4RunninfromHome. A quick trip down the PanAmerican
- Thread starter Scoooooch
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Scoooooch
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After a couple days of down time time Antigua it was time to head for El Salvador.
We were all looking forward to getting out of the city and back in to the tents where we belong and really where we feel more at home. First stop was a little town Juayua in the northwest corner of this beautiful little country. We researched some camping at Parque Nacional Portezuelo, a quiet little place nestled in the hills of the surrounding coffee plantations. Stopped in town for some groceries and the obligatory papusa - something that we discovered in Belize but was the national dish of El Salvador - then it was off to another paradise.
The fellow who runs the joint brought us a big pile of firewood and we just kicked back and relaxed for the evening.
Next day was a ride on horseback up to a lake in the mountains and then back down through the coffee fields. The views of the surrounding valley were amazing!
Another fire, some more cheap cervezas, and a glorious fire cooked meal and that was it. Next day we were headed back to the coast for some sun sand and surf.
We were all looking forward to getting out of the city and back in to the tents where we belong and really where we feel more at home. First stop was a little town Juayua in the northwest corner of this beautiful little country. We researched some camping at Parque Nacional Portezuelo, a quiet little place nestled in the hills of the surrounding coffee plantations. Stopped in town for some groceries and the obligatory papusa - something that we discovered in Belize but was the national dish of El Salvador - then it was off to another paradise.
The fellow who runs the joint brought us a big pile of firewood and we just kicked back and relaxed for the evening.
Next day was a ride on horseback up to a lake in the mountains and then back down through the coffee fields. The views of the surrounding valley were amazing!
Another fire, some more cheap cervezas, and a glorious fire cooked meal and that was it. Next day we were headed back to the coast for some sun sand and surf.
Scoooooch
New member
What a drive today! From the mountains right down to the pacific coastline, everything was absolutely gorgeous! Winding roads with switchbacks galore and epic views along the coast, I ALMOST wish I had something that handled a little better than my lifted max loaded Runner...almost.
Found a nice little spot to stop and have a beer while we took it all in. We hadn't been on the pacific in a while and we're really excited to get back.
Finally the blacktop dropped us right by the water, we couldn't resist but to get out and go for a swim. The mercury had crept over 40*C (105*F) let me tell you about warm water...it was barely refreshing but felt so good.
We searched around for a little while for a place to camp but only found a couple crappy places to far away from the water for our liking. We stumbled across a great little surfing village called El Tunco. Unfortunately this meant we were back into a hostel type place but we couldn't really say no. The price was right and we were literally on the beach, surf sun and sand, just what we came for. The town was awesome, lots of great little bars and cheap restaurants, and 1 litre bottles of beer were $1.30. This was home.
Closed out this spectacular day by watching the surfers catch some awesome breaks, and probably one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen.
Found a nice little spot to stop and have a beer while we took it all in. We hadn't been on the pacific in a while and we're really excited to get back.
Finally the blacktop dropped us right by the water, we couldn't resist but to get out and go for a swim. The mercury had crept over 40*C (105*F) let me tell you about warm water...it was barely refreshing but felt so good.
We searched around for a little while for a place to camp but only found a couple crappy places to far away from the water for our liking. We stumbled across a great little surfing village called El Tunco. Unfortunately this meant we were back into a hostel type place but we couldn't really say no. The price was right and we were literally on the beach, surf sun and sand, just what we came for. The town was awesome, lots of great little bars and cheap restaurants, and 1 litre bottles of beer were $1.30. This was home.
Closed out this spectacular day by watching the surfers catch some awesome breaks, and probably one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen.
Scoooooch
New member
The gf and I spent the whole next back and forth between the beach and the bar while our fellow travellers rented some boogie boards and hit the waves. It was perfect. A little siesta in the hammocks right outside our room around lunch time and it was back out the the black sand beach and awesome water.
Really didn't do much other than that. Which was nice, gave us time to reflect on all the places we had been, and time to recover and forget about all the bug bites we had gotten along the way. Watched another beautiful sunset and let the sound of the waves lull us to sleep. Definitely hitting this place on the way back when we can spend a little more time, just the 2 of us, as our companions will be jumping out in Costa Rica. So it might be an opportunity for us to pull up on the beach somewhere and just camp in the truck.
