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Tourism: Business travel booms in Central America
Tips on where to stay, what to eat, and how much it will cost you
By Robert Goodier and Blake Schmidt
Guatemala City San José
Sloughing off its image as a war-torn, inaccessible romping ground for adventurers and international spies, Central America has emerged as a fascinating and affordable destination for business travelers. Political stability, new jobs, a new free trade agreement the United States, and a sharp rise in foreign investments have steadily chipped away at high poverty rates in the region and created a network of roads, hotels, restaurants and other necessities for comfortable travel. Luckily, this transformation has not cost the region its natural beauty, essential Latino and indigenous personality, or sense of adventure, but now these things can be enjoyed with air conditioning, wireless internet and cellular phone services.
 This article offers the interested business traveler tips on how to get around the region, what to see, where to stay and eat and where to go for leisure.
Guatemala
Luxurious conference centers, catered events, a proliferation of suits, interactive presentations and a booming exchange of business cards are the hallmarks of business meetings in Guatemala. In this country, tradition and appearance are important, a tendency expressed in the lavish hotels and convention centers in the capital, Guatemala City’s, ritziest districts, Zones 10 and 14.
Guatemala boasts the largest economy in Central America, although it also suffers from one of the highest poverty and crime rates—evidence of the wide gap between the rich and poor. The President-elect, Álvaro Colom, won his office on a platform of preserving the country’s Mayan face, highlighting the country’s defining characteristic: nearly half of the population claims indigenous decent and many still practice centuries-old traditions and wear traditional clothing.
Business travelers can take advantage of a selection of luxurious hotels both in the capital and in the nearby colonial city Antigua, as well as some of Central America’s most exciting night spots and fine dining. More than a dozen hotels in Guatemala City offer wireless internet services and other amenities to travelers including the Real InterContinental Guatemala, home of the well-known steakhouse Hacienda Real, the El Camino Real, the Marriott; and the Holiday Inn. Room rates average $115 to $180 per night but increase during the holiday seasons and Holy Week (Semana Santa). In Antigua, the five-star Santo Domingo is a historic marvel, as is the four-star Posada de don Rodrigo, both of which offer fine dining and charge approximately $100 per night for rooms.
For dining in Guatemala City, try traditional Guatemalan dishes at Kacao, Italian at Pecorino, French at Jean François, Spanish at Donde Mikel or Thai at Tamarindo. In Antigua, try international cuisine among crumbling stone walls at Panza Verde, Guatemalan at La Fonda de la Calle Real, and local and international dishes often accompanied by live music at La Escudilla.
Many international cell phones work in Guatemala and there is coverage throughout much of the country. Pre-paid phones and cards are also available for an average of 1 Quetzal per minute (about $0.15), for both national calls and calls to the United States. The cheapest models start at 100 Quetzals (about $13.30). Wireless internet service is available in many hotels and some restaurants.
Guatemala has remodeled its airports, and its Aurora International in Guatemala City, though still under construction, is already a contender for the most modern airport in Central America. The departure tax of $30 is usually included in the ticket, but a security tax of 20 Quetzales (about $2.65) must be paid separately.
Travelers shouldn’t leave without buying a bottle of Zacapa Centenario rum. The aged-23-years variety is easily among the best in the world and is available for approximately $35 in stores and the airport.
Contacts
• Cámara de Comercio de Guatemala (Chamber of Commerce)
10A Calle 3-80, Zona 1, Guatemala City
Tel: (502) 2253-5353
Website: www.negociosenguatemala.com
• Cámara de Industria (Chamber of Industry)
Ruta 6, 9-21, Zona 4, Edificio Cámara de Industria, 01004 Guatemala City, Tel: (502) 2331-9191
Website: www.industriaguate.com
El Salvador
Nipping at Costa Rica’s heels for the distinction of having the largest middle class in Central America, El Salvador’s poverty rate has been halved during the last 15 years, dropping to less than 35 percent. The largest source of income for Salvadorans is remittances from families working in the United States. Its exports are largely textiles, produced in the country’s slew of maquilas (clothing factories) and agricultural products such as coffee.
