When planning a trip to Central America, where you choose to go will depend on what you want to see and do. The countries in Central America are very diverse in landscapes, culture and tourist sites. You can opt to travel to the tourist friendly countries or rough it and go to those countries with less tourist infrastructure. Whether you want to lie on the beach, dive in the ocean, climb to the tops of volcanoes, or explore the history of Mayan ruins and colonial towns, there are a lot of choices for a vacation in Central America.
Over several trips to Central America we have spent time in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama. From those trips we are able to make few suggestions on some of the best things to see and do in Central America. Here are some ideas to help you plan best possible trip for you.
Note – We have not yet visited Honduras or Nicaragua.
Beaches
From small, protected coves with white sand beaches to long stretches of black volcanic sand, there’s bound to be a beach that’s right for you in Central America.
Costa Rica –The country most known for its beaches is Costa Rica. They range from tight, picturesque coves to long, open shorelines. Some have perfect, fine sand while others are a bit muddy, choosing the right one can be overwhelming so we created the guide Which Costa Rican Beach Is Right For Me?
Panama – Panama isn’t as well known for its beaches but on the Caribbean side it has beautiful soft sand and crystal clear waters. You can find information in our posts Beaches in Bocas del Toro and Finding Paradise on San Blas Islands.
Belize – To find the perfect beach in Belize head south where you can find soft sand in Hopkins and Placencia. For more information go to Belize’s Southern Beaches. The islands or cayes in Belize are not known for their beaches, but they do have a few beach-type spots for visitors. You can read about these islands in our post Caribbean Cayes in Belize.
Surfing
If you’re more interested in surfing, you might be more interested in these great surfing beaches:
El Salvador – Located on the Pacific Ocean, El Tunco is said to have some of the best surfing in the world. You can read more about this unique spot in our post El Tunco, Surf City
Guatemala – A much less developed surf town is the laid-back town of El Paredon. You can read more about it in the post What To Do Near Antigua
Costa Rica – Santa Teresa, Montezuma and Tamarindo are popular surfing destinations in Costa Rica. You can read more about these spots in the post Which Costa Rican Beach Is Right For Me?
Forests and Wildlife
Dense jungles and mountainous forests cover a lot of the land in Central America. Exploring these jungles is one of the most fascinating parts of a trip to this part of the world. With unique wildlife, exotic plants and several waterfalls, exploring the forests and jungles in Central America should be near the top of your list.
Costa Rica – The largest selection of developed nature parks are in Costa Rica. You can chose between spotting wildlife in A Costa Rican Jungle Safari in Manual Antonio National Park or a highland experience in Cloud Forests of Costa Rica.
Panama – In the mountains of Panama you can find hiking trails, waterfalls and a relaxed atmosphere. You can read more about this region in our post Waterfalls in Boquete
Guatemala – A beautiful spot to cool off on a hot day are the natural pools found in Guatemala’s jungles. Find out more about this spot in our post Turquoise Pools of Semuc Champey.
Colonial Towns
Central America was ruled by the Spanish until the mid 1800s. Although the history of how the cities were established is not pleasant, today many have charming historic centres just waiting to be explored. From single-story colourful buildings to the elaborate mansions, there are many options for lovers of Spanish colonial architecture.
Panama – Casco Viejo, in the city’s downtown, is filled with elegant heritage buildings. For more information click here The City & The Canal.
Guatemala – The most visited colonial city in Guatemala is Antigua, but don’t miss out on a visit to Flores in the north. There are descriptions of both centres in our posts: Exploring Colonial Antigua and A Visit to Flores
El Salvador – There are a few rustic but quaint colonial towns in El Salvador. You can read about them in two separate posts: Visit Colonial Suchitoto and Ruta de las Flores.
Mayan Ruins
Long before the Spanish arrived, Maya people dominated the lands of Central America. They built large cities around impressive pyramids. Having visited many of the Mayan ruins in Central America, we can tell you that they are all unique. If you’ve seen one, you have not seen them all. Each site offers unique architecture and setting that make them all worth visiting.
Guatemala – Famous for its five tall temples that soar high above the jungle canopy, Tikal archeological site is bound to impress anyone who visits. Not far away is the smaller, but equally fascinating site of Yaxha. You can find out more about these Mayan ruins in our post Mayan Ruins Of Tikal & Yaxha
El Salvador – One of the most unique Mayan sites is in El Salvador. Joya De Cerén is a Mayan city that was covered in volcanic ash in the 6th century. You can read more about this fascinating site in our post How To Spend A Day In San Salvador. Or visit the pyramids of El Tazumal on a Day Trips From Santa Ana.
Belize – Not far from San Ignacio are a few important Mayan sites. As well as visiting traditional Maya pyramids, you can also have an adventure exploring the historic ATM cave. You can read about all of these in our post Maya Ruins in Belize – Sacrificial Caves and Stone Pyramids
Scuba Diving
Belize – If you’re looking for a diving vacation, look no further than Belize. Located on the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize offers a wide variety of dive sites. Belize Barrier Reef is a part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef has great reef diving for everyone from beginners to expert divers. You can read more about them in our post Caribbean Cayes in Belize.
Panama Canal
We thought Panama Canal would simply be a few boats going down a canal. Actually, that’s all it is, but it was one of the most fascinating places we visited. You can read more about it in our post Panama – The City & The Canal
Volcano Hikes
The landscape of much of Central America is covered in tall, cone-shaped pyramids. Hiking to the tops allows you to see the inside of their craters, the view of the land below and maybe even lava shooting out from a summit.
Guatemala – Hike to the summit of Acatenango for an unbeatable sunrise. If you’re feeling adventurous add in a side trip to get a closer look at the active Fuego volcano. You can read our post Acatenango & Fuego Volcanoes Hike
El Salvador – A popular day hike is to see the crater lake at the top of Santa Ana. You can read about this hike in our post Day Trips From Santa Ana.
Lake Atitlán
Cradled in the basin between three volcanoes, Lake Atitlán is one of the prettiest lakes in the country. In addition to enjoying the views you can visit the small Mayan towns and villages spread out across the lake. For more information visit our post Visiting The Town of Lake Atitlán.
For more information on each country, click on the link for: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama.
Coming Next – Mexico City’s Historic Centre
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