Central America Trip Advice Needed
 

I've been lurking here for a couple of months and have gained some valuable insight. Now, I need to start seriously planning my own adventure, in April, from Ohio to Yaviza, Panama.

So, I'd like to ask for some advice on the following questions:

1. Is there any Central America equivalent to MapQuest I can use determine distances?

2. I have a Garmin GPS but am unable to locate any mapping for Central America.

3. What paper maps are recommended?

4. Which travel guide is the best?

5. Are Hostels common through out Central America or should I look for a guide to them?

6. Know of any safe facility to store the bike while taking a side trip to San Blas Islands, Panama or Isla de Ometpe, Nicaragua?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi Loclas!
i lived in Marietta Ohio for 4 years while attending college:thumbup1:

1. Is there any Central America equivalent to MapQuest I can use determine distances?
you can use the WorldMap on your GPS to get estimates... ITMB maps have the KM in them so you can use pencil and calculator to do the math

2. I have a Garmin GPS but am unable to locate any mapping for Central America.
Check my site SalCar Nicaragua: Healthcare, Motorcycles, Adventure under resources...

3. What paper maps are recommended?
I use ITMB maps.. there are other... specific to the countries but this should be enough..

4. Which travel guide is the best?
it depends on preferences... lonely planet, roughguides, Footprint are the most popular ones

5. Are Hostels common through out Central America or should I look for a guide to them?
Most tourist cities have them....

6. Know of any safe facility to store the bike while taking a side trip to San Blas Islands, Panama or Isla de Ometpe, Nicaragua?
You can take your motorcycle to Isla de Ometepe....


let me know when you are coming down... if i'm around you are welcome to stay at my house

Best,
SalCar

Live Local Search is the best site for central/southern america interactive mapping and driving directions. You get get driving directions from Prudhoe to Tierra del fuego (in two steps, because of the gap) if you want. It is great for ballpark figures, but I'd be a little nervous using it for detailed route planning. Especially when it comes to travel times.

http://smellybiker.com for GPS maps. I've only installed the sample, but it looks great for Mexico. I'm going to buy it once my departure date is closer.

maps
 

Google maps are very good. Google Maps Also Worldwide map search, routing and travel directions from Multimap

You will find a hotel or hostal near any city plaza in L.America. Also, the hotels outside of town that rent by the hour are actually of good value, safe and comfortable, work out a deal. Most hotels will let you park the bike inside or in their parking lot. If not, in Colombia for example, i usually parked my bike overnight in the parqueredero nearby for a dollar or less. Secure and cheap. Lodging is rarely a problem anywhere in L.America. For GPS maps i use Worldmap and Wanderlust. I find both to be lacking, but put them together and overlap, they´re not bad. I like the maps from Roughguides, but the truth is, don´t expect any map, paper or GPS to be particularly acurate, but combining a paper map with your GPS map, you will always know where you are. City locations are pretty acurate, but road locations are always changing and out of date...not really important IMHO. Enjoy!
BTW...if your going to S.America, you can take a boat from Portobelo, they usually stop at the San Blass islands for a few days. Choose your captian wisely!