Business is conducted in the capital San Salvador’s well-outfitted convention centers and hotels. The city’s wide web of roads, high-energy night life, and numerous museums, cafes, markets and theaters are also a draw.
Some of San Salvador’s most interesting dining and night spots are, surprisingly, in its malls. Two recommended malls are La Gran Vía and Multi Plaza, where bohemian-type restaurants and clubs abound. The Zona Rosa is a knot of eclectic dining and dancing options, as well. Dine at A Lo Nuestro or Acajutla for Salvadoran cuisine, Kontrastes for international dishes, Mai Thai or Mandarin Garden for oriental dishes or Il Bongustaio for Italian.
Hotels equipped for business travelers include the Intercontinental, the Radisson and the Presidente, offering rooms for $100 to $170.
Cell phone coverage reaches even the most remote corners of the country and roaming is available to most international phone users. Wireless internet service is available in many hotels and restaurants.
A tourist card must be purchased before leaving the airport for $10 and a departure tax of $32 is charged upon leaving. The Comalapa International Airport, located 48 kilometers (30 miles) from the capital (a 50-minute taxi ride) serves the region and is filled with modern conveniences and shops.
Contacts
• Cámara de Comercio e Industria de El Salvador
9a Avenida Norte and 5a Calle Poniente, San Salvador
Tel: (503) 2231 3000
Website: www.camarasal.com
Honduras
This country is experiencing a boom in its tourism industry, fueled by cruise ships arrivals to the island of Roatán in the Caribbean, where Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines bring an average of 250,000 European and American tourists every year.
For the business traveler, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula (approximately 500 kilometers/320 miles from one another) are the most frequent destinations. Tegucigalpa is the capital city and San Pedro Sula is the industrial heart of the country, where more than 60 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product is produced and where foreign manufacturers and maquilas have been established since the 1980s. The cities are very different from one another. Tegucigalpa is more traditional and historic and San Pedro Sula more commercial and modern. Mirroring that difference, business attire is formal in Tegucigalpa and casual in San Pedro Sula.
As a result of the economic dynamism of San Pedro Sula, construction has grown at double digits for the last three years, including hotels. Hotels such as Intercontinental, Hilton and Crown Plaza offer rates from $100 for a single room to $300 for a junior suite. If you prefer a hotel with more local flavor, the Copantl Sula is a good choice, with rates from $80. Most hotels include high speed or wireless internet connections, business centers and gyms. Internet cafes and cell phone service is available throughout most of the country.
The capital city of Tegucigalpa, where government, diplomatic and international organizations offices are located, offers the interesting “Distrito Hotelero.” The district, in the heart of the city and at a 10 minute walk from the Spanish colonial Cathedral and the Central Park, is full of hotels and bed and breakfasts. In the district, you can find both traditional hotels, such as the Honduras Maya and Plaza San Martin, and more modern ones, including Plaza Del Libertador and Hotel Juan Carlos. Rates range from $80 to $150. If you prefer to stay near a shopping mall and have local and American restaurants within walking distance, the Marriott and the Intercontinental are good options. They are also located close to the President’s and other governmental offices.
Both cities offer nice restaurants, perfect for business meals. In San Pedro Sula, Don Udo’s is one of the most traditional restaurants in the city, with a variety of international dishes. Pat’s is famous for its steaks and Arte Marino offers excellent seafood. In Tegucigalpa, don’t miss dining at La Cumbre, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city. Rojo, Verde y Ajo and Casa Maria also offer good prices and varied menus.
When planning your business trip to Honduras include two days to visit the Mayan ruins of Copan, an archaeological jewel considered a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. Copan is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from San Pedro Sula.
Private transportation is recommended, including tours departing from the Copantl Sula Hotel or the International Airport with TV and air conditioning buses. The Posada Real and the Marina Copán Hotels are the best lodging choices in the Mayan city. Departure tax in Honduras is $33.
