Best Locally-Owned Inns of Central America

By Carol Beth Schimke

Chosen with budgets and local hospitality in mind, these inns are centrally located and in safe neighborhoods with 24-hour security. All have rooms with private baths.

San Salvador, El Salvador: Myers House. Manager Klaudia Urrutia is the friendliest innkeeper I’ve met. Amenities and services include cable TV and phone, A/C or fan, continental breakfast, English spoken, laundry, airport and local transportation, fax, photocopier, and Internet access. Prices: (13 percent tax not included): $50 - $70. Major credit cards accepted. Colonia Escalon, Av. Masferrer and 7a Calle Poniente Bis, #5350, Contiguo a UNICEF; 011-503-264-6725, fax 011-503-263-4176; hotmyers@quik.elsv.com.

Managua, Nicaragua: Posada Del Angel. The antique furniture, fresh flowers, and detailed guest rooms are wonderful treats. Amenities and services include A/C, cable TV and phone, continental breakfast, restaurant, English spoken, laundry and dry cleaning, airport transport by arrangement, Internet and fax access. Prices: (tax not included): $55-$115. Major credit cards accepted. Located in the Embassy district (Bolonia), Del Hospital Militar, 1 c. al lago, 3 c abajo, 20 vrs. al lago frente a la Iglesia San Francisico; 011-505-266-1483, fax 011-505-266-1347; pdelangel@interlink.com.ni.

Lake Atitlan, Panjachel, Guatemala. Utz-Jay (pronounced ootz-hi). Peaceful ambiance in a park-like setting just a half a block from the bustling shopping district. Amenities and services include in-room coffee maker and toaster oven, cable TV and phone, English and French spoken, laundry, travel assistance, traditional Mayan sauna. Prices: (20 percent tax included): $15-$20. Credit cards not accepted. Calle 15 de Febrero; Tel./fax 011-502-762-1358; utzjay_garcia@yahoo.com, utzjay@amigo.net.gt, utzjay@intelnet.net.gt, www.atitlan.com, follow links.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Coxfort Inn. Over 100 years old, the inn still has much of the original wood and stone materials. Amenities and services include cable TV and phone, full breakfast, English spoken, laundry, swimming pool. Prices: (16 percent tax not included): $45-$50. Major credit cards accepted. Colonia Palmira, #528, Close to Park San Martin; 011-504-232-8533, 232-8864, 239-1254; coxfort@mayanet.hn.

CAROL SCHIMKE is the author of Incredible Inns of Central America: Lodging in the Bed & Breakfast Tradition, available at travel book stores.