53 Years of Travel Experience ★★★★ fbdorsO Central America El Salvador, Oaatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama F 31600 1428. 5 .F62 Fodor's Central 1988 America $15.95 DATE R£NN MEMORIAL LIBRARY Learning Resource Center Cowley Co. Community Collim Afkensai City, Kansei 67005 © THE BAKER & TAYLOR CO. 780679 16137 ISBN □-l37T-Dlbl3-^ utrXs eoHeg Central FODOR’S TRAVEL GUIDES are compiled, researched, and edited by an international team of travel writers, field correspondents, and editors. The series, which now almost covers the globe, was founded by Eugene Fodor in 1936. OFFICES New York & London Fodor’s Central America Editor: Alice Thompson Area Editors: Robert Braaton, John Chater, Philip Finnegan, Helena de Gutierrez, Neville Hobson, Tito del Moral, Michael Shawcross Contributing Editor and Consultant: A. R. Williams Editorial Contributors: Ellen Caldwell, Maria Elena del Valle, Michael Hutchison, Susan Lindeman, John Mitchem Drawings: Sandra Lang Maps: Jon Bauch, Pictograph Cover Photograph: Jacques Jangoux Cover Design: Vignelli Associates SPECIAL SALES Fodor’s Travel Publications are available at special discounts for bulk purchases (100 copies or more) for sales promotions or premiums. Special editions, including personalized covers, excerpts of existing guides, and corporate imprints, can be created in large quan¬ tities for special needs. For more information, write to Special Marketing, Fodor’s Travel Publications, 201 East 50th Street, New York, NY 10022. Enquiries from the United King¬ dom should be sent to Merchandise Division, Random House UK Ltd, 30-32 Bedford Square, London WCIB 3SG. Central America FODOR’S TRAVEL PUBLICATIONS, INC. New York & London Copyright © 1988 by Fodor’s Travel Publications, Inc. Fodor’s is a trademark of Fodor’s Travel Publication, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published the United States by Fodor’s Travel Publications, Inc., a subsidiary of Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto. Distributed by Random House, Inc., New York. No maps, illustrations, or other portions of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. ISBN 0-679-01613-9 MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1098765432 CONTENTS Foreword, vii Map of Central America, viii-ix Facts at Your Fingertips To Go or Not to Go, 1; Travel Agents, 2; Official Papers and Pamphlets, 3; Tourist Information, 4; Tours, 5; Staying Healthy, 6; Climate, 9; What Cloth¬ ing to Pack, 9; Luggage, 12; Money and Other Legal Tender, 13; Background Reading, 14; Photography, 14; Before You Go, 16; Getting There and Getting Around, 16; Highway Signs, 23; Creature Comforts and Costs, 24; Sports, 26; Speaking Spanish, 26; Electricity, 27; Measurements, 27; Time Zones, 28; Communications, 28; Safety, 29; Illegal Activities, 31; Clearing U.S. Cus¬ toms, 31 Central America: An Introduction 33 A History of Conflict 39 Guatemala: Land of Eternal Spring 65 Guatemala City, 71 Practical Information for Guatemala and Guatemala City, 71 Map of Guatemala, 72 Antigua, 88 Practical Information for Antigua, 95 Lake Atitlan, 101 Practical Information for Lake Atitlan, 103 The Western Highlands: Chichicastenango, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, 108 Practical Information for the Western Highlands, 109 The Pacific Coast, 113 Practical Information for the Pacific Coast, 115 Coban and the Verapaces, 117 Practical Information for Coban and the Verapaces, 119 Tikal and the Peten, 120 Map of Tikal, 129 Practical Information for Tikal and the Peten, 131 The Atlantic Area, 134 Practical Information for the Atlantic Area, 137 Belize: For the Adventurous 140 Practical Information for Belize, 150 Honduras 164 Map of Tegucigalpa, 168 Practical Information for Honduras, 182 V VI CONTENTS El Salvador I95 Map of San Salvador, 202-203 Practical Information for El Salvador, 216 Nicaragua 228 Practical Information for Nicaragua, 243 Costa Rica: The Garden of the Americas 254 Map of Costa Rica, 258 Practical Information for Costa Rica, 263 Panama 303 Map of Panama, 305 Map of Panama City, 308-309 Practical Information for Panama, 319 Useful Phrases and Vocabulary 334 Index 339 FOREWORD Central America comprises some of the world’s most beautiful coun¬ tries. The political situation of recent years may have made many travelers wary of venturing here, but, in truth, Central America remains an area of magnificent beaches, fascinating relics of the Mayan civilization, fine national parks, and wonderfully warm people. For sophisticated travelers who want to see the largely undiscovered beauty here, for journalists, political scientists, and business people who need a first-hand look at the change and development of these nations. Central America is a fascinating destination. Fodor’s Central America is designed to help you plan your own trip based on your time, your budget, your interests—your idea of what this trip should be. Perhaps, having read this guide, you’ll have some new ideas. We do not attempt to gloss over the political realities of these coun¬ tries; we do try to be realistic about the dangers, as well as the pleasures, of a trip to Central America. We also stress that the situations here are con¬ stantly changing—and you must keep apprised of current events before you begin your travels. Additionally, we emphasize the need for you to inquire locally whenever our guide does not seem to reflect the situation you’re seeing. Based on the situation at press time, we have tried to offer you the widest possible range of activities and, within that range, selections that will be safe, worthwhile, and of good value. The descriptions we provide are designed to help you make your own intelligent decisions from among our selections. While every care has been taken to assure the accuracy of the informa¬ tion in this guide, the passage of time will always bring change, and consequently the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors that may occur. All prices and opening times quoted here are based on information avail¬ able to us at press time. Hours and admission fees may change, however, and the prudent traveler will avoid inconvenience by calling ahead. Fodor’s wants to hear about your travel experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant. When a hotel or restaurant fails to live up to its billing, let us know and we will investigate the complaint and revise our entries where the facts warrant it. Send your letters to the editors of Fodor’s Travel Publications, 201 E. 50th Street, New York, NY 10022, or 30-32 Bedford Square, London WCIB 3SG, England. 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