatamala - just loved it, spent two weeks learning spanish, Pacaya is a must do experience and check out Rikis bar on Wed (or maybe thurs) to see ignacio from Buena Vista Social Club play, amazing stuff!

Livingston, Guat - If you wanna party, and I mean party, not just get drunk or dance, get to Casa del Iguana, run by Rusty, an ex Stripper from England, you´ll have a ball, you´ll prob hear about it from someone if your within 500miles of the place!

El Roble hostel, San Diego, El Salvador - Run by Darren Clarke out of Antigua, proper family run place, will do tours and sort transport from antigua - if you want to get in touch let me know, if not look out in rileys bar, antigua!

La Ceiba, Honduras - Omega tours, german run, great sausages and even better rafting trips!

Tikal - stay in Los Amigos for the best smoothies in Flores, then get to tikal for sunrise, its the god damn ewok village, do you need much more!

Bocas Del Toro, Panama - surf dive or just get pissed and eat street meat, either way you´ll have fun!

Leon, Nicaragua - Bigfoot Hostel, they do volcano boarding...seriously, boarding down a live volcano, how cool is that! plus the lasagne is a must, but give darren the owner a slap, stupid aussie bugger!haha

Poptun, Guat - Finca Ixobel, gorgeous working farm just south from flores, so chilled, great food, great caving, and by all accounts the horseriding was ace too!

Technically south america, but Capurgana, Colombia, just over the border in the dreaded Darien Gap, you can fly from panama city to a town near the border (panama side) then get a boat, untouched jungle, we stayed with Joey Silver at Cabinas Darius, great guy, will sort tours up to 6days horseback for $15 a day, highly recommended for those headed south!

Any more info just shout!!!

Pete

Dominical, Costa Rica

1. Great place to learn how to surf. All sorts of super rad individuals teach it. I never thought I would like surfing and didn't plan on trying it at all; I am now looking to buy a surfboard!!!!
2. Day trips to Corcovado National Park, horseback riding at waterfalls.
3. Hiking in Hacienda Baru.
4. Kayaking on the river. (I haven't done it but I have friends who did and LOVED it.)
5. Quiet beach.
6. Nightlife is so-so, can be fun at certain times.

Just got back from a great stay on Isla de Ometepe.

My partner and I happened upon an organic farm just outside of Balgue that is just opening up a camping area, along with a great little cottage.

The place is called Casa Campestre, and is totally off the map, so it's a great place for people who want a little peace and quiet. Or for those who want to get away from it all and spend some time surrounded by urracas (giant local blue jays) and howler monkeys.

We called ahead and asked if we could come by and take a look at the camping grounds, and the owners - Ben and Sarah - readily obliged.

The tour, to say the least, was fantastic. The farm is totally organic, and employs all local labor, though the owners are no slouches themselves.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The camping ground has several beautiful platforms, made out of adobe, with thatch roofs. There is an outdoor, open-air kitchen area, with gas stove, sink, and a cooler. We paid $7 US each to camp, which is normally a bit steep for us. However, they provided a very good tent, toilet paper, unlimited filtered drinking water, a nice foam mattress, clean bedding, pillows, free access to cookware in the kitchen (and gas to cook) and some free herbs we picked ourselves.

In all honesty, the views alone are worth it, as you are situated just below Volcano Maderas, and have clear views of Lake Nicaragua and Volcano Concepcion.

Ben and Sarah are committed to running a green campground. Lovely composting latrines (also adobe) have handcarved seats and absolutely no scent, other than that of fresh cedar woodchips. Grey water from the kitchen sink is used to water a nice patch of herbs.

There's an outdoor shower, the beginnings of a great permaculture inspired garden (with free fresh veggies, herbs, and medicinal plants being a future bonus,) and one hell of a nice firepit.

Basic supplies are available for purchase directly from the campsite, though they thoughtfully included a good sized portion of coffee, tea, salt and sugar to get us started.

More luxurious goods (including local honey, fresh wheat bread, olive oil, cold beer, wine, and much more) are also available, and a convenient price list is right in the camp kitchen.

Did I mention you can order food prepared by Ben and Sarah?

We had a meal of fresh lake fish, prepared in an excellent curry, all with veggies, spices and herbs from the farm, that was to die for. They are excellent cooks, and even better hosts.

You can feel the excitement this couple has for their land. They were never intrusive, but were always eager to talk about the work they are doing if pressed.

Although we stayed in the camping area, we got to tour the cottage, which is also stunning.

Again, the place is just opening, but it feels like Ben and Sarah have been running it lovingly for years.

Casa Campestre has a website, but it's a bit basic and really doesn't do them justice: http://www.ometepe.info

Call: 695 2071 (local) 505 695 2071 (international)
Email: fincacampestre at googlemail.com

Suchitoto, El Salvador, I have made it home and most travelers fall in love with this small colonial town. There are now 3 very nice hotels, several mid range hotels and hostels and 3 hostels under $10/night.
For me the best thing to do is to sit in or around the central plaza in the late afternoon and see how it fills up with the locals, the kids playing ball, the elders sitting on the benches talking. There are now several rural initiatives that offer eco touristic and war history tours(hike, boat rides and horseback rides.
So if your thinking about visiting El Salvador you have to visit Suchitoto. If coming feel free to write and ask me about specifics on eating, lodging and things to do in and around town.
Saludos
Robert Broz

Just returned from Antigua, Guatemala, after visiting Tikal and Atitlan. Drove all the way, roads for the most part very good, except Chimaltenango to Panajacel which is under construction. If driving, it is best to go to Antigua first from Guate and then on a good - but very winding - road to Panajacel. We splurged on the final day and stayed at the Panza Verde hotel in Antigua. A first class place, nice decor, verdant garden interior and an excellent restaurant. Double room with 2 beds $98.00usd including tax was very reasonable considering the quality of the hotel.