Nomadic work in Central America: Guatemala and Panama

Published November 8, 2021Updated October 5, 20265 min readEditorial integrity

Foreword

In June 2021, I booked a tour in Central America with a Canadian company I love and that I’ve told you about before, G Adventures.

The plan? Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica… in 17 days. Ambitious? Yes Amazing? YES!

I convinced a friend to come with me and we found (extremely) inexpensive airfare that suited us, with Copa Airlines (a member of Star Alliance).

We are both holders of the HSBC World Elite^® Mastercard^® card, and had earned enough points to cover the cost of the airfare ($279) and part of the tour booked with G Adventures. We were ready.

The situation being what it is, the tour was unfortunately cancelled. So we changed our plan – instead of five countries, we would do three in three weeks.

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$450Total$450Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $450
Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 6 months: Up to 45,000 points; Ends Jan 3, 2027

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite^+* Card, available until January 3, 2027, you can earn up to 35,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points:

15,000 Scene+ points after charging $3,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months
An additional 20,000 Scene+ points after charging $10,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 45,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,350 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

It also includes a new convenient benefit for travellers: enjoy 10 GB of free GigSky global mobile data for 15 days, as well as access to Travel Essentials to use essential apps like messaging, maps, and email while on the go. Cardholders also continue to receive 1 GB of free GigSky mobile data per year, plus a 20% discount on future GigSky purchases.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

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* Savings and reward potential in first 12 months includes welcome offer value, estimated first year point earn potential, estimated foreign transaction fee savings and airport lounge savings as of Sep 10, 2026:

$150 in travel rewards (15,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card clients who spend $3,000 within the first 3 months;

$200 in travel rewards (20,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card clients who spend $10,000 within the first 6 months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) when you spend $40,000 annually on your Account each year (12-months: annual points bonus);

$50 supplementary card annual fee waiver on the first supplementary card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card clients;

$130 in foreign transaction fee savings based on average annual foreign spend per account over the last 24 months (save the 2.5% foreign transaction fee markup typically charged by other card issuers);

$363 in first year point earn potential (36,300 Scene+ points) on everyday purchases based on average annual spend per account over the last 24 months with an average spend of 21% in 3X and 2X accelerator categories combined;

$358 value with a complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program Membership that includes 6 lounge passes (based on a ‘Preferential’ membership valued at approx. CAD$358/USD$259). Currency conversion as of Sep 10, 2026.

Potential First Year Value = up to $1,351 (rounded down to $1,350)

Actual savings and points earned will depend on individual card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer Description and Conditions: The 35,000 Bonus Scene+ Points Offer (the “Offer”) applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + credit card accounts (“Accounts”) that are opened between November 2, 2026, and January 3, 2027 (regardless of the date you apply for the Account) with minimum spend, subject to the conditions below. Offer may be changed, cancelled or extended at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Plus, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + credit cardholder you are always eligible to earn an annual 10,000 Scene+ point bonus with minimum annual eligible purchases, subject to the conditions below.

35,000 Bonus Scene+ Point Offer Conditions: To qualify for 15,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “15,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $3,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account within the first 3 months of the Account open date. To qualify for an additional 20,000 bonus Scene+ points (the “20,000 Point Bonus”), you must have at least $10,000 in eligible purchases posted to your new Account in the first 6 months of the Account open date. Eligible purchases include purchases (less any refunds, returns or other similar credits) but do not include payments, cash advances (including balance transfers or cash-like transactions), interest, fees or other charges.

10,000 Annual Bonus Scene+ Point Conditions: As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + credit cardholder you can earn an annual Scene+ point bonus starting at 10,000 Scene+ points (the “Annual Point Bonus”) when you make at least $40,000 in eligible purchases annually on your Account each year (12-months). Annual period starts from the Account open date and resets every 12 months thereafter. If you switch from another Scene+ eligible Credit Card to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card (vs. it being opened as a new or additional Card), your original Account open date will carry over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card and your annual period for this benefit will begin on the next anniversary of your original Account open date. For example: If you originally opened a Scotiabank^®* Gold American Express^® Card on January 15, 2022, and switch that Card to the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025 – your annual period for the 10,000 annual Scene+ point benefit will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next Anniversary) and will reset annually on January 15th afterwards. You can also earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for every additional $10,000 in eligible purchases thereafter in that same year, after the $40,000 annual spend has been reached.

