With a truce in effect between the two largest gangs in El Salvador and peace talks with FARC in Colombia, this might be the window I have been waiting for to travel through Central America by bus.
I will pick up where I left off on my last trip, in Guatemala City. I will do a quick trip to see the Mayan ruins of Tikal and leave Guatemala City on a Tica bus. Here is the itinerary from Tica's website. The trip one-way will cost $128, excluding hotels.
Guatemala to El Salvador: Leaves at 5:30 a.m., arrives in San Salvador at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stay overnight in hotel.
El Salvador to Nicaragua: Leaves at 5 a.m. and arrives in Managua at 5 p.m. Stay overnight in hotel.
Nicaragua to Costa Rica: Leaves at 6 a.m. and arrives in San Jose at 4p.m.
Costa Rica to Panama: Leaves at 11 p.m. (same day) and arrives in Panama City at 4 p.m. the following day.
I wonder if long waits at border crossings are included.
Now, I have to research the Darien Gap in Panama...
Tica fares.
Photo source.