Central America and Cuba - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!



Go Back   TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards! > Members Lounge > General Travel Tips, Education, Advice > Post Your Itinerary

Post Your Itinerary Need help in planning, sorting, adding, and subtracting to your itinerary?
Post it here and see how the Tpunks would do it!

Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-06-2006, 05:49 AM   #1
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Some of you already know about my trip plans but I kinda feel like posting what I ideally want to do. I decided to take some time off from school and travel. I'm not trying to plan too far in advance or even lay out a specific itnerary but I know what places I want to hit up and a basic timeline.

June 20th (give or take a few days): Leave for Guatemala City, Guatemala - spend the first week or so doing the sight-seeing tourist thing complete with ziplines, cloud forest, volcanos and ruins. If we (me and my boyfriend) like one of the cities we plan on staying there for a month or so, depending how affordable rent is. Guatemala seems to be one of the less expensive countries I've found in CA. We also are getting WWOOF (and maybe Serves, just as a backup) memberships so we plan to do that more than anything else. Est. time in G-mala: 2 months

Belize: Ideally I'd like to live here for a month via WWOOFing but there aren't so many farms listed so we may only do the tourist thing.

Cuba: The second place I've always wanted to go to (after Kenya). Probably catch a flight from Belize or Mexico (depends on where we can catch it safely). I haven't done much research on it but I'm willing to resort to a travel agent when in CA to get there.

Depending on how we feel we may island hop for a bit, possibly find a job on a boat (I've had experience deep sea fishing and operating boats) and use that as transport. If not then we head back to mainland.

Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador: Haven't looked too much into what activities we want to do in these countries but all three have a number of WWOOF places as well as a lot of Ex-pat couchsurfers if need be.

Costa Rica: Chris has friends that should be living here by the time we work our way down there so we may join up with them for a bit. If not several helpx.net, WWOOF and couchsurfing listings will aid us.

Panama: I kinda want to bike across Panama but it really depends how we are $$ wise and energy wise.

We haven't thought about anything after that since we might spend the whole year doing just those places. It really depends how much we like our WWOOF hosts, how money budgets out and if our health stays constant. We're both sickly people.

Anyway we plan on being gone a year, my little brother is supposed to graduate in June 2008 (but he may be kept back a year) so I want to be home to see that. I'm budgeting about 6,000$ for the trip (after flights, insurance, visa and prior costs). We plan on couchsurfing (already talking to a few people), WWOOFing and freeloaders.com. Also I want us to get Servas memberships, just as a back-up if we need it.

So room and food (when WWOOFing) should be taken care of most the time. Transport and communication are my biggest worries but I know internet is cheap and if need be I can get a pre-paid cell phone.


So that's PART ONE of my RTW trip.
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2006, 07:40 AM   #2
BONO'S LOVE SLAVE
 
U2fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Unfortunately, currently not in Sydney
Posts: 1,639
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Wow! Amazing! Very exciting....can't wait to hear more!

I am prob. going to Costa Rica in December and I will let you know what I think.
__________________
Flight to Tokyo: 92,000 yen

Metro to Ginza shopping district: 160 yen

Watching middle-aged Japanese woman dance to U2: priceless
U2fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-06-2006, 10:01 AM   #3
Minister of Offense
 
omisan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Fran Disco
Posts: 6,528
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to omisan Send a message via Yahoo to omisan
Default

Wow, those sound like awesome, ambitious plans.


Man, I wanna quit my job and do that. But I'm addicted to having a roof over my head
__________________
¿Donde esta Omid? Omi-san wa doko desuka? Ou est Omid? Wo ist Omid?

Find out @ http://omidabroad.blogspot.com

omisan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2006, 07:18 PM   #4
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Small change of plans. After looking up some prices for flights into G-mala I've figured out that it will be MUCH cheaper to fly into Cancun and bus it to Belize and then into Guatemala. By much cheaper I mean like 300$ a person, hehe.