Point Bonus Fulfillment: The applicable point Bonus(es) will be credited within approximately 8 weeks after qualifying for a Bonus, provided the Account is open and in good standing. For Joint Accounts with a Primary Borrower and Co-borrower, the applicable point Bonus will be credited as follows: (i) the 15,000 Point Bonus, the 20,000 Point Bonus, and the Annual Point Bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the Account of the borrower that completed the last transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases (i.e., $3,000, $10,000, or $40,000) in the appropriate time frame (i.e., first 3 months, first 6 months, or first 12 months). If a supplementary cardholder completes the last qualifying transaction to meet the qualifying amount of eligible purchases for the 15,000 Point Bonus, the 20,000 Point Bonus or the Annual Point Bonus, the applicable point Bonus will be credited to the Primary Borrower’s Scene+ account linked to the Account. Points can be transferred between Primary and Co-Borrower or Supplementary Cardholder’s Scene+ accounts by contacting Scene+. The Account is considered in good standing if it is not past due or over limit and the Cardholder(s) is not in breach of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the Account. All other terms and conditions of the Program Terms continue to apply during the Offer Period.

Eligibility and Exclusions: Individuals who are currently or were previously primary or secondary cardholders of a Scotiabank personal credit card in the past 2 years, including those that switch from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card, as well as employees of Scotiabank, are not eligible for the Offer. Subject to the above exclusions, Scotiabank small business credit cardholders are also eligible for the Offer.

Rates and Fees: The current annual fee is $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to co-borrowers and supplementary cardholders). The current preferred annual interest rates for this Account are: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and cash-like transactions). All rates, fees, features and benefits are outlined in the Application Disclosure Statement and are subject to change.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$704

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

New planning: Guatemala – Panama (!) – Costa Rica.

We were able to keep our flights as they were, adding an internal flight from Guatemala to Panama.

This is the story of my first week of travel, which covers our stay in Guatemala.

On the way to Guatemala

Since I live in Quebec City, I used my Aeroplan points to fly between YQB and YUL. My flight left YUL the next day at 9am for Guatemala.

I booked a room at the YUL Terminal Marriott, which I paid for with my $200 American Express travel credit from the Platinum card ). I also took advantage of the $50 off promotion with any purchase of $200 or more. In the end, my room cost me $50 (instead of $300).

The flight with Copa went well. I had a stopover in Panama (a bit counterproductive, since Panama is quite a bit lower on the map than Guatemala), during which I could access the Copa Club VIP lounge (thank you, Platinum Card^® from American Express, which provides access to Priority Pass lounges!).

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American Express Platinum Card^®

American Express Amex Membership Rewards

Annual fee: $799
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190$510 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $1,190
Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months: Up to 100,000 points

The American Express Platinum Card^® suits travellers who want airport lounge access, annual credits, and hotel benefits. With a $799 annual fee, it brings together several useful travel privileges:

A $200 annual travel credit for eligible bookings through American Express Travel;
A $200 annual dining credit at participating restaurants in Canada;
Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, subject to each network’s rules;
Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, plus access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts hotel program.

The welcome offer can reach 100,000 Membership Rewards points: earn 70,000 points after $10,000 in net purchases in the first 3 months, then 30,000 additional points after making a purchase between months 15 and 17 of Cardmembership.

Earn 2 points per dollar on eligible dining and food delivery in Canada and eligible travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. You can use points to reduce the cost of purchases or transfer them to partner programs such as Aeroplan, Avios, or Marriott Bonvoy.

The Card also includes a NEXUS credit of up to $100 every 4 years and travel insurance, subject to applicable terms. It is particularly suited to travellers who regularly use the included credits and privileges.

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*Terms and conditions apply. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of the information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.