best countries to visit central and south america

• New Here? Read Me First
• Must Read Articles
• Latest Articles
• This is My Story
• Countries I’ve Visited
• Media Appearances
• Follow the Adventures
• All Travel Destinations & Guides
• South America
• Budget Travel Tips
• Save Money for a Trip
• Best Resources to Book Your Trip
• What is Backpacker Travel Insurance?
• Travel Hacking
• Travel Gear
• Road Trip Planning
• Travel Inspiration
• Truck Camping
• How to Travel Forever
• Browse the Store
• My book: Big Travel, Small Budget
• Truck Camping Gear
• D2D Apparel
• Shop REI.com
• Shop Amazon.com
• Discount Outdoor Gear: Deals of the Day
• Write for D2D
• Work with Us – Media & Press

Ranking the Best Countries to Visit in Central America for Travelers

Sharing is caring!

There are eight countries within Central America if we decide to include Mexico (which I am here, for a number of reasons , including the fact that the United Nations places Mexico within the Central America geoscheme ). ALL of these countries are pretty amazing in their own right. But let’s face it, some places are simply more engaging, inviting, fun, beautiful, friendly, etc. Can we really rate the best countries to visit in Central America?

Yeah, it’s tough to rate countries from “best to worst” or “favorite to least favorite” but what the heck, why not give it a try?

This is my attempt to try to quantify the un-quantifiable and place these countries from least favorite to favorite — these are the places I would recommend friends to go and spend their precious vacation time.

This is based on my 6+ months driving through Central America , exploring the highlights, and spending some time well off the tourist track thanks to having my own set of wheels.

So, let’s get to the list of the best countries to visit in Central America! Note: If “best” to you simply means “safest,” then be sure to instead read my guide to the safest countries in Central America , which is a little different. Here, we’re talking about the best in terms of coolest, most interesting, most incredible, etc.

8. Honduras

Ah, Honduras, sorry to give you last place, but somebody had to take the fall. Admittedly, we spent the least amount of time in the country as we just passed through, so this placement might not be totally fair. 

To be clear: I’m not saying there’s anything bad about Honduras, it’s actually a pretty cool place and every country has cool things to offer. But if we’re speaking strictly about which places I would most strongly recommend to friends with limited vacation, well, I just think there are cooler destinations in the region… Okay? 

The biggest things that we might have wanted to explore would be the Copan Ruins (but we’d already seen so many awesome ruins over the past few months) or the famous islands along the Caribbean Coast (mainly for divers, which we are not), but that would have required us to drive all the way across the country and leave the truck on the mainland.

Add in the fact that Honduras is surprisingly expensive for what it is, and we simply preferred to move on to Nicaragua.

That’s not to say that there aren’t pleasant little towns, beautiful things to see, and friendly locals, but that’s equally true in ALL of the neighboring countries which seemed to us to be both more interesting and more affordable (given our limited time and budget).

What I Liked: Very normal, despite its perhaps undeserved reputation for being dangerous, indeed I’ve talked or chatted with many who have traveled through and enjoyed it, even some that traveled through Honduras with kids in tow. Honestly, Honduras felt more “normal” or “safe and sane” than the next country on my list.

What I Didn’t Like: Overpriced and the most heavily potholed roads of the trip.  Kids and adults would pretend to work to fill in those holes (they would fill in like four or five) and then stand there with shovels asking for money, this was like every mile along the road. If anybody was actually working on a daily basis, there would be no potholes left.

7. El Salvador

El Salvador is a tiny country, so it’s understandable that it would be tough to compete with the bigger countries in terms of things to see and do.

We spent our time exploring the beautiful coast, from the surf capital of El Tunco in the north (err, west) to El Cuco in the east.

El Salvador does have a sort of menacing atmosphere though with a very large presence of armed security guards everywhere (even riding on the back of Coca-Cola delivery trucks) and massive fortifications around individual houses on the coast and even around some entire communities (like El Tunco).

It’s got a curious vibe, but the coast is undoubtedly beautiful, and the people are kind and friendly.

What I Liked: Loved the delicious pupusas and the cool surf towns, the first time I really imagined myself giving surfing a try.

What I Didn’t Like: The heavy-armed presence and general vibe of insecurity, something that I haven’t seen in any other Latin American country to date (in Central or South America).

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in El Salvador

Belize is a curious little country nestled below the famous Yucatan Peninsula. I really had no idea what to expect from this country in Central America but found it to be a diverse and interesting place.

In the first place, it is an English-speaking country in the middle of Latin America, with a currency pegged to the dollar. After many months in Mexico, it was strange to step into Belize.

We spent most of our time along the coast in places like Placencia or the famous islands like Caye Caulker, but we spent a good bit of time inland in Belmopan, Orange Walk, and San Ignacio.

The coast of Belize is stunning and heading out to the islands is an idyllic experience.

There is so much diversity in the scenery in this small country, from humid, tropical jungles, to wild coastlines.

It’s a curious mix of cultures too, with a large community of former African slaves, Latinos, a ton of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants/descendants, ethnic Mayans, and a large population of German Mennonites who roll through the countryside on horse-drawn carriages. I really loved the mix in such a small place.

What I Liked: The laid-back coast, places like Placencia and Caye Caulker the most, some surprisingly good food, like the seafood (of course) and more surprisingly the delicious meatballs.

What I Didn’t Like: Inland, the people are generally not that warm and friendly, unlike people along the coast or on the islands. Belize City is also kinda dumpy and gives off a definite sketchy vibe, so be sure to read more about Belize City crime here if you’re going (though that was the only place like that in the entire country). For more details about the country in general, see my article: Is Belize Safe? Safety Tips & Advice .

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in Belize

Panama is oh so famous for its canal, but what else do they have to offer? Well, they’ve got a beautiful coastline (a theme through much of Central America). They’ve got some awesome nature areas (like Soberania) where you can see tons of tropical wildlife.

They also have Panama City, which is probably the most modern and well-developed city in the region.

The Canal itself is an impressive engineering marvel, but there are also pleasant little towns like Boquete .

It’s hard to place my finger on what I liked about Panama, perhaps it was mostly due to Panama City and the contrast after so long traveling through similar terrain in Central America (it had been basically the same since Chiapas, Mexico).

What I Liked: New Year’s Eve in Panama City was crazy — I have never seen so many fireworks in my life. It’s truly a spectacle.

What I Didn’t Like: Driving in Panama City was BAD. They are some of the worst drivers I’ve seen in Latin America (Peru is the only place worse), it was like a near accident on a daily basis.

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in Panama

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long been the destination of choice for Americans traveling to Central America for vacation or to live. It’s a country rich in biological diversity, wildlife, and natural landscapes.

It was fun to finally feel free to venture wherever we wanted, well off the beaten path, or wild camping where we pleased, without feeling paranoid about safety and security (something of more concern in neighboring countries).

This is the best country in Central America to come for adventure sports activities like white water rafting, zip-lining , horseback riding, and to see some amazing wildlife, which is pretty much guaranteed, and in numbers and frequency that you just don’t see anywhere else in the region.

We got to see one of the most incredible sights on the trip when an “arribada” of sea turtles stormed the beach during broad daylight to lay their eggs. There were literally hundreds of them onshore at once. Incredible!

There is definitely a lot of tourist infrastructure in place and a huge amount of tourists that come through, though that can also be kind of off-putting.

The Nicoya Peninsula and Corcovado Peninsula are stunning. The area around Arenal was also a highlight. Even the bustling big city of San Jose was agreeable enough.

What I Liked: The relative safety and security of the country are much better than elsewhere in Central America. The fact that you can see so much incredible wildlife so easily is another huge plus.

What I Didn’t Like: It is crazy expensive. For everything. Much more expensive than anywhere else and yet development-wise it is basically on par with the others, so you are often paying exorbitant prices for the exact same level of services or accommodations that you’d find in a neighboring country for half the price.

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica

Want to Travel More for Less Money ?

I will teach you the top methods I’ve used to save big money ??? during more than a decade of continuous travel in my best-selling book Big Travel, Small Budget. See for yourself, the book has nearly 200 unbiased opinions and 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. Nicaragua

Alright, we are getting into the Top 3 now! Nicaragua was a highlight of our travels through Central America, even though we only explored a relatively small geographic chunk of the country, it was full of memorable places.

I loved the gritty, colonial city of Leon. I loved exploring the island of Ometepe situated in the middle of a massive lake. Granada was a great colonial town and was filled with things to do .

Even the sleepy little surf town of San Juan del Sur was fun.

I felt like there was a huge concentration of great places to go within a relatively small area, and all of it was surprisingly affordable.

What I Liked: The beautiful landscape, friendly people, low prices, and the sheer amount of things to see and do.

What I Didn’t Like: The food is fairly underwhelming and repetitive (if you’re eating where the locals eat, rather than in more upscale touristy places), but that is somewhat of a common issue throughout the area.

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in Nicaragua

2. Guatemala

Guatemala, what can I say, you are incredible!

The ruins of Tikal are still probably the coolest I’ve ever visited (yes, even cooler than Machu Picchu ).

The terrain is varied and interesting, whether you’re in the thick jungle near Tikal, the high mountain roads and town (where you can actually feel cool weather!), to massive volcanoes, and wild (and relatively quiet) coastlines.

I will always remember watching lava erupting and flowing down the side of a volcano in Antigua, Guatemala , releasing baby sea turtles on the beach, or loading my truck onto a rickety old raft to be able to continue down the road.

Guatemala is also incredibly affordable and simply full of great places, whether you are in Flores, Atitlan, or Antigua . It’s no wonder that Guatemala is one of the most popular places to learn Spanish as well.

What I Liked: Tikal was perhaps the coolest single place, but there were so many highlights here, whether it was Day of the Dead in San Juan Sacatepequez or hanging out in the little touristy towns around Lago Atitlan. You could easily spend a few months (or much more) in Guatemala.

What I Didn’t Like: There isn’t much that stands out. There are some extremely terrible roads to drive, especially if you get caught at night. I found the people to be friendly and honest (unfortunately, other travelers have contrary opinions/experiences).

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in Guatemala

The Big #1! If we’re going to include Mexico for consideration, then #1 obviously had to go to Mexico.

Important Note: I know, sometimes Mexicans get outraged to be included with Central America, and every Internet geographer likes to rage at me in the comments (“Mexico is in North America!” Well, duh, all these countries are in North America) but I included Mexico for a number of valid reasons, and even the United Nations includes Mexico in Central America . So, if you don’t like that, please take up your war with the UN, not me. Read more about How Many Continents Are There which tackles the sticky topic of regions and sub-regions.

Anyway, there is an impossible amount of places to explore in Mexico. We spent over three months driving through the country and were only able to scratch the surface.

Everybody already knows about the stunning beaches of Mexico, whether in Baja or the Yucatan. But there is so much more to Mexico.

I loved my time in little towns like Tequila , San Ignacio , or Zipolite . I was blown away by big cities like Mexico City (seriously one of the coolest cities in the world), Oaxaca , or Merida (a place we could easily imagine living).

There are the famous beautiful beaches, the big towering mountains, amazing nature reserves , windy high passes, incredible desert sanctuaries , and stunning canyons .

Mexico is a land of superlatives and deserves to be visited more frequently as well as to be explored beyond the popular beach resort towns like Cancun , Playa del Carmen , Mazatlan , and Tulum .

The food is incredible (and so varied), the people are friendly, the history is rich, and the culture is incredible.

You can find pretty much whatever it is you might be looking for in Mexico, it is by no means a one-dimensional country.

What I Liked: Exploring the country well beyond the stereotypes that we hear about drug traffickers and danger and off the normal tourist trail and resort towns. 

What I Didn’t Like: Corrupt police  (definitely not a myth) and the frequency of blockades and social protests (in some parts, particularly Chiapas). Mexico held the majority of the highlights of this massive road trip, but also the majority of the negative experiences as well (although there were few in Mexico, they were basically non-existent in the other countries).

Read More: The Best Places to Visit in Mexico (Not on the Beach)

What Do You Think?

So there you have it! My thoughts on the best countries to visit in Central America… Is my list totally off-base? Should Honduras be #1 and Mexico #8?

Everyone’s list is bound to be a little different, but that’s my honest take on Central America from Best to Worst. 

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out my article on the safety and security of driving through Mexico and Central America , as well as my responses to the most frequently asked questions about this road trip. Also, don’t forget to check out my article about the biggest myths about Central American travel .

No matter which of the countries you are traveling to on this list, I’d highly recommend picking up travel insurance to protect yourself against injury, illness, and theft. I use and recommend World Nomads for travel insurance .