Contacts
• Cámara de Comercio e Industrias de Cortés –CICC- (Chamber of Commerce of San Pedro Sula)
Phone: (504) 566-0344
mail: rrpp@ccichonduras.org
Website: www.ccichonduras.org
• Cámara de Comercio e Industria de Tegucigalpa –CCIT- (Chamber of Commerce of Tegucigalpa)
Phone: (504) 232-4200
Website: www.ccit.hn
• FIDE (Investment and Exports Promotion Agency)
Phone: (504) 221-6324
Fax: (504) 221-6341
Website: www.hondurascompite.com
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a beautiful country that offers safe and affordable business travel in Central America. Though most of the country has been untapped by the tourism industry, some of the country’s colonial cities like Granada and the beachtown San Juan del Sur make for nice excursions from the capital. The country, still bouncing back from a devastating civil war, is emerging as a destination for adventurous travelers and surfers.
Nicaragua’s economy has been growing rapidly in recent years, but it is still the second poorest in Latin America. The country’s capital, Managua, is packed with people and poverty, though it does have a fascinating history. Managua is safer than Guatemala City and San Salvador. Though gang violence was a problem in the 1990s after the civil wars, police efforts have significantly reduced gang activity in recent years.
Granada (about an hour’s drive from Managua) and León, a city in the north, are both colonial jewels with impressive history and architecture. A blooming expatriate community in Granada has brought a slew of savory dining options, including a hearty American-style breakfast at Kathy’s Waffle House, across from one of Central America’s oldest churches. In Managua, check out La Cocina de Doña Haydee for traditional Nicaraguan dishes, La Plancha if you’re a meat lover, or La Casa del Pomodoro for Italian food. A tip at nicer restaurants of 10 percent is usually appropriate. Drinking the tap water is not recommended.
Hilton Princess Managua, with rooms starting at $80, is in the capital’s business district. Intercontinental Metro Managua, with rooms starting at $125 is a luxurious option and is located next to a shopping mall. The Best Western Las Mercedes, which is located near the airport, has rooms starting at $75. In Granada, Plaza Colon and Hotel Dario are popular high-end colonial resorts.
Business hours are generally 8am to noon and 2pm to 5pm. Business wear is formal, like in all capital cities in the region. Throughout Nicaragua, class differences are prevalent, and people may dress up just as much for social events as they would for doing business.
The people, cordial and vibrant, are perhaps Nicaragua’s greatest asset. English is widely spoken along the Caribbean in tourist destinations like Granada, and within the Managua upper class. Politics here in the country are explosive, and just about any Nica will be quick to share his or her political views with you. Though the Sandinista president Daniel Ortega has prompted some investors to shy away, he has made efforts to cozy up to the business sector.
The national currency is the Cordoba, though prices often come in dollars. Taxis are cheap, but not metered, so negotiate the price before you get in. Managua’s Augusto C. Sandino International airport serves a number of international airlines. Many European countries and the United States have agreements with Nicaragua in which visitors can arrive without a visa, though crossing the Honduras and Costa Rican border can take hours. Be aware that on the way you will be expected to pay a $25 departure tax. Pack lightly, because Nicaragua’s hot unless you’re headed to the mountains.
Contacts
• Cámara de Comercio de Nicaragua (Chamber of Commerce of Nicaragua)
Phone: (505) 268-3505.
Website: www.caconic.org.ni
• NicaExport, Centro de Promoción de Exportaciones (Export Promotion Agency)
Phone: (505) 252 5747.
Website: www.nicaexport.com.ni
Costa Rica
The Economist magazine recently ranked Costa Rica higher than all Central American’s countries for business travel. It is the most politically stable and economically prosperous country in the region, making ideal for doing business.
Nearly two million tourists a year visit this country of 4.4 million, so its infrastructure is very friendly to business travelers. Hotel amenities often include: fax, phone, high speed or wireless internet, conference rooms, computer equipment and audio-visual equipment. Hotels in the nation’s capital San José, such as Hotel Real Intercontinental, Apartotel-Suites Villas del Rio, Marriot, Real Cariari and Tryp Corobicí, are made for business conferences and travelers. Room rates run $200 or more.