Really didn't do much other than that. Which was nice, gave us time to reflect on all the places we had been, and time to recover and forget about all the bug bites we had gotten along the way. Watched another beautiful sunset and let the sound of the waves lull us to sleep. Definitely hitting this place on the way back when we can spend a little more time, just the 2 of us, as our companions will be jumping out in Costa Rica. So it might be an opportunity for us to pull up on the beach somewhere and just camp in the truck.
Scoooooch
New member
After a couple relaxing days in El Tunco we made a break for Volcan Conchagua. What an epic climb! Although it was hand laid 'cobblestone' all the way up it was rough...and steep...from the town of La Union - which was at sea level - to the top was about 7 km, and 3500' of vertical.
We were the only ones up there so we had the run of the place. Except for a resident scorpion or two...
The views were amazing. The sunrise's were amazing. The sunsets were amazing.
From the top we could see where we were headed next, Honduras. And if it wasn't so hazy you could see clear in Nicaragua.
We were the only ones up there so we had the run of the place. Except for a resident scorpion or two...
The views were amazing. The sunrise's were amazing. The sunsets were amazing.
From the top we could see where we were headed next, Honduras. And if it wasn't so hazy you could see clear in Nicaragua.
Scoooooch
New member
Scoooooch
New member
I realize I'm a little behind on this, I've been sitting at my aunts place in Panama for the last 1 1/2 weeks being lazy, and doing some maintenance on the 4R before we turn around and head back to BC. Seeing as how we're pulling out tomorrow I'll try and get a couple quick updates in...
After spending some relaxing days atop the Volcano in El Salvador it was time to head for Nicaragua. Because of time constraints and safety concerns for the areas we really wanted to check out, we decided to burn straight through Honduras. It's a trip that can be made in a few hours but it means 2 border crossings in one day, which is a hassle in itself, so we left early and headed straight for the El Salvador/Honduras border.
With the first one out of the way it was a hot, hot, HOT drive through some pretty boring countryside. Almost 3 hours later we were at the Nicaraguan border to go through the whole process of handing over 1000 copies of our documents all over again.
Our first stop in Nicaragua was Estelí, nestled in amongst the tobacco plantations where some of the finest cigars are made. Scored a hostel on the cheap, did the obligatory cigar factory tour, drank some delicious organic coffee, and scoped out some waterfalls.
And of course, scoped out some beautiful Yota's for you kind folk
After spending some relaxing days atop the Volcano in El Salvador it was time to head for Nicaragua. Because of time constraints and safety concerns for the areas we really wanted to check out, we decided to burn straight through Honduras. It's a trip that can be made in a few hours but it means 2 border crossings in one day, which is a hassle in itself, so we left early and headed straight for the El Salvador/Honduras border.
With the first one out of the way it was a hot, hot, HOT drive through some pretty boring countryside. Almost 3 hours later we were at the Nicaraguan border to go through the whole process of handing over 1000 copies of our documents all over again.
Our first stop in Nicaragua was Estelí, nestled in amongst the tobacco plantations where some of the finest cigars are made. Scored a hostel on the cheap, did the obligatory cigar factory tour, drank some delicious organic coffee, and scoped out some waterfalls.
And of course, scoped out some beautiful Yota's for you kind folk
Scoooooch
New member
Next up was Jiquilillo on the Pacific coast. Found an awesome backpackers paradise right in the beach and spent a few days just lazing in the hammocks and enjoying the surf.
Did I mention that the beer is less than a dollar in Nicaragua? I like it here. Very much.
This place was awesome, self sustainable, all the staff was volunteer and they have back to the community in every way that they could. It was way off the beaten path. It was nice to just chill for a few days with people from all over the world, it was actually quite busy when we were there, about 30 people. Ran in to a couple from New Jersey in a 1st gen Tacoma with a RTT making their way down to South America, check them out on Facebook if your so inclined - SardineTaco
From there we headed further south to Isle de Ometepe. Twin volcanos in the middle of Lake Nicaragua.
We took the ferry over from Rivas, which was about an hours ride in some pretty rough water. Once on the island we tried to find a hostel that we had researched, being that it was nighttime by the time we rolled around to the right part of the island, we saw a sign for the place we were looking for. We pulled over to check it out, ya know cause signs are USUALLY in front of the place, and we're greeted by a wonderful family who came out to the truck and welcomed us with open arms.
We inquired about camping and they said SI!! You can camp right here on the water!! They showed us a beautiful spot literally feet from the waters edge. We asked how much, they said nothing. It was at this point that we realized something was up, asked one of the kids if this was the hostel and he said no, it's around the corner. At this point there was no way we were passing up the free camping and the awesome hospitality.