Tips to Book Your Trip Now & Save Money

Book Your Flight Book a cheap flight with Momondo , they’re my favorite search engine. Or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Another great search engine is Skyscanner .

Book Your Accommodation Book cheap accommodation in advance. For hostels I recommend HostelWorld , for hotels I use Booking.com or Hotels.com , and for apartments or longer stays, I use Airbnb . I like to check reviews on TripAdvisor prior to reserving.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance This is easy to overlook but SO important. It will help protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while traveling. VERY important. And be sure to read my article about international travel insurance for more details

• SafetyWing (best for digital nomads)
• World Nomads (most comprehensive)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my budget travel resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use and recommend to save money when I’m on the road.

Read Next: The Safest Countries in Central America

Did you enjoy this post about the best countries in Central America? Please take a moment to share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.

• Latest Posts

Latest posts by Ryan ( see all )

• Kazakhstan Food: Exploring Some of its Most Delicious Dishes - August 7, 2023
• A Self-Guided Tour of Kennedy Space Center: 1-Day Itinerary - August 2, 2022
• Fairfield by Marriott Medellin Sabaneta: Affordable and Upscale - July 25, 2022
• One of the Coolest Places to Stay in Clarksdale MS: Travelers Hotel - June 14, 2022
• Space 220 Restaurant: Out-of-This-World Dining at Disney’s EPCOT - May 31, 2022

Comments 55

I only agree about Guatemala. My list would be: 1. Guatemala (really stunning and rich culture) 2. El Salvador (so diverse, nature ans culture) 3. Nicaragua (nice but very undeveloped) 4. Costa Rica (not much culture, nice beaches, though) 5. Mexico (too big to compare. Tijuana is really ugly versus Chiapas which is beautiful. It is very dangerous) 6. Panamá (very hot, people are not friendly)

Mexico is North America. Central America is part of South America…

Definitely not part of South America. You might want to Google that one and look at some maps.

Amazing how many have criticized your approach. After all, it is your opinion. If someone disagrees, isn’t it easier to find an article with what you want to hear? On the other side, I am tired of hearing how dangerous it is to travel south of US. It was nice to hear a positive view on Mexico and Guatemala which are my favorite places to travel.

I have been dreaming of driving Mexico & Guatemala for 40 years. I recently decided to make plans to do it with the support of my travel partner (wife). Your article gives me emotional support that things will be fine. Thank You. Keep up your pleasant demeanor to negative feedback.

Great article! Thank you for your insight and ignore all the people that can’t stop whining about Mexico. I for one am glad you included it.

Nice written article. I absolutely love Central America! It’s my favourite region to travel to (tied with Africa). I am going to Guatemala again this year (first holiday since the pandemic began). I just have Honduras, Belize and El Salvador to hit up, then I’ll have completed all 8! Hoping to go to Honduras at the end of the year.

Loved reading your take on Central America. My list of favorites is very very close to yours. Insanely good memories of Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua!

Thanks for the article. We are planning on travelling in September this year (2020). Anything updated for you since you posted this? Have you done Honduras more thoroughly? Plan is to do Mexico City and head south to Belize and Guatemala (maybe nicaragua too) based on your article. We have 30 days in total. Thanks again!

Hey Christopher, with only 30 days, you’ll find the time stretched pretty thin with Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. I wouldn’t try to tack Nicaragua on to that too. I’d budget around 15 days for Mexico (imagining you’ll head via the Yucatan too), 5-6 for Belize, and like 8 or 9 for Guatemala. There’s so much to see!

Oh no I’m worried to see you holding a turtle. It will have died after human contact!

This photo was at a baby sea turtle release with local conservationists (hundreds released from a hatchery on the beach), we were simply doing what was instructed (including sanitizing hands beforehand)… If that’s true that they die after human contact, that’s highly upsetting and obviously not a very effective hatchery. 🙁

They don’t die from human contact, if you wash your hands before its totally fine.

Try telling a Central American in the face that Mexico is part of Central America. Just say that you wanted somehow to include Mexico to not leave it out of your article. It’s like you don’t respect the people of Central America.

I didn’t just arbitrarily want to include Mexico, and Mexico is not some sort of “diss” or disrespect of Central Americans. There is a great deal of shared culture, history, language, and even blood/DNA across the entire Mayan region which includes *drum roll* a large geographic portion of modern-day Mexico. Indeed, Guatemala has much more in common with Chiapas and Yucatan than it does with Panama (more closely linked to Colombia and South America).

I appreciated your list ; thank you for sharing your experiences. For a person considering picking a country it is a helpful first look. However, want to gouge my eyes out after reading through the comments arguing re: Mexico. Not sure why people are getting so fired up

Ryan, I really appreciated your list I work in international development and have travelled extensively, but haven’t spent time in Central America barring Mexico & Costa Rica. I’ve had my eye on Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua! Thanks for your insights!!

P.S. I honestly don’t understand all of the hostile rhetoric! You’re one person entitled to your perspective.

Great article, but you underestimated Belize! Visiting Caye Caulker, you should definitely had visited Ambergris Caye! You missed a the great La Isla Bonita!

Hey, I have an idea: if you say that Mexico is not part of Central America, then simply ignore it and move every country up on the list by one notch. Problem solved.

I do have to at least shine some light on some facts and hopefully others readers don’t take this as the determining facts, especially since it showed up 1st on google.

Honestly you have some good points and I can agree with you on Nicaragua and Guatemala. Other then those I’d have to flip this list upside down and truthfully Mexico should always be left on its own. Its a totally different beast and isn’t comparable to any of Central America (to anyone ready this yes he’s right about Mexico). Anyways like I said you have some good points for someone who drove through these countries, But for anyone like myself who’s a backpacking / hitchhiking / chicken bus / tica bus taking / hostel traveler… go to Honduras and El Salvador. I actually have to tell people all the time to go because they read articles like these that say they are “dangerous” (you shed light on this and your right about it being safe) “expensive” or “not much to see”. I’m not going to write up a huge post to explain it…just discover the places for yourself. Hit up Utila or Roatan or Copan in Honduras then take a bus to Santa Ana then Playa El Tunco and cruise down the pacific coast to see some really good waves, waterfalls and beaches. As for the others on the list…Belize only go to the island called Caye Caulker. Some of the coolest hostels and really fun for 3 days, people from all around the world are visiting that small island. As for Costa Rica…I live here now and its pretty damn amazing but the facts of it being expensive are 100% true. Nothing here is free except nice long walks on the beach. Panama is also expensive but I would check out Bocas Del Toro for some fun and beaches (Filthy Fridays).

As for Guatemala and Nica…They are…Paradise for prices and for attractions. sorry if this seems harsh but I just love Honduras and Salvador too much and hate when people skip them because of lists that say they arn’t up to par with places like Costa Rica or Panama.

Keep traveling and do what you do!!

Matt @mattmans_world

Right now in El Salvador for 3 weeks traveling on chicken busses….love love love El Salvador. Feeling totally safe. People are amazing. I could easily live here. I worked and lived in many countries even dangerous ones and El Salvador feels super safe and amazing.

lol you arent going to win an argument that Mexico is part of Central America.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_America

Literally in the same article:

“Central America” may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:

The United Nations geoscheme for the Americas defines the region as all states of mainland North America south of the United States and specifically includes all of Mexico.[4]

Nice post! I’ve spent the last 2 years in Central America (Honduras and Costa Rica) and really like the region. I’d suggest you give Honduras another chance though… it has a bad reputation but I was pleasantly surprised after spending a year there.

The Copan ruins are beautiful and have a different feel than Tikal with less impressive structures but some very detailed sculptures and even a small tunnel area. Right next door is another area of ruins called “Sepulturas” which are smaller but the place was empty when I visited so it was really cool to appreciate them without anyone else.

The Bay Islands are really nice even if you aren’t a diver. The water was so clear and beautiful. It is quite expensive though and is completely different than mainland Honduras.

Other places I enjoyed were Pulhapanzak waterfall, the old churches in Comayagua, the Spanish forts of Gracias, Trujillo, and Omoa, and the Caves of Taulabe.

Basically, anywhere outside of the 2 main cities, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, aren’t very dangerous for tourists and the people were very friendly towards me.

Also, compared to Costa Rica, the food in Honduras was much better. They borrowed pupusas from El Salvador and they have their own specialty called “baleadas” which are large tortillas filled with beans and cheese (eggs, meat, avocado, and platain are sometimes added as well).

Thanks for the tips Joseph! One of these days I hope to explore Honduras in some depth… Just to be clear, I didn’t really have anything against Honduras, it was just that we were already driving along the coast and had that small section of Honduras in front of us.

Central America is Guatemala, Salvador, Nicaragua,Honduras,Costa Rica, Panama. Belice. 100% agreed with you that Guatemala is the best from Central America. Mexico just beautiful as well but Mexico is part of North America. Good article.

They are all part of North America … Central America is a subregion of North America.

I really enjoyed the article finding it helpful with me possible planning a trip to Central America early next year.

I am shocked at how many people feel the need to arge with you over whether Mexico is part of north/central america, especially after you explained your decision to include it at the top of the article.

Thanks, Andy, yeah I don’t really get it either… I guess it is easier to argue with a writer on the internet rather than the United Nations. Enjoy your travels!

I enjoyed this article. Just curious what year you were traveling through Central America? Thanks!

I apologize if you mentioned it, but what was the time frame you went to mexico and central America? I am very interested in this trip. I would start out in Mexico, but still have the fear of stories I hear about. Can you tell me about safety of the travel in Mexico?

You list is very outdated. Please revise. Thanks, Tim

Why, is there a new country now?

I am a Nigerian community health advocate, last year I missed the opportunity to visit Mexico having heard fantastic and fearful stories about the country. I have not stopped thinking about visiting Mexico someday. God willing. Thanks for sharing your experience with us here.

Great list, we also really loved guatemala

I’m a Latina who has traveled all throughout Latin America and the rest of the world for that matter…I have never ever heard a Latin American lump Mexico together with Central America…not one…like ever..it simply isn’t done..so pulling out the maps (backed by UN or not) is totally moot dude.

My girlfriend is from South America (born and raised) and has lived her entire life there, and they were taught from grade school that Mexico is part of Central America. So yeah, its totally done, by the U.N., other Latinos. I’m not just inventing stuff here. I’ve also traveled across most of Spanish speaking Latin America (missing Venezuela, Paraguay, and Uruguay), spent at least four years living or traveling there (and am a fluent Spanish speaker), and have traveled around the world too. 😀

My wife is from Colombia and no, they are not taught it is part of Central America. They are taught it is part of North America. Don’t be so stubborn.

That doesn’t really change the fact that some are taught that it is part of Central America (which is part of North America), nor does it change the fact that the UN includes it with Central America. I’m not sure why my article has become the focus — take up the battle with the UN or others, it’s not like I invented this out of thin air.

I am a native of Central America, and in fact there is no such continent as Central America. We are clearly taught that the 7 nations of Central America are part of North America. But that being said, it’s great that you took the time to visit Central America!

Eric, I’m not saying it is a continent… In the comment you just responded to I say “Central America (which is part of North America)”… Central America is a region or sub-region of the North American Continent.

My husband and I moved to Guadalajara Mexico 6 months ago. We love it here! We drove from Arizona to Guadalajara with 3 dogs and a loaded trailer. We had no problems driving here as long as we didn’t drive at night (random speed bumps, cows and other debris in the road that you can’t see). We were never stopped by the police either, even though we expected to be. We took the toll roads along the coast. We are interested in exploring Central America too, so thank you for writing about your experiences.

You should definitely explore Central America, there are so many incredible things left to see… Especially take some time to explore Guatemala.

I don’t know how you can give an opinion about a country with only having spent one night there and moving on to the next country. I just finished spending a week in Honduras and had a blast exploring their ruins, ranches, thermal spa waters, canopy tours, museums, Macaw park. That was just one area of Honduras in Copan. I look forward to visiting their coastal regions next such as la Ceiba, Tela, and their Bay Islands. So to give an opinion and categorize a country as last place without exploring it is simply utter ignorance.

For sure, I didn’t say there aren’t things to see and do. So where would you place it then? #7? Better than El Salvador? #1, better than Mexico and everywhere else?

ROATAN HONDURAS HAS THE LARGEST LIVING CORAL REEF IN THE WORLD AND SECOND LARGEST CORAL REEF NEXT TO AUSTRALIA BEING THE LARGEST. THE WATER IS A BEAUTIFUL BLUE CRYSTAL CLEAR. A DREAM PLACE FOR SCUBA DIVING. PODWER SAND BEACHES AND ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO VACATION. THE RIGHT CHOICE TO GET AWAY FROM BIG CROWDS OF TOURIST IN PARADISE!

