BootsnAll Travel Community

Travel from Liberia, C.R. to Nicaragua to Salvador

Hi,

I have traveled to every country in Central America over the last
12 years and found things I like about each one.

I'm a male and in good shape and love Central
America for it's climate in January and February and because it's
a convenient escape from the winters here in the Northeast
U.S.A.. I also like the people and atmosphere in general. I will
have about 10 days for my trip.

This year I'm thinking of trying a new route. I'm thinking of flying
to Liberia, Costa Rica on the first day and coming back to the
U.S.A. from either Managua or San Salvador. Initially I would
stay in the Liberia area and plan to do some scuba diving
inasmuch as the beaches are close to Liberia.

After several days in Costa Rica I would then travel north to
Nicaragua by bus (Ticabus or other comfortable bus service)
and maybe go to Matalgalpa (there's a lodge there called "Selva
Verde" which I'd like to visit)before heading to Managua and then
north to San Salvador, time permitting and return to the USA from
there.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these
particular regions and traveling between them. I like to stay at
"nicer" types of places though I don't need luxury accomodations
but I'm not a backpacker. I also don't smoke or drink so discos
and bars aren't my style.

Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Also, if
you have taken different routes in Central America I'd appreciate
hearing about that.

Thanks,

Sy

I'm thinking of doing the same trip someday. Please let me know how that works for you. I have been to El Salvador twice to visit friends and I recommend it, but it is better if you know someone as it just makes for a better experience. Western El Salvador is really nice with mountains, volcanoes and coffee plantations. The eastern part is flatter, but still boasts some neat places like Volcan San Vicente (aka Chinchontepec), Alegria and Perquin and El Mozote in Morazan Department. The Civil War is still very fresh in the minds of most people, but the coutry seems to have come to grips with it enough that it doesn't have a problem sharing its history with tourists. I just listen respectfully keeping in mind that the civil war is a very deep and personal thing to most Salvadorans and it says a lot about a country which has endured so much that opposing sides can come together to re-build their country. El Salvador's people are its greatest resource and make it, in my opinion, a somewhat "hidden gem" in Central America.

The only issue I see is the 10 days you will be here in Central America, which is not a lot of time for the three countries??? You will need a day of transportation between countries and getting connecting buses, etc.

I agree that 10 days is too short to travel through 3 countries. Also, since I am not sure of you exact days be aware that over the holidays everyone is traveling. After about Jan. 15th the crowds greatly diminish. Before then both buses and planes can be booked. It sounds like you would be better off staying in CR. Or another, possibly cheaper option would be to go to Honduras. The Bay Islands will be cheaper than CR and have great diving. If you abolutely have to do another country both Nica and El Salvador are accessible with El Salvador being the closest. In fact there are often deals on flights to San Salvador from the islands via SPS.