Seven radiant countries make up vibrant Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Given their geographic proximity, Central American nations share a richness in colors, topography, and fragrance as well as commonalities in language, religiosity and culture, but their sameness stops there. Each nation celebrates its uniqueness with rich natural, cultural, historical and linguistic offerings. Though some of Central America gets a bad rep because of political turmoil, crime and viruses, practice basic cautions and plan well so you can enjoy this lush green area of the world filled with indigenous culture, spectacular rainforests, warm people and beautiful customs. This brief summary presents the heartbeat of each nation to help you decide where you want to go.
Belize
Belize’s cay-filled Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world with more than 100 types of coral, 500 species of tropical fish, sharks, turtles, underwater caves, and walls. On the east coast, experience sandy beaches and the paradise waters of the Caribbean. For those that prefer to be on land, Belize offers a network of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries with Tapirs, Jaguars, a variety of birds including the national toucan, spot spider, howler monkeys, peccaries, and iguanas. The Cayo District, Southern Toledo, Xunantunich, and Caracol are dotted with Mayan ruins, ritual remnants, and even chocolate making. Belize is the only nation in Central America where English is the official language. and the predominant Creoles speak their own unique form of English. Belize welcomes adventure enthusiasts with zip lining, waterfalls, canoeing and more. Head to Cayo District to tube or canoe through darkened river systems or cave hop in Actun Tunichil Muknal. Last, don’t forget to enjoy the nightlife in Belmopan!
Costa Rica
A must for nature lovers, Costa Rica offers 800 miles of shoreline and vast stretches of protected rain forest, reserves, hot springs, cloud forests, and river valleys. A booming of gastronomy, luxury developments, yoga centers and surfing make this a peaceful haven. Costa Rica is the conservationist’s dream. The “rich coast” protects one-quarter of its wild lands through law. Costa Rica is a haven for outdoor adventure offering hiking, ziplining in the rain cloud forest, world-renowned surfing or volcano viewing. Costa Rica has an incredible amount of biodiversity. Exotic creatures abound in your midst including scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, and ever-smiling sloths. Even butterflies have their own sanctuaries. The most popular phrase is pura vida (pure life), used to say hello, goodbye, everything’s cool, and same to you. There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Bathe in the hot waters of Arenal overlooking the rumbles of its volcano, sleep to the sound of howler monkeys in Tortuguero or relax on beautiful beaches with European flair and quiet jungle in Manuel Antonio.
El Salvador
While gang violence still is problematic here, the vast majority of this beautiful country remains untouched by what you hear on the news. El Salvador offers
world-class surfing on empty, dark-sand beaches; coffee plantations aside volcanoes; vibrant Spanish colonial towns; and sublime national parks. Once called the coffee republic, its plantations still host many of the country’s birds, mammals, and other animals. So enjoy a fresh brew! San Salvador entertains with its Art Museum and flavorful pupusas while the rest of the nation offers a space free from massive tourism. The Pacific Coast, including La Libertad, Las Flores, and Playa Herradura boast some of the best surf in the world. Its natural beauty is remarkable despite leftover destruction and remnants from the civil war. Visit the San Salvador volcano, attractive Santa Ana with nearby plantations or sugarcane fields, and view the Mayan ruins at Tazumal. Montecristo National Park displays a gorgeous cloud forest at the nation’s border and The El Imposible National Park a trek to Cerro Leon for an unforgettable volcano, bird and mammal vistas.
Guatemala
Guatemala’s Mayan culture, Spanish colonial glory, natural splendor and scenic sites captivate its visitors. Stunning architecture in Antigua, the Guatemala City cathedral and picturesque towns amaze. Coffee plantations, large coffee-boom towns such as Cobán and Quetzaltenango boast glorious cathedrals, town halls, and other public buildings. Chichicastenango, famous for its bold and colorful market, archaeological- wonder Tikal, the cultural town of Rabinal and the sacred site of Laguna Chicabal prove that Mayan culture still thrives. Time- preserved traditional villages can be found in the highlands and Ixil Triangle. Adventure trek through the jungle and up a volcano or white water raft. The natural beauty of the volcano-ringed lake Atitlán, the cave-riddled Verapaces and the swimming hole Semuc Champey are unlike any other place in the world.
Honduras
Honduras is a vibrant and fascinating country recovering from its past violence. Attractions include the Maya ruins of Copán, the pristine diving of the Bay Islands and the majestic scenery of over a dozen national parks. One of the cheapest countries in the region, do activities for a fraction of the price you’ll pay in neighboring countries. It’s important to take care in the cities, but other than that, Honduras is back open for business and just waiting to be discovered. Tremendous wildlife, lush jungle, Mayan Ruins, and vast national parks are some of its gems. The diving havens of Utila and Roatan boast lush beautiful beaches and tourist fare. Gorgeous Caribbean beaches lie along the north coast with small villages of local Garifuna people are a bubble of Caribbean culture, far from the worries of the outside world. In Copan, Lake Yojoa and the Bay Islands hide in caves, fly over waterfalls, and enjoy the scenic beauty. Honduras possesses scenic national parks. Punta Sal allows you to relax on idyllic beaches and spot boas, tropical birds and sometimes dolphins. Cuero Y Salada has a network of canals, mangroves, and lagoons hosting monkeys, bird, alligators and the elusive Caribbean Manatee.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest of the Central American nations, yet it is also the most sparsely populated. On the road less traveled and cheaper than its neighbors, it has the largest area of primary-growth rainforest north of the Amazon. Nicaragua presents volcanic landscapes, colonial architecture, sensational beaches and pristine forests to its visitors. It offers you a beach for every taste: the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, the waves of the Pacific, and Lake Nicaragua. The big barrels of Rivas are a surfer’s paradise while the clear waters of the Corn Islands are superb for snorkeling. Even the best beaches in the country are refreshingly free of development. Surf down an active volcano, dive into underwater caves, and canoe through alligator-infested wetlands. Swim across sea channels between tiny white-sand islands and land a 90-plus-kg tarpon beneath a Spanish fortress in the middle of the jungle. There are few crowds in this ‘land of lakes and volcanoes.’ Colonial splendor can be seen in the elegant streetscapes of Nicaragua’s best-preserved colonial town Granada or in working-class León where the colonial experience is interspersed with revolutionary murals.
Panama
Clear turquoise water, coffee farms and cloud forests abound, Panama can be as relaxed or thrilling as you wish. One small tropical country with two long coasts makes for a pretty big playground. With a host of secluded islands, Caribbean shores on one side and Pacific surfer waves on the other, Panama delivers any beach experience you seek. Soak in the spray of towering waterfalls near highland Santa Fé or visit one of Panama’s seven indigenous groups through community tourism while living out your desert- island fantasies. Scuba dive with whale sharks in the Pacific, snorkel in the rainbow reefs of Bocas del Toro or sail in the indigenous territory of Guna Yala. Panama City highlights shiny skyscrapers, bustling salsa music, hip metropolitan nightlife, edgy sophistication and old colonial charm. It’s jewel, the Panama Canal, showcases an engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Wildlife is plentiful within highland trails, screeching howler monkeys, rainforest canopies, swimming sea turtles or cloud forest vista treks make up your daily fare.
There is nowhere quite like Central America. If you are getting lost amidst all these amazing choices, speak to a traveler or local on TriplnR to help make up your mind!