Well said. If you must give an opinion which will be read and taken seriously, perhaps you should then limit your opinions to places that you in fact visited . In the case of your article you should clarify you didn’t visit Honduras, therefore were not able to rank it fairly. The Country ( which I have in fact visited) is beautiful and diverse, the food delicious ( yes, I also thought it was expensive), the people friendly. It just doesn’t belong at the end of such list. And we shouldn’t confuse Latin America with Central America, your article has as a headline ”Best countries to visit in Central America” , that doesn’t include Mexico.

I did visit Honduras. I never said it wasn’t beautiful, diverse, or that it was filled with angry and rude people. I’m also not confusing Central and Latin America. If you don’t like a definition that includes Mexico with Central America, please take your fight up with the United Nations, not my website.

First of all how can you judge Honduras like that if you didn’t even try to enjoy it. Second please do some research and educate yourselves. Mexico is NOT in Central America, saying that it is or that part of it is just makes you look ignorant. Mexico is in NORTH AMERICA. You can’t just “lump”it all together. Also Central America is not part of North America its part of AMERICA. Horrible article.

First of all, there is North America and South America (the existence of these two large land masses is pretty obvious) and whether you want to consider them each separate continents or subcontinents of one America doesn’t really make a difference (I know in much of Latin America they are taught that it is one continent, but regardless still consists of two major subcontinents). North America is everything Panama and north… Central America is a region or sub-region of North America, see this handy map , and is not considered a subcontinent of America or the Americas.

Second of all, culturally, historically, even geographically, a big part of Mexico (the whole Yucatan including Chiapas — which was only connected to the rest of Mexico in the 1950s and 60s, and which also at various times sought independence from Mexico — would undoubtedly be considered part of Central America (just think about the borders of the ancient Maya civilization ) despite the modern political borders. That whole part of Mexico has more in common with Guatemala and El Salvador than with Monterrey, Mexico City, or Cabo San Lucas.

Furthermore, the United Nations considers ALL of Mexico to be part of the Central America geoscheme, so here’s another handy map for you . Please note within the geoscheme that the region of “Northern America” should not be confused with the continent/subcontinent known as “North America” (refer back to point one) which itself is made up of Central America, Northern America, and the Caribbean. If the U.N. can lump it together, I don’t see the problem with doing so in my article.

I am just going to throw my two cents in here. As a person born in central america and who has lived half her life in both the us and Nicaragua i have found that some things just change depending where you learn them. Is mexico part of central america to some yes to some no. How many continents are there even that depends what country your in. Lets just settle down and take it easy on the caps, after all this is just an opinion piece.

Very true, Kat! I always have trouble wrapping my mind around the five continents they are taught in much of Latin America… Like Antarctica doesn’t even count? Europe and Asia are two separate continents with no really clear border between them, but America is one continent despite the fact that it isn’t even really accessible between the two?

You better ‘Belize it’! In 1984, we traveled at the right time when vacations were affordable. We spent Thanksgiving at Ramon’s Reef Resort (@$35 per night) in San Pedro at the south part of Ambergris Caye

Good article. I don’t need help with travel, been to 23 foreign countries 40 US states and live 9 months a year in the Baja. Thanks for loving Mexico!

Love your articles and find them so helpful. But just FYI Mexico is in North America not Central America. :/

Sure, but all of Central America (Panama and north) is also part of the continent of North America, not just Mexico. And if we’re speaking from a strictly geographical and historical perspective, one could consider part of Mexico (specifically Chiapas and the Yucatan) to be part of Central America. In any case, I decided to lump it all together for this post.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Best Places to Go in Central & South America in 2024

By CNT Editors

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This is part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024 —find more travel inspiration here .

For a region so marked by its ancient cultures—the Mayans, the Olmecs, the Aztecs, the Incas, the Moche, the Wari, spanning 5,000 years of human history—it’s a real shift of perspective to look at a map, considering places to go in Central and South America, tilt your head, and ask: “So—what’s new?”

After all, superlatives are usually part of the draw in these parts. The oldest known civilization in the Americas flourished around 3,000 BC in Caral, Peru, with today’s travelers regularly driving three hours from Lima to walk its grounds. Tikal, the Mayan citadel in Guatemala, is described by UNESCO as “one of the most important archaeological complexes left by the Maya civilization,” and cars, buses, and helicopters bring visitors to it daily.

Yet around these gobsmacking, still-standing vestiges of cultures past, there is so much newness. There are museums of a staggering scale, like the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)— Brazil ’s first modern art museum when it opened in 1947—that’s soon to become even bigger with a 14-story extension; just blocks away, a brand-new Soho House will be the club’s first outpost in South America . On the Magdalena River in Colombia , the charming city of Mompox (founded in 1540) that Gabriel García Márquez anointed in his novel The General in his Labyrinth, will become more accessible than ever thanks to new river cruises aboard the glossy AmaWaterways. (Expect to hear more brands hitting these waters in years to come.) As for Tikal, in Guatemala? It’ll be easier to reach in 2024 thanks to new direct flights from the US to Guatemala City (where you’ll want to stop to try food from the country’s rising chefs). There’s also glamping , ritzy resorts , and the makings of a few epic road trips .

These are the best places to go in Central and South America in 2024—where new meets the very, very old. — Megan Spurrell

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Chacarita in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Go for: cool wine bars, seasonally driven restaurants, and celebrated cocktail spots

At Sofá in Buenos Aires, up-and-coming bartender Agostina Elena makes expert cocktails in a moody space.

Small plates and late-night dancing round out the ambience at Sofá, emblematic of the casual-cool spots that have made Chacarita so popular.

Buenos Aires has long banked on grass-fed beef to propel its food scene, but that’s hardly all that’s on the menu these days—and Michelin’s first guide to Argentina , unveiled in November 2023, is proof. Porteños embrace a spontaneous approach to eating and drinking, and the Chacarita neighborhood—right near ever-cool Palermo—is the Argentine capital’s current casual-dining darling with a diverse collection of recently opened spots.

Wine bars are all the rage: At Naranjo , enjoy higher-welfare porchetta and skin-contact vintages under the orange tree for which it’s named; Anchoíta Cava’ s wine, cheese, and charcuterie lists are notable, while small plates, such as cacio e pepe, and a generous pick-your-own bottle selection are paired with charming floral arrangements at Lardito . Southeast Asian tapas such as chicken pao are on the menu at Apu Nena , while dishes are for sharing at Picaron and Condarco : When they appear on the changing menus, order the razor clams in salsa verde at the former and griddled oyster mushrooms at the latter. The 25-year-old chef, Nicolas Tykocki, at the opened-this-year Ácido , meanwhile, intrigues diners by making a daily off-menu dish. Chacarita’s drinks scene, spearheaded by vermouth specialist La Fuerza , also punches above its weight: Whiskey aficionados can sip from 110-plus cask-aged malts to a vinyl soundtrack at Sede ; find signature beverages from bartending legend Mona Gallosi at Punto Mona ; and try up-and-coming Agostina Elena’s cocktails at just-opened Sofá . If you’re traveling to eat and drink in the year ahead, Chacarita should be your first stop. — Sorrel Moseley-Williams

Colca Canyon, Peru

Go for: a stylish new tented camp, epic hiking, and unforgettable landscapes

In Peru's dramatic Colca Canyon, trekking and horsebacking riding are popular ways to traverse the epic Andean landscape.

Peru now has its first tented camp thanks to Puqio, with stylish interiors and elevated dining and excursions included in every stay.

Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon , Colca is a dramatic gash in Southern Peru where Inca-built agricultural terraces line the hillsides, and shadows of Andean condors—with all nine feet of their wingspans—ripple across the landscape. It’s long been worth the journey required to reach this hiking destination, which is about three hours by car from the colonial city of Arequipa (itself a 90-minute flight from Lima or Cusco). But with Peru’s first-ever tented camp, open as of September 2023, the Colca Canyon is set to climb even higher on visitors’ bucket lists.

Puqio—from the same team behind chic Cirqa in Arequipa, boutique Atemporal in Lima, and the lakeside lodge of Titilaka on Lake Titicaca—has all the makings of another destination-worthy stay. Safari-style tents and adobe huts are on offer, with all meals and drinks included—expect local dishes cooked in clay ovens, or over an open flame, and the zing of pisco in cocktails. Outdoor bath tubs and wood-burning stoves make it tempting to turn in early, but Puqio-organized excursions will keep you busy, whether you’re looking to learn from Andean herbalists, go horseback riding, embark on sweat-inducing treks, or dip into natural hot springs. It’s much of what already draws travelers to Colca, wrapped in a bow—go while it’s still easy to nab one of only eight accommodations available. — Megan Spurrell

Go for: new cruises leading to ancient ruins, and a burst of artsy openings

From the capital city to Antigua, new art, cultural, and community spaces beg travelers to venture beyond Mayan ruins like Tikal—and stay awhile.

Luna Zorro Studio, which sells artisan textiles, will open a boutique with a two-bedroom casita for rent in October 2024, in Antigua.

When National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions launch their new Belize to Tikal itinerary in January 2024, travelers may be tempted to tack on a few days ashore Belize’s white-sand beaches and palm-dotted islands. But Guatemala , home to the jungle-shrouded Mayan ruins of Tikal, is the extension not to skip. The country’s mix of rich Indigenous and colonial history, staggering natural beauty, and now expanding infrastructure for tourism in the form of restaurants, hotels, and tours makes 2024 the year to explore Guatemala in earnest. In the charming city of Antigua, the world class MUNAG (National Museum of Art Guatemala) , which covers 3,000 years of heritage through a contemporary lens, is now open, and a second-phase unveiling is expected imminently. Nearby, the team behind Luna Zorro studio —known for merging traditional craftsmanship with modern textile design and crafting boutique trips throughout Guatemala in collaboration with El Camino Travel —is renovating a historic property into La Valiente: It will house a Luna Zorro boutique and a coffee-and-wine bar in the front, with a two-bedroom casita for rent in the back, all set to open in October 2024. Café No Sé , meanwhile, an anchor of the old city that’s touted as the first mezcal bar outside of Mexico , will continue to honor “20-ish” years of being in business with events and live music. A flush of new art spaces, like Aura Galerías , and innovative restaurants continue to characterize the capital of Guatemala City.

Air carriers have taken notice of the increasing interest in this destination—in December 2023, Alaska will begin daily service from Los Angeles to Guatemala City, marking a new year-round route for the airline. Delta is bumping up access to Latin America in general and upping the frequency of winter flights from its Atlanta hub to Guatemala. — Ali Wunderman

Inhotim, Brazil

Go for: the chance to finally spend the night within the renowned open-air art museum

Inhotim has long been a jewel in the crown for art-loving travelers. In 2024, new bungalows on-site will make it possible to sleep among the masterpieces.

Nestled within Brazil’s Atlantic Forest , Inhotim is Latin America’s largest open-air art museum—and one that begs for slow, thoughtful exploration. Here, one of the most diverse collections of contemporary art in the world, with pieces ranging from large-scale sculptures to paintings and photographs, stretches over thousands of acres of botanical gardens. An art center of this magnitude begs for a multi-day visit, yet the lack of nearby accommodation has long made that difficult. This will all change next year.

Come September 2024, there will be 45 bungalows on-site, the first phase of a project spearheaded by Clara Resorts , a São Paulo–based hotel group focused on sustainable luxury. Each night, hotel guests will be able to retreat to luxurious rooms outfitted with balconies, fireplaces, and soapstone bath tubs; amenities like a 25-meter heated pool, sauna, massage room, gym, and events space are also planned. Plus, there will be a food hall with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. In an effort to create a welcoming and comfortable space for families, each bungalow will accommodate four to five people—and, once the bungalows are complete, 60 additional rooms and a spa will follow, and a larger resort with at least 150 rooms is expected to open by 2029.

The project will incorporate designs by architect Freusa Zechmeister, a native of the state of Minas Gerais, and overflow with stones from the state—nodding to the area’s prosperous mining history and inviting visitors to explore Brazil’s most destination-worthy museum, less than a two-hour drive from the city of Belo Horizonte. — Carla Vianna

Magdalena River, Colombia

Go for: scenic river cruises with a big hit of culture

Colombia's Magdalena River and the historic towns that line it are about to become more accessible than ever, thanks to new cruise itineraries coming via river sailing experts AmaWaterways.

Immortalized in Gabriel García Márquez’s classic Love in the Time of Cholera, the Magdalena River is Colombia’s largest and most important waterway. Running 930 miles from the snowcapped Andes through fertile valleys and into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean , it's the economic and cultural heart of the country. However, for many travelers, the mighty Magdalena has been off the radar.