If you are looking for exotic dining in the capital, visit Lubnan for a taste of Lebanese, Tin Jo for Asian fusion, or Café Mundo where Italian and European flavors meet colonial elegance in the historic neighborhood Barrio Amon. If you want a unique gastronomic experience with a view, try Le Monastere, a French restaurant in the hills of the Central Valley suburb of Escazú. Tipping is expected in upscale restaurants, though not in Costa Rican-style restaurants known as sodas. Tap-water in much of the Central Valley is drinkable though bottled water is a safer bet.
The national currency is the Colon, though many larger businesses accept U.S. dollars. All major credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted. You’ll pay about 25 cents per minute to make calls to the United States. Cell phones can be rented, but may have minimum calling fees. Internet access is widely available throughout Costa Rica and Internet cafés are in abundance. Even several booming beach towns have widespread wireless internet, and Voice over Internet Protocol is a popular form of communication for many San José businesses. The postal system is arcane, and few places have numbered addresses.
The official language is Spanish although English is spoken in many parts of the capital, in Pacific coast tourist towns and along the Caribbean coast. Having business cards with Spanish on one side and English on the other are a nice touch. Business wear is fairly formal.
If you’re not from the United States or Canada, you may need a visa to enter the country. Juan Santamaría International Airport serves the capital of San José. The airport is a little cramped, but a major expansion is under way. Taxis are cheap, but make sure the driver uses the meter. A cab ride from the airport to the capital will cost you about $15 (about the same as a cab ride across the city). Be prepared for the $27 exit tax when you leave the country. You must pay in cash.
If you have the time, you may want to spend a few extra days enjoying the natural beauty and dual coastlines of Costa Rica. Surfing, hiking, canopy tours and whale-watching top the list of things to do in the eco-friendly country during your time off.
Contacts
• Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica (Chamber of Commerce)
Phone: (506) 221-0005
Website: www.camara-comercio.com
• Cámara de Industrias de Costa Rica (Chamber of In dustries)
Phone: (506) 281-0006
Website: www.cicr.com
• Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce
Phone: (506) 220-2200
Website: www.amcham.co.cr
• Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica
-PROCOMER- (Exports Promotion Agency)
Phone: (506) 299 4700
Website: www.procomer.com
Panama
Panama City is the commercial and financial heart of Central America. A boom in offshore companies and trade coming through the Panama Canal are redefining this place as a business hotspot.
The United States turned over the canal to the Panamanians eight years ago, and the country has since decided to expand the canal, a massive project currently under way. The United States has been a big influence in Panama; the U.S. military used to inject hundreds of millions of dollars a year into the Panama economy.
The official language is Spanish, although English is spoken in many parts of the capital, around the Canal and along the Caribbean. It is probably the most English-friendly Central American capital. Punctuality is appreciated, exchange of business cards is common, and suits are standard business wear. The national currency is Balboas, though dollars are more commonly used.
A sprouting business culture, and up-and-coming tourism and real estate industries have brought with them many upscale hotels in the city, such as Atlapa, the largest convention center in Central America, which can hold about 3,000 people. There are also a number of lavish resorts—check out Intercontinental Miramar or Bristol, both with easy access to downtown and with room rates of $200 and up. While you’re in Panama, don’t forget to try the seafood—there’s plenty of it in local joints like Casa de Marisco. There’s also an array of restaurants, many with international twists, like the popular Limoncillo.
A tour of vivacious, cosmopolitan Panama City and the canal, an architectural wonder, is a good way to spend a morning. The canal is just a quick cab ride from downtown. Check out the ruins of Old Panama and Casco Viejo, which shows the history of first attempt by Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps to build the Panama Canal. If you have the time, take a tour of the area outside the city as well.
If you’re not from the United States or Canada, you may need a visa to enter the country. Tocumen International airport in Panama City is one of Central America’s best for business executives, with internet access, a comfortable lounge and duty-free shopping. A taxi ride into town from the airport is about $25. Beware of the $20 departure tax that must be paid in cash when you leave the country.
Contacts
Cámara de Comercio Industrias y Agricultura de Panamá (Chamber of Commerce)
Phone: (507) 207-3443
Website: www.panacamara.com
Atlapa Convention Center
Phone: (507) 226-7000
Website: www.atlapa.gob.pa
Figali Convention Center
Phone: (507) 314-1414
Website: www.panamacanalvillage.com
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