Fodor's Central America

372 Pages·1988·21.755 MB·English

53 Years of Travel Experience ★★★★
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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-^
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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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