But courtesy of luxe river-cruise company AmaWaterways , two different ships will kick off voyages in the future: AmaMagdalena , in November 2024, and AmaMelodia , in January 2025. Both ships will sail the Magic of Colombia itinerary, from Barranquilla to Cartagena , and the Wonders of Colombia itinerary, from Cartagena to Barranquilla—each taking passengers upriver to the UNESCO-designated city of Mompox , founded in 1540, where riverfront plazas and ornate churches await in this lost-in-time pueblo magico.

Along the way, the three-story ships, which come with rooftop sun decks and balconies, stop for birdwatching and hiking. What really sets this river sailing apart from those in the Amazon River , though, is its focus on culture: From musical explorations in the town of Palenque , the first “free” town founded by formerly enslaved people in the Americas, to jazz concerts in Mompox and a special Colombian Carnaval celebration in Barranquilla, this is a journey into the exuberant heart of Colombian life.

Fly via Cartagena, with its world-class beaches, dining, and nightlife—not to mention the new Casa Pestagua hotel , situated in a lavishly restored 17th-century palace—for a soft landing before or after the cruise. There are a number of existing nonstop flights from the US, including an increase in weekly flights from Atlanta via Delta as of October 2023. — Ocean Malandra

Panama City, Panama

Go for: a buzzy old quarter with new boutique hotels, and easy access to beaches and jungle

With new restaurants and boutique hotels in the UNESCO-designated Casco Viejo neighborhood, and bucket-list cruises offering multi-day itineraries via the port, Panama City is no longer just a stopover.

Once a mere stopover destination, Panama City is giving us new reasons to stay awhile. Go beyond the eponymous canal—arguably the most significant trade route of all time—to a city punctuated with mind-bending skyscrapers (like the F&F Tower), uniquely steeped in both American influence and Central American culture, and wrapped around its own rainforest (the 573-acre Metropolitan Natural Park ).

In the old quarter, UNESCO-designated Casco Viejo, the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama opened last year in a former social club founded in 1917. Breeze through its immaculate French-colonial-inspired lobby with fringed palms and tiled floors to Arcano, a speakeasy with tarot card readings and aged Panamanian rum. The new Kaandela restaurant, inside the adults-only Amarla boutique hotel, opened in 2022 and showcases open-fire cooking just behind the bar. Fan out from the old quarter on Truly Panama ’s new epicurean Flavors of Panama tour to score chicheme (a traditional, creamy spiced drink), ceviche at the fish market, tropical fruit at stands in sprawling Park Omar, and lunch at Afro-Panamanian La Tapa del Coco . Further north along the coast, stay at the sprawling Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort , for a round at its 72-par Jack Nicklaus golf course, backed by the Panama City skyline—or time your visit for January to catch the first-ever 2024 Latin American Amateur Golf Championships .

The city remains a perfect launching point for wide-ranging Panamanian adventures, too. Dive deep into nature with a quick flight to the rarely explored Gulf of Chiriqúi, plotting a new nighttime jungle hike and mod beachfront bungalow stay at Isla Palenque . Or stop over on a cruise that lands you at port at the new Fuerte Amador cruise terminal, with ideal access to the Panama Canal. Following a new multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the Crystal Serenity offers glam suites with Italian marble and custom-made Jesurum 1870 linens and will stop in this tropical metropolis on 2024’s World Cruise. — Nina Kokotas Hahn

Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica

Go for: glitzy resort openings from beloved brands

Villa Eram is one of several shiny new stays on Costa Rica's Papagayo Peninsula, where surf, sea, wellness, and high design collide.

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking Costa Rica was all barefoot backpackers, surf seekers, and adrenaline-fueled adventurers. But on a tiny Pacific peninsula in Guanacaste, beach lovers with deeper pockets can find sleek resorts from beloved hospitality brands like Four Seasons , Andaz , Hyatt-owned Secrets , and Marriott’s El Mangroove, Autograph Collection . This all-star resort destination will get even better in 2024 when it welcomes Nekajui , a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: an ultra-lavish playground with 107 rooms and 36 private residences overlooking Pochote’s horseshoe-shaped bay. Nekajui , which means “garden” in Chorotega (one of the region’s native languages), nods to the open-air experiences, from a showstopping infinity pool and a beach club reachable by funicular to a treehouse spa accessed via suspension bridge. Plus, the beloved, 20-year-old Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo just completed a major renovation as of November 1. There’s now a Mediterranean-inspired beach club on Playa Virador, improved sustainability on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer–designed golf course, and new wellness offerings for those seeking out Costa Rica’s Blue Zone benefits. With the much-anticipated arrival of Waldorf Astoria Residences Guanacaste on the other side of Culebra Bay coming in 2025, consider this your chance to get in on the exclusive enclave’s five-star service and unparalleled privacy while making the most of the Liberia airport’s new purpose-built terminal for private jets and Peninsula Papagayo’s 180-berth private marina, which can accommodate yachts up to 250 feet. Short-term renters can register their interest with Martha Dayton Design and U+B Architecture & Design’s latest project, Villa Eram , a biophilic retreat (opened in 2022) inspired by the rainforest, while brand loyalists should keep their eyes peeled: It’s rumored that Six Senses, One & Only, and Rosewood are all in talks with developers here too. — Anna Prendergast

Patagonia Azul, Argentina

Go for: seafaring excursions, wildlife sightings, and new eco-stays

The Patagonian steppe meets the Atlantic coast in the protected area of Patagonia Azul. Glamp by the sea—or stay in new oceanfront huts, open for the 2023-2024 austral summer—then boat, scuba dive, or whale watch with local tour operator Viento Azul.

Despite the challenges of taming Argentina’s vast and unmeasurable region of Patagonia , Fundación Rewilding’s Patagonia Azul Project park conservation effort has scaled up over the past two years with several gateways for visitors. And the adventures are rich: Navigations to Islas Blancas and the abandoned Isla Leones lighthouse with local tour operator Viento Azul , for example, put you in the company of petrels, cormorants, and Commerson’s dolphins as well as four species of whale—you can go even deeper into the blue with snorkeling and diving in Camarones. When calm, the Bustamante Bay’s waters are perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddling, while surfers come to Cabo Raso for the testing tubes.

Flights to Patagonia Azul arrive via the El Tehuelche Airport in Puerto Madryn or Trelew International Airport in the north and Comodoro Rivadavia in the south, then it’s a drive to the entry point of your choice. Plan on three hours to reach the portal near Camarones, where hardy travelers can bed down for free with no previous reservations a stone’s throw from the Argentine Sea’s winds and waves at the 10-spot Cañadón del Sauce and nine-spot Bahía Arredondo (the latter houses a simple kitchen and dining room for use). For those seeking greater creature comforts, Portal Isla Leones will assemble six new ocean-front huts in mid-December for the Southern Hemisphere's 2023–2024 summer. At Bahía Bustamante, an hour’s drive from Camarones, the eponymous eco lodge has also just opened four new marine lofts in addition to eleven existing cabins not far from a 100,000-strong colony of Magellanic penguins. — Sorrel Moseley-Williams

Quito, Ecuador

Go for: a city on the rise

Quito is catching up to culinary neighbor Lima with spots like Nuema, where award-winning chef and co-owner Pia Salazar blends sweet and savory ingredients.

Opposites also attract in the heart of Quito. Modern architecture lives alongside a UNESCO-anointed colonial center—in late 2023, an all-new metro will better connect the city's various parts.

Quito is finally getting its due. The city’s mile-high skyline got a lot higher thanks to the work of architects like Bjarke Ingels Group, whose 32-story IQON tower (completed in 2022) is now the city’s tallest. It's just one of several projects to come from Ecuadorian development firm Uribe Schwarzkopf , in its ongoing effort to mature the ancient Andean city into an unlikely new hub of contemporary architecture. That’s no small feat considering that Quito stands atop both the ruins of a pre-Columbian settlement and an earthquake-prone high plateau and is anchored by an untouchable colonial center with UNESCO status. But a new generation of Ecuadorian and international creatives are pushing the city toward the future—and not just for the sake of visitors.

Moving things along in that direction, an all-new metro system will be inaugurated in late 2023, with 15 stations spanning from Quitumbe in the southern part of the city to El Labrador in the north. New hotels have been slower to arrive, but one standout is the affordable 151-room Go Quito Hotel , which opened in June 2023 with a rooftop bar-restaurant, spa, sauna, pool, and airy rooms offering unbeatable views of the city. Meanwhile, Quito’s dining scene is finally catching up to culinary neighbor Lima . Buzzy new restaurants include Cardó , where Chef Adrián Escardó makes octopus bacon and suckling pig with naranjilla sauce; Aura , which leans into native Ecuadorian ingredients like Mashua honey and Manaba cheese from the coast; and Nuema , where chef and co-owner Pia Salazar’s sweet-salty hybrid desserts—think pastries with leek with lemon verbena and tonka bean, and white seaweed with black garlic—won her World’s Best Pastry Chef 2022, a first for Quito and Ecuador, and 2023. — Adam H. Graham

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Go for: stargazing, a luxe stay, and a super bloom in a new national park

The beloved Habitas brand laid roots in northern Chile in 2023, with a boutique hotel that complements the dramatic desert surrounds.

San Pedro de Atacama is known for its geographical wonders, from snowcapped volcanic mountains, to shimmering lakes with flamingos.

With its bronzed, dusty roadways and handcrafted adobe dwellings, Chile’s oldest village has captivated adventurous visitors for decades. But now, the soulful oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is securing the spotlight as Chile’s northern star, with a variety of travelers eager to experience its rugged-chic vibe. After all, this celestial city is a hotbed of geographical wonders, with snowcapped volcanic mountains in the world’s driest nonpolar region, high-altitude lagoons dotting the Andean desert, and dazzling salt flats.

Wildlife lovers flock to Los Flamencos National Reserve for up-close encounters with the world’s rarest flamingos and native vicuñas. And the surreal, dramatic scenery of the steaming El Tatio Geysers at sunrise can only be rivaled by the fiery palette of the Valle de Catarpe canyons at dusk. In 2024, El Niño is likely to spark an extraordinary Atacama superbloom inside Chile’s new national park, Desierto Florido .

Under the clearest skies on the planet, backyard astronomers can explore the cosmos on ethereal stargazing tours . The ALMA Observatory , poised at an atmosphere-topping 16,000 feet, promises expert-led interstellar experiences. But the most otherworldly excursion might be traversing the Valle de la Luna's inhospitable yet magically serene moonscape environment. Earthly travelers can seek solace in the area’s newest luxe property, Habitas Atacama . Opened in September 2023, the elite outdoorsy design guarantees a memorable stay before you jet off to glimpse Easter Island’s annular solar eclipse in October. — Colleen Kelly

São Paulo, Brazil

Go for: major openings for art lovers and jetsetting socialites

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) will massively expand in 2024, with a second building—making this an exciting year for culture vultures to fly South.

Just a few blocks from MASP, Cidade Matarazzo is a massive redevelopment project focused on showcasing Brazilian culture—Soho House São Paulo will open there in 2024.

Home to more than 12 million people, São Paulo is one of Latin America’s most diverse metropolises—the New York City of the Southern Hemisphere, if you will. In 2024, travelers have even more compelling reasons to visit, starting with the long-anticipated expansion of Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP). Connected via underpass to MASP’s original Lina Bo Bardi–designed modernist building, the 14-story LEED-certified addition will house five exhibition galleries, two multipurpose spaces, a restaurant, a shop, classrooms, and a restoration lab. Nearby Cidade Matarazzo , one of São Paulo’s biggest and most ambitious redevelopment projects, is busy transforming a warren of 20th-century buildings into an arts center, a retail village, restaurants, and a green space. Its anchor tenant, the 160-room Rosewood São Paulo hotel, opened in 2022 and features Philippe Starck interiors and 450 site-specific works by 57 Brazilian artists. Also coming to Cidade Matarazzo in 2024 is Soho House São Paulo , the club’s first foray into South America. Once complete, the 36-bedroom property will include a rooftop pool, a spa, a gym, members-only dining spaces, and interiors showcasing Brazilian designers. It’s a good thing reaching São Paulo just got easier, thanks to new direct flights from Los Angeles and London via Delta-LATAM and Virgin Atlantic , respectively. — Ashlea Halpern

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• EN - English
• PT - Portuguese
• ES - Spanish
• How it works
• Become a Host
• Download the app

Top Destinations

• United States
• United Kingdom

What type of experience are you looking for?

