Central America with SITA

My wife, Patti, and I had already been to a few Central American countries when we were attracted by a tour advertised in ITN by SITA World Tours (Encino, CA; 800/421-5643, www.sitatours.com). We were interested in “Discover Central America” because it included four countries we hadn’t yet visited.

We chose the Deluxe level of hotels and were generally pleased. (Several of the hotels listed have already changed.) Our tour cost about $4,300 per person plus about $250 each for one internal flight from Managua to San Salvador. We traveled Feb. 11-25, 2016, flying (not included) on Copa Airlines from Tampa through Panama City to San José, Costa Rica, afterward returning from Guatemala City on the same route.

We had a private driver-guide in a new vehicle in each country. All of the guides were accommodating, knowledgeable and sensitive to our concerns about crime — a notorious problem in some of the countries. All of our hotels had guards who carried big shotguns; security was a priority. Although we remained cautious, there was never a time we felt unsafe.

A few caveats and cautions —

Portions of the trip are more difficult for mature travelers unless they’re in prime shape. Climbing volcanoes in rainforests with steep, slippery surfaces isn’t all that easy. And the hanging bridges in Costa Rica are not for the faint of heart.

The border crossing from Costa Rica to Nicaragua required us to drag our own luggage about 100 yards over a pothole-filled rock road. Due to a fear of Cubans crossing illegally, there were 50 to 60 heavily armed soldiers there and some heavy artillery. Most other border crossings were fairly typical of countries that love rubber stamps, forms and lines. 

ATMs were readily available, and the ones near banks had armed guards. Both local currency and US currency were offered. With almost all of our transactions, US currency was accepted, and often it was preferred.

It was our first trip with SITA and we will use them again.

TONY LEISNER

Tarpon Springs, FL