Frequently Asked Questions
What currency do I take with me to Central America?
Our tours of Central America cover both Mexico and Costa Rica. The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso, with ATMs being widely accessible in and around Mexico City and Cancun. Card payments are accepted in many restaurants, bars, hotels and attractions, but keep in mind that there may be international usage fees.
In Costa Rica however, the official currency is the Costa Rican colon. Our tours here maintain a focus on catamaran cruises and rainforest hikes – you should ensure you arrive prepared with the correct currency, as you will have difficulty locating an ATM for the duration of these journeys.
What language do the people of Mexico speak?
The official language of Mexico is Spanish, which is the predominant language spoken throughout the country. While there are many similarities to the traditional Castilian Spanish, spoken in Spain, there are also distinct differences so it’s worth bringing along a Mexican phrasebook rather than attempting to get by on a Spanish one. You will find that English is spoken and widely understood across Mexico but, as you would expect, the further from Mexico City and Cancun you travel, the less prevalent this understanding becomes.
What’s the food like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rican cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients and mild spices, usually including beans and rice. From the likes of breakfast dish Gallo Pinto (a bowl of speckled rice and black beans with peppers, onions and spices) and chifrijo (fried pork rinds, tortilla chips, rice and tomatoes), to the delicious and homely Olla de Carne (a hearty stew consisting of beef, carrots, taro root and cassava), Costa Rican food is delicious and flavourful – something its proud locals can attest to.
Home to vibrant cultures and traditions, dazzling cityscapes, imposing volcanoes and dense rainforests populated by spectacular wildlife, Central America is just waiting to be explored.
Why you’ll love Central America…
• Admiring contemporary, renaissance, impressionist and avant-garde Mexican art at the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City
• Enjoying 360-degree panoramic views from the 45th floor of the Mexico City World Trade Centre
• Sampling authentic the flavours of Mexican street food
• Ziplining through the trees of Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica
• Discovering the ancient Mayan pyramids of Uxmal
• Viewing the mysterious Monteverde Cloud Forest from above on its hanging bridges
• Hiking up the rugged mountain ranges of Arenal for unfettered views of the mighty Arenal Volcano
• Observing the 16th century baroque architecture of Catedral Metropolitana
• Exploring the tropical forests of La Fortuna and its picturesque waterfall
• Marvelling at the vibrant gondolas and spirited musical displays of passing mariachi bands on the canals of Xochimilco
Did you know?
• There is nowhere in Central America more than 125 miles from the ocean. An isthmus, Central America is a land bridge between North and South America, bordered by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
• Central America is home to the Pan-American Highway. Spanning tundra, desert, jungle and crossing the ocean, this 30,000-kilometre highway is known as the world’s largest motorable road.
• Costa Ricans colloquially refer to themselves as ticos (males) and ticas (females) – these endearing terms reflect the locals and their tendency to end words in either tico, tica, ico or ica.