• Non-Profit School
• Permaculture project
• Eco Village
• Holistic Center
• Guest House
• How Worldpackers works

Learn from the most experienced travelers of the community

Traveling with worldpackers, planning and budgeting for travel, make a living while traveling as a lifestyle, travel with worldpackers.

• Using Worldpackers
• Work exchange
• Social impact

Plan your trip

• Women traveling
• Budget travel
• Solo travel
• Language learning
• Travel tips
• Get inspired
• Digital nomads
• Travel jobs
• Personal development
• Responsible travel
• Connect with nature

Top destinations

• South America
• Central America
• North America
• More destinations
• WP Life WP Life
• Exclusive discounts Discounts
• Latin America

8 best Central American countries to visit and tips to plan your trip

The ultimate list of the best Central American countries to visit and tips to enjoy them to the fullest even if you're on a budget.

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Mar 22, 2023

Central America is a gorgeous part of the world. Nestled in between the USA , the Caribbean islands , and South America , it has a wide range of landscapes, native traditions, and unique cultures. It is most deffinitely worth a trip - or many! But what are the best Central American countries to visit? This is what you'll find out in this article.

A brief introduction to Central America

Though Central America isn’t very large in terms of landmass, it is rich in cultural and geographical diversity . The countries are quite small, with the exception of Mexico. Each one has their own distinct way of life and offers something different to travelers who stop by.

Spanish is the predominant language , though there are many indigenous communities that speak their own languages.

But since we'll be talking about the best Central American countries to visit, it's important to know that the list of countries that make up Central America is up for debate.

Some consider Central America to only include the seven countries of Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama. 

Some consider Mexico to be part of Central America, while others see it as part of North America. Some consider Caribbean islands like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic to be part of Central America too.

For this article, I won’t be including the Caribbean, but I will include Mexico. Though geographically, Mexico is part of North America , the culture and landscape of the country are similar to the Central American countries. 

So without further ado, here are the best Central American countries to visit (listed in no particular order). 

Best Central American countries to visit

• El Salvador
• Panama 

I'll talk about each of them below, but before we get to that, I'll share a special travel tip: an amazing way to travel around Central America, or within a particular country there, is by joining a volunteer program, also known as work exchange . 

That means you'll exchange a few hours of work for free accommodation and other perks, such as meals and tours.

You can find plenty of opportunities in the region (and all around the world) at the Worldpackers platform, which gathers all sorts of hosts looking for travelers willing to help them out. 

I can tell you from experience that apart from being a great way to save money, volunteering is an amazing experience. You'll get to meet other travelers and locals, practice your skills or find out new talents, and live a deep immersion in the local culture.

Off to the list of countries, then! And once you've decided where to go, be sure to also check out our article with advice on travelling to Central America .

1. Costa Rica

One of the most popular countries to visit in Central America is Costa Rica. It has a reputation for being traveler-friendly, expat friendly, safe, beautiful, and fun. 

Full of jungles, beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, wildlife, and culture, Costa Rica has everything a traveler could want. It is also one of the best Central American countries to visit in December , as that’s when the rainy season ends and the weather becomes perfect.

The only downsides to its popularity are that it can feel quite touristy in some places, and traveling there is more expensive than in other Central American countries. But if you visit Costa Rica, you’ll realize the crowds of tourists and the slightly overpriced food are worth it. It is truly an amazing country!

For those looking to volunteer, there are some very cool  Worldpackers work exchanges  to choose from. You can  live in a eco lodge and learn about greenhouse and cultivations or immerse yourself in Costa Ricas's gastronomy by helping at a kitchen , for instance. 

Want to know more about the country? Read our articles on  How to master solo travel in Costa Rica  and  When is the best time to visit Costa Rica .

2. El Salvador

Generally not that popular among tourists, El Salvador is surprisingly one of the best Central American countries to visit. 

The country doesn’t have a great reputation due to the wars and violence that occurred there in the mid-late 1900s. However, these conflicts are in the past and El Salvador is becoming more and more safe for tourists every year.

Because it is not super touristy, El Salvador is cheap and there are lots of amazing retreats and eco villages scattered around the small country. There is good surfing, lots of incredible nature, and many lodges and retreats that focus on yoga, meditation, and healthy living. 

You can even  volunteer at an eco village  and work as a cook, photographer, gardener or teacher, or explore El Salvador with other volunteering positions .

3. Guatemala

Situated just below Mexico, Guatemala is an extremely diverse country. It has ancient ruins, highlands, volcanos, mountains, jungles, rainforests, lakes, beaches, cities, small towns , and so much more. 

Guatemala also has a strong sense of Mayan culture. Many locals still live the way their ancestors did, and they wear traditional Mayan clothes. If you venture to small villages, you’ll find that many people speak their native languages instead of Spanish.

Popular things to do in Guatemala include lounging on Lake Atitlan, hiking Volcan Acatenango and other volcanoes, surfing on the coast, visiting natural pools in the jungle , exploring the Mayan ruins in the north, and visiting its beautiful towns.

Doing a work exchange in Guatemala is also a great way to learn about the local culture. Imagine being a part of a hostel's team  as a receptionist  or work  with a horse in a  Guest House ?

And if you're wondering whether  is it safe to travel to Guatemala , read this article by a fellow traveler who spent some time there and shared his impressions.

Belize, a small and interesting country, is another one of the best Central American countries to visit. It is located on the Caribbean Coast, and therefore is sometimes considered a Caribbean nation in addition to a Central American one. 

Belize is also very multicultural, with influences from all sorts of Caribbean, Latin American and African nations.

Though it is small, Belize is home to so much cool stuff. There are Mayan ruins, lazy beach towns, tropical forests, and lots of mindblowing marine life. Belize is one of the best Central American countries to visit for diving and snorkeling, because the underwater world is so amazing and vibrant. 

Some interesting work exchanges you could try in Belize include helping manage beehives , being a social media communicator , and working at an off grid jungle farm .

As the biggest and most well-known country in Central and North America, Mexico is just as amazing as people say it is. With plenty of famous museums, landmarks, ruins, and monuments , there is much to do here for history, architecture, food and culture lovers. 

And with a vast landscape that covers lots of different geographies, Mexico is one of the best Central American countries to visit for nature lovers. There is hiking, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, camping, fishing, rock climbing , and so much more.

It is also one of the most popular countries for doing a Worldpackers work exchange. With 185 volunteer opportunities in Mexico , there is no shortage of cool experiences to try. 

6. Nicaragua

Full of cheap delicious food, warm and welcoming locals, and unique natural sights, Nicaragua is an up and coming destination in Central America. 

It is also arguably the best Central American country to visit for surfing . Because it is less touristy than Mexico or Costa Rica, you can often find stunning beaches with perfect surfing conditions and no other people there.

Other popular things to do in Nicaragua include sandboarding down volcanoes , visiting the gorgeous Ometepe Island , and partying and surfing in the fun backpacker town, San Juan Del Sur . 

There are also some cool work exchanges in Managua , Leon , and Granada , all of which are popular and scenic cities in Nicaragua.

Panama is another one of the best Central American countries to visit. This long, thin country acts as the gateway between Central America and South America , and is bordered by Costa Rica in the north and Colombia in the South. 

Panama is known for its incredible biodiversity , though it often is overshadowed by Costa Rica in terms of tourism. Snorkeling, diving, white water rafting, hiking, and bird watching are all fun pastimes over there.

Some of the best places to visit in Panama include the beaches and islands of Bocas Del Toro , the mountains and coffee plantations of Boquete, the volcanoes, waterfalls, and rainforests of Anton Valley, and the skyscrapers and entertainment of Panama City. 

There are many  work exchanges in Panama for those who want to try volunteering! 

Before you travel, make sure to read the article  The 10 best things to do in Panama .

8. Honduras

Last but not least on the list of best Central American countries to visit, is Honduras. With a pretty long Caribbean coastline, Honduras boasts some amazing marine life and diving sites. 

So if you love snorkeling, diving, and exploring the underwater world , Honduras is a great place to visit. The country also has many national parks filled with wildlife and mountains that are great for hiking.

There are also lots of cool archeological sites for those who love history. Honduras is not a super popular country to visit in Central America, but it does have a lot to offer. 

If you got curious, don't miss out this guide about the best things to do in Honduras .

And yes, for those who want to live and work among locals, there are also  work exchanges available in Honduras . You can learn permaculture with locals in a farm on a Caribbean Island or apply for a volunteering position in a beautiful fun hostel in Honduras as a bartender and live the experience of your life.

I hope you liked this list of the places to travel to in Central America! If you have any questions, let us know in the comments section.

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

Be part of the Worldpackers Community

Already have an account, are you a host, leave your comment here.

Write here your questions and greetings to the author

More about this topic

The safest Central American countries to visit

11 amazing things to do in the Dominican Republic

Is costa rica expensive the best budget tips to visit the country, how do worldpackers trips work.

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Travel Collecting

Complete Central and South America Travel Guide

Central and South America are some of my favorite places in the world.  There is a mix of incredible nature, well-preserved ruins, strong indigenous cultures, great shopping, delicious food, and, of course, so many wonderful things to do and experiences to have. 

If you want to travel Central America or are planning a trip to South America, then this combined Central America Travel Guide and South American Travel Guide will help you.  My Central and South American trip planner has plenty of South America trip ideas and the practical information you need to visit South America and central America easily and travel South America easily and safely. 

Read on to find detailed country guides, top things to do, how to get there and around, where to stay, tips for staying safe, booking resources and more. 

Country Travel Guides

There are so many amazing  South American countries to visit, that is can be difficult to know where to go in Latin America, what to see in South America for the best South American vacations, or the best vacation spots in Central America.  Here are my top picks.

Argentina is one of the best places to visit in South America for wildlife and hiking. There are penguins and seals in Patagonia. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, located on the beautiful Beagle Channel and the starting point for cruises to Antarctica.  El Chalten is the self-proclaimed Hiking Capital of the World . The hikes to Mount Fitzroy and Cerro Torre are stunning! There are glaciers galore near El Calafate and lovely lakes and great wines at Bariloche.  Buenos Aires is vibrant, fun and feisty – don’t miss a tango show!

Read Argentina posts here

Chile makes one of the best South American vacations because there is almost every kind of environment within the one country. From the otherwordly salt plains of the Atacama Desert in the north;  to the picturesque Lakes District and fascinating Chiloe Island; and further south still down to Patagonia where you can take a boat trip through the fjords and hike the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park.  The capital Santiago is nestled dramatically at the foot of the Andes and surrounded by one of the many wine-growing regions in the country.  Plus, there is Easter Island 2,235 miles (3,600km) off the mainland – famous for the statues and home to the annual Tapati Festival.

Read Chile posts here

Ecuador is one of the best countries to visit in South America because it is compact, but incredibly diverse. Where else can you dive with hammerhead sharks in the Galápagos Islands, visit the colored houses in tropical coastal Guayaquil, soak in hot springs surrounded by active volcanoes, buy handicrafts in Andean villages, cycle down the Andes past dozens of waterfalls and stay in a jungle lodge in the Amazon? And straddle the equator?  The country is named Ecuador (Spanish for “equator”) for a reason.

Read Ecuador posts here

Guatemala is one of the best places to visit in Central America because it has such variety to offer. It has some of the most well-preserved ruins in the world in the former Mayan city, Tikal. Some of the most beautiful scenery in Lake Atitlan, framed by not one, but three perfectly comical volcanoes. An extremely vibrant indigenous culture, best seen in the highland villages and markets like Chichicastenango. And one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Antigua. Plus awesome activities like zip lining, caving and chocolate-making.

Read Guatemala posts here

Peru makes it on the list of the best South American countries to visit for many reasons. Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, Cusco and the Sacred Valley get most of the glory, but there is so much more. Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines, visit floating villages on Lake Tititicaca, explore the ruins at Chan Chan, hike the incredible Colca Canyon, take an adrenaline-pumping white water rafting trip down the Apurimac River, buy and learn how to make local handicrafts in the Mantaro Valley … There is no shortage of incredible things to do in Peru.

Read Peru posts here

Best Things to Do in South America & Best Things to Do in Central America

If you are wondering what to do in South America or Central America, then look no further. Here are my suggestions for the best experiences in South America.

Brave Class V Rapids White Water Rafting in the Black Canyon

Widely considered one of the top ten white water rafting trips in the world, the three-day trip through the Apurimac Canyon is not for the faint-of-heart. 

The calm stretches of gentle rowing give you time to admire the steep  walls of the canyon and the condors high overhead. But it is the Class IV and V rapids (the wildest, craziest rapids that you can navigate) that will occupy most of the trip. This is pure insanity!

