Central America is one of the most underrated regions of the world to travel as it is often overlooked in favour of North and South America. If you do plan a trip to Central America you will be rewarded with one of the most incredible experiences of your life s this region has some amazing tourist sights.
There are so many reasons you will fall in love with Central America, this region has lots of places to go, it is very cheap and most countries are very safe. You can find something for everyone, from budget backpackers, families to eco travellers. Expect diverse countries, islands, beaches, jungles, waterfalls, ancient ruins, volcanoes and more.
If you are planning a trip to Central America for the first time our guide will give you ideas for where to go and what to do in Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
Get inspired to book a trip to explore Central America today.
Best Places to Visit in Panama
1. San Blas Islands
Panama is one of the most visited countries in Central America and it also has some of the most beautiful islands in the world.
The San Blas Islands are a must visit destination for any Central American itinerary, it is even more picture perfect in real life with beautiful white sandy beaches, palm trees and spectacular nature. Possibly only a few countries in the world have islands to rival these, like the Maldives and Indonesia.
There are lots of tours here, and we recommend catching a catamaran for the ultimate laid back experience cruising through the clear waters.
2. Panama City
Panama City is one of the most visited cities in Central America and it is a cosmopolitan and vibrant metropolis with so much going on.
There are lots of highlights of Panama City, including, seeing the Panama Canal, exploring the Casco Viejo neighbourhood, visiting the Church of San Jose, shopping at the Santa Ana market and going in search of the best beach. There are also lots of days trips, like you might not know Panama City is located close to the Gamboa Rainforest.
You can easily spend a few days or even a week and longer in Panama City and you won’t be bored. This city is also a great base for exploring more of Panama especially the beautiful islands.
3. Bocas Del Toro
This is one of the most visited places by foreign travelers exploring Panama and if you visit you will be able to see why. Bocas Del Toro is a very small town which is very touristy located in an archipelago in the Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos—Panama’s oldest marine park. Bocas del Toro is a popular backpacker destination due to the laid-back atmosphere, beaches, palm trees and turquoise clear waters. Bocas del Toro is an eco-tourism favorite with lush vegetation and biodiversity with marine life, tropical birds and amphibians.
4. Boquete
Located in Chiriqui province, Panama, Boquete is one of the most popular travel destinations in the country. This is also often considered one of the best places to retire in the world due to the climate, fresh air, relaxed lifestyle and scenery.
Boquete is famous for coffee plantations, views of the Baru Volcano National Park and its flowers. The nearby hills and terrain are home to so many animals like the Quetzal bird, be sure to hike the Los Quetzales Trail to see nature, views and wildlife.
Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
5. Arenal Volcano
There are so many amazing things to do in Costa Rica, this really is one of the best countries to visit in Central America.
Arenal is Costa Rica’s most famous volcano and usually an essential stop off for any trip to to the country. It’s huge, exactly 5,437 feet (1,657 meters) tall and looms high over the countryside for miles around.
This volcano is now quiet with very little volcanic activity and it has been a popular tourist attraction due to the views, hikes and natural hotsprings.
6. Rio Celeste Waterfall
The Rio Celeste Waterfall is one of the highest rated outdoor natural attractions in Costa Rica and is a truly magical place to visit. Most travellers book a tour or travel independently the Rio Celeste trail, a moderate hike in the Tenorio Volcano National Park which ends at Rio Celeste waterfall.
Rio Celeste is a little out of the way, but most trips can be arranged in La Fortuna and Monteverde or Liberia. Structured tours can be pricey at around $100 per person but they have very high ratings on Trip Advisor. You can also make your own way here as the entrance fee to the Rio Celeste waterfall is $12 USD per person.
When you reach the Rio Celeste lagoon you will be in awe of the waterfall and colours up close, the whole trip is worth it. This really is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the region.
7. Monteverde Cloud Forest
If you plan on visiting Costa. Rica you definitely shouldn’t skip visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest! Located on the Cordillera de Tilarán within the Puntarenas and Alajuela provinces, thousands of tourists visit every year. This is one of the highlights of the country and somewhere where you can see the lush Costa Rican nature up close.
