What is a reasonable travel agenda for 26 days for Latin America starting in Panama City finishing in Guatamal

Question

I have 25 days, open jaw flight, panama city august 29th- guatamala city september 26th. I have researched with travel guides, internet, and the various backpacker books but still dont have an itenerary.

Answer 1

find it

Answer 2

You really mean Central America as you do not have time to travel to South America and still get back to Guatemala. There are some givens, the most important of which is the limited availability of transportation. Most public transportation between the countries is limited to the Panamericana, and thus you are forced to travel the main route. That means it is necessary to spend at least some time in the biggest cities.

Along the Panamericana Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala are the most touristy with well developed systems of hotels and hostels, tours of sites and similar tourist facilities and services. Panama is famous for the Canal and for the rain forest (jungle). Costa Rica is best known for its rain forest, volcanoes, and beaches, while Guatemala is famous for its indigenous cultures and for volcanoes. In between are Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, each with some serious problems but lots to see. Those last three can be uncomfortable on occasion, and if the sight of horrific poverty upsets you, do not make the trip through them (ditto Guatemala outside touristy areas).

That said, an itinerary is a little difficult to define as each of the countries, save possibly El Salvador, could easily detain you for the whole time. The natural sites in the southern countries are well described, and volcano/rainforest/beach tours are easy to arrange. In Guatemala do not miss the Mayan ruins at Tikal (and those nearby in Honduras at Copan), Lake Atitlan, and Antigua. In Nicaragua and Honduras the beaches are reputed to be fantastic.

If I were making the trip, I would hurry through Panama to spend a week in Costa Rica, another week in Nicaragua, and 10 days or so in Guatemala. I would avoid El Salvador entirely and would spend a minimal amount of time in Honduras.