Read more about rafting the Apurimac River in Peru

Hike French Valley in Torres del Paine, Patagonia

Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia regularly tops the South America ‘things to do’ lists because it has some of the best hiking South America has to offer and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. 

My favorite hike is up French Valley for 360° views of the towering Cuernos del Paine, dramatic French Glacier, craggy snow-capped peaks and brilliant blue alpine lakes. 

Read more about hiki n g French Valley in Torres del Paine, Patagonia

Cycle down Andes along the Route of the Waterfalls

Rent a bicycle in Baños, high in the  Andes, then slowly cycle down the Route of the Waterfalls. Stop off at the Pailon de Diablos (Devil’s Cauldron). 

The scenery changes from cloud forest to rain forest.  When you get to Puyo, put your bike on the roof of a bus and head back up the mountain to Baños. Relax at the end of the day in one of the natural hot springs that give the town its name.

Read more about cycling the Route of the Waterfalls in Ecuador

Dance and Watch Tango in Buenos Aires

Tango is the most passionate and dramatic of dances, and it was born in Argentina. There is nothing quite like watching a spectacular show is a tiny dance hall in Buenos Aires. 

But why stop there? Take a lesson and join a milonga and dance the night away together with Argentinians.   

This easily makes my list of one of the most fun things to do in South America.

Read more about experiencing tango in Buenos Aires

Learn How to Make Chocolate in Guatemala

If you love chocolate, you will love making chocolate. The Mayans discovered how to make hot chocolate from cocoa beans and you can walk in their footsteps in a chocolate-making workshop in Antigua de Guatemala. Roast and grind beans, make chocolate tea and Mayan and Spanish hot chocolate and finish by making your own truffles filled with your favorite natural flavors.

Read more about making chocolate in Antigua Guatemala

Ten Top Ten Top Things to Do in South America and Central America

For the top 10 things to do in South America & Central America, in addition to the five things above, add:

• Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The trail is perhaps a little too popular these days, but there’s a reason. Despite the crowds, it is still one of the best hikes in South America. The steep hike up and down forested hills goes via several fascinating Inca sites.  There are plenty of places to go hiking in South America, but none of them have an ending this stunning. 

On the last morning, you will get up early and hike the last stretch to Machu Picchu. Chances are it will be shrouded in mist. As you sit, gazing intently into the clouds, wisps will clear, give tantalizing glimpses of a breathtakingly beautiful lost city. Eventually the glimpses become firm views, and the entire city of Machu Picchu is laid out below, covering the top of a mountain and framed by more.

It gets crowded as the daily trains arrive, but this early morning view makes the entire trek worthwhile.

Book a multi-day guided hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu here

• Tapati Festival, Easter Island

Easter Island / Isla de Pascua/ Rapa Nui is famous for the legendary statues that dot the island.  These are reason enough to visit the isolated Chilean island.

However, try to time your visit to experience the annual Tapati Festival. This two-week long festival celebrates local culture and heritage through a series of competitions. Events include gastronomical, jewelry-making and wood-carving competitions. Performance contests include dance, storytelling and body painting. Sports events include traditional canoeing and spear fishing alongside less common events Haka Pei (hill tobogganing) and Tau’a Rapa Nui (Easter Island Triathlon).

Read more about the Easter Island Tapati Festival

Book a four-day trip to Easter Island here

• Amazon jungle cruise

Cruising down the Amazon River through the jungle is incredible. Longer cruises are possible, but you can also stay in a jungle lodge and do short cruises looking for wildlife. This is one of the most iconic things to see and do in South America – just try not to think about the piranhas and anacondas. 

Book a 3-day trip to a jungle lodge and Amazon River cruises here

• Dive Galápagos Islands

Some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world is around the Galapagos Islands, making the islands easily one of the best places to travel in South America. The nature here is legendary, and you will want to spend time with the blue footed boobies and tortoises as well as the marine iguanas.  Beneath the sea is a whole new world. Live-aboard dive trips typically go to the northern islands, since this is the best diving.

Read about planning a trip to the Galapagos

See the range of Galapagos trips available on Viator here

• Wine tasting in Chile

If you love wine, you will not want to miss visiting Chile’s wine growing region. Visit vineyards and cellars, sample the wines and buy some to take home. A favorite is the Concha y Toro winery near Santiago and the spooky Devil’s Cellar.

Read more about the Concha y Toro wine winery tour

Book the Concha y Toro Wine tour from Santiago here

Best South America Trips: Suggested Itineraries

If you aren’t sure where to visit in South America, here are some classic itineraries featuring top South America landmarks, the best cities in South America and fun things to do.

Best itinerary for South America 1: Southern Patagonia

• Buenos Aires – El Calafate – El Chalten – Puerto Natales- Torres del Paine – El Calafate
• Santiago – Punta Arenas – Ushuaia – Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas

South America travel itinerary 2: Galapagos Islands

• Quito – Banos – Quito – Guayaquil – Galapagos – Quito

South America trip itinerary 3: Southern Brazil

• Sao Paulo – Iguazu Falls – Florianopolis – Rio de Janeiro

Best South America travel routes 4: Peru

• Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Arequipa – Colca canyon – Nasca – Lima

Central America itinerary 5: Guatemala

• Antigua – Chichicastenango – Lago Atitlan – Guatemala City (transit) – fly to Tikal – Guatemala City (transit)

“How long to travel South America?” depends on your time and budget.   If you are planning to spend several months backpacking around, the best route to travel South America is south down the Andes, then north along the west side through Brazil.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel South America?

Central and South America travel costs vary quite a lot from country to country. In general, the cost of travelling South America is much lower than in North America, Europe and Australia, but your budget for South America will depend on which country or countries you go to.

Countries like Guatemala, Peru and Ecuador are very cheap and it’s possible to travel for $30 a day. Chile is more expensive, but even there, you can get around on about $40 day (though $150/ day is more likely for a normal vacation). Argentina has period currency devaluations, which make it cheaper.

Essential Information for Latin American Travel

First question first. Where is South America and where is Central America?

South America is just south of North America. The narrow strip of land connecting them is Central America (which is technically part of North America, but I’ve put together with South America, because I think they are experientially and culturally more similar). 

Latin America is most Central and South America, excluding the parts that don’t have a Spanish or Portuguese influence.

The currency is different in every country. Several countries like Argentina and Chile have pesos. They are completely different currencies (in the same way that US dollars and Canadian dollars are different). The symbol used for pesos is the $ sign, which can be confusing.

The currency in Ecuador, El Salvador and Panama is actually the U.S. dollar (USD), which makes it easy for Americans.

A couple of words on pronunciation. In Spanish and Portuguese, plurals of words ending in a consonant are formed by adding ‘es’. This is pronounced “ES”. So, for example in Peru, there is one sol and two solES (not “sols”) and in Guatemala, there is one quetzal and two quetzalES.

In Portuguese, “r’ is pronounced like and English “h”, so the Brazil currency of “reales” is prnounced “he-ah -les”.

What currencies are used in Central America and what currencies are used in South America? 

The currencies of each country are:

• Argentina: Argentine Peso (ARS)
• Belize: Belize Dollar (BZD)
• Bolivia: Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
• Brazil: Brazilian Real (BRL)
• Chile: Chilean Peso (CLP)
• Columbia: Columbian Peso (COP)
• Costa Rica: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
• Ecuador: U.S. Dollar (USD)
• El Salvador: U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Guatemala: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
• Guyana: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
• Honduras: Honduran Lempira (HNL)
• Nicaragua: Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
• Panama: U.S. Dollar (USD) – used in conjunction with the Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
• Paraguay: Paraguayan Guaraní (PYG)
• Peru: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
• Suriname: Surinamese Dollar (SRD)
• Uruguay: Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
• Venezuela: Venezuelan Bolivar Soberano (VES)

For current exchange rates, check here .

For citizens of many European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, visas are actually not needed for most Central and South American countries. But always check!!! Visa requirements can change overnight and I’m not purporting to be a visa expert. If you are traveling overland, pay special attention to any requirements for onward tickets.

Brazil has now removed the visa requirement for US citizens that existed for many years.

Check out your home country’s official government visa websites for:

• U.S. citizens
• Canadian citizens
• U.K. citizens
• Australian citizens

For citizens of other countries,  use this helpful website  (though it’s best to always check with the embassy as well). 

There are five time zones in Central and South America .

• Central America down to Costa Rica and Easter Island are on the same time as North America’s Central Time (Greenwich Mean Time GMT -6)
• Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are the same as Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5)
• Venezuela is half an hour ahead (GMT-4.5)
• The western half of Brazil, Guyana, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile are one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (GMT-4)
• Suriname, French Guiana, the eastern half of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina are another hour ahead (GMT-3)

You can see a map here .

Most countries in Central and South America have Spanish as the official language. There is also a large number of indigenous languages spoken. In Guatemala alone, there are 24 languages spoken, including 21 Mayan languages. However, if you speak Spanish, you will get by easily.

English is spoken increasingly in main tourist areas, but if you speak at least a little Spanish, it will be much easier. Latin American Spanish is somewhat different from European Spanish, and there are even differences in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary between different countries in Latin America.  Chilean Spanish is well- known for being spoken very quickly and Argentinian Spanish has distinctive grammar and pronunciation.  However, if you know any variety of Spanish, you will be able to communicate easily enough. 

The main language in Brazil is not Spanish; it’s Portuguese. This is a dialect of European Portuguese and is quite different. In writing, Spanish and Portuguese are vaguely similar. When spoken, they are very different. Because of Brazil’s size and population, Portuguese is technically the most spoken language in South America.

While Spanish and Portuguese are the main languages spoken in South America, the people in several countries speak other languages. French is the official language in French Guiana; Dutch is spoken in Suriname; and English is the official language of Guyana.  There are also small pockets of English-speaking areas in Caribbean Central America, e.g. Belize and the Bay Islands in Honduras.

How to Get to Latin America

If you are travelling to South America from Europe or Australasia, you will probably fly to South America via North America. There are a lot of flights from Miami and Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles. Flights often go via Central America. There are also many direct flights from New York. Some of the best airlines to South America are Latin American Airlines like Copa, Avianca and LAN, as they have frequent connections.

Check Skyscanner and Momondo for cheap flights. They search thousands of flights to find cheap flights.

Can you drive from north America to South America?

If you are wondering if you can drive the entire length of the Americas, the answer is actually no. I traveled overland from New York City to Ushuaia among the Pan American highway that spans the length of Latin America except for one place. The southern part of Panama where it borders the northern part of Colombia is called the Dorian Gap, because the thick impassable jungle there has no road – creating a “gap” in the highway. If you are traveling overland, you will need to fly or find a boat from Panama City to Cartagena.

Check Skyscanner and Momondo for cheap flights.  I use them to find cheap flights.

How to Get Around: Travelling in South America

How to travel South America depends on your budget, how comfortable you want to be and how much time you have.

Unless you are sticking to one area, travelling through South America invariably involves covering a lot of distance, so you will need to consider each of these things when deciding how to travel around South America.

This is the best way to travel around South America if you don’t have much time but want to see some different areas is to fly.  Using a local airline will often be the cheapest, but it is good to use a website that checks multiple airlines, including budget carriers.  I use Skyscanner and Momondo .  Click on the links to search for your dates and destinations.

If you are flying domestically, make sure you are at the right airport.  Buenos Aires, for example, has two different airports – one (EZE) for most international flights and another (AEP) for domestic flights.  The airports are nowhere near each other.

Bus is the best way to travel South America and Central America if you are on a budget.  It is not only the cheapest way to travel South America, but most South America bus travel is comfortable; most likely similar to buses or coaches in your home country. 

There are exceptions though.  When it comes to bus travel, South America tends to be more comfortable than Central America.  In Central America, most of the buses are old U.S. school buses. So, there is very little legroom; luggage is often stored on the roof and inside is usually very crowded.  The suspension is also often not that great. However, there are mini-vans for tourists that ply the routes between the most common tourist destinations in many places, as an alternative to the “chicken bus”. 

There are actually very few trains left in Latin America, and these days, South America train travel is isolated to a few short trips.

If you want to read a book about train travel in Central and South America, I recommend The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas (1989), Paul Theroux.  You can buy it on Amazon here.

Hiring a car is, in my opinion, the best way to see South America if you can afford it, because having a car gives you the flexibility to go and stop whenever and wherever you want.  There can be great wildlife viewing from the side of the road, and with a car, you can stop whenever you see a guanaco or rhea.

I use RentalsCar.com to book cars, because they search all of the major car companies for the best deal.  Book a rental car here .

