Jun 28, 2024 • 9 min read
26.06.2024 - 16:41 / lonelyplanet.com
Jun 26, 2024 • 7 min read
Imagine a land that accounts for just 1% of the Earth's surface but over 8% of its total biodiversity – somewhere that crosses biomes as varied as wave-lashed beaches and humid cloud forests. That's Central America in a nutshell, a place where you can glimpse gigantic whales in the Pacific, spy stalking jaguars in the jungles and swim coral reefs in the Caribbean.
Recent years have seen the region enter the frontline of global conservation. There are some serious challenges ongoing, not least of all deforestation and habitat destruction in the face of climate change. But there has also been a big drive to establish contiguous nature reserves that foster and rebuild ecosystems that support the menagerie of species that make their home here.
This list of the best places to see wildlife in Central America touches on just a few of the highlights, from Costa Rica's sloth-filled coast to the impenetrable Panamanian sierras.
Best for wilderness vibes
This is a wild, wild land – just a mention of the name Darien is usually enough to conjure images of impenetrable rainforest. You're looking at 5,790 sq km of land in Panama, touching the Pacific at one end and the Serrania del Darien mountains on the Colombian border at the other. No road goes through it, and the only real towns are abandoned colonial-era mining settlements.
The best area for wildlife viewing is around the long-out-of-use ranger station under Cerro Pirre. A couple of trails lead out from there into the densest parts of the jungle. There are regular reports of mantled howler monkeys, sloths, Baird's tapirs and even jaguars – beyond that, nobody really knows. Pack accordingly, as this is the frontier.
Best for bird-watchers
Monteverde is a magnet for wildlife lovers. This gem in Puntarenas province is famed for its lush cloud forest habitats that exist on the tips of the Cordillera de Tilaran between 4,600 and 5,900ft. It covers more ecological zones than you could count on one hand and consists of 90% primeval rainforest. Some stats, huh?
The flora and fauna, as you'd expect, is also pretty darn startling. The birds run the gamut from the teal-plumed resplendent quetzal to the brazenly bold violet sabrewing hummingbird, and big mammals include white-faced capuchins and elusive ocelots. The plants range from vivid bromeliads to the biggest ferns you'll ever see.
All of that's fantastically knitted together by a series of well-marked trails that sometimes cross soaring canopy bridges suspended over the woods. Binoculars are a must for peering through the vegetation at birds and whomever else you manage to spot; so are waterproofs, as cloud forests are famously wet. Generally speaking, though, Monteverde has some of the most
Jun 28, 2024 • 9 min read
Every year, the aviation ranking website Skytrax compiles and analyzes thousands of customer satisfaction surveys to determine the best of the best among some 350 airlines.
Avianca LifeMiles members, listen up: The airline is currently offering two limited-time deals on award flights to South and Central America and Europe — but you must book this deal by July 4.
This article is part of our airport food survival guide, which includes tips and tricks—even a hot take or two—that challenge the notion that airport meals are always dull, overpriced, and tasteless.
In May 2021, I moved to Panama . My partner and I lived there for two years, and during that time, my son would spend one month with us and one month with his dad and stepmother in the States. This was possible only because he has been homeschooled since first grade, and his dad and I established a system to keep his work in both homes synchronized.
Jun 25, 2024 • 5 min read
First of all, if we propose you to go sightseeing during the rainy season, does it sound like a good plan? Wait until we tell you what happens in Costa Rica before you respond. The rains in Costa Rica unleash a natural spectacle that turns the country into a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with a captivating green predominating in the landscapes, accented by multicolored flowers. Because of this scenery, and as an initiative of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, the rainy season has been promoted for some years now as the Green Season, which lasts from May to November throughout the country, except in the Caribbean.
Jun 21, 2024 • 7 min read
Jun 21, 2024 • 9 min read
Staying connected while off the grid is getting even easier.
Peet's Coffee is looking to send two lucky travelers to the brightest place on earth to celebrate the launch of its new — and brightest — brews.
Despite economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living, there’s one thing some of us are unwilling to give up: travel. A recent study by American Express in the United Kingdom found that almost half of the population are more interested in taking a major trip this year than previously, while more than half of those surveyed said they are saving up for a bucket list adventure. While our wanderlust hasn’t dampened, the way we travel post-pandemic has changed in many ways, and many travelers are more savvy than ever when securing a jet-set deal.