Change of Plans
Ah the rush of international travel…
Hours of research, packing and unpacking and repacking, goodbyes and hellos and goodbyes again, buses, trains, planes, customs, currency exchange, my first stamp in a fresh passport – oh yes, we’re on the road again.
Why? How? Where?
Well, for starters, I quit my job. I won’t go into the details here, but long story short, I loved everything about being at Togwotee Lodge in Wyoming – except my job. Simply put, it wasn’t up to my professional standards. And yes, after 10 years, I do consider myself a front of house restaurant professional.
Our two weeks notice came to an end during an insane snow storm. The lodge provided a shuttle to Jackson, WY just in time. About two hours after we made it to Jackson, the highway closed for about 48 hours. From Jackson, we rented a car and drove to Denver, CO where we spent two nights with friends. We then flew surprised our friends and family who had no idea we had left Togwotee. That part was a blast!
So, while we were living in a snow globe, I hit the internet and put together a plan good enough to convince my other half to quit his job and come with me.
Central America. 6 weeks. And an additional 7th week in Florida accompanying my family’s vacation.
For $2500.
Yes, each, and yes, we may go over budget which we do have some wiggle room for.
Ok, now for my favorite part. Let’s talk logistics. (Psst – all prices listed are per person)
I searched and searched using Kayak.com and Skyscanner.com until it felt like my eyes were bleeding for good deals on flights into Central America. I found that flying into San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) was easily the most economical.
Ok, now how do we get back?
From Central America we are flying to Fort Lauderdale, FL, renting a car, and heading over to Naples to join my family’s vacation. Though flying from SJO was very economical, Sean really wanted to do some country hopping and especially wanted to go to Belize. Cancun, Mexico (CUN) always has great prices on flights so we went ahead and booked our return to the US for $150.
I knew we didn’t have enough time to bus all the way from Costa Rica to Cancun, so we found one more flight that saved us a ton of money and precious time. After about three weeks in Costa Rica, we will fly from San Jose to Guatemala City (GUA) for $60!
(Note: Costa Rica requires you have a ticket purchased to leave the country upon arrival to appease their customs laws when flying in one-way. This one-way to Guatemala was just what we needed!)
Since we only have 6 weeks, I put together an itinerary featuring the highlights of Central America including beaches, rain forests, climbing the highest point in Central America, islands, and a big bucket list item – getting scuba certified!!!
Feb 14 – Megabus to Chicago, L ride to O’Hare airport, Fly to San Jose Airport, Take a bus to San Jose proper, stay in a hostel ($13 / night)
Feb 15 – Bus from San Jose to Uvita, stay in a hostel ($17/night private room) for 6 nights
Feb 21 – Bus from Uvita to Puerto Jiminez, stay in private apartment (kitchen, bathroom, etc) overlooking the rain forest for 10 nights – $10 per night!!!!!
March 3 – Bus from Puerto Jiminez to San Jose, stay in hostel (TBD)
March 4 – Fly to Guatemala City, spend the next 9 days visiting Lake Atitlan, climbing Central America’s highest point – Volcán Tajumulco , entering Honduras, seeing the Mayan ruins of Copán, and then heading to La Ceiba to catch a ferry to the Caribbean island of Utila.
March 13 – Begin our PADI Open Water Dive Certification with the Utila Dive Center. $329 for the certification includes all materials, 5 nights hostel accommodation, and unlimited snorkeling and kayaking around the island.
March 19 – Leave Utila and enter Belize via boat taxi. Spend 6 nights between Belize and Cancun
March 25 – Fly from CUN to FLL. Tada!!
Yes, it is a lot to squeeze in, and there is a definite possibility one or more itinerary items may be removed.
Budget wise… (again, prices are per person)
Flights to Costa Rica – $175
6 nights in Uvita $100
10 nights in Puerto Jiminez $100
SJO – GUA $60
Utila Dive Center $329
CUN – FLL $150
$30 daily budget x 40 days $1200
Total $2214
Not too shabby, eh?? I’m sure in practice it will be more like $2500 – $3000, but I have no doubt it will be worth it. In fact, it already is. So, yeah, heading to the beach now. PEACE.
Infinite Geography 
Bravo! Way to go Bekah n Sean😘😘😘 thanks for sharing ! I love Costa Rica! La Fortuna has a awesome lil hostel for 15$ a cabin for 6 only 100 with delicious home made breakfast 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 looking forward to more adventures from you! ✌🏼️👊🏿✌🏼
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