Here is everything you need to know about buying tickets, reading maps, staying safe, and navigating the Santo Domingo Metro.
Backpacking Central America: Raw Travel & Real Adventures
Central America is made up of Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. For this blog, I have included the Dominican Republic, which is, for now, the only country that I have visited in the Caribbean.
I grew up with there being just 1 continent, the Americas. Some list 2 continents, North America (everywhere north of and including Panama) and South America,(everywhere south of and including Colombia) but for the purpose of this blog, I separate them into regions, hence the North, Central and South America.
If i ever get to visit more of the countries in the Caribbean Sea and the 23 dependent territories, or non-sovereign states, I will re organise everything a bit.
La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica: Entrance Fees + Opening Hours + Getting There and Away
Cascading 70 metres (230 feet) down a sheer cliff into a bright emerald pool, the Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most iconic natural attractions near Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.
Here is a practical visitor’s guide on how to visit independently, and knowing what to expect on arrival.
Quetzaltenango (Xela) | Guide for Independent Backpackers
I visited Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second-largest city, commonly known as Xela, back in 2021.
From San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico, I took a night bus to Tapachula, crossed the Ciudad Hidalgo/Tecun Uman border, and then took a minivan to Coatepeque and finally a chicken bus to Quetzaltenango.
This is my own personal list of 16 things to see and do in Xela.
Things to do in Antigua – Guatemala, for Backpackers
Antigua, Guatemala, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Not to be confused with the island of Antigua in the Caribbean which together with Barbuda makes up Antigua and Barbuda.
Full name, La Antigua Guatemala, 45km from Guatemala City at an altitude of 1530m.
Self-Guided San José Walking Tour (Costa Rica)
My self-guided walking tour takes you to all the main places of interest, and then some, in San José, Costa Rica, one of my favourite capitals in Central America.
How to get from El Salvador to Nicaragua by boat
If you want to travel overland from El Salvador to Nicaragua and are keen to avoid going through Honduras, then your only option is to take the boat across the Gulf of Fonseca, from La Unión to Potosí. This post provides you with a step-by-step guide for those making the journey.
Post updated with 2026 logistics.
Perquín, the Guerrilla Capital during the Salvadoran Civil War
During the Salvadoran Civil War, the small town of Perquín served as the guerrilla capital and the headquarters of the FMLN (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional).
Escaping the oppressive heat back down in San Miguel, I headed north for 3 hours for some respite and to discover this lesser-known town.
Backpacking the Port City of Limón (Costa Rica)
Discover the interesting, yet rarely visited port city of Limón on the Caribbean Coast, in Costa Rica.
How to Get from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) to the City Centre
Discover the cheapest Way to get from SDQ (Las Américas International Airport) to the colonial centre of Santo Domingo.
Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve – San Ignacio – Belize
Visiting the Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve – Mayan Ruins in San Ignacio, Belize.
Things to do in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Backpacking Santiago de los Caballeros, or simply Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic. This post covers some of the things to do.
I took a bus from Santo Domingo, lodged at the hotel “Alegria Hostal”, and backpacked the city over two days.
How to get from Santa Ana to Sonsonate by chicken bus
If you want to travel from Santa Ana to Sonsonate, you can take either bus #216 or bus #209. Here, I share all the details to help make your trip smooth.
Things to do in Santa Ana (El Salvador)
Things to do in Santa Ana, El Salvador, for backpackers and low-budget travellers.
Touring the Casa Blanca Archaeological Site – Chalchuapa – El Salvador
The Casa Blanca Archaeological Park (Parque Arqueológico Casa Blanca in Spanish) can be combined with a visit to the Tazumal Archaeological Site, making for a great day trip from Santa Ana.