Backpacking Central America & Mexico

Fenwick

Hey all, looking for a bit of advice. Going on one of those organised (travel and accom) trips for 6wks with my bf. Nothing TOO mental - mostly walking around new towns/ villages, lying on beaches, maybe checking out some cloud forests and volcanoes. Im heading off in three wks time and just trying to sort out the packing; are things like hiking boots and those travel towels (quick dry, super light etc) a bit on the extreme side? And would I be mad taking hairdryer and GHD? FInding it hard to strike the right balance here.
Also, I've read that shorts/ tshirts aren't acceptable everywhere. TO anyone who's been to these areas (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama etc), what kinda clothing is acceptable (or expected) on a night out??

THanks in advance for any advice.....its driving me a bit cracked!

Fenwick

OH! One other thing - I've read plenty of conflicting reports re: money. Have dollars, laser and mastercard. I have a few $100/ $50 bills - any point in bringing notes that size? And would I be as well off to put some money in my credit card a/c and withdraw from there rather than using Laser (cirrus)??
Thanks again!

dory

Don't bother with the GHD or hairdryer. Watch the episode of friends where Monica goes to the carribean. The humidity will scupper your GHD work. Just bring some moose or something to keep it under control.
Hiking boots...depends if you want to go hiking. Look through your itinerary and see if there are hiking opportunities. Also those towels are great. Don't pack a big fluffy towel! You can get a sarong type thing to lie on the beach on.

And at night time its very casual. People often wore what they wore during the day and flip flops seemed required!! People really just want to pack light.
Have fun!

solerina

dory wrote: »

Don't bother with the GHD or hairdryer. Watch the episode of friends where Monica goes to the carribean. The humidity will scupper your GHD work. Just bring some moose or something to keep it under control.
Hiking boots...depends if you want to go hiking. Look through your itinerary and see if there are hiking opportunities. Also those towels are great. Don't pack a big fluffy towel! You can get a sarong type thing to lie on the beach on.

And at night time its very casual. People often wore what they wore during the day and flip flops seemed required!! People really just want to pack light.
Have fun!

Excellent advice from Dory.
NO GHD
Yes quick drying towel, the normal ones take too long to dry and take up too much space.
Nights out are not that dressy, jeans and t shirts, flip flops for sure.
Bring one nice dress just in case you fancy dressing up (nothing expensice though)....enjoy

Todd Gack

One of the towels like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lifeventure-Soft-Fibre-Towel-Extra-Large/dp/B000R2GF1Y/ref=pd_sim_kh_5 does a good job, dries quickly and folds up nice and small. Much handier than a normal towel.

Hiking boots are very bulky and heavy so unless you plan on doing some serious trekking I wouldn't bother, a pair of runners does the job.

As already said clothing is pretty casual and it's still warm at night in most places so something light is best.

I'd bring a rain jacket as well, the cloud forests can get pretty wet, a very light one would do.

A torch is always handy too.

Once your bag is packed just throw out half your stuff, packing light makes things a lot easier and there's plenty cheap laundry places about.

Fenwick

Sorry forthe delay in getting back guys, thanks so much for the replies.....very much appreciated! Gonna start the actual packing any day now so might be back with a few more questions, but until then.......ITS THE HUMIDITY!!!!!!!!!!

CWF

Where did you book the organised trip? I'm looking into doing something similar next summer, but imagine it would be much cheaper to organise it myself