22 of the Best Places to Visit in Central America

Central America is the thin section of land that links the North American continent with the South American continent. The region is made up of seven small, mostly tropical countries that would be easy to skip on a map. Yet they represent a complex mixture of cultures, ancient ruins, tropical wildlife, active volcanoes and great beaches.

Some of the most intriguing places to visit in Central America are in remote locations. Hiking into some locations may be required, so travelers should make sure they’re in good physical condition.

But travel to this region doesn’t have to be strenuous. If it were, Central America wouldn’t be so popular with seniors looking for someplace different to retire. Gorgeous beaches, just made for sunbathing, can be found on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of Central America.

Central America has some of the best tropical rain and cloud forests in the world, with plants and wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It’s also the only place on earth where people will find outstanding archaeological sites dating back to one of the world’s great civilizations, the Mayans. Volcanoes that destroyed towns in their active era are another attraction.

Graceful colonial buildings built when the countries were colonies of Britain and Span can be found in many of the countries. European style cathedrals are not to be missed, either.

22. Bocas del Toro, Panama

Located in the Caribbean Sea on the west coast of Panama, Bocas del Toro is an archipelago of six forested islands and numerous smaller uninhabited islets known for their laid-back vibe. The province’s capital city, Bocas del Toro on Isla Colon, is well worth a visit to see its historic Caribbean architecture. Numerous beaches offer white sands while water sports enthusiasts will find adventure in snorkeling, diving, fishing and sailing in the Caribbean.

21. Xunantunich, Guatemala

The Maya ruins of Xunantunich are located atop a ridge above the Mopan River near San Ignacio, within sight of the Guatemala border. Xunantunich has been around since at least 900 BC. The huge dark gray structures stand out against Belize’s blue skies, making for great photo ops. Previous visitors recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing lots of water.

20. Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park, located in southwestern Costa Rica, is considered the crown jewel of the country’s national park system. That’s because its offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Latin America. Popular with backpackers and nature lovers, Corcovado is home to 13 major ecosystems, ranging from swamps to highland cloud forests, as well as a variety of endangered wildlife, such as jaguars and scarlet macaws.

19. Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker is a small island near Belize Barrier Reef that is also known as Cayo Hicaco. It may have gotten its English name from sailing ships stopping there to pick up fresh water or caulk their boats. In recent years the island has become a popular Belize attraction for backpackers and other tourists for its relatively cheap prices, laid-back vibe, and abundance of restaurants and bars. It’s a good place just to relax on the beach, snorkel or go bird watching.

18. Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador

Ruta de las Flores (Flower Route) is a 36-km (22-mile) long road that winds through the Salvadoran countryside. It goes through picturesque colonial towns, featuring great food and galleries. It also appeals to travelers who enjoy off-road mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. The country’s first coffee plantations were here. The route is a great place to buy native handicrafts and take in a weekly food festival.

17. Panama Canal

Regarded as one of the modern-day wonders of the world, the Panama Canal is a vast canal system built to allow ships passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The canal consists of artificial lakes and three sets of locks. Watching the ships pass through the waterways and the locks can be experienced from various locations. One of the most popular spots is at the Miraflores locks, which also has a museum where visitors can learn about the history of the canal and how it works.

16. Flores, Guatemala

Located in northern Guatemala, Flores is an island town situated on Lake Petén Itzá, once the home of the last independent stronghold of the Maya Itza Indians. The many tourists who come to Flores, eager to explore the nearby famous Mayan ruins at Tikal, often discover that the charming old town itself is worth the visit with its Spanish colonial churches and cobblestone streets, lined with shops and restaurants.

15. Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300 kilometer (190 miles) long section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is popular for scuba diving and snorkeling and attracting almost half of all the tourists in Belize. The reef includes the Great Blue Hole, the most famous dive destination in all of Belize. The deeper one dives into this massive sinkhole the clearer the water and the array of bizarre stalactites and limestone formations become more complex and intense.

14. San Blas Islands, Panama

The San Blas Islands is an archipelago of about 400 islands which are located just off the Caribbean coast of Eastern Panama. Most of the islands are not inhabited, and the indigenous Kuna Yala tribe on the islands manage tourism to preserve their culture and the environment. There are small and very basic hotels on some of the islands, and due to the lack of restaurants, they offer all-inclusive meal packages.

13. Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Two volcanoes, joined by a thin isthmus, make up Ometepe Island, giving it an hourglass shape. The island is located in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. One volcano, Concepcion, is active, spreading ash over the area. Ometepe is a good place to see pre-Columbian artifacts, including petroglyphs, and is home to some of the world’s best rock art. Locals hold many colorful religious and folk festivals.

12. Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

What do travelers find when beach and nature activities are combined? Manuel Antonio National Park, located on the Pacific Ocean 132 km (82 miles) from San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. Visitors will find white sand beaches and forests growing right to the high tide line. Besides lush forests, the park is home to 109 different mammals, and dolphins and whales can be spotted from outlying islands.

11. Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Lake Atitlan is a deep blue lake in the Guatemalan highlands, famous for its Mayan villages and stunning scenery. Although tourism is popular here, the region hasn’t been changed as much as some other destinations in Central America. Native women still wear their colorful traditional clothing on a daily basis, with museums devoted to the Mayan culture. Popular attractions include a butterfly sanctuary, nature reserve, and San Pedro Volcano, considered a tough hike.

10. Leon, Nicaragua

Leon, Nicaragua’s second largest city, was founded by Spanish conquistadores. The university town is described as an elegant city, with museums, art galleries, the largest cathedral in Central America and colonial architecture. The region also is known for its eight volcanoes; indeed, an eruption destroyed the first city in 1610. The nearby Las Peñitas on the Pacific Ocean is a popular beach that is close to a nature preserve.

9. Copan, Honduras

Once an important Mayan center of government, art, culture and astronomy, Copan today is a large complex consisting of two large pyramids, several plazas, a ball court and numerous stone temples, altars and stelae, which are famous for their hieroglyphics and intricate carvings that depict history, events, beliefs and customs of the ancient Mayans.

8. Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Until the past few years, Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica, and it’s frequent, small explosions once provided incredible shows of spewing lava. However, in 2010, Arenal’s cycle entered into a resting phase, putting an indeterminate pause on the eruptions. Nevertheless, the area surrounding Arenal still offers plenty of outstanding sights and exciting activities.

7. Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, the oldest colonial city in Nicaragua, is a popular tourist destination because of its year-round balmy weather and proximity to the freshwater Lake Nicaragua. It’s popular with travelers ranging from shoppers and spa lovers to nature lovers who like to sail on the lake, zipline through the forests and hike to Mombacho, a dormant volcano. Iglesia de la Merced, a beautiful cathedral, is the city’s top tourist draw.

6. Panama City

Panama’s capital and largest city, Panama City, is a concentration of modern high-rise towers rising up from a surrounding tropical rainforest. A vibrant, cosmopolitan city made prosperous by the development of the Panama Canal, Panama City is one of the best places to visit in Central America.

While a visit to the city’s most famous attraction, the Panama Canal, ranks at the top of most sightseeing itineraries, exploring the cobblestone streets and colonial buildings of the historic quarter, Casco Viejo, is also a must-do.

5. Antigua Guatemala

Set against the pictorial backdrop of three imposing volcanoes in the central highlands of Guatemala, the beautiful, old colonial town of Antigua is one of the country’s top tourist destinations.

A major center for learning the Spanish language, Antigua provides a plethora of impressive sights and activities. Just a simple stroll through the city center awards views of spectacular architecture, historic churches and prominent landmarks like the Santa Catalina Arch.

4. Ambergris Caye

The largest of Belize’s several hundred islands, Ambergris Caye is a dreamy, tropical place where shorts and flip-flops are the dress code, golf carts are the mode of transportation, and lazing away on sandy white beaches is the primary activity.

A short plane flight or ferry ride from Belize City, Ambergris Caye is one of Belize’s top travel destinations because it presents the ultimate Caribbean getaway with classic beaches, world-class accommodations, fabulous dining and ultra relaxation.

3. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica

Located in central Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the country’s most coveted tourist destinations due to its astonishing natural beauty and abundance of activities including ziplining and canopy tours.

The reserve however is most famous for its extraordinary biodiversity: Around 400 species of birds are found here, more than 100 species of mammals including howler and capuchin monkeys and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. Along with the mega-diversity of wildlife, there are 2,500 species of plants, 420 of which are orchids.

2. Roatan, Honduras

A prominent scuba diving destination and cruise ship port-of-call, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, off the east coast of Honduras. Surrounded by the second-largest barrier reef in the world, Roatan is a prime spot for diving and snorkeling. What’s more, the island’s beaches provide an array of activities from swimming to kayaking and dolphin watching.

1. Tikal, Guatemala

Located in the tropical rainforest of the Petén province in northern Guatemala, Tikal was one of the largest cities of the ancient Mayan civilization. Archaeologists estimate that, at its peak, Tikal’s population ranged from 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants.

Among the many Mayan sites in Central America, Tikal is perhaps the most breathtaking due to its jungle setting with impressive temples poking through the canopy. Visitors can climb to the top of a few of the pyramids and get panoramic views from above the treetops.