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  #1  
Old 21 Jul 2009
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Best weather in Central America?
What time of year is the best (weather wise) to bike through Central America?

I'm planning to travel through (from Mexico down to Panama) around Sept- November time? I realise that is hurrican season in the Carribean, but will that really affect me in land???
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Old 21 Jul 2009
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In my experience, mostly on the water (sailboat), the best time of year for the coastal climate is November through March or so. It's a bit cooler then and has lower humidity. It is hot, humid, and wet in the rainy season (aptly named) from June through September or so, improving somewhat in October and improving further in November. Hurricanes don't hit south of about 10 degrees north, so once south of there (approx. Nicaragua) you won't have a storm problem. However, if one does hit while you're in say Guatemala, you'll know it. Expect tons of rain, flooding, etc., with washed out roads inland, power out, etc. If you've never been through a hurricane it is hard to imagine the power and destruction. You definitely want to get away from the coast, particularly low-lying areas. The storm surge is usually what kills the most people--I've seen 20 feet of extra water, above normal high tide. If you're in a coastal area that is normally 10 feet above high tide, watch out!
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Old 22 Jul 2009
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Thanks for that. I'm beginning to think that a bike trip through Central America need to done Nov-Jan rather than Sept to Nov.

cheers.
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Old 22 Jul 2009
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Yes ,northern hemisphere winter is the better time for riding thru Central America , it is the DRY season when there is very little rain. It can still rain at times but that will be more sporadic events from depressions coming down from the north with cold fronts and although not hurricanes they can wreak havoc on some roads with washouts common.
The Caribbean coast of Panama and Costa Rica have rain events year round and can have very heavy rains until around new year, they have no really dry season on the north coast -which keeps the Panama Canal supplied with water.
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Old 22 Jul 2009
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The point should be made that there are fairly large climate differences in different parts of Central America, depending on things like elevation, distance from the coast, etc. My points above are mainly relevant to the Caribbean coastal area. If you were headed to the mountains of Costa Rica, things would be different. I found this link to some pretty good climate discussions for the area: Worldheadquarters
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Old 1 Aug 2009
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Anytime you are over on the Caribbean coast you can count on being wet and miserable....Furthermore the drugs run up the Atlantic side and the locals are paid in drugs and it shows...Don't get me started on the Garifuna.....Get thee to the Pacific side or up in the mountains....
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Old 4 Aug 2009
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From november to april you will have dry and sunny weather almost everywhere in Central America , except some parts of the Atlantic coast .
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