The 14 best places to visit in Central America: ruins, reefs, and romantic beaches

30.06.2024 - 11:15 / lonelyplanet.com

Jun 29, 2024 • 8 min read

If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking a volcano, exploring ancient ruins and snorkeling across a coral reef all in one trip, then Central America is the place for you.

Its seven countries offer some of the world’s most sought-after destinations. History buffs will have a hard time choosing between Maya ruins and colonial cities.

Nature lovers can stalk monkeys and sloths on treks through the jungle. Or watch newly hatched turtles scramble for the sea. Surfers and beach bums will be satisfied, too – there are endless seaside dream destinations.

Whatever you choose to do, the results won’t disappoint. (You could even do the lot.) Short regional flights and an extensive bus network make it easy to visit several countries in one trip.

To narrow it down, here are the 14 best places to visit in Central America. Be warned, though: wherever it is you go, you run the risk of never wishing to leave.

Dubbed La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island), Belize’s most popular vacation island offers sun-drenched days, ritzy resorts and an imaginative culinary scene.

The bustling city center, San Pedro, boasts some can’t-miss nightlife, too. But travelers flock here mainly because of the island’s bathtub-warm waters and flourishing undersea environment.

Whether you aim to dive off an island dock and backstroke in the surf, kayak through a mangrove lagoon or snorkel over brightly colored reefs alongside nurse sharks and small stingrays, Ambergris Caye has you covered.

Ringed by lush hillsides and towering volcanoes, Central America’s deepest lake is an escape to simpler times. The aquamarine waters of this endorheic crater basin lure travelers from all over the globe.

It’s also home to several diverse communities that proudly display their traditional Guatemalan ways of living.

Most travelers come here for long-distance kayaking and volcano climbing. Lively San Pedro La Laguna is great for throwing it down, too.

But Lago de Atitlán also attracts those wanting to learn Spanish, practice yoga or stay with a local family. Whatever you do, take some time to relax and reflect as the gentle waters of this glorious lake lap against the shore. 

Dotted with Caribbean-style clapboard houses and awash with dockside restaurants and hotels, this stunning archipelago is Panama's hottest ticket.

Its swaying coco palms and translucent blue water attract throngs of international travelers – some who’ve stayed forever.

During the day, you can pedal a beach cruiser around, snorkel among giant sea stars, surf reef breaks, tour chocolate farms and feast on delicious Caribbean fare. In the evenings, Latin rhythms and clinking glasses fill the air on Islas Colón.

If you strolled this ground 1200 years ago, you’d be walking through a thriving