If you are driving in Patagonia, hold on to the car doors when you open them, as it can be VERY windy, and get fuel wherever you see a gas station, as they are few and far between. 

Where to Stay in Latin America

There are plenty of options for accommodations in Central and South America. The best places to stay in South America will depend on exactly what you’re looking for (read my post for tips on How to Choose the Perfect Hotel ).

Types of accommodations in South America and Central America

Hotels .  There are many hotels, including the usual chain hotels, as well as other hotels, including boutique hotels.

Posadas .  They are inns or small hotels, cheaper than regular hotels.

Hostales .  While the name is similar to the English word ‘hostel’, they are not the same thing.   An hostal is a family run pension or guesthouse.  They usually have private bedrooms and a restaurant of some kind.  They are typically cheaper than a hotel. Hostal-residencias are similAr but don’t have anywhere to eat.

Hostels .  In main backpacker places, hostels with dorm rooms exist.  Outside of these areas, dorm beds are not that common.  Many hostels also offer single, double or triple rooms. They often have a common area with or without a bar to hang out in, and many may have a kitchen you can use to cook your own food.

Unique hotels in Central America

• Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica. Choose a bungalow with views of the surrounding jungle and the Pacific Ocean.  Check prices and availability here .
• Rio Perdido Hotel and Thermal River , Costa Rica. Stay in the middle of the jungle at the foot of a volcano and join in a range of activities including soaking in natural hot springs, zip lining, hiking and jungle canopy tours.  Check prices and availability here .
• Finca Ometepe , Nicaragua. Stay in a farmhouse on Ometepe island, with two perfect conical volcanoes in the middle of an inland sea. Check prices and availability here .

Unique hotels in South America

• Palacio de Sal , Bolivia. Where else can you stay in a hotel made entirely of salt?   Check prices and availability here .
• Uros floating village , Peru. There are several hotels set up on the floating reed islands in the middle of Lake Titicaca.  Check here to find the best Uros hotel for you.
• Ecocamp Patagonia , Chile. Sleep in a dome near the base of the torres (towers) that give Torres del Paine National park its name.  Check prices and availability here .

Planning a Trip to South and America and Central America

Planning a trip takes time and effort.  it is also one of my favorite things to do.  To help make your planning easier, Use my Trip Planner , a step-by-step guide with checklist of things to do at each stage of your trip planning process.  

You can also check out my complete Resources page for more helpful trip tools. 

When to Go: The Best Time to Visit South America and Central America

Wondering when to visit South America? The best time to travel South America depends on where you go.

• The best time to go to South America for hiking in Patagonia is the southern summer (December – February). Shoulder seasons are fall/ autumn (late-march-April) and spring (October-November).  However, Patagonia can be cold even in summer – it snowed on Christmas Day when I was there the first time.  Late January – early February is the warmest and driest time of year in Patagonia. 

November – January are the windiest months of the year in Patagonia, with November the windiest of all.  Winds in Patagonia are much stronger than in most places!  There was one day in Torres del Paine that we couldn’t hike at all because it was so windy, and car rental places warn you to always hold the car doors so that they don’t get blown off!

• The best time to travel to South America for wine tours and tastings in Chile and Argentina is March. This is fall and the grape harvests and accompanying wine festivals. 
• The best time of year to visit South America for the Amazon or Pantanal is May and early June. The main rainy season is ending, so river levels are high enough for boat trips, but wildlife sightings are more frequent in the drier weather.
• They best months to visit South America for Galapagos Islands trips depends on what you want to see and do. December – May are best for green turtles, marine iguanas, albatrosses, and cormorants.  These are the wettest, warmest and least windy months of the year. June – November is the dry season (though it is also the least sunny and windiest time of year).  This is the time of year to see hatchlings, flamingos, sea lions and penguins as well as for diving. 
• The best time to travel to South America through the Andes (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia) is May – October, the dry season.

South America Travel Advice: Travel Tips for South America and Central America

South america travel safety.

If you are wondering “Is it safe to travel to South America?”, the answer is yes. Travel in Central and South Americans pretty safe, but there are some basic precautions you should take to stay safe.

Chile and Argentina are probably the safest countries in South America, but very few places are dangerous. Venezuela is dicey with the current political situation, but even Colombia is safe these days. That being said, you still need to be careful – and situations do change, so always check before leaving.  

Some tips for safe travel in South America and Central America

Know common scams and how to avoid them

One of my top South America travel tips is to know what scams you might encounter and know how to avoid them.   I have a whole post about scams that I strongly recommend you read here .

Avoid isolated places

There is usually safety in crowds. So another of my travelling South America tips  is to check with your hotel about areas to avoid.

Have anti-slasher bags

Back in the day, I used to put chicken wire inside my pack to stop potential slashers getting my gear.  These days there are backpacks and other luggage with built-in soft invisible mesh that makes it very difficult for your bag to be slashed.  I have one and love it.  So, another of my tips for travelling South America is to invest in a Safe Pac. Click on the picture below to see it on Amazon.

This has straps you can fold away and turn it into a regular suitcase if you don’t want to have a backpack.  It comes with a range of other safety features, like lockable zips, a wire to chain it to luggage racks and a flap to hide away your lock.

Sway with your backpack

Another piece of travel advice:  South America does have some people who slash your bags with razors.  In addition to the anti-slash bags, if you are wearing a backpack, when you are standing still, sway slightly from side to side so it’s harder for slashers.

Don’t keep valuables in your pockets

I had a phone pickpocketed on a crowded bus in Guatemala, so I learned this the hard way. You can read other mistakes I’ve made and how you can avoid making the same mistakes here ).

If your bag ends up in the roof a bus, go up there and chain it to the side rail. You can buy a wire for this here and a combination padlock here .

Never leave valuables unlocked in your room

Use the hotel safe. If your hotel doesn’t have one, lock your valuables inside your bags and if possible, chain your bags to the furniture.

Don’t wear expensive jewelry

Another of my travel tips: South America is generally safe, but it is better to be safer than sorry.  Consider removing your wedding ring if you are concerned about possible muggings. It is unlikely, but if you are heading into a place that has a reputation for petty crime, it is worth taking an extra precaution.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times

You don’t need to be paranoid, but there is a skill to being aware of what is happening around you, so that you notice if something appears ‘off’ and can go on to high alert.

If you need help, ask in a shop or hotel rather than in the street

It is much more likely that some random person on the street will not have your best interests at heart.  Shopkeepers are usually much more neutral and likely to give you correct directions.

Get Travel Insurance

The best safety advice I can give us to get travel insurance. In South America, travel insurance is essential. You just never know if you will get sick or something will happen to your stuff. If you have questions about travel insurance, read my post here that gives you the full lowdown.

I recommend Travelex .  It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:

Tips for staying healthy in Latin America

There are some basic precautions to take to stay healthy and avoid Montezuma’s Revenge (as travelers’ sickness is often called here).

In some countries, the tap water is fine to drink. If it isn’t, drink bottled water. To save plastic, you can buy a large bottle and fill up your own water bottle from it. I like the Que Water Bottle ( check prices on Amazon here) because it gets smaller when you aren’t using it.

If the tap water is not safe to drink, then it is also not safe to eat salads (washed in tap water), have drinks with ice cubes (tap water) and brush your teeth from the bathroom faucet (tap water). Even be careful when taking a shower.

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is a very real possibility when you are high in the Andes. If you get it (tiredness, headaches and nausea are common symptoms), descend to a lower altitude immediately. Even a small change in altitude can make a big difference.

Different people are more susceptible to altitude than others. Age and fitness level has nothing to do with it.

The best thing to do is to try and prevent altitude sickness by ascending slowly and then taking time for your body to acclimate before going higher still.  If you fly into Cusco from sea level and immediately head out on to the Inca Trail, you will have a much greater chance of getting altitude sickness than if you take ground transportation up and then spend a few days in Cuzco before attempting the trek to Machu Picchu.

Bug Spray/ Insect repellent

If you are going to the Amazon, use a strong bug spray with DEET to prevent bites.  A strong one is Repel 100 ( check the price on Amazon here ).

Travel insurance

Again, having Travel Insurance can make a huge difference if you do get sick.  If you don’t know a lot about travel insurance, I recommend reading my Guide to Travel Insurance so that you know what to look for when buying a travel insurance policy.

Other things to know for travel in South America and Central America

There are some things it is helpful to know about before you go.

Toilets in Central America and South America don’t always have great plumbing and many of them are not set up to deal with toilet paper.  In cheaper hotels and restaurants, therefore, you will often be expected to put used toilet paper in the bin beside the toilet rather than in the bowl.  There will often be a sign to tell you.  If you are not sure, just check the bin and see what other people have done.

Best Booking Resources for Travel to Central and South America

If you are ready to plan your next Latin American holidays, you can use these resources.  These are what I use for my own travel planning and booking.

For booking tours and activities

• Viator They have great activities. You can search by categories such as Classes & Workshops and  Cultural and Theme Tours.
• Get Your Guide . My other go-to activity company. They also have subcategories you can sue to filter out tours you aren’t interested in taking

For booking flights

• Skyscanner They search a huge database of flights, including many budget airlines, to find the cheapest price
• Momondo I always check this website too, as sometimes there can be a difference of a few dollars between the sites.

For finding a rental car

• Rentalcars.com I use this website to find the cheapest cars for my trips. Europe is a great place to drive around, as having a car gives you so much independence.

For booking accommodations

• Booking.com They have a huge selection and you can filter by price, location and type of accommodation.
• Air BnB For longer stays in the same place, it can be nice to live like a local and stay in an apartment. They can also often be cheaper than a hotel.

For buying gear

• Amazon A huge selection of travel goods.
• REI A great mission and great products, especially for outdoors and hiking.

For travel insurance

• Travelex My go-to travel insurance company.

Packing List for South America and Central America

I have created an International Travel Packing List with the essentials you will need on any international trip.  Check it out for a comprehensive list of essential items.

Top three things to pack for a trip around South America

What to bring when traveling South America?

TOP THREE THINGS TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO SOUTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL AMERICA

1. Rain jacket  One of the essential things to bring when traveling through South America is a rain/ wind jacket. Many parts of Central and South America can be rainy and/ or windy. I always carry a rain jacket bundled up small in the bottom of my daypack. It also serves for some warmth on days when the weather gets cooler than I expected.   Check out colors, sizes and prices on Amazon for men here and check out women’s rain jackets on Amazon here .

2. Plug and voltage adaptor Another must-have in your South America packing list is a Plug and voltage adaptor with surge protection. Electricity varies between countries in Latin America in terms of the voltage and the plugs used. Electricity in many developing countries is also prone to surges, in which high voltages of electricity surge through the wires randomly, blowing out sensitive electronics. I always travel with a combination plug and voltage adaptor with surge protector in Central and South America. I travel with this one because is all three in one, and has three outlets, so I can recharge several things at once.  Check prices on Amazon here .

3. A phrasebook If you don’t speak Spanish, one of the essential things to take travelling around South America is a Latin American Spanish phrasebook.  Buy the Lonely Planet Latin American Spanish Phrasebook on Amazon here.

Other things on your South and Central America packing list should be:

• At least one South America travel book. I like the Lonely Planet books.  You can buy the South America Lonely Planet here and the Central America Lonely Planet here .
• Something to add to you ‘what to wear in South America’ list is a sarong. Yes, even if you aren’t heading to the beach.  Sarongs can be wraps, towels, beach towels, picnic blankets, laundry bags, sheets and so many more things. They are versatile, weigh almost nothing and take up almost no room.
• Another item for your packing list for Central America should be a First Aid Kit (you can buy one here on Amazon ) filled with Band-Aids, pain killers, alcohol wipes, antiseptic cream, anti-diarrheal tablets, seasickness medication and Pepto-Bismol or Tums.
• Finally, if you are still wondering what to pack for South America, don’t leave home without Travel Insurance. I recommend Travelex .  It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here .

Best South America Guide Book and Central America Guide Book

The best guide book for South America and Central America is the Lonely Planet series.  They have books by content, but also by country, region and even some cities.

You can check out Lonely Planet’s full selection for South America here and Central America here.

Suggested Reading: Best Books about South America & Central America

Here are some of my favorite books about South America/ Central America and books set in Latin America.  They are a mix of travel books, novels and non-fiction.  I hope they will inspire your trip and they are also good books to read while on your trip to Latin America.

1.  One Hundred Years of Solitude (1995), Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This is one of my three favorite books of all time. I love magic realism and this story of s small Colombian town is truly magical. Even in translation, Garcia Marquez is poetic and lyrical. An absolute must-read.

