Costa Rica mountains and hillside was amazing. view into valley was unbelievable. It was so much green for miles, and miles. cloud formation.

Central America

With cerulean seas and verdant forests, magnificent Maya ruins and smoking volcanoes, Central America is like a tropical fairy tale â except all of it is real.

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Best Places to Visit

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Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Teatro Nacional
San José
On the southern side of the Plaza de la Cultura resides the Teatro Nacional, San José’s most revered building. Constructed in 1897, it features a columned…
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Central Valley & Highlands
This polished storybook garden complex just east of Volcán Poás offers the most easily digestible cultural experience in the Central Valley and is the…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Featuring lush jungle, picture-perfect beaches and craggy headlands, this tiny park (1680 acres/680 hectares) absolutely brims with wildlife (and often…
Playa Negra
Cahuita
At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is…
Punta Uva
Southern Caribbean
Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it…
Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo
Antigua
Founded by Dominican friars in 1542, Santo Domingo became the biggest and richest monastery in Antigua. Following three 18th-century earthquakes, the…
Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya
Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos
Described by the Spaniards as the gates of hell, the craters that comprise Volcán Masaya National Park are the most easily accessible active volcanoes in…
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Ambergris Caye
At the southern tip of Ambergris, the 6.5-sq-mile Hol Chan Marine Reserve is probably Belize's most oft-visited diving and snorkeling site. It offers…

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Articles

Latest stories from Central America

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Two samba dancers performing at Carnival.

Beaches

8 great Carnival celebrations in Latin America and the Caribbean

Feb 15, 2023 • 6 Min read

More than 50 countries across the world host Carnival, but it's in Latin America and the Caribbean that you will find its beating heart. These are the best.

Budget Travel
Why Central America is great for budget travelers
Jun 28, 2022 • 7 Min read
By picking the right season, taking the bus, shopping at local markets and following other tips, you can have a Central American adventure on a budget.
History
Why you should take a cacao tour in Latin America
Jun 21, 2022 • 5 Min read
Thousands of years of cacao expertise make Latin America and the Caribbean the ideal region for chocolate tours.
Beaches
The 14 best Places to visit in Central America: ruins, reefs, and romantic beaches
May 3, 2022 • 9 Min read
Planning a trip to Central America? Read up on our picks of the can’t-miss places to visit in the region, from coral reefs to Mayan ruins and beyond.
Sustainable Travel
Where to stay in Central America for a truly sustainable adventure
May 1, 2022 • 6 Min read
You wouldn't want to spoil Central America's tropical shores, ancient ruins and pristine jungles! Here are the best places to stay for a sustainable escape.
National Parks
The 10 best national parks in Central America offer sea turtles, Mayan pyramids and volcanoes
Apr 20, 2022 • 6 Min read
Our list of the best national parks in Central America includes sloth jungles in Costa Rica, turtle-filled oceans in Guatemala and much more.
Activities
Central America's best places to snorkel and scuba dive
Apr 17, 2022 • 6 Min read
From budget-conscious beginners to certified divers, if you’re looking for the best places to snorkel and dive in Central America, start with these eight sites.
Activities
The 7 best places to see wildlife in Central America
Apr 7, 2022 • 8 Min read
Where can you glimpse whales in the Pacific, spy stalking jaguars in the jungle, and swim coral reefs? Central America is a wildlife-lovers paradise.
Solo Travel
8 perfect places in Central America for solo travelers
Apr 5, 2022 • 7 Min read
Central America is the sort of place where you can scan the rainforest canopy for monkeys in the morning, soak in volcano-heated hot springs at lunchtime…
Hiking
The 8 best hikes in Central America include smoking volcanoes and sloth-filled jungles
Apr 3, 2022 • 8 Min read
Wax up the boots for this guide to the best hikes in Central America, which features Costa Rica's sloth jungles, Nicaragua's active volcanos, and more.