I’m pretty much bursting at the seams with excitement as I type this…especially since I’ve been waiting so long to make the “official” announcement.

But, today’s the day that I had “the talk” with my boss, so I guess it’s finally time to give proper notice on this blog, too:

Next month, I’m traveling on a one-way ticket to Central America…solo!

Eek!! Okay, there, it’s out–maybe I can finally breathe again for the first time in WEEKS. Why is keeping an exciting secret SO hard?!

I’m planning to spend about three months in the region, although I don’t have my full itinerary mapped out yet. For the most part, I’m going to just kind of wing it. I have a rough idea of where I’d like to make stops, but when and for how long is totally up in the air.

If I fall head over heels in love with a place (fingers crossed that this happens on multiple occasions) I don’t want to feel pressured to stick to a predetermined and prebooked itinerary. In fact, if I decide to grow some temporary roots in one location for a week, or two, or even three, that’s A-OK with me!

That said, I do at least know the general direction I’m going to be heading: I’m flying into Managua, Nicaragua in mid-September, and working my way up through Central America one country at a time, until I reach Mexico.

Here are my planned stops (but I’m totally open to changing things up as I go):

Nicaragua

I’ve got my sights set on Granada, San Juan Del Sur, Isla de Ometepe, and Leon. I’ve got a really good feeling about Nicaragua as a whole, and I can envision myself spending a wholeee lotta time here.

I’m actually hoping to find something to help me stick around a little longer here…a language school? A volunteering opportunity? We shall see!

El Salvador

I know very, very little about this tiny country, but I do know that I may want to make a quick stop here on my route north to Guatemala. I’ve heard great things about El Cuco, a little beach town about halfway between Leon, Nicaragua and Antigua, Guatemala.

Guatemala

I didn’t realize it until I started doing some research, but there are a LOT of cool places to check out in Guatemala! Like, really really cool places.

Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Semuc Champey, Livingston, Rio Dulce, Flores, and the Tikal ruins are all on my list…although, I have a feeling I could easily be suckered into venturing off to even more destinations here.

Belize

Ah, Belize. I knew so little about this country before I started planning this trip–and to be honest, I still know so little about it. This is the second-to-last country on my Central America adventure, so I haven’t exactly gotten around to doing much research yet. But, from what I’ve heard it’s pretty freaking amazing, and I’m so eager to learn more before (and probably during) my trip!

For now, I’ve got my eye on San Ignacio to check out some Mayan ruins like Xunantunich and Caracol, as well as Caye Caulker for some serious beach time.

Mexico

This part of my trip is still VERY unplanned (am I starting to sound like a broken record?). But, I do know that I’m going to be hanging around in the Yucatan peninsula area, checking out–yep, you guessed it–some more ruins and beaches. That’s totally turning into the theme of my trip, and I’m totally okay with it!

It’s been a little difficult finding information from other blogs and websites about clear routes and itineraries, but I think I’ve got a pretty firm grasp on the places I want to see and how I’m going to get around…despite how disorganized I may or may not seem.

I’m really happy that I don’t have a return ticket booked yet, which means that I truly can take as much time as I want & need to enjoy and discover these destinations. This is my most unplanned trip to-date, and I’m SO thrilled about it!

Of course, this period of travel marks a few other important developments in my life as well:

Solo Travel

This will be by far my longest solo trip abroad, and I am SO EXCITED FOR IT.

I would love more than anything for my boyfriend Derek to tag along, but I know that a trip like this isn’t really his style…like, at all. Anyways, I see it as kind of a blessing in disguise (…sorry baby…) since I’ve wanted to have an adventure like this all on my own for basically my entire life.

I’m excited to have all of this time for myself, to read and write and be active and make my own decisions. Derek and I have been together for nearly 5 years, and living together for about 8 months, so it’s going to be REALLY hard to leave him for so long.

But, I can’t lie; I am SO overjoyed about having this experience, and about doing something just for me.

Work & Money

Ah, yes, that little thing called “money” that makes trips like this possible! The big question is: How am I going to be making money from the road? And what about when I get back?

As a matter of fact, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve that will allow me to work and make money during my travels, as well as when I get back. I promise to dive into this one a bit later!

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So, that’s what’s new in my world these days! I’m totally already counting down the days until my flight leaves for Nicaragua, and I am SO excited to share my adventures with you all from the road. If you have any suggestions for must-see destinations in these countries (especially Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico) send ’em my way!