Away travel experiences in Honduras?

[Canadian_Supporter]

I am thinking of going to Honduras (or maybe Costa Rica) if Canada advances to the semi-final round of WCQ. Have any American fans been to Honduras for a WCQ? If so, did you get a travel package from soccervacations or go out on your own?

If I do go, I am hoping other Canadian fans would also be going... and I would most definetly try to work closely with the CSA.

Thanks for the help.

[cossack]

I am thinking of going to Honduras (or maybe Costa Rica) if Canada advances to the semi-final round of WCQ. Have any American fans been to Honduras for a WCQ? If so, did you get a travel package from soccervacations or go out on your own?

If I do go, I am hoping other Canadian fans would also be going... and I would most definetly try to work closely with the CSA.

Thanks for the help.

SuperLimey has been to Honduras and provided exemplary updates on training, build-up and post match notes (you may still find it in the archives).

[Thomas Flannigan]

Superlimey rarely posts here anymore and it our loss, but I can't blame him. I am in contact with him so if you want to PM me I will pass it along to him.
I have been in Honduras and it is nice place. Great beer. The security situation has gotten worse but you should be OK at the qualifier.

[Canadian_Supporter]

I have been in Honduras and it is nice place. Great beer. The security situation has gotten worse but you should be OK at the qualifier.

This is what I was most concerned about. However, if I am with other Canadian fans I should be fine.

Thanks for the tip Cossack. I will take a look to see if I can find his old posts...

[Jeff]

You can PM superlimey as well. He's on the boards from time to time.

[SABuffalo786]

How many people went down for the 2001 qualifier in Honduras?

[Thomas Flannigan]

I think there were about 15 U.S. fans on the soccer vacations package. It is very difficult for visiting fans to sit together unless they get the soccer vacations package, as they get the tickets from the federation, organize a police escort and so on. I never take tours when I travel except for away qualifiers.
I have ben to two qualifiers in Ricardo Saprissa and the atmosphere is amazing, the most passionate I have ever seen anywhere.
I think it is safe to go to qualifiers in both countries but you will be intimidated and, if you are like me, scared.

[Canadian_Supporter]

I think there were about 15 U.S. fans on the soccer vacations package. It is very difficult for visiting fans to sit together unless they get the soccer vacations package, as they get the tickets from the federation, organize a police escort and so on. I never take tours when I travel except for away qualifiers.
I have ben to two qualifiers in Ricardo Saprissa and the atmosphere is amazing, the most passionate I have ever seen anywhere.
I think it is safe to go to qualifiers in both countries but you will be intimidated and, if you are like me, scared.

Thanks for the help Thomas. I am leaning towards going to Costa Rica... even if the game (if Canada qualifies) would be played mid-week. I would just have to take a few extra days off work. ;)

I am just not too sure about Honduras. I think I would have to do more research before making a decision. The only thing is I don't know how many Canadian fans would be going to the games in Honduras or Costa Rica. The Americans always seem to have a dozen fans (at least) during the last WCQ. I would go to Honduras if I could get a package through soccer vacations.

[McKinney_Burn]

So with all of this being said.....

If one were planning to make some trips to away qualifiers with one's spouse... what CONCACAF sites would be off limits to this kind of venture?

Not knowing Mexico City, I was thinking a SoccerVacations trip, as that trip is growing on the 'Mandatory in Life' scale.

Are Honduras and El Salvador do-able, or will I (she and I) be staying home while the rest of the crew might go? Costa Rica?

[Atouk]

I am leaning towards going to Costa Rica... even if the game (if Canada qualifies) would be played mid-week. I would just have to take a few extra days off work. ;)
I'd recommend the Costa Rica trip. We enjoyed what we saw of San Jose and enjoyed a day-trip out to a national park, as well. The atmosphere at Saprissa was the best of the road qualifiers I went to last cycle (4 in total, including Azteca).

[Thomas Flannigan]

McKinney, I don't think any of the CONCACAF venues are off limits, with the possible exception of Port Au Prince, Haiti. It looks like Haiti is playing its qualifier in Miami, so that does not matter.
Can Atouk or anyone else post what teams we are likely to play in the semi-finals? I have the dates and I can guess the teams, but I am not sure of the sequence. I had all this written down but I can't find it and am having trouble recreating it.
I have been in El Salvador, Panama and Jamaica, the 3 places we are most likely to visit if we get by Grenada. I know El Salvador and Panama are not big tourist destinations but I thoroughly enjoyed my visits. I plan on posting the usual Travel Tips once we get past Grenada, assuming I have the time. I also plan on posting Chicago Travel Tips, but I don't think we will get many out of town visitors because the Poland friendly is right in the middle of a packed World Cup Qualifier schedule.
Canadian Supporter, I think you are likely to face Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras in the semi-finals, a real group of death of you ask me. Costa Rica is the safest of the 3, but Guatemala has Tikal and Honduras Copan, quite possibly the 2 best Mayan ruins extant.

[Atouk]

Can Atouk or anyone else post what teams we are likely to play in the semi-finals? I have the dates and I can guess the teams, but I am not sure of the sequence. I had all this written down but I can't find it and am having trouble recreating it.
Did you want the order of the semifinal round away matches?

Wed., 8/18, at Jamaica (or Haiti)
Wed., 9/8, at Panama (or St. Lucia) -- after the home Sat., 9/4 game against El Salvador at Foxborough
Sun., 10/10, at El Salvador (or Bermuda) -- before the home Wed., 10/13 game against Panama probably at DC