Amazon.com Review
Four accomplished adventurers and travel writers teamed up to describe their top 25 adventure trips in Central America. The arid deserts, lush jungles, smoking volcanoes, tropical beaches, and forested rivers encompassed within Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama provide ample opportunity for hiking, horseback riding, white-water rafting, canoeing, scuba diving, and off-road biking or driving. Each chapter is a personal account of the particular author's journey, followed by practical advice on traveling alone and contacts for tour operators, equipment rentals, accommodations, and food. Each trip is given a challenge rating: 1 being a "sit back and enjoy the ride" adventure, 4 for the serious adventurer. There are actually only two trips that merit a 4 rating, and ironically enough, one of the author-adventurers proved not up to the task. When Fiona Dunlop decided to climb Volcan San Pedro on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, she didn't count on the extreme grade and had to give up halfway. Fortunately, her adventure also included more sedate horseback riding and plenty of easy sightseeing. Costa Rica's extreme adventure involves sea kayaking and mountain biking the Nicoya Peninsula. The image of Steve Watkins hoisting his bike over his head to ford a supposedly crocodile-infested river is one not to forget. At the other end of the spectrum is the trip to Puerto Vallarta, which includes a lot of time on the beach, some bird watching, and indulging in natural body therapies like the Aztec steam bath. Here's a sampling of other adventures: Mexico trips range from a mule trek down a canyon in Baha to a car tour of the ruins of Oaxaco and a horse ride into the Sierra Madre Mountains. The Bay Islands of Honduras offer an "exotic cocktail of diving, kayaking, biking, and hiking, mixed with a dash of Caribbean culture." For the determined traveler hunting for genuine experience, head to Nicaragua to discover the secrets of the Rio San Juan by boat. And in Belize you can take a medicinal walk with a Mayan bush doctor. A mix of inspiring travel memoir and practical guide, this is an excellent choice for those who want to get off the beaten path but with guidance and tips from someone who's already been there.
--Lesley Reed
From the Inside Flap
Adventure Guides Central America Ancient Ruins
"The Rio Usumacinta was once the Mayas' greatest trade route. Today, however, nothing moved on the placid water except our long wooden motorboat and the occasional egret and kingfisher. The notion of our remoteness hit all of us. It felt like we were venturing into the unknown."
Coral Seas
"Our captain casts a handful of sardines into the Caribbean water. The boat tilts as we lean on the starboard deck. The stingrays are first at the table, followed closely by the sharks. Tails thrash and fins poke above the water in a spectacle that is simultaneously exciting and horrifying."
Remote Caves
"We passed a beautiful waterfall, and we soon found ourselves scrambling around rocks, and squeezing through holes. Beautiful stalactites and wonderful hanging tables made the cave look like a fantasy landscape from a science-fiction movie."
A Live Volcano
"We walked to the edge and peered into the eye of the crater. Smoke billowed out, sounding like a rushing wind and blending into the clouds. Occasionally a loud cracking noise echoed from below as the crust split."
How to have the Adventure of a Lifetime Exploring remote jungles, mountains or deserts accessible only by 4?4, railway or the more traditional transport?mule Climbing mountain peaks or Bird Watching in an isolated forest Trekking through dense jungle to view the incredible achievements of the sophisticated civilizations that once flourished throughout Central America Canoeing up great rivers, Scuba-Diving around beautiful coral reefs or, if you feel truly intrepid, White-Water Rafting over mountain rapids Any of these may lead you to fantastic wildlife, peaceful Maya Indian villages, old pirate haunts, primary rain forest or jungle-covered ruins. Challenge Rating
- If you've even thought about booking the trip, you'll manage
- Not too difficult, but you may need some basic skills
- You will need to be fit, with lots of stamina, and you may need specialist qualifications
- You need to be fit and determined?not for the faint-hearted*
- This is for the serious adventurer?physically and mentally challenging!*
*Sometimes only part of the trip is very hard and there may be an easier option Visit us online at www.frommers.com
