Traveling in Central America Like a Local
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
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From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
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Annual Human Rights Report
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Remembering Tiananmen
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Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
Today’s CultureTrav guest post is by Trevor McDonald
I have some Guatemalan ancestry, so a trip to Central America has always been on my list. To be honest, it’s a small percentage of my heritage and my Spanish borders on embarrassing, but I still didn’t want to feel like a tourist.
I wanted to walk the roads that my ancestors may have walked and feel like I belonged. So, I did some research to ensure I had the authentic experience.
My trip spanned from Guatemala to Panama, but I found a few tidbits of advice that hold up regardless of where you travel in Central America.
How to stay like a local
Airbnb is a great option to give you an authentic experience. In Central America, rates start at around $10 a night, but you should expect to pay higher rates in densely populated areas like Panama City. If you want an even cheaper option, consider camping.
My trip spanned eight weeks and eight countries, so I ended up with a combination of camping and Airbnb stays. Here are some of the campsites I can recommend:
- Mexico-Belize border – Chetumal
- Belize – Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (camping is free, but there’s an entrance fee)
- Guatemala – Near Quirigua Ruins
- Honduras – Finca Las Glorias in Lago de Yojoa
How to eat like a local
The quickest way to look like a tourist (and blow through your budget) is to eat at fancy restaurants in Central America. But you might just have the best empanada of your life at a roadside spot for about $0.50.
The small restaurants that line the roads can also be hit or miss, but I’ve had many more good experiences than bad.
Throughout my travels, I’ve realized that so much of a culture can be experienced through its food. So, I’ve collected a few key tips to help you navigate the food in various countries.
- Mexico – I probably could have spent 8 weeks just eating my way through the Yucatan. The food in this area is to die for. If I had to pick a favorite dish, it would be the Pollo en mole poblano. From five-star restaurants to food carts, the food here was nothing short of amazing. My best advice to you: Try it all. But if you find yourself in Merida, I highly recommend getting the queso relleno at Manjar Blanco.
- Belize – Indulge in the fresh seafood here, especially the conch. You’ll find conch in basically everything, from burgers to burritos, so it’ll be difficult to avoid. For an authentic foodie experience, hit up any of the restaurants on Caye Caulker.
- Nicaragua – If you’re really after the authentic Nicaraguan experience, you simply cannot leave without trying the ugly fish. You may love it or hate it, but definitely give it a shot. Nicaragua isn’t exactly known for its restaurants, but Nicaraguans can sure grill up a tasty steak. The best steak we had in Nicaragua was at a place called Los Ranchos in Managua.
- Panama – Panamanian cuisine is like a dance of tropical fruits, corn and coconut. At first, it’s a pleasant surprise to your taste buds. Then you start noticing more complexity and flavor. Here are a few must-try dishes while you’re in Panama: Sancocho (a traditional soup with chicken, corn, tomatoes and onions), Ropa vieja (cooked beef with spices that’s served for both breakfast and lunch), Tostones (fried green plantains), Carimanolas (breakfast meat pie), and Carne Guisada (meat and potatoes in sofrito sauce).
Getting around like a local
Renting a car is probably the best way to experience Central America as the locals do, but the process is no picnic. You probably won’t have a reliable GPS for your trip (most cars are analog), and you may have to drop $1,000 on a deposit to get the vehicle.
Fortunately, there are some other options.
Consider hiring a driver instead. This way, your guide can also help you navigate each country. If you don’t feel comfortable with a driver, research public transportation options in advance. There are usually taxis, tut- tuts and buses available, especially in the larger towns.
Tourism versus local entertainment
I was determined to live like a local in Central America, but there were a few touristy spots I simply couldn’t resist. I’d recommend fitting in a few on your list, too.
Once you check those off, consider traveling further into each country to explore what each has to offer. For example, Panama is one of the more touristy spots in Central America, but there are many things you can do that are off the beaten path.
Watch the sunrise and set in Boquete. This is the only place in the world where you can see the sun rise over the Atlantic and set over the Pacific Ocean. Panama is also the only capital in the world with a rainforest within city limits. Take a walk-up Ancon Hill and you’ll get a view of the city from the rainforest.
You don’t have to feel like a tourist when you travel through Central America, but always remember to stay safe by checking travel alerts and remaining aware of your surroundings. Safe travels!
Hi! I'm the founder of Culture With Travel and #CultureTrav. Please chat with us on social media and contribute in the comments! Follow @Nicolette_O
