This book shows you how to locate comfortable, affordable lodging anywhere. You'll learn how to travel happily by air, bus, and all sorts of local transport; negotiate successfully with cab drivers and merchants; and dramatically cut the costs of travel. You will be convinced you can afford to travel-and that you can't afford not to. Hundreds of practical, money-saving travel tips, Road-tested advice on how to overcome every obstacle and enjoy life-changing adventures, Techniques for experiencing the essence of the remarkable cultures of Mexico and Central America, Tips for traveling with a purpose and having a positive impact everywhere you go, Discover more resources at www.travelers-tool-kit.com.
Acknowledgments xiii
What This Book Is About xv
About the Authors xix
How Travel Will Change Your Life 1
Why Mexico and Central America Are Today's Smart Destinations 7
Destinations 13
The Best of Mexico and Central America 15
Mexico 15
Belize 41
Guatemala 59
El Salvador 79
Honduras 93
Nicaragua 112
Costa Rica 128
Panama 148
Planning Your Trip 165
How to Plan Your Trip 167
The Changing World 167
Choosing the Destinations Right for You 169
Factors to Consider 169
Deciding How Much Time to Take 175
How Much Do You Want to Spend? 175
Drafting an Itinerary 177
How to Choose and Work with a Travel Agent 178
How to Choose a Guidebook 182
Planning Adventures 186
Travel Resources on the Internet 187
Other Sources of Travel Information 191
How to Choose the Ideal Travel Partner 195
TheIdeal Travel Partner 195
The Organized Tour 201
Reasons to Travel with a Tour Operator 202
Reasons Not to Travel with a Tour Operator 203
Types of Tours: High Cost to Low Cost 206
How to Choose the Best Tour Operator 210
Ecological Responsibility 213
Unusual Tour Opportunities 215
Tour Operators Active in Mexico and Central America 220
Getting Ready to Go 223
Going into Action 225
Documents You Will Need 225
Hotel Reservations 237
Adventures 240
Travel Insurance 241
Checklist: What Needs to Be Done When 248
Checklist: Travel-information List 249
How to Save Money 251
Airfare 251
Lodging 265
How to Prepare a Reliable Budget 267
How to Manage Money Successfully 273
Currency 273
Traveler's Checks 273
Credit Cards 275
ATM Cash Cards 277
Debit Cards 278
Receiving Money Overseas 278
Taking Foreign Currency Along 278
Exchanging Money 279
The Merchant Shuffle 282
Bargaining: When and How 282
Travel Gear 287
Travel Light! 288
Baggage Limits 288
Choosing Luggage 290
How to Pack 298
Choosing Clothing 300
Checklist: Clothing 302
Checklist: Toiletries 306
Checklist: Miscellaneous Gear 307
Checklist: Documents to Take Along 310
Checklist: Optional Equipment 310
Checklist: What Not to Take 313
Medicine 313
Jewelry 313
Camping 313
Keeping Healthy 315
Prevention 316
13 Practical Tips 318
Minor Health Problems: How to Avoid and How to Fix 322
Checklist: Matching Medicines with Minor Annoyances 335
Major Health Problems and What to Do about Them 336
Checklist: Matching Medicines with More-serious Problems 357
Travel-medicine Kit 358
Checklist: Shots to Get before You Leave 359
When It's Time to Go 363
Checklist: Last-minute Tasks 363
Checklist: Guardian Angel 366
On The Road ("Go!") 369
The Day You Get There 371
Through the Airport 371
The Ride into Town 372
Tourist Information 373
Lodging 375
How to Find Great Places to Spend the Night 376
How to Choose Lodging That's Best for You 378
Other Innovative Choices 384
Eating and Drinking 389
How to Find Food You Really Like 389
How to Eat and Stay Healthy 391
How to Drink and Stay Healthy 394
Safety and Security 399
What Countries to Skip 401
How to Protect Yourself with a Magic Cloak 402
Where Trouble Comes from-and How to Avoid It 406
Losing Your Valuables 423
Woman on Her Own 427
How to Travel Safely 428
Language 433
How to Overcome a Language Barrier 434
Where to Get Information and Help 437
When Speaking English 438
How to Ask Questions 438
Transportation 441
Traveling by Air 442
Traveling by Bus 450
Traveling by Train 455
Local Transport 457
Car Rental 460
Traveling by Water 470
Hitchhiking 474
Etiquette 477
Customs 477
Begging 482
Tipping 484
Bribes 485
Doing Favors 486
Meeting People 487
Meeting Local Folks 487
Meeting Other Travelers 488
Romance on the Road 490
How to Get the Most Out of Your Trip 493
Communications 499
E-mail on the Road 499
Telephones 500
Mail 504
Shopping and Shipping 507
How to Prepare Yourself before Buying 508
How to Tell If It's the Real Thing 508
How to Get What You Bought 509
How to Get It Home 509
Customs 510
Remembering 515
Keeping a Journal 515
Taking Fine Photographs 517
Cameras 523
Remembering People and Places 528
The Finish Line 529
Home Again, Home Again 531
Index 533
Overview
This book shows you how to locate comfortable, affordable lodging anywhere. You'll learn how to travel happily by air, bus, and all sorts of local transport; negotiate successfully with cab drivers and merchants; and dramatically cut the costs of travel. You will be convinced you can afford to travel-and that you can't afford not to. Hundreds of practical, money-saving travel tips, Road-tested advice on how to overcome every obstacle and enjoy life-changing adventures, Techniques for experiencing the essence of ...