RoamingRajuThe Accidental 5-Country Whimsical Dash
In late Summer 2026, we decided to make a whirlwind trip through Central America. We were ambitious, to say the least, intending to cover four countries in 12 days. While booking, we noticed our flight had a layover in Panama. Having passed through Panama a few times without seeing its most iconic landmark, my wife suggested an overnight stay to finally see the Panama Canal. And just like that, our four-country itinerary expanded into a five-country tour!
They say traveling is a meditative experience because you never know what you will come across—a truth that revealed itself before we even boarded our first flight.
A week before our departure for Guatemala, the Fuego Volcano erupted violently for 50 hours straight. The eruption occurred roughly 10 miles from our planned sightseeing spots and 30 miles from our hotel, triggering evacuations within a 5-mile radius. I monitored the Guatemalan government’s travel advisories closely. Thankfully, prevailing winds blew the ash west toward the sea; had they shifted east, Guatemala City’s airport would have shut down completely. We decided to roll with the punches and stick to our itinerary.
As if that were not enough, a massive earthquake struck Colombia on the day of our departure. A few friends reached out to make sure we were safe after hearing the news. Once again, we chose to push forward and continue with our trip.
📌 TRIP LOGISTICS: BASE CAMP STRATEGY
- Flight Route: Denver — Houston — Guatemala City.
- Hotel Strategy: Stayed near Guatemala City Airport (Barcelo Hotel) with reliable shuttles and took day trips to Antigua and Pacaya to avoid lack of premium hotel options in Antigua.
- Emergency Monitoring: Always track official government advisories during active volcanic events or natural disasters.
Guatemala: Colonial Charm, Volcanic Pizzas & Mayan Border Crossings
We departed Denver on a Monday morning via Houston, arriving in Guatemala City around 6:00 PM. After settling into the Barcelo Hotel, we headed to a cozy local Italian joint, Gianni’s, for a delicious dinner before turning in.
The next morning, our driver met us at 9:00 AM. He was an engaging guy who shared his story of having lived in Los Angeles before moving back to Guatemala. He mentioned that around $300 a month was a living wage there. Our first stop in Antigua was Cerro de la Cruz, offering panoramic views of the city framed by massive volcanoes. Right at the viewpoint, we spotted a familiar Indian Bajaj Tuk-Tuk—naturally, we had to snap a picture! On our walk down, we refreshed ourselves with fresh coconut water and sweet mangoes.
Bajaj Tuk-Tuk
Next, we explored Plaza Mayor, a vibrant hub full of street dancers, local vendors, and a grand central fountain. Note for travelers: while credit cards are widely accepted across Guatemala, volcano entry fees, horse rentals, and small vendors strictly require cash in local currency (Quetzales). I stopped by a bank on the plaza to stock up before we walked toward the iconic Santa Catalina Arch and La Merced Church.
The views from La Merced’s rooftop were nothing short of breathtaking, capturing the surrounding mountain ridges in full glory. After sampling fresh street-side corn on the cob and stopping at a local bakery for Guatemalan pastries, we headed back to the hotel. That evening, we dined at Namaste India in Guatemala City—a fantastic meal that satisfied our appetite after a full day of sightseeing.
The following day began with a 7:00 AM drive to Pacaya Volcano along windy hillside roads. Given the 900-foot elevation gain, we rented horses for the ascent. While official guides are mandatory, our assigned guide didn’t speak English, leading to a largely self-guided trek! However, the trail views were stunning. Near the top, a chef cooks pizzas directly over hot volcanic rock ovens—an absolute must-try! We also hiked a few hundred meters to a small crater with hot volcanic rocks to roast marshmallows. On the way down, we decided to walk alongside our horses. The drive back was long due to heavy traffic, so we dined comfortably at the hotel restaurant.
Bright and early at 4:00 AM the next day, a driver took us on a day trip across the border to Copán Ruinas in Honduras. Along the way, we stopped at a Guatemalan McDonald’s—which was surprisingly spotless and far superior to a typical American location! Border immigration was quick and painless. At the Mayan archaeological site, our English-speaking guide loved testing us with trivia—which got a bit relentless since we weren’t history buffs! Afterwards, we grabbed lunch in town at a rustic hole-in-the-wall spot (where we politely asked the owners to keep the friendly street dogs outside while we ate). Heavy traffic made the drive back long, arriving at 8:00 PM for another relaxing dinner at our hotel.
Nicaragua: Pure Hospitality, Isletas, and Dancing Horses
On Friday afternoon, we flew to Managua, Nicaragua, and took a one-hour transfer to Granada. We stayed at Patio del Malinche, a charming boutique hotel featuring a tranquil central courtyard and delicious made-to-order breakfasts. What struck us immediately was the genuine warmth of the Nicaraguan people. Strangers on the street went out of their way to say, “Welcome to our country, thank you for visiting!” That evening, we enjoyed brick-oven pizza and hummus at Pita Pita.
