Aug 14 - Nicaragua to Honduras to El Salvador

The trip from Granada, Nicaragua to Santa Rosa de Lima, El Salvador via Honduras was long, hot but uneventful. Well, if you consider driving 500 km and crossing two borders in Central America and the odd volcano boring...

As we made our way through western Nicaragua, the roads became more and more void of cars and people.  We checked and double checked the paper maps and agreed we were heading in the right direction towards Honduras.  The kids were happy to be playing in the back seat and we quickly fell into our truck routine of listening to music and eating snacks.

Eventually, we reached the dishevel border crossing between Nicaragua and Honduras. I don't know what I was expecting but it was similar to most other borders, disorganized, slightly chaotic but everything worked.  The guides were a lot more aggressive and would actually run up to the car yelling they wanted to help with the various steps.  I thanked them but politely declined any assistance and found the Nicaraguan immigration office on my own.  After a few minutes of waiting the migration officer told us we could leave Nicaragua.  I noticed he didn't stamp the passports and asked him if he could.  Annoyed, he said it wasn't needed in Nicaragua and to just go. Of course when I reached the gate with the truck and was asked to present the passports, his colleague had a different opinion and sent us back to the office.

A few minutes later, I was back at the gate smiling with my stamped passports and made my way into Honduras.  It was a step back in time. There was very little infrastructure, dirt roads, a pig running around and no visible signs of any official government buildings.  However, it didn’t take long to notice someone sitting at a desk under the shade with some papers in front of him.  Yep, that was immigration. Step one done.

We walked over to customs but were politely advised they were closed; luckily lunch was ending in 10 minutes.  Sure enough about 15 minutes later, the customs officer emerged, asked for my documents, looked at the truck, asked me about the funny looking license plate and waved us through. The first border crossing of the day went by without any issues and we were now driving along Honduras southern departments that are considered the most dangerous according to Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

Before entering any country, there’s always a sense of apprehension.  A slight discomfort of not knowing what to expect or what the next bend in the road may reveal.  It was no different in driving though Honduras with the exemption the roads were pitiful.  We zig zagged around the massive holes and tried to enjoy the drive but it was very hot and it wasn’t long before the kids were complaining about the heat and needed something to drink.  We figured it would be a good idea to keep them hydrated.  Luckily, Esso has invested in Honduras and there were several brand new “On the Run” Esso gas stations.  Never mind they all had security guards with 12 gauge shotguns slung over their shoulders, it was a place we could buy some more snacks and cold drinks.

It had been previously reported (April 2012) that in the 80 or so miles of Honduran road between Nicaragua and El Salvador there were 14 roadblocks.  All of which presented an opportunity for police to “find” infractions.  We were pleasantly surprised to come across 4 and stopped only twice.  There were no issues and no one had to get out of the car and lay prone on the hot asphalt.  Never a good sign, no matter where you are.

Before we knew it, we had reached the Honduras/ El Salvador border and one hour later we officially inside El Salvador.  It took us 10 hours to drive 500 km and cross two borders; we were tired, hot and hungry.  Instead of driving to the usual pit stop city of San Migue, we decided on Santa Rosa de Lima.

We found a hotel in which had Air Conditioned rooms, secure parking and WiFi.  Ok, so the gate was never closed at night and we had to stand in the parking lot to get a WiFi signal, but it would do just fine.  They also sold nice cold beer for US$1.25 and with a Subway and Burger King close by we were all set.

Not every day can it be glamorous and exciting and this was a driving day and by night we were sleeping in a lime green room with lime green linen.  Top notch.