I've spent to last two hours looking at hostels and reading my guidebook. Planning for travel is half the fun! And I'm not even planning I'm just highlighting what info I think will come in useful. Good times!
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2006, 06:01 AM   #5
TPunk Emeritus
 
LiveFreeorDie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newly relocated to C-bus - USA
Posts: 2,858
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

^Your right about the flights. My Dad has been splitting time living in Guatemala and Mexico and he generally flies into and out of Mexico City and buses it to Guatemala. I guess the VIP buses are really, really nice almost like business class on an airplane and not too expensive. Supposedly the local mafia runs them and also uses them to launder money. Peridiodically they will say a bus is sold out, and it will leave the station empty or almost empty. That way they can say they earned X dollars from ticket sales (which they didn't really sell) when in fact it's drug money. Anyway, have an awesome time...sounds like quite the adventure!
__________________
\\Jamie\\



"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin

"The plural of anecdote is not data"
LiveFreeorDie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2006, 06:47 AM   #6
TPunk Emeritus
 
florencia9699's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Buenos Aires
Posts: 1,773
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Wow! what a fantastic idea... you guys are gonna have so uch fun. But I've got a question... what's the policy of US citicens going to Cuba? Or do you have a second passport?


I loooved your plan!
__________________
Been to: Argentina, Chile, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt. Greece, Turkey, England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, USA, Mexico, Spain, Monaco, Czech Republic, Ireland and Uruguay.

Next trip: Still pondering the possibilities for January 2009... * OH THE MYSTERY!! *

The travel bug is insatiable
florencia9699 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2006, 08:40 PM   #7
TPunk Emeritus
 
benna2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hanover, Ontario
Posts: 2,097
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
Send a message via AIM to benna2 Send a message via MSN to benna2 Send a message via Yahoo to benna2
Default

James, your knowledge on drug busses amazes me.
__________________
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~St. Augustine"

Come visit me in the DR!
www.sosuavacationrentals.com
benna2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2006, 09:39 AM   #8
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I think Jamie's not telling us all he knows though!

Flo: Americans aren't allowed to spend money in Cuba...and we cannot take direct flights from the US. However, most times you can get around it. For instance, if I flew into Havana from Mexico or Guatemala I'd just have to ask for them NOT to stamp my passport. From what I've read most Cubans welcome Americans (ecomonic reasons seem to be the main reason) so I'd just have to make sure to throw out reciepts and NOT get a "We went to Cuba and all you got was this teeshirt" shirts.

Legally, Americans can travel there with a few different visas but I think they all involve teaching, journalism and religious reasons. I know there's a few more but I can't think of them. Anywho that's what I've found in my research.
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2006, 05:01 PM   #9
TPunk Emeritus
 
worldwidemike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio USA
Posts: 3,390
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Sounds awesome, Amber. What is WWOOF, by the way...?

And you're right about Cuba. You'll need them to not stamp your passport to keep Georgie Porgie from throwing you in the clinker or fining you when you get back...

And as for bicycling across Panama, having been there twice, I can tell you it is H-O-T, there. And rainy. That would not be my choice of bicycling countries...

worldwidemike
__________________
Check out my travel web page at:
Worldwidemike.com
"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."
worldwidemike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2006, 05:47 PM   #10
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks Mike! WWOOF stand for World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The idea is similiar to a kibbutz in Irael, however you'd be working on an organic farm in exchange for room and board. Their website is www.wwoof.org if you want to check it out.
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2006, 05:54 PM   #11
TPunk Emeritus
 
Diorama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: vancouver, canada
Posts: 2,257
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Sounds amazing amber!!! I would love to do that!

June seems so far away but it will be here quicker than you realize!
__________________
I have been to: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, New Zealand , Australia, Fiji, Costa Rica, United States, England, Ireland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland , France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Vatican, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, India, Nepal.

Where to Next? Iceland!
Diorama is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2006, 08:28 PM   #12
TPunk Emeritus
 
worldwidemike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Columbus, Ohio USA
Posts: 3,390
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Looks cool. I know I cherish my memories of volunteering on a kibbutz. How much do they charge you to become a member, Amber?

worldwidemike
__________________
Check out my travel web page at:
Worldwidemike.com
"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."
worldwidemike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2006, 10:27 AM   #13
TPunk Emeritus
 
blinkchick2134's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,633
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I believe for WWOOF independents it's $25 a year per person. Major countries have their own WWOOF memberships so you'd have to pay and join seperate for other countries. Luckly, the majority of the Central American countries are all included on the independent list (meaning there isn't too many listings for each country individually).
__________________
Amber

"If I had a kid I'd f**k it. Then kill it. Then f**k it again." Seattle 2006

blog of travels and such
flickr

Currently located in HAWAII

Been to: Alaska, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Hawaii, Spain, Switzerland - - also meetups in Chicago, LA, and Seattle
blinkchick2134 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2010, 12:05 PM   #14
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by blinkchick2134 View Post
Some of you already know about my trip plans but I kinda feel like posting what I ideally want to do. I decided to take some time off from school and travel. I'm not trying to plan too far in advance or even lay out a specific itnerary but I know what places I want to hit up and a basic timeline.

