Quirks

For a small, relatively homogenous area with a common history, Central America has quite a few country specific quirks, for example:
* As opposed to most countries I know, Nicaraguan taxi drivers do not consider one passenger as a ride. They will stop and pick other people up who are going in [very] vaguely the same direction. Quite frustrating when you are going to the airport and the driver picks up a woman, does a u-turn on the airport road to drop her home with the shopping
* The supermarkets of coastal Belize & Panama are mainly owned by Chinese people. I believe they were "imported" 100 years ago to build the canal and hack down forest, but true to their industrious nature they have bought up the supermarkets. They still speak Chinese and there is Chinese music on the stereo, not to mention a great selection of noodles and exotic produce for sale in their stores. Their Spanish and English is rudimentary.
* There are indigenous people all over Central America, from Mexico down to Panama. But it is only in Guatemala where for some reason they are completely in the majority (outside the capital).
* Everyone loves their local music. From Reggaeton in Belize to Merengue in Mexico. But in El Salvador you are more likely to hear Bonnie Tyler (aside: if I hear "Total Eclipse of the Heart" one more time I will scream) and Tina Turner on the radio.
* Most of Central America, like their southern neighbours is soccer mad, but Nicaragua and Panama are more into baseball. In every dusty field in Honduras the local kids will be playing with a football. Cross the border to Nicaragua and they are all throwing baseballs at each other. Must look into the incidences of broken windows down here.
* Belize, Honduras and Guatemala are all gun toting. Every largish store and petrol station is protected by a guy with a shotgun. A lot of chaps stroll around with a pistol strapped to their side. In Nicaragua there are none or are at least invisible. Which is born out by the Bush mantra "arm 'em to ensure mutual safety" defeating homicide statistics on Wikipedia. El Salvador, Honduras & Guatemala high up, Nicaragua well down. [Mothers please do not read].
* Food is fairly standard here. Fried chicken, hamburgers, fish. But every county has their local fast food. In Mexico it is the ubiquitous Taco, filled with chicken, pork, tripe, or most commonly beef. In Honduras the national fast food is the Baleada. A bit like a large taco, covered in ground beef, fried beans, eggs and cheese. Or whatever the chef finds hanging around. Finally in El Salvador it is the ever present Pupusa. Either filled with cheese, pork rind or beans.