(Avg. Prices in 1st Qtr 2012)
| Country | USD per US Gallon | Lowest Price per US Gallon |
| Mexico | 2.90 | 2.89 |
| Belize | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| Guatemala | 4.44 | 4.11 |
| El Salvador | 4.26 | 4.22 |
| Honduras | 4.29 | 4.22 |
| Nicaragua | 4.99 | 4.99 |
| Costa Rica | 4.35 | 4.35 |
| Panama | 4.06 | 3.84 |
Some Notes:
1) Throughout Central America distances are relatively small and gas stations are abundant. It is not necessary to worry about finding a gas station.
2) Costa Rica is the only country that does not post the price of its fuel on signs that are visible from the road.
3) Fuel is usually cheaper nearer the nations’ capital and outlying areas can have significantly higher costs. Try to fill up in the bigger towns.
4) The averages above are slightly distorted as a result of where we filled up. For example we filled in Northern Guatemala where the fuel cost 40c per Gallon more than near the capital.
The Process
In all the countries of Central America the fuel is provided by a pump attendant. It is important to watch the pump attendant to ensure that the pump zeros before it starts. Many of them will point at the pump to show you that it has zeroed. Having a locking gas tank is good here as they can’t start pumping until you’re there.
“Lleno” is Spanish for “Fill it up”. (pronounced lye-no)
Pump attendants take the cash and will give you change. Make it clear what cash you are handing over to ensure they do not try to cheat you.
Despite the above precautions no one has tried to cheat us and the pump attendants have generally been very friendly. Many of them will also wash your windscreen and check your tyre pressures.
It is not necessary to tip the attendant but you may want to !
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