Romantic Granada was once the jewel of Central America. Just 20km from the Pacific, it was founded in 1524, making it the oldest Spanish-built town in Central America. Situated on the western shore of Lago de Nicaragua (or Lago Cocibolca, to Nicaraguans), Granada enjoyed its role as a center of commerce, growing rich as a … Read more →

Our two day journey from La Ceiba, Honduras to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific side of Nicaragua included an overnight stopover in Estelí, a town of about 120,000 and the third largest town in Nicaragua. Sitting in the country’s northern highlands at around half a mile above sea level, Estelí’s climate is relatively cool and … Read more →

Well guys, it’s almost the end of the month, which means we are ready to tell you about our June lodging. We booked it on airbnb.com, as we often do. As there were no reviews, it seems it was the first time the place had been booked via that route — I know, living on … Read more →

This is an installment in an ongoing post series detailing a typical day in one of our destinations. Not everything in this schedule might happen on any given day, but it should give you a good idea of our usual activities. 7:00 AM - We’ve been sleeping a bit later this month for no apparent reason. Makes … Read more →

Parque Nacional Pico Bonito is just south of (and towering over) the beach town of La Ceiba, Honduras. Here are some numbers and facty things: Founded in 1987, the park covers approximately 1073 square kilometers It is named for Pico Bonito, a dramatic mountain rising up over 2400 meters just 10 miles from the Caribbean … Read more →

Some 30 kilometers northeast of La Ceiba is a coral archipelago known as Cayos Cochinos (“hog islands” — legend has it that British pirates planted pigs on the larger islands to ensure they would have a supply of meat the next time they were in the neighborhood), made up of two hilly and lush islands, … Read more →

So this post is admittedly long and rambling and at times tangential, but perhaps trying to make your way through without getting lost will give you some idea what a typical road travel day is like in Central America. Construction and Rules of the Road – The mountainside between San Pablo la Laguna and the … Read more →

Around 140 kilometers northwest of Guatemala City (and 65 kilometers northeast of San Marcos la Laguna) is the highland K’iche’ Maya town of Chichicastenango. Chichi, as it is often shortened, is essentially famous for one thing. On Thursdays and Sundays what is generally deemed the largest market in Central America transforms an otherwise forgettable town … Read more →

Just northwest of Panajachel is the Reserva Natural Atitlán. Founded in 1995 as a butterfly house and a few trails traversing the dense vegetation of the mountains overlooking the lake, the reserve has expanded since its inception. It now includes a visitors’ center, a few rooms for rent, camping spaces, a small restaurant, an outdoor … Read more →

This is an installment in an ongoing post series detailing a typical day in one of our destinations. Not everything in this schedule might happen on any given day, but it should give you a good idea of our usual activities. 5:00 AM - Thought we won’t see it for another hour, the sun’s first rays crawl … Read more →