June 20th (give or take a few days): Leave for Guatemala City, Guatemala - spend the first week or so doing the sight-seeing tourist thing complete with ziplines, cloud forest, volcanos and ruins. If we (me and my boyfriend) like one of the cities we plan on staying there for a month or so, depending how affordable rent is. Guatemala seems to be one of the less expensive countries I've found in CA. We also are getting WWOOF (and maybe Serves, just as a backup) memberships so we plan to do that more than anything else. Est. time in G-mala: 2 months

Belize: Ideally I'd like to live here for a month via WWOOFing but there aren't so many farms listed so we may only do the tourist thing.

Cuba: The second place I've always wanted to go to (after Kenya). Probably catch a flight from Belize or Mexico (depends on where we can catch it safely). I haven't done much research on it but I'm willing to resort to a travel agent when in CA to get there.

Depending on how we feel we may island hop for a bit, possibly find a job on a boat (I've had experience deep sea fishing and operating boats) and use that as transport. If not then we head back to mainland.

Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador: Haven't looked too much into what activities we want to do in these countries but all three have a number of WWOOF places as well as a lot of Ex-pat couchsurfers if need be.

Costa Rica: Chris has friends that should be living here by the time we work our way down there so we may join up with them for a bit. If not several helpx.net, WWOOF and couchsurfing listings will aid us.

Panama: I kinda want to bike across Panama but it really depends how we are $$ wise and energy wise.

We haven't thought about anything after that since we might spend the whole year doing just those places. It really depends how much we like our WWOOF hosts, how money budgets out and if our health stays constant. We're both sickly people.

Anyway we plan on being gone a year, my little brother is supposed to graduate in June 2008 (but he may be kept back a year) so I want to be home to see that. I'm budgeting about 6,000$ for the trip (after flights, insurance, visa and prior costs). We plan on couchsurfing (already talking to a few people), WWOOFing and freeloaders.com. Also I want us to get Servas memberships, just as a back-up if we need it.

So room and food (when WWOOFing) should be taken care of most the time. Transport and communication are my biggest worries but I know internet is cheap and if need be I can get a pre-paid cell phone.


So that's PART ONE of my RTW trip.
Hi!

Just visiting the website for the first time and came upon your post for years prior to date!

May I ask- Any good tidbits on your travels? (tidbits.. that must be the first time ever using this word, hope you don't mind)

I would love to work on a farm; preferrably learning about the most commonly used plants from the amazon. maybe meet some local shamans. Singapore is the closest place to tropical climate i've been in; Mexico is the closest i've been to any of the locations on your list.

I'm very new to TravelPunk, so maybe i missed your reviews. Its crazy how I'm rarely on-line due to $ and location, so thought I would shoot this out to ya and get busy outside this cafe.

Thanks for any advise you may have as far as Chile or Costa Rica... or other you would highly reccomend for meeting great people and exploration. Hope to connect soon !

Kindly, !
Jaci
jacolatte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-11-2010, 12:13 PM   #15
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: seattle, WA
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default new explorer

I possibly need to explore travel punk and other sites 1st. Thanks for considering helping a new wondering soul out in the meantime!

Looking for good 1st stops in: Costa Rica, Chile, Guatemala... or the like that will help guide me to a place where I can learn about the plants and their healing properties. Maybe do some building? (Cobbing....) Workshops for cheep/ live like a local. Shamanism, etc.



<3
jacolatte is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply






Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cuba, Central America, South America... LaurieL622 Traveling Alone or Family Travel 8 02-22-2007 03:25 AM
central america prospectivetraveler Cen.Am/Cuba/Carib 14 05-19-2006 07:03 PM
travel though central america.....3 - 4 months laje Travel Budget, Money Matters, Financial Talk 2 02-06-2006 07:18 PM
Central America LostFarmboy Cen.Am/Cuba/Carib 4 09-15-2005 04:01 AM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:23 PM.



 

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0 (Unregistered)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121