Travel within Central America is as varied as the region itself.
Since most locals don't own a car, buses are the most common form
of public transport, and if you're travelling independently without
your own vehicle you'll be spending a lot of time in (and waiting
for) them.
You're also likely to travel by boat - out to and between
islands, along rivers, and as the main form of transport in areas
like the Mosquito coast of Honduras and Nicaragua. The craft
themselves range from precarious-looking dugout canoes and old tubs
for ferries, to fast, modern launches, capable of long-distance sea
travel.
Each country has at least one domestic airline ; fares
are usually relatively inexpensive, and flying will often save
hours of road travel over the region's difficult terrain. If you're
covering a lot of territory, airpasses can be very good
value.
Taxis are readily available in all the main towns; some
routes (from airports to city centres for example) have set prices,
but meters are a rarity - always fix a price before you set off.
Taxis can also be a good substitute for a rental car; you have the
advantage of your own transport without the responsibility, and it
could even work out cheaper.
Prices vary for car rental throughout Central America.
The most expensive country is Belize, where companies only offer
sport/utility vehicles - the cheapest weekly rate (with Budget) is
around US$400. Car rental in Honduras and Guatemala is also quite
pricey: expect to pay around US$260 a week for a standard car, or
US$320 for 4WD. Other countries are cheaper, ranging from around
US$100 in Panamá, US$170 in Costa Rica, and US$200 in El Salvador.
If you plan to rent a car make sure you get a good map and
bear in mind that Central America has some of the highest
accident rates in the world - and as a foreigner any
collision is likely to be construed as your fault, so always take
full-cover insurance. If you've succeeded in getting your own car
to Central America, any further problems you face are likely to
seem fairly minor. If you belong to a motoring organization
at home, it's worth calling to see if they'll offer advice, maps
and even help from reciprocal organizations in Central America.
Security is a major headache - always park in a safe place
and never leave your car in the street overnight. Traffic is
generally light outside the main cities and major routes are paved.
Fuel is marginally more expensive than in the US and cheap
by European standards, but filling stations are scarce outside the
main cities.
Bicycles are very common in Central America, and
increasing numbers of visitors bring their own. If you do (or if
you rent a bike) you'll find a repair shop in every town. Some
buses can carry bikes on the roof, giving greater flexibility. In
the UK, membership of the Cyclists' Touring Club (69 Meadrow,
Godalming, Surrey GU7 3HS, tel 01483/417217, www.ctc.org.uk
) allows you access to trip reports from and information geared to
cyclists who've taken bikes to the region.