We set up our tents, they made us dinner, and the old man pulled out the guitar and started playing local songs for us. He was so happy to have some Canadians staying with them, he called his friend in Minnesota just to tell him. It was an awesome experience! And they were so nice, we stayed for a few days, mom made us breakfast every morning, and did some sightseeing around the island.
Probably some of the nicest people we've met on the trip.
Did I mention that the beer is less than a dollar in Nicaragua? I like it here. Very much.
This place was awesome, self sustainable, all the staff was volunteer and they have back to the community in every way that they could. It was way off the beaten path. It was nice to just chill for a few days with people from all over the world, it was actually quite busy when we were there, about 30 people. Ran in to a couple from New Jersey in a 1st gen Tacoma with a RTT making their way down to South America, check them out on Facebook if your so inclined - SardineTaco
From there we headed further south to Isle de Ometepe. Twin volcanos in the middle of Lake Nicaragua.
We took the ferry over from Rivas, which was about an hours ride in some pretty rough water. Once on the island we tried to find a hostel that we had researched, being that it was nighttime by the time we rolled around to the right part of the island, we saw a sign for the place we were looking for. We pulled over to check it out, ya know cause signs are USUALLY in front of the place, and we're greeted by a wonderful family who came out to the truck and welcomed us with open arms.
We inquired about camping and they said SI!! You can camp right here on the water!! They showed us a beautiful spot literally feet from the waters edge. We asked how much, they said nothing. It was at this point that we realized something was up, asked one of the kids if this was the hostel and he said no, it's around the corner. At this point there was no way we were passing up the free camping and the awesome hospitality.
We set up our tents, they made us dinner, and the old man pulled out the guitar and started playing local songs for us. He was so happy to have some Canadians staying with them, he called his friend in Minnesota just to tell him. It was an awesome experience! And they were so nice, we stayed for a few days, mom made us breakfast every morning, and did some sightseeing around the island.
Probably some of the nicest people we've met on the trip.
unlimitedFJ4
New member
looks like you guys are having a blast now I know why I am having such a hard time finding a nice older toyota they are all in south america, lol have a safe trip home and keep posting more pictures!
DannyLlama
Elite Member
[MENTION=85866]Scoooooch[/MENTION] I am not the jealous type but sitting here behind a desk looking at your photos and putting my self in your shoes.... Jealous is an understatement.
Keep us posted with more pics and info
!!!!!!!!!!!
Have you came across any trouble down there? You are driving through some hostile areas. God be with you guys.
Keep us posted with more pics and info
!!!!!!!!!!!Have you came across any trouble down there? You are driving through some hostile areas. God be with you guys.
Scoooooch
New member
I thought the same thing myself. In the few weeks we spent in Guatemala and Nicaragua, I saw more old Yota's on the road than I have in my 30+ years living in Canada.
Keep us posted with more pics and info
Have you came across any trouble down there? You are driving through some hostile areas. God be with you guys.
Will do my friend!
No problems whatsoever. We have met some awesome and super friendly people down here, never once have we felt unsafe or worried.
Scoooooch
New member
After saying goodbye to our adopted family on the island, it was time to head to San Juan del Sur. I have a friend there that we had made plans to crash with for a few days, she was out of town when we arrived so we found a campground on the beach to get us by. Tough life right...
This was also the point where we said goodby to our travel companions. They were on a different timeline than us so they were jumping out to backpack through Costa Rica and Panama, then flying home. From here on it's just the two of us, more freedom, more room in the Runner, more free camping since I have the sleeping platform in the back.
Took the time and advantage of the garage to do some maintenance to the rig, I had an idler arm that was on the way out.
Stayed for almost a week, enjoying the sun, and most importantly the cheap beer and appies during happy hour...$1 each...why we only stayed a week is beyond me...
This was also the point where we said goodby to our travel companions. They were on a different timeline than us so they were jumping out to backpack through Costa Rica and Panama, then flying home. From here on it's just the two of us, more freedom, more room in the Runner, more free camping since I have the sleeping platform in the back.
Took the time and advantage of the garage to do some maintenance to the rig, I had an idler arm that was on the way out.
Stayed for almost a week, enjoying the sun, and most importantly the cheap beer and appies during happy hour...$1 each...why we only stayed a week is beyond me...
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