Travel Research.

A few basic tips.

For the novice international traveler, I will outline some basic do's and don'ts in your decision making to make your experience smooth and enjoyable.

1) Research.. Research your destination, and then do it again.  The more information you have in hand before deciding on your destination is paramount on your enjoyment level.  For instance, if you are a surfer, you wouldn't want to be too far from the best breaks.  If you not the party scene you would naturally want to find accommodations away from that scene.  When a listing for a house, motel or hostel indicates "close to or nearby", map it.  If you are mile or two from your perfect spot and you don't have a rental car, your holiday could be a disaster.

For those with a nose for a historic travel, more research.  Roads in Central America range from 4 lanes to washed out dirt.  Depending where your desires are taking you, you may need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to navigate some roads.  Four wheel drive vehicles can be quite costly compared to a compact sedan.  Generally paved roads in central america are good.  They are often a bit narrow, crooked and steeply inclined as well as very sparsely marked.  If you are driving yourself, get a good map prior to your trip and talk to as many people as possible at your lodging spot.  Always drive carefully and be well insured(a whole separate subject matter).

2) Housing.. We all like to travel differently.  Basically in central america you have options of small hotels/motels (in non urban areas), B&Bs, and rental homes.  All have their pluses and minuses.  After..exhaustive Research only, make your decision.  Convenience, price and location, location, location are the usual deciding factors.  

We have had good luck renting houses on many of our trips.  Rental housing can be very advantageous in many ways.  Usually there is an owner or caretaker locally that knows the area, and will be able to direct you to the best, easiest and least "chancy" features you might be looking for.  Yes, there are "chancy" places not to go not only in central america, but in a city near you.  Heed advice, and always be careful.

B&Bs also usually have an on site person who can help direct you to your interests in your foreign country.  Usually you get an included breakfast with local flare.  You may never have thought of black beans and rice being included in the morning meal, but there is a cultural reason this could be the norm.  If you are expecting an at home breakfast, yup, Research.  Expect to do and taste new things, and you will not be disappointed.

3) Communication.. You may have a want or need to communicate with friends, family, or co-workers back home while you are away.  IF WiFi is available where you stay (a must for me), email and social media messaging works quite well.  If verbal communication is important to you or those left behind there are a few options.

You will find that many ex-pats in central america are hooked up to Skype.  If you are on a week or two respite, you may want to sign up for Skype on a pay per minute basis.  You will need to set it up for the country you will be visiting.  Some people by an international sim card for their cell phone before leaving the USA.  This works well, but research what you are getting.  For calls within the country you are visiting you might want to buy a country specific sim card either before traveling or they are usually available at your destination airport.  

I have also, for an extended visit, purchased a toll free number that can be linked to a hotel switchboard (so the hotel can call your room and connect you), or to a local cell phone number that is purchased either before leaving or at the airport.  These are not free, but a lot less expensive than some other plans and your business connections can get in touch with you for a few cents per minute your cost.  

Some cellular providers in the USA offer an International Calling feature that you can opt into before you leave and cancel when you get home. For many this is a wonderful option to take advantage of if it is available for the country you are traveling to.  Research, and read the fine print before you activate this feature.

Cell phone service is actually pretty good in many parts of central america.  Remember that there are often miles of wilderness with no service, just like extreme rural areas of your home country.