At the Reserve you can explore over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest. Highlights include hiking, bird watching, night tours, zip lining, wildlife spotting and sampling the local Costa Rican coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane.
If you have a flexible schedule you might also like to visit the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve located nearby, this is generally less touristy especially during peak travel season.
8. Nauyaca Falls
Located deep in a tropical rainforest in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, Nauyaca Waterfalls is one of the more off the beaten track destinations on our list required a media level hike to get to. When you arrive you will get to see a stunning series of waterfalls, with lots of swimming areas.
There are both upper and lower falls sitting in a canyon and you will see why anyone who has been here will say this is definitely an attraction that shouldn’t be missed. Nauyaca Waterfalls are best reached on a day trip from the popular resorts of Manuel Antonio, Uvita or Dominical in the Costa Ballena.
9. Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a coastal town in Talamanca, Limón Province in southeastern Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo is a very green and eco town and is a dream destination for beach lovers and anyone keen to relax surrounded by nature and the environment.
10. Parque Nacional Corcovado
The Corcovado National Park has been described by National Geographic as the “most biologically intense place on Earth,” and it is undoubtedly one of the top national parks to see in Costa Rica. The park covers an area of 103,290 of tropical rainforest and it is home to hundreds of animals like sloths, jaguars, sea turtles, monkeys and more. If you are passionate about wildlife you really can’t miss this destination.
Best Places to Visit in Guatemala
11. Antigua
Antigua really is a hidden gem of central America and it is one of the most popular cities to visit in Guatemala Antiqua is very scenic with cobbled trees colourful buildings and lots of amazing things to do for tourists there are lots of language schools here and the price of learnt studying Spanish is very cheap which makes it a very attractive destination for foreign students you can find lots of shops restaurants bars which are all very Instagramable.
12. Tikal
Tikal is the place to go to see some of the best preserved ancient Mayan ruins. Located deep in the jungle of northern Guatemala, this ancient city really is incredible with so many temples and ruins. In 1979 Tikal was named a UNESCO World Heritage site and local authorities are still uncovering more and more temples today.
13. Semuc Champey
Situated in the region of Alta Verapaz in the northeast of Guatemala, Semuc Champey is a stunning natural tourist attraction and the name literally translates as “where the river hides under the earth”.
At Semuc Champey there are lots of adventures available like swimming in the pools, go on a scenic walk or hike to see some incredible views, see the local waterfall, jump off a rope swing, go caving or tubing.
Semuc Champey is a hidden gem and totally different to other locations in Central America.
14. Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán is one of the most visited destinations in Guatemala and it is easy to see why. This lake is very relaxed and surrounded by picturesque small villages. This is a great and affordable place to study Spanish as there are lots of schools located here. It is also a recommend destination to relax, unwind and take a slower pace of life. Popular places to visit/stay include San Pedro, San Marcos and Panajachel. You can find lots of yoga retreats, organic restaurants, markets and hippy bars and places to eat.
If you plan on visiting for a few days these are some must do activities including hiking to the Indian Nose near San Pedro, and the Indian Nose hike, both sunrises and sunsets here are something that has to be seen. You can arrange tours in places like San Pedro which is recommend as doing it independently can be a challenge. Most full day tours are cheap, around 80 Guatemalan Quetzales ($10 USD) per person and include transfers, a guide and drinks.
Best Places to Visit in Nicaragua
15. Granada
Nicaragua has been gaining in popularity over the past decade with travellers seeking to go off the main tourist hotspots like Costa Rica, and get an authentic experience at a lower cost. For any traveller to Nicaragua, Granada is a must visit destination.
Located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, Granada is a historical city with beautiful colourful colonial architecture. Wandering through the streets of the city is a great experience due to the local people and surroundings. There are lots of attractions, markets and places to eat here.
16. Ometepe Island
Nicaragua is a beautiful country and Ometepe is one of the most popular places to visit. This island was formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua and as well as seeing amazing scenery there are lots of things to do here like hiking.
