2 min summary Best time to go Map & highlights Things to do La Ruta Maya Overland tours Cycling vacations Families Is it safe?Tips Responsible tourism All our Central America guides

Central America travel guide

Central America evokes different thoughts for people. Some think of Costa Rica, one of the most established eco destinations in the world. Others think about coups of the 1980’s, when this charming chain that links north to south seemed to be a land of either sedition or oppression. This Central America travel guide aims to show that only coup in Central America these days is a natural one, with two coastlines that bring divers or surfers, rainforest that attracts adventurers and adrenalin seekers, mountains beckoning hikers, and Mayan marvels astound every one.

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Central America travel guide

An isthmus is defined as 'a strip of land with sea on either side, linking two larger areas of land', which is, essentially, a geographical summary of Central America - the bit that links North and South America. But that’s a little dismissive to say the least. We prefer the anatomical definition, where an isthmus is a vital connecting tissue or organ. Such as the respiratory system provided by Costa Rica's Monteverde cloud forests. Or the beating heart of Nicaragua and Guatemala's voluptuously volcanic landscapes.

The only Central American coup these days is a natural one. This region has coastlines like no other; Caribbean on one side and Pacific on the other. That’s what you call sublime sedition.

Indigenous culture flows through Central America, from Panama’s Embera and Guatemala's Maya to Mexico’s 60 indigenous groups. And, with the Caribbean on one side and the Pacific on the other, water is an omnipresent life force where marine life thrives, such as the whales of Baja or turtles of Costa Rica’s eponymous Tortuguero National Park. And of course, just about everywhere, there is beach bliss. Happy Isthmus, everyone.

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Central America is...

at peace. No coups, no revolutions, no guerillas. Sure, there are still issues, but not related to civil war anymore, thankfully.

Central America isn't...

Costa Rica on the cheap. Each country has its riches, from indigenous peoples to coral reefs, to voluptuous volcanoes. And everywhere, beaches.

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What we rate & what we don't

Underrated

Guatemala

Guatemala is just gorgeous. Culture vultures will swoop in on the Mayan ruins at Tikal, Topoxte and Yaxha. The colonial period is captured perfectly in city of Antigua (Easter here is stunning). And for nature lovers, hiking through cloud forest-covered volcanic slopes is verging on ethereal. As is Lake Atitlan, enveloped by volcanoes and indigenous lands. Guatemala also has Pacific surfdoms and Caribbean coves. Told you. Gorgeous.

Mexico’s national parks

Most vacations in Mexico follow the cultural circuit, but it also boasts 67 national parks. Although for some reason they don’t talk about them a lot. Archipiélago Espíritu Santo National Park on the Baja Peninsula is famous for the whales, Mexico City’s stunning Desierto de los Leones is famous for not really being a desert, but rich, ancient oak forest, and Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl Zoquiapan is sheer volcanic virtuosity.

Culture in Costa Rica

Don’t keep your head in the cloud forests all the time, but take time to absorb the people and culture of Costa Rica. Because this country has been so beautifully preserved thanks to its people. From the Creole-speaking Afro-Costa Ricans of the Caribbean, to the Bribri of the Talamanca Mountains, they’re all well worth getting to know.

Nicaragua

This country has been reborn since the 1960-70s revolutionary years, and yet is still unknown territory for tourists. Touching two seas, it has the Caribbean in the east and Pacific in the west, with jungles and volcanoes in between. Think luscious, lava and littoral and you got it. And loving, too – because Nicaraguans have warm, open hearts and boy do they love to party.

Rated

Wildlife

Costa Rica is top of wildlife lovers’ wishlists, its rain and cloud forests, surf and sands home to turtles, quetzals, howler monkeys, sloths, caiman and dolphins. Wildlife doesn’t stop for borders though. Belize is bursting with beauty, with the world’s second largest coral reef. Nicaragua boasts jaguar, monkeys and nearly 700 species of birds. And for whales, Mexico’s Baja is bliss. Each country has a wild side.

Mayan Trail

A 2,400km trail around the great pyramids, palaces and ancient principalities from Mayan civilisation, which dominated Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Many are UNESCO sites and, although you can’t fit them all in, most tourists visit Mexico, Belize and Guatemala’s finest, as that works geographically. Or start in southern Guatemala, taking in Honduras and El Salvador Mayan marvels next door.

Cycling vacations

See the isthmian idylls from a saddle, with small group vacation experts to guide you from coast to coast in Costa Rica, for example, taking in Pacific, volcanic, rainforest and Caribbean landscapes en route. Or two weeks will take you on a slow, sensuous journey through Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

Indigenous cultures

Ancient cultures are awesome but there are so many contemporary indigenous cultures, with incredible histories and lifestyles too, so do incorporate visits to these communities if they are open to tourists. Which many are. Such as the Bribri of the Costa Rica, the Guatemalan Mayans and no fewer than 60 indigenous groups in Mexico, the most prolific being Nahuatl, Yucatec (Maya), Zapotec and Mixtec.

Overrated

Cruise liners

We are not a big fan of the giant floating hotels, with their dodgy environmental records and roll on roll off attitude to tourism. Feb-mid April is peak season for cruise ships in Central America, which frequent the big ports of Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, so stay clear of these places and head off the beaten path to support grassroots tourism instead.

