Road trip through Central America (start January 16, 2014)

[jornvango]

We're leaving on our road trip through Central America on January 16 (tomorrow, as I'm typing this on the 15th )

We won't be doing the trip with our Airstream (we sold it 2 weeks ago!) but since some showed an interest in reading our blog, you can find it at Roadtrippin' The Americas

We're intending to visit Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama on the trip. We're thinking it will take us a few months to complete the trip and arrive back in the States.

Hope to meet some of you along the way!

[Valacidor]

jornvango,
Thoroughly enjoyed your blog about the trip to AK, it is helping me plan my 2014 trip.
Can't wait to read about your trip through Central America, another of my dream trips.
Watch out for topos (unmarked sped bumps, even on hiways)
Tom J.

[jornvango]

First trip update: we crossed the border at Laredo, TX on Thursday morning. We drove to and slept in Saltillo.
Today Friday we're spending the night in Matehuala; along highway 57 on the way south to Mexico City.

Nice weather here with lots of palm trees. So far good roads. Nice mountainous scenery once you approach Monterrey from the north.

The picture below shows the campground behind Hotel Imperial in Saltillo. We're in the far right corner behind the Unimog (belongs to a German couple). The first two truck campers are Canadians.



Now that I'm sitting here typing this; at Hotel Las Palmas in Matehuala; I see the German Unimog pulling into the campground :-)

Tomorrow we're headed further south to San Luis Potosi.

[nilesrob]

Cool pics, keep them coming. I'd be curious about your language skills - assume you speak Spanish?

[jornvango]

Well, not really
My wife has been studying by using some ipad apps, but I've been attempting to make myself understood based on my knowledge of French (which I learned while growing up in Belgium).

[Airperson]

Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. I would love to do the same; but there are so many stories of problems...
We will still ,at least, be able to read about your exciting journey.

[jornvango]

Hope you get to travel!

We left Matehuala this morning and ended up (rather unexpectedly) in the mountain town of San Miguel de Allende. Very nice: 15th century colonial town with cobblestone streets and old plazas with churches.

We're thinking about staying here a few days; updated on www.vango.be

[Overlander & Sea]

I am enjoying both your thread and blog! Thanks for sharing your travel experience with all of us.

[xrvr]

Good luck. What an adventure. It will be interesting how the truck camper performs. You got the aluminum one? Cannot remember the brand, livin lite? Keep us informed. Jim

[jornvango]

Thanks, yes, the livin lite 8.6 camper. So far so good! The campground where we're currently staying in San Miguel de Allende is in the old town and only allows travel trailers up to 16 ft, so it looks like the average AS would have more trouble finding a place to sleep.

[BusDriver]

Jorn, really enjoying your blog, I can see why you are in a camper instead of an Airstream.

[jornvango]

It's been a while since I posted an update.

After spending the first weeks of our trip in the Mexican altiplano, we headed east towards the coast.
These past few days, we've been staying at lake Catemaco and are planning to head to Villahermosa, and then Palenque, next.

Good food, good weather, friendly people thus far.

Pictures at www.vango.be

[jornvango]

Update: we spent the past couple of weeks exploring the Yucatan and are now at Yax-Ha in Chetumal. Hopefully looking to cross the border into Belize in a few days; we're waiting on the import permit for our dog.

Blog and pictures are at Roadtrippin' The Americas

[jornvango]

We drove into Belize yesterday and are currently staying at Backpacker's Paradise, in Sarteneja.

Border crossing went smooth other than a bribe attempt by the immigration officer! Crazy.
www.vango.be

[jornvango]

We entered Guatemala yesterday and are in El Remate for a few days. Beautiful down here!
We visited Tikal this morning.

[jornvango]

Update: we left El Salvador today and are staying the night along the PanAmerican in Honduras. Hopefully Nicaragua tomorrow to stay for a few weeks.
Blog update coming soon.

[Hittenstiehl]

Your pictures are a beautiful reminder of the stunning scenery the country offers.

[jornvango]

Thanks

We are heading to Granada today at Lake Nicaragua

[jornvango]

We made it to Panama!


We are currently staying in the perfect (cool) mountain climate in Boquete. On our way to Panama City in a few days, and then return to the US by following a different route.

Blog and pictures updated at www.vango.be

[jornvango]

We're on our way back up to the US and are currently in Guatemala and hopefully heading into Mexico (Chiapas) tomorrow, Saturday 5/17. We're thinking of staying in Mexico for 4-5 weeks before crossing into Arizona or Texas.

Today is exactly 4 months ago since we left Texas and crossed into Mexico on our Central American adventure!

New pictures are on the blog at Roadtrippin' The Americas

Blog is up-to-date at Roadtrippin' The Americas