2.  In Patagonia (2003), Bruce Chatwin

If you are heading to Patagonia, get this book. Patagonia, the southern part of South America, is mostly windswept grasslands. Fantastical UFO-like clouds, swirled into shape by the legendary winds, float above. Isolated farms (estancias) eke out a lonely existence. Guanacos stare belligerently at passing strangers. This is the land of this book.

3.  Travels in a Thin Country (1999), Sara Wheeler

The ‘thin country’ in question is Chile.  Sara is a good storyteller and she brings to life her travels in Chile.  Explore the country through her eyes before heading there yourself.

4.  Turn Right at Machu Picchu (2012), Mark Adams

The premise of this book is Adams recreating the journey of Hiram Bingham III, the man who “discovered” Machu Picchu in 1911.  He is hardly the explorer type, but sets off nonetheless.  It’s an interesting framework to learn more about Bingham and, of course, macho Picchu.  If you are going there, this is an easy introduction to the fascinating ruins.

5.  The Full Montezuma (2005), Peter Moore

I’m a fan of Peter Moore. The tales of his travels are funny – and he tells a good tale for sure – but you also learn about the places he goes. This book is about his travels in Central America with a new girlfriend.  It’s about Central America, but also about travelling with someone you really don’t know that well.  A fun and easy read.

Book Your Latin America Trip Now

If you are ready to book your Central and/ or South American adventures, here are some resources to help you.  I use these resources for my own travels and find them incredibly helpful.

What’s on your Latin America bucket list ?  Comment below.

If you liked this post, please share the love and Pin it to your Central America Board and South America Board!

About the author

Travel Collecting is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases .

7 Best Places to Visit in Central America in 2024

Home | Travel | Central America | 7 Best Places to Visit in Central America in 2024

When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the  best travel insurance companies . Y ou can get a  5% discount   on Heymondo , the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!

Central America is one of the top destinations in the world for ecotourism, and the best places to visit in Central America immerse you in the natural environment. If you love the outdoors, you’ll have a blast exploring the volcanoes of Guatemala, the wildlife of Costa Rica, the beaches of Panama, and beyond.

Moreover, this region has a rich Mesoamerican history, with historic Mayan ruins in Belize, Honduras, and other Central American countries . The biodiversity here is astounding, with hundreds of unique species, rare, endemic animals, and lush vegetation.

It’s hard to choose the best vacation spot in Central America , so in this guide, I’ll share the most noteworthy cities, attractions, and natural areas. Before I do though, I suggest getting a policy from one of the best travel insurance companies , so you’re covered in case you get injured or sick.

5% OFF your travel insurance

Also, if you want to stay connected during your trip for things like email or Google Maps, check out the Holafly eSIM . We use it whenever we travel and it has options for Central America, so I highly recommend it if you need internet while traveling .

1. Costa Rica, the best place in Central America to visit for outdoor enthusiasts

Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in Central America thanks to its wealth of attractions and interesting sights. It’s also one of the safest places in Central America , although I still recommend getting travel insurance for Costa Rica so you’re covered in case anything happens.

Outdoor enthusiasts will never run out of things to do here, from hiking and ziplining to rafting and snorkeling. Whale-watching in Costa Rica is also a must-do. We took this excursion and would do it again in a heartbeat.

If you want to see more Central American wildlife , head to Tortuguero National Park , an incredible protected area and refuge for the green turtle. This canoe tour will help you discover the biodiversity of the park while you explore the channels of Tortuguero.

As one of the best countries in Central America for ecotourism , Costa Rica has amazing natural areas for you to explore. Manuel Antonio National Park is full of rainforests, beautiful bird species, and animals like sloths and the endangered Titi monkey. It’s a small park, but you’ll get the most out of your visit by taking this tour .

For something a bit different, check out the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve , a subtropical rainforest with low-hanging moisture. This guided tour offers magical experiences like ziplining through the mist-shrouded canopy, walking across impressive suspension bridges, and visiting a lush butterfly garden.

You also can’t miss the Arenal Volcano , a 5,350-foot-tall active stratovolcano. Take a hike around the mountain to see the beautiful surroundings and the nearby geothermal hot springs. Finally, this country is full of scenic beaches, so head to the shores of Guanacaste for the best beaches in Costa Rica .

We have a full guide to plan your trip to Costa Rica , so check it out and we will help you in every step. I’ve also written an article on where to stay in Costa Rica , you will find great resorts, but these are three of my favorite hotels:

• Urban Green Hotel & Suites (San José)
• Shana by the Beach Manuel Antonio (Manuel Antonio)
• Wyndham Tamarindo (Tamarindo)
• Selina La Fortuna (La Fortuna)

2. Guatemala, the best place to visit in Central America for culture

Guatemala is one of the best countries in Central America , full of Mayan ruins, stunning landscapes, and cities rich in culture. One of its most famous sites is Tikal National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya. To take in the full scope of this place, I recommend this day tour to see the main temples and plazas.

These ruins are one of the most beautiful places in Central America , and about an hour south, you can see the natural beauty of Lake Pet én Itz á . Travel further south, and you’ll find Lake Atitl án , Guatemala’s most famous lake and the deepest lake in Central America. This day trip will take you to the legendary watering hole as well as several lakeside towns like Panajachel and Chichicastenango, which is known for its bustling outdoor market.

Another wonderful attraction and swimming spot is the Semuc Champey Natural Monument , a natural limestone bridge with a series of turquoise pools. Of course, you can’t miss your chance to visit Guatemala’s magnificent volcanoes. Hiking up the Pacaya Volcano to its sulfuric summit is quite an experience, and as you climb, you’ll spot small eruptions and lava flows while enjoying views of the Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango volcanoes.

Finally, some of the best cities in Central America are in Guatemala, including the capital of Guatemala City , Quetzaltenango , and the old capital of Antigua . The latter is a popular departure point for many tours, although this guided walk through the city is super interesting and highlights Antigua’s Baroque-influenced architecture.

• Wyndham Garden Guatemala City (Guatemala City)
• Hotel Aurora (Antigua)
• Hotel Casazul (Flores)

3. Belize, the best place to visit in Central America for incredible landscapes

Belize may be one of the smaller countries, but it can’t be missing from your tour through Central America . This place has it all, from ancient Mayan temples to outdoor activities and some of the best beaches in Central America .

Mainland Belize is home to incredible ruins like those at Lamanai . A hub for Mesoamerican civilization, this site has imposing structures like the Mask Temple, Jaguar Temple, and High Temple. Nearby, you can see the striking pyramid temples of Altun Ha , including the 52-foot-tall Temple of the Masonry Altars.

It’s also worth taking a day trip further south to the Caracol Ruins . Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, this lowland Mayan city boasts old plazas, ruins, and gorgeous waterfall and hot spring trails. Another interesting excursion is this one to Xunantunich , a historic Mayan archaeological complex with over 25 structures and ceremonial centerpieces. Along the same lines, this cave tour goes to Actun Tunichil Muknal , a sacred site that was used by the Maya for sacrifices, bloodletting, and other ritualistic services.

Besides its rich historical value, Belize is one of the safest places in Central America , and a haven for divers. Off the coast, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is an incredible habitat for sea turtles, sharks, manatees, and other marine life. A declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s home to the Great Blue Hole , a giant sinkhole measuring nearly 1,050 feet across and over 400 feet deep.

For an unforgettable snorkeling session, do this excursion , which explores the Hol Chan marine reserve and its coral reef. The tour departs from Caye Caulker , a small island with lovely beaches. Its larger neighbor, Ambergris Caye , is ideal for watersports, while the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize is perfect for beach bums.

• Golden Bay Belize Hotel (Belize City)
• Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club (San Pedro)
• Colinda Cabanas (Caye Caulker)
• Ka’ana Resort & Spa (San Ignacio)

4. Panama, the best place to visit in Central America for a holiday

Linking Central and South America, Panama is best known for the Panama Canal , a 51-mile artificial waterway and a top tourist attraction in Central America . This tour is a great introduction to the canal, its pirate history, and the old forts in the area. Another interesting option is this canal cruise to see the famous Miraflores Locks, Pedro Miguel Locks, and the Bridge of the Americas.

You can see lots more historic and cultural sites in the capital, Panama City , which is home to museums, open-air markets, and a waterfront promenade along the canal. This walking tour shows you all the highlights, including the old town, the national theater, and “El Tornillo,” a corkscrew-shaped skyscraper. Moreover, the Panama Canal spills into Lake Gatun, which is filled with small islets like Monkey Island , where you can meet wild monkeys and other critters.

On the other hand, the San Blas Islands off the north coast of Panama are worth visiting, too. It’s a hotspot for water activities, so I suggest taking this day trip to enjoy paddleboarding and snorkeling along the seabed. You’ll also get to taste the fresh tropical fruits and mingle with the friendly locals.

In addition, the northwestern province of Bocas del Toro contains gorgeous beaches, a biodiverse rainforest, and vibrant nightlife. To the south, the mountain town of Boquete is known for its coffee plantations and ancient petroglyphs, so it’s a wonderful hidden gem.

Finally, off the southwestern coast of Panama, there are some of the most beautiful places in Central America , like Coiba Island. It’s home to Coiba National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1,000 square miles of forests, beaches, coral reefs, and mangroves that protect several species of whales, dolphins, and other marine creatures.

• Crowne Plaza Airport (Panama City)
• Tryp by Wyndham Panama Centro (Panama City)
• Bambuda Lodge (Bocas Town)

5. Nicaragua, the best place in Central America to visit for an exciting vacation

Nicaragua is one of the cheapest Central American countries , and the perfect place for outdoorsy types since the landscape is dotted with volcanoes and coastal biosphere reserves.

The southwestern region of Nicaragua is a hub for geothermal activity, and one of the most exciting spots is the Masaya Volcano , which is made of several calderas and craters. For the best experience, I recommend taking a night tour to see the glowing lava and to learn more about Masaya’s impact on the country’s landscape.

To the east of Masaya, you’ll find the Mombacho Volcano , a stratovolcano that last erupted in 1570. Mombacho stands out for its otherworldly cloud forest and rare endemic species. The best way to explore it is with this guided hike to the summit, which passes craters, red-eyed frogs, and other natural wonders.

Without a doubt, Nicaragua has some of the best volcano tours in Central America , so I also suggest this excursion to Cerro Negro . You’ll enjoy a scenic hike, then volcano board down the ash-covered hill before visiting Le ón , a city known for its huge Baroque cathedral.

Between the Masaya and Mombacho volcanoes, sits Lake Nicaragua , which contains over 360 small islands. These Islets of Granada were formed by the Mombacho eruption, and they aren’t the only geological formations in the lake. The two volcanoes also formed Ometepe Island , a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This day trip from Granada explores the island’s native flora and fauna and includes a traditional meal and beach visit.

Speaking of Granada , it’s among Nicaragua’s most interesting cities, thanks to its colonial history, cultural institutions, and old structures. It’s not far from the Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve , a tropical dry forest with over 500 plant and tree species, hundreds of bird species, and a variety of animals like white-faced capuchin monkeys and jaguarundis.

• Selina Granada (Granada)
• Hotel La Omaja (Mérida)
• Hotel Globales Camino Real Managua (Managua)

6. Honduras, another one of the best places to visit in Central America

Honduras is a unique place to visit in Central America , and while it’s not the safest country, you’ll be fine if you stay in the touristy areas.

One of those is Roatán Island , an island paradise with beautiful cays and mangrove forests. There is also a marine park here that protects the ancient coral reef, making it an amazing destination in Central America for snorkeling and diving tours .

Moreover, this half-day tour provides an overview of Roatán, its beaches, and its suspension bridges. If you’re an animal lover, this excursion to Roatán’s monkey and sloth sanctuary is a must-do.

Next to Roatán, you’ll find Utila , another island with great diving spots and hiking trails. It’s also worth mentioning Cayos Cochinos , two small islets off the coast of La Ceiba where you can see the ultra-rare pink boa. If you’re around La Ceiba, check out Pico Bonito National Park or the Lancetilla Botanical Gardens , one of the largest botanical gardens in Latin America.

To the east, the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve is notable for its UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Mesoamerican archaeological sites, and vast array of fauna. To the west, Lake Yojoa is the largest lake in Honduras, with lava flows and volcanic craters dating back to the Pleistocene and Holocene eras.

Finally, all the way west, by the Guatemala border, there are the famous Cop án Ruins . This relic of Mayan civilization is a must-see in Central America and full of monuments, plazas, palaces, and pyramids. There’s a lot to see here, so consider booking a hotel by the ruins. That way, you can also take this day trip from Copán to the Luna Jaguar hot springs.

• Berakah B&