The following day, we explored Granada’s town center. While the municipal market was a bit too chaotic for our taste, a horse-drawn carriage ride through the central plaza gave us a wonderful historical orientation. Later in the afternoon, we climbed the bell tower at Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced for scenic city views. For dinner, we visited The Garden Café, where we were pleasantly surprised to find comforting Dal Rice and Vegetable Curry with pita bread.
The next morning, we took a boat tour of Las Isletas de Granada on Lake Nicaragua, visiting Monkey Island (where two monkeys reside, fed primarily by visiting tourists) and the historic San Pablo Fort. We then drove to Mirador de Catarina for breathtaking views over Apoyo Lagoon—a crater lake—and even tried out the thrilling local zipline!
After a quick stop at the Masaya Market (which felt a bit like an overpriced tourist trap) and Masaya Volcano with its active plume of smoke, we returned to Granada just as the annual Hípica de Granada (Horse Festival) was in full swing.
With the roads blocked, we walked the last mile to our hotel, convincing a street vendor selling cashews to follow us so we could buy a batch! Back at the hotel, we grabbed chairs and parked ourselves on the sidewalk right out front. Pristine dancing horses, dressed-up riders, and elaborate night floats paraded right past us. For dinner, we walked to Burrocks, a lively Mexican joint with great vegetarian options, surrounded by locals joyfully dancing in the streets.
Panama & Colombia: Engineering Wonders & Bogotá Highs
After grabbing takeaway pizzas from Pita Pita for lunch in the car, we headed to Managua airport for our flight to Panama City, staying overnight at the Ramada Plaza.
The next morning, we checked out, left our luggage with the concierge, and took an Uber to Casco Viejo (Old Town) for an enjoyable morning of shopping. By 1:00 PM, we arrived at the Miraflores Visitor Center at the Panama Canal. We watched an informative IMAX movie before heading to the observation deck to watch a massive container ship pass through the locks. Afterwards, we had incredible, authentic Indian food at Sardar Ji Indian Restaurant before retrieving our luggage and heading to the airport. We relaxed at the Copa Lounge before boarding our late flight to Bogotá.
Exploring Bogotá: High Altitude & Cultural Gems
We landed in Bogotá at 11:00 PM and reached the Radisson Metrotel around midnight. Traveler Tip: Double-check hotel exchange rates! The hotel quoted us in USD but used an “in-house” exchange rate at check-in that was 6% higher than the official rate.
The next morning, we took an Uber to the Paloquemao Fruit Market. It was a incredible sensory experience filled with exotic fruits, vegetables, and local delicacies where you could easily spend hours. From there, we took an Uber to Mount Monserrate and rode the Funicular railway to the top. The panoramic views of Bogotá were absolute perfection. We explored the scenic summit and enjoyed an exquisite lunch at an upscale French restaurant right on the mountain peak.
After descending via the cable car (teleférico), we relaxed at the hotel before heading out to dinner. On Google’s advice not to walk the half-mile after dark, we took an Uber to Herbivoro Cocina Vegana, an inventive vegan spot with delicious, massive portions.
On our final full day, we took a taxi to Plaza de Bolívar and wandered through the charming cobblestone streets of La Candelaria. Highlights of our day included:
- Art & Museums: Exploring local art galleries and spending a couple of hours at the free Botero Museum admiring Fernando Botero’s iconic artwork.
- The Venezuelan Salesman: While my wife was feeding hundreds of pigeons in the plaza, a friendly Venezuelan vendor approached me, said “Brother, you are from India, I am from Venezuela!”, and artfully attached decorative metal clips to my cap before selling them to me—a master salesman!
- Local Fuel & History: Grabbing a quick bite (fries, cold drinks, and ice cream) at the popular local burger chain Home (H{ }ME) before visiting the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro), which offered a fascinating deep dive into pre-Columbian gold history.
To top off our final evening, we tried ordering Domino’s Pizza, but due to hotel delivery restrictions, we took a short walk to pick it up ourselves—the perfect simple end to an unforgettable journey. The next morning, we boarded our flight back home to Denver.
📌 KEY TRAVEL TAKEAWAYS FOR FELLOW ROAMERS
- Cash is King for Volcanic Attractions: Always carry local currency (Quetzales) for entrance fees & horse rentals in Guatemala.
- Timing the Panama Canal: Schedule visits to Miraflores Locks around 9:00–11:00 AM or 1:30–3:30 PM when vessel transits actually occur.
- Bogotá Transit & Safety: Uber is extremely reliable and safe for navigating between Bogotá neighborhoods, especially after dark.
- Hotel Currency Conversion Watch: Always verify whether hotels apply standard bank rates or inflated in-house exchange rates when converting USD to local currency.
Over to You, Fellow Travelers!
When was the last time you felt so welcomed by local hospitality that you immediately wanted to book a return trip, just like we experienced in Nicaragua? Would you ever attempt 5 countries in 12 days, or do you prefer taking it slow? Share your thoughts and crazy itineraries in the comments below!
