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Top 10 Places to Explore in Central America

Central America is the region that connects the north and south America and covers seven countries. Central America is heaven for nature lovers as you get the chance to travel over the waterfalls, volcanoes, and golden sand beaches to sunbathe and exploit the adventures jungles.

Getting the most out of central America is quite tricky, and to guide you, we have shortlisted the top 10 places to explore in Central America. Here is a list of them:

Costa Rica

Costa Rica must be on your list when visiting Central America as it has a variety of biodiversity. You can interact with a wide range of wildlife here. There are many exciting outdoor activities, such as snorkelling, swimming and rafting. It has several stunning natural areas, including Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Parks, Monteverde, Arenal Volcano, and Tortuguero.

man standing on cliff near falls
Costa Rica Waterfalls

If you want to have a beach experience, then there are plenty of them where you can sunbathe in the beach’s golden sand and relax.

Caye Caulker Island – Belize

If you want to have a relaxing vacation on an Island, then Caye Caulker Island must be top of your checklist. It is located in Belize City, a small Caribbean city and to travel to Caye Caulker Island; you have to opt for a small boat ride.

gray concrete building on green grass field during daytime
Altun Ha – ruins of an ancient Mayan city in Belize

This island is perfect for having underwater experiences, and people come here every year for snorkelling and scuba diving. It is a perfect spot to relax, cut off from the busy life and enjoy cheap food and drinks.

Panama

The economy of Panama highly relies on its tourism. It is famous for tourists for two reasons: beaches and Panama the canal. Among the archaeological monuments and natural parks, don’t miss the Bocas del Toro islands and the beautiful coral reefs.

closeup photo of red star fish beside seashore
Starfish Beach – on the back side of Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro area

Panama is the perfect spot if you want to learn scuba diving. In Panama, the best place to visit is San Blas Island. It is located on the coast of the Caribbean and is an ideal island to visit.

Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, one of Nicaragua’s major cities, is also one of the country’s oldest and most historically significant settlements, with a rich Spanish heritage and well-preserved colonial architecture. Granada, located in western Nicaragua on the beaches of Lake Nicaragua, offers travellers a variety of activities ranging from sightseeing to outdoor leisure to arts and culture.

women on top of mountain
Volcano Hiking – Nicaragua

The city centre’s walking tour reveals multicoloured colonial buildings, monuments, historic churches, a Spanish fort, and a bustling market brimming with merchants selling fruit and handicrafts. Museums and art galleries highlight the city’s history, art, culture, and cigar and chocolate manufacture. Central Park in Granada is a large open green space with food booths where visitors may rest and enjoy picnics and outdoor activities.

HONDURAS

Honduras is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, and you can experience the culture, some of the amazing food and different sites. It has plenty of archaeological sites and museums for you to visit.

brown wooden beach lounge chair near palm trees under blue sky during daytime
Golden Beaches of Honduras

It has plenty of islands with black and golden sand. You can have a leisure vacation on islands like Bay Islands on some islands; there are thousands of species you can explore with care in the national parks and forests such as Pico Bonito National park.

Arenal National Park

Arenal National park is a must to go when in Central America because of its beautiful and ideal Arenal volcano, which has the perfect cone shape as we imagine when the word volcano comes to our mind. You can hike the mountain to experience the beautiful scenery or visit the waterfalls such as La Fortuna.

Arenal National Park – Volcano

You may also participate in zip-lining trips or unwind in a natural hot spring. You can stay in La Fortuna town to fully explore this area and spending some time here will surely give you scenery of landscapes you probably won’t forget.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye, the largest of Belize’s hundreds of islands, is a lovely, tropical paradise where shorts and flip-flops are the dress code, golf carts are the form of transportation, and sunbathing on sandy white beaches is the principal pastime.

Palm Trees Near Body of Water during Sunset
Ambergris Caye – Island of Belize

Ambergris Caye is one of Belize’s top tourism destinations because it offers the perfect Caribbean retreat with classic beaches, world-class lodgings, fantastic food, and super relaxation. It is a short plane trip or boat journey from Belize City.

San Juan del Sur

This is one of the most famous places to visit in Central America, and many travellers visit to have the luxurious and best beach experience here. One of the main activities people come here is surfing, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or a professional hiker.

body of water during daytime
San Juan del Sur Bay

You can hike there with the help of a trainer, and If you’re a professional, then this place is simply heaven for you. There are also other things besides surfing as hiking.

Corcovado – Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park was dubbed the “most ecologically intensive area on Earth” by National Geographic, and they were right.

With 103,290 acres of tropical rainforest, it is the crown gem of Costa Rica’s national parks. It is home to 500 kinds of trees, 6,000 invertebrates, 140 species of animals, 400 species of birds, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 40 species of fish.

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Scarlet macaws, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

There are also jaguars, sea turtles, sloths, and other monkey species.

So, if you want to roll up your sleeves and discover the biodiversity of the amazing Central American rainforests, Corcovado is a must-see!

Tikal

Tikal, located in the Petén department of northern Guatemala’s tropical jungle, was one of the ancient Mayan civilization’s biggest towns. Archaeologists believe Tikal had a population of 50,000 to 100,000 people in its heyday.

Temple of Kukulkan
Tikal Temple

Tikal is one of the most beautiful Mayan sites in Central America, thanks to its forest setting and majestic structures peeping through the canopy. Visitors can scale a handful of the pyramids for panoramic views above the treetops.

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