Central America Travel Guide
The ultimate guide to the coolest things to do and see when traveling in Central America – only from Travels of Adam
Ancient ruins, pristine beaches, great food, friendly people and good vibes, Central America has it all! Consisting of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, this region is a popular place to go backpacking because of its cultural density and relatively low prices. Start here with my basic Central America travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Central America travel blogs.
When to Visit
Most of Central America is an year-round destination, though generally speaking there are two seasons: the dry season and the wet season, and these vary depending on which part of the region you’re in. For most of Central America, the dry season runs between January and March, while in Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras, it’s from November to April. In those countries, the wet season typically just means an hour or so of heavy rain in the afternoon, while the rest of the time the weather is fine!
Two Weeks in Central America
Planning a dream trip to Central America? There are so many ways to plan a trip, but the first step is choosing a starting point and an ending point—usually dictated by your flights. Once you know your starting city and final destination, you can connect the dots pretty easily. Here are two suggested two-week itineraries for Central America that can be undertaken relatively easily.
Granada – Ometepe – Arenal – Montezuma – San José – Bocas del Toro – Panama City: Explore the gorgeous colonial city of Granada in Nicaragua before getting out into nature on Ometepe island, a volcanic island in Lake Cocibolca. Cross over to Costa Rica and explore more volcanic landscapes in Arenal before heading to the beach at Montezuma, perhaps for a spot of surfing. Travel over to the capital, San José, to experience some big city life, before crossing to Panama and visiting the magnificent beaches of Bocas del Toro.
Playa del Carmen – Tulum – Caye Caulker – Tikal – Lake Atitlán: Start off in Mexico, taking in the Mayan Riviera and its gorgeous beaches, including the impressive Mayan ruins of Tulum, then cross the border to Belize for some truly spectacular beaches. Head inland towards Guatemala and explore the ruins of Tikal among the jungle, before heading south to Lake Atitlán where you can experience the indigenous culture.
Central America Tours & Trips
Check out these great travel deals for multi-day tours & trips through Central America.
LGBT – Gay Central America Guide
The attitude towards LGBT people in Central America varies significantly from country to country, though in general it is a mostly Catholic region and therefore rather conservative in this regard. Nowhere in the region is same sex sexual activity illegal, but it is tolerated more in some countries than others. Costa Rica is easily the most gay-friendly country in the region, and the only one that has some form of civil partnership for same sex couples. Be sure to read up on the situation in your specific destination before traveling there.
Hotel Deals
You can find all kinds of accommodation across Central America, from budget hostel rooms to luxurious hotels fit for a king! I’ve always found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined I get the best deals especially for last-minute trips.
Booking.com
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