Fodor's upCLOSE Central America [Paperback]

Fodor's (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fodor's Upclose. Central America | Publication Date: April 27, 1999

+DESCRIPION=        


Fodor's newest travel series is designed for travelers who want to travel well and spend less.  With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take travelers away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.


get upCLOSE and discover the essence of Central America

Memorize the symphony  of the jungle.  Dive down to a coral reef. Go to a festival.  And if you want to experience the heart and soul of Central America, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.  If you can't take your best friend on the road, or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us -- and explore Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama upCLOSE.


see the sights in central america
What to do and when, from rafting to butterfly-watching
Ancient ruins, colonial towns, churches, markets
Rain-forest hikes, unspoiled beaches, lakes, volcanoes, and two oceans
find the special small hotels
tell-all reviews of hotels and pensions by the dozen
Campgrounds, hostels, and more
From the beach to center city, the best locations for the money
Where to hang your hammock
eat & drink what locals do, catch the buzz on nightlife
Cool cocktails, killer coffee, fresh fish, the art of rice and beans
Restaurants for every craving, and how much you'll spend
Good rum and great company: where to go after dark
Salsa and Schubert, tango and techno, rumba and reggae
practical info, great maps
Airfare deals, how to get around
Tips on traveling smart and losing the crowds
Clear, easy-to-read maps

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

+DESCRIPION=        


Fodor's newest travel series is designed for travelers who want to travel well and spend less.  With candid reviews and a fresh outlook, Fodor's upCLOSE points the way to authentic experiences that will take travelers away from the crowds and close to the culture -- without having to spend a fortune.


get upCLOSE and discover the essence of Central America

Memorize the symphony  of the jungle.  Dive down to a coral reef. Go to a festival.  And if you want to experience the heart and soul of Central America, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.  If you can't take your best friend on the road, or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us -- and explore Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama upCLOSE.


see the sights in central america
What to do and when, from rafting to butterfly-watching
Ancient ruins, colonial towns, churches, markets
Rain-forest hikes, unspoiled beaches, lakes, volcanoes, and two oceans
find the special small hotels
tell-all reviews of hotels and pensions by the dozen
Campgrounds, hostels, and more
From the beach to center city, the best locations for the money
Where to hang your hammock
eat & drink what locals do, catch the buzz on nightlife
Cool cocktails, killer coffee, fresh fish, the art of rice and beans
Restaurants for every craving, and how much you'll spend
Good rum and great company: where to go after dark
Salsa and Schubert, tango and techno, rumba and reggae
practical info, great maps
Airfare deals, how to get around
Tips on traveling smart and losing the crowds
Clear, easy-to-read maps

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The deep and rich experience of Central America that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. Traveling lavishly is the surest way to turn yourself into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with white-glove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect tamale. Doormen at luxury hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from San Salvador to Seattle. Better to stay in a more intimate place that gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.


If you want to see Central America up close and savor the essence of the region and its people in all their various glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the politics, the history, and all the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.


Get upCLOSE with Fodor's upCLOSE Central America
Bona Fide Bush Medicine in Belize: For over 30 years, Aunt Barbara, certified herbalist, has dispensed bush remedies from her stall in Belize City's central market on Queen Street.  She can set you up with a steaming herbal brew made from jackass bitters, plus 11 other secret herbs and spices.
Superlative Costa Rica: Travelers usually come to the southwest for a feeling of accomplishment -- to climb the highest mountain, Cerro Chirripo, or surf the world's longest left-breaking wave at Playa Pavones.
Hamburger Heaven: Imagine a typical shit-kicking, tobacco-spitting, Marlboro-smoking kinda place full of cattle and cowboys, then shift it to the land of tropical rain forests.  Much of the beef raised here is used for fast-food hamburgers, but Guanacaste is also the center of Costa Rican folklore and you can sometimes hear typical songs wailed in the canteens of smaller towns.
Light Up Your Life in Costa Rica: Take a dip at night in Playa Bonita and watch your body light up as phosphorescent plankton attaches to your skin and glows like celestial  stars.  Ask a local if they're out or watch for them glowing in the crests of waves.
A Taste of the Highlands: From May to June, the market in San Juan Sacatepequez, located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, sells "sanpopos de mayo," giant roasted ants with salt and lemon.  Just a tip: Remove the head and wings before you chow down.
All is Forgiven in Guatemala: San Andres Iztapas is relatively unknown to tourists.  Not so for many indigenas, who frequently pay homage to San Simon, the drinking and smoking saint.  Believers usually offer him a cigar and stiff drink before asking for his help in personal matters.  When you arrive, ask around for "la casa de San Simon."  A different family houses the idol each year, and people are happy to help you find him.
Our Gang

Who are we? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists, who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for all things Central American, which we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of Central America to the fullest. If you can't take your best friend on the road, or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us.

Product Details

• Paperback: 353 pages
• Publisher: Fodor's (April 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679003118
• ISBN-13: 978-0679003113
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,212,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)