When I’m in a new country in Central America for a few days, the last thing I want to do is pay for a $30 taxi ride from the airport to the hotel. Conversely, there goes another $30 taxi ride from the hotel to the airport. There is no viable form of public transportation in developing countries such as Belize, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador.
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Renting a car in Central America also relieves you from taking taxis everywhere within the country once you’re at your hotel which can add up quite a bit to your vacation budget. Here are some reasons why you should rent a car in Central America.
1. Renting a Car is Inexpensive – Rates are as low as $4 per day if you search on orbitz.com. It’s really inexpensive to rent a car in Central America. It’s better than paying taxi after taxi after taxi which can do some serious damage to your wallet.
2. It allows you to unlock the country – Do you really want to stay at your “bubble” hotel and just visit the surrounding neighborhood within your hotel? Central America is vastly beautiful with access to hidden beaches, lakes, volcanoes, rainforests, quaint towns, and the countryside.
3. Say no to packaged tours – I really dislike packaged tours that come with a driver, lunch, and a tour guide. These things are expensive and you must do it within a specific time frame which can be rushed. Some have 2 person minimums and is out of the question for solo travelers like myself. In addition, they will expect a big fat tip as well. It’s best to do research and do your own self-guided tour. You might be surprised that some activities have free guides once you’re on site.
Continue to Car Rental Tips for Driving in Central America.