The more pre-planning that is done in advance with all the proper knowledge needed will insure a much more enjoyable and safer journey. The ability to spend time wisely helping the rural poor of Honduras rather than spinning your wheels literally in the mud crossing of some of the most ominous mountain terrain in Central America is a big efficiency booster.
In the cities of course it is safer to remain in groups because you are in a totally different country and it is not your domain. The rural areas are so much different and the organized medical groups who volunteer to help the rural poor with their urgent health care needs note that it is all about team work.
"One of the best feelings is that we really work as a team. We support each other and no-one has an ego. There are some returning members and there are newcomers. The group spirit makes the newcomers feel right at home rapidly."