About Central America
Life-changing cultural and education experiences await students and other travelers in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Semester students live in all three countries; summer program students spend their time in Guatemala; and travelers and seminar sponsors can experience any one or all of these countries.
The region is home to more than 30 indigenous and ethnic communities with a cultural heritage rich and creativity and political resistances. These countries have different histories but common struggles shared by diverse populations. Program and seminar participants meet and talk with people working for social change and alternative development in these countries
Guatemala
Guatemala is, according to one guidebook, “Central America in an exaggerated form.” It covers an area of 108,889 km (42,042 square miles). The volcanoes are the highest and the most active; the Mayan ruins are the most impressive; its population is the largest, 11,237,196; and it is home to the largest indigenous population, about 65%. In Guatemala, the division between Maya and Spanish descent (ladino) is fairly strict and has been the source of conflict since the Conquest.
While indigenous populations are concentrated in the highlands, you will see people wearing traditional indigenous clothing in the capital, Guatemala City, as well. In the highland villages, people continue practicing many Mayan traditions with regard to food, religion and family life.
Home to approximately three million people, Guatemala City sprawls across a range of flattened mountains and deep ravines. Guatemala City became the capital of Guatemala in the late 1700s after a powerful earthquake destroyed much of Antigua, the former capital. The city is divided into zones (zonas). Zona 1 is where you’ll find the Plaza Major, the National Palace, the central market, and the Casa San José guest house, where you will be staying. One of Guatemala’s largest cities, but one that has maintained its provincial charm is Quetzaltenango. This city is better known as Xelajú or just Xela (Shêla). It is located in the highland department of Quetzaltenango at about 7,500ft/2,300m and enjoys a cool climate year around. The indigenous population of Quetzaltenango is comprised predominantly of Quiché Maya.
El Salvador
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is approximately the size of Massachusetts, with about 6,122,515 million people. The capital city, San Salvador, has a population of about two million people and is the country’s industrial, government, university and Catholic Church center.
El Salvador’s geography is one of rolling hills and green valleys and, beautiful sandy beaches along the coast. You nearly always will be within the sight of a volcano—San Salvador, San Vicente, San Miguel, and Santa Ana. Each has a town of the same name at its base. The rich, volcanic soil makes it ideal for agricultural use. The pressure for high agricultural productivity combined with demands of an increasingly dense population has made land and its use a critical issue for El Salvador. Peace accords were signed in 1992 marking the end of a 12-year civil war which left the country socially, politically and economically torn.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua has three distinct geographic regions: the Pacific lowlands (where Managua is located), the north-central mountains and the Atlantic Coast. These regions have distinct geographic, cultural, racial, ethnic and religious zones. The population of Nicaragua is approximately five million with 90% of Nicaraguans living on the Pacific Coast and 10% living on the Atlantic Coast.
The few indigenous groups that exist in Nicaragua today are found on the Atlantic Coast. The Moravian Church is the most important church on the Atlantic Coast while on the Pacific Coast the Catholic Church has the greatest influence. In recent years, Protestant churches have grown, and it is estimated that at least 20% of church people are Protestants.
The population of the capital city, Managua, is estimated at 1.5 million. The city is about 70 meters above sea level and is located on the shores of Lake Managua (Xolotlán), which has been an ecological concern for many years given high levels of contamination. In 1972, a massive earthquake destroyed the downtown area, which has not been rebuilt. Recently, demolition of damaged buildings has begun and the central zone is becoming gradually restored. While millions of dollars of international aid was sent to help Nicaragua rebuild, most of that money went into the bank account of Anastasio Somoza, the president and dictator at that time. Markets, neighborhoods and businesses tend to be decentralized and located on the fringe of the city. Since most streets don’t have names, people describe a location in relation to landmarks.
Locations are described in relation to Lake Managua (al lago) and south, east (arriba), west (abajo). This system is challenging for visitors since landmarks are not always obvious and may also refer to places which disappeared in the earthquake.