Busy US vacations

The honeypots of Costa Rica, Mexico and Belize in particular (the only English speaking country in Central America), pack out during US public vacations. That's because they are the nearest stop for sunshine and so, rightly, they make for a wonderful quick escape – especially as Americans have relatively little vacation time in contrast with Europeans. So it’s a good time to check out other Central American options if you want to avoid crowds.

Cancún

Mexico’s answer to all inclusive, all concrete, all wrong. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, it has given this region a yucky reputation, and yet there are so many businesses and organisations that are doing the responsible and resplendent thing on Yucatan. You just have to fly in and keep going, cycling, hiking or swimming, to discover the world beyond the resorts.

Eco everything

Costa Rica and Mexico are eco experts, the former having protected its habitats way ahead of others and the latter the birthplace of ecotourism, led by Mexican environmentalist, Hector Ceballos-Lascurain in 1983. However, beware of bandwagon bounders, calling themselves ‘eco’ just because they are rural, remote or just a tad rustic – with no connection with community or culture. This Central America travel guide shows you the bigger picture.

Food, shopping & people

Eating & drinking

In Costa Rica, casado is a set lunch in local restaurants, usually consisting of gallo pinto, plantain and salad – plus beef, fish or pork.

Nicaraguan fare is a revelation, from its salsa criolla sauces, Güirilas tortillas to its famous Flor de de Caña rum.

Belizean falmaau means fish with coconut milk.

Food trails and gastro tours are big in Mexico, with taco trails, market tours, and yummy Yucatan seafood at every turn.

Oaxaca’s traditional cuisine has been listed by UNESCO as an ‘intangible cultural heritage’. Who needs Michelin, when you have that status for your food?

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Central America or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

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rosy@responsibletravel.com

Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

People & language

Learning some Spanish, however sparse, is a must in Central America, as it is the national language everywhere, except Belize, where it's English. Indigenous languages are also spoken in rural areas; Mexico alone has 60 indigenous groups. In Costa Rica people are known as ticos. Most are a blend of European and native roots, but indigenous people number around 60,000. And the Caribbean coast is jammin’ with Afro-Caribbean and Creole culture.

In Costa Rica the ubiquitous greeting “Pura vida” also means "good". So if asked “¿como estas?” You can reply “¡pura vida, gracias!”

If nothing else, just practise “hola”, “adios” and “gracias”.

Spanish newbies learn “quiero” (“I want”) when asking for something in a shop or restaurant. But go for “quisiera” instead – it’s more polite.

Gifts and shopping

In Costa Rica head to the town of Sarchi for all things artisan, especially woodwork.

Fair Trade coffee from Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras is a great gift. Buy Nicaraguan Flora de Cana rum to spice it up too.

Choco Guate Maya in Guatemala is a top chocolate, with top ethics.

Handcrafted hammocks made by deaf workers at the Café de Sonrisas in Leon, Nicaragua are the business. They ship worldwide too.

For textiles, Guatemala is the only place to go.

We started our Mexican trip at the massive pyramids of Teotihuacan. It felt like being handed a glass of champagne when you board a plane; you know immediately that you’re in for a classy ride.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary of course, with Panama, Costa Rica, Belize and parts of Mexico being more expensive. But here are some general guidelines.

Bunch of bananas = £0.85

Flora de Cana rum and coke = £1.50

Bottle of local beer = 65p - £1

Lunch in a Nicaraguan ‘cafetin’ = £3

Average lunch in Costa Rica = £4 - £5.50

More about Central America

Best time to visit Central America

The best time to visit Central America is in the dry season from January to March, or November to April if you're planning to visit Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras.

Central America Map & highlights

Welcome to the idyllic isthmus, the bit in the middle packed with ancient Mayan heritage, rainforest adventure, coastal spectacles and Creole culture that covers the gamut from hot to cool to oh so chilled.

Things to do in Central America

Central America is crammed with adventure, wildlife and the legacies of ancient civilizations, so there's never a dull day on vacation here.

La Ruta Maya in Guatemala

La Ruta Maya in Guatemala encompasses some of this ancient civilisation’s most impressive sites – with glyph-covered stelae, giant pyramids and vast temples scattered over many kilometres through the tropical rainforests.

Central America overland vacations

Traveling overland in Central America is definitely for adventurers, ready to travel through numerous countries on an epic odyssey through volcanic landscapes, coastal contrasts and ancient cultures.

Cycling vacations in Central America

Cycling in Central America takes you from Mayan ruins to Pacific beaches, from rainforest to cloud forest, across borders, away from the crowds and into remote villages.

Traveling in Central America with kids

For every Mayan site to explore there’s a rainforest waterfall to jump under, and for every long journey there seems to be beach awaiting, making traveling in Central America with kids a joy.

Safety in Central America

Many vacationmakers are concerned about whether it is safe to travel to Central America.

Central America travel advice

Our experts and seasoned travelers have plenty of advice on visiting Central America, explaining how best to tackle this vast region that's relatively new to tourism.

Responsible tourism in Central America

We talk about wildlife conservation, preservation of ancient Mayan cities and the polluting effects of giant cruise ships, but this responsible tourism in Central America guide looks first at the people.

All our Central America guides

All our Central America guides.

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Written by Catherine Mack

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: DeLoyd Huenink] [Is/Isn't: Andrés Sanz] [Underrated: Christopher Crouzet] [Rated: Stephen Pedersen] [Overrated: Prayitno] [People & language: Dale Cruse] [How much does it cost?: Rosalind Chang]

Central America travel guide