In 2010 this area was made a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and if you do plan on visiting Nicaragua you need to add Ometepe to your itinerary. This island can be explored in 1/2 days but you can easily spend longer here.
To get to Ometepe you will need to take a one-hour ferry or travel by small boat from the town of San Jorge, just outside Rivas. This comes at a bargain price of around $1.50, Nicaragua really is a budget friendly destination.
17. León
León is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua, and the city has a fascinating history. The architecture although crumbling is beautiful whilst the city has a vibrant atmosphere and there are lots of churches, cathedrals, art, places to eat and nightlife.
18. San Juan del Sur
Located on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, San Juan del Sur, is a popular town with beaches and sports. This is a surfers mecca and popular beaches to visit include Maderas and Marsella. We recommend visiting the La Flor Nature Reserve where olive ridley turtles are breed.
Best Places to Visit in Belize
19. Caye Caulker
Belize is a tiny country with some top rated tourist attractions and one of the most popular being Caye Caulker. This island is located off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea and local people here speak English which is a surprise in the middle of Central America.
There are lots of tours and activities in Caye Caulker like swimming, snorkelling, excursions, scuba diving and more. Some of the beaches are very scenic and the island has its own charm and character. Although it isn’t as beautiful as the San Blas Islands in Panama, Caye Caulker is worth checking out if you want to experience Belize.
20. Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and is a great destination for beaches, warm weather, water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving. The town of San Pedro is a popular place to stay with accommodation, shops, restaurants and bars. You can also book lots of adventures here. Located nearby is the stunning Belize Barrier Reef with some of the best dive sites in the whole of the Caribbean like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the must visit destination the Great Blue Hole.
Best Places to Visit in El Salvador
El Salvador is sometimes overlooked with international travellers due to the security and crime issues which can make visiting daunting. But if you do visit there are some really amazing places to go which are pretty much empty apart from local and a few international tourists.
21. Santa Ana Volcano
The Santa Ana Volcano is a large stratovolcano over 2,381 metres above sea level making it the highest volcano in the country. There are tours and hiking you can do to climb the Santa Ana volcano, these take approximately 4 hours and the views from the top are really impressive especially if you have never seen a real volcano before.
22. El Tunco
Located around 30 km south of San Salvador the capital of El Salvador, El Tunco is a tiny and very popular surf town in south-west El Salvador. Thousands of surfers and tourists both local and international visit El Tunco every year mainly due to having some of the best surf in the continent. The atmosphere here is very chilled and this town is very safe. There are usually lots of parties on the weekends too.
23. Volcan de Conchagua
Conchagua volcano (also known as Cochague) is a stratovolcano on the western side of the Gulf of Fonseca in at the southeastern tip of El Salvador. The views here are stunning, you can even see part of Honduras and Nicaragua from the top of the volcano. This is one of the most visited tourist attractions by local Salvadorans and also tourists, if you plan on going to El Salvador, don’t miss it.
Best Places to Visit in Honduras
24. Roatan
Honduras has got somewhat of a bad reputation when it comes to crime but the islands are very safe for tourists. If you visit the Bay Islands located off the east coast of Honduras you will be rewarded. Roatan is surrounded by the second-biggest barrier reef in the world and this is one of the best destinations in the world to go scuba diving. There are so many corals, wrecks and marine animals to see here. You could also go snorkelling or book a boat tour to see dolphins and whales. The beaches here are also very beautiful and not crowded like you find in nearby countries like Mexico for example.
25. Copán
Copán is an ancient Maya city located in western Honduras near the border with Guatemala. Copán was once the largest city of the Mayan civilization and an important location for trade routes across the region. Copán was added to the World Heritage List in 1980 and you see lots of temples and ruins here
If you are wondering where are the best places to visit in Central America hopefully our list has given you suggestions for things to do. We tired to mix up destinations to include cities, beaches, islands, historical sites and some of the top rated tourist attractions. Also before departing we highly recommend learning some basic Spanish phrases which will really help you when travelling in this region.