Accommodations
Guatemala and El Salvador
While in Guatemala City and in San Salvador, participants will stay in guest houses or modest hotels. Bedrooms and bathrooms will be shared between 2-4 people, depending upon the size of the group. You will have most of your meals at the guesthouses with an occasional meal in a restaurant. Some speakers will join you at the guest houses, but most of the seminar will take place out in the community. For customized travel seminars, the Center will select accommodations to meet the programming needs of the group.
Nicaragua
The Center for Global Education maintains a house in Managua for its semester abroad programs. Travel seminar groups stay either at the Center's study house or in other hotels and guesthouses in Managua, as needed.
The Center's house is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood with bus or taxi access to other parts of the city. In the house four to six people will share each bedroom and bathroom. You will have common living space for meetings, meals, and leisure time. Meals will be prepared on the premises by Center staff. Family stays are an option while in Nicaragua. In most cases participants will be placed one per family, but there may be occasions when more students are housed with one family.
Computers and E-Mail
The Center for Global Education does not provide access to e-mail for program participants in Guatemala and El Salvador. Only public e-mail services will be available.
In Nicaragua there is a computer lab, but the computers are sometimes not so reliable. If you have a laptop, you may want to consider bringing it with you as there is wireless internet service in the house if your laptop has wireless capability. If you do decide to bring your laptop, keep in mind the risks. It will be your responsibility should damage or theft occur while traveling, and you should consider getting some kind of insurance.
Phone
At all three sites there are national, public telephone services available. Because of high taxes, it usually costs twice as much to call from Central America as it would from the US with a card or international plan. In all Central American countries you can access an AT&T operator and make calls using an AT&T calling card. MCI and SPRINT services are not always available.
Climate/Weather
Although the actual distance you will travel from Guatemala to Nicaragua is not great, there is a range of climates depending on the altitude. Average temperatures are provided below:
Fall/Winter
Guatemala City/Quetzaltenango: Both Guatemala and Quetzaltenango are at high elevations so temperatures are generally cool. The average daily temperature range in August-September is 45°F - 75°F. In both cities, mornings and evenings can be quite cool and, at times, cold. During the day it becomes warm but during the night it is cool and sometimes even cold since it is windy. Heavy sweaters are needed in the morning and evening. An umbrella or a rain jacket is also needed since afternoon and night rains are common.
San Salvador: Temperature in El Salvador does not change very much, usually ranging between 65º to 87º F. year round. There is only a dry and a wet season. During the wet season (May to October) it can get very wet and humid, but most of the time it rains in the afternoon and at night. During the dry season (October to April) it gets very hot and dusty. March and April are the hottest months in El Salvador: temperatures range from the high 70’s to low 90’s.
Managua: In November and December the temperature averages from 80 to 95º F. Since this is the end of the rainy season there is a possibility of precipitation mostly in the afternoons. Humidity is relatively high throughout the year. For trips into the tropical zones rain gear will be needed. In the mountainous areas temperatures can range from 60-85º F
Spring/Summer
Guatemala City/Quetzaltenango: Both Guatemala and Quetzaltenango are at high elevations so temperatures are generally cool. The average daily temperature range in January-February is 40°F - 70°F. In both cities, mornings and evenings can be quite cool and, at times, cold. During the day it becomes warm but during the night it is cool and sometimes even cold since it is windy. A heavy sweater is needed in the morning and evening.
San Salvador: Temperature in El Salvador does not change very much, usually ranging between 65º to 87º F. year round. There is only a dry and a wet season. During the wet season (May to October) it can get very wet and humid, but most of the time it rains in the afternoon and at night. During the dry season (October to April) it gets very hot and dusty. March and April are the hottest months in El Salvador: temperatures range from the high 70’s to low 90’s.
Managua: In April and May, the temperature averages from 85 to 98º F. This is the end of the dry season and beginning of rainy so there is a possibility of precipitations mostly in the afternoons. Humidity is relatively high throughout the year. For trips into the tropical zones rain gear will be needed. In the mountainous areas temperatures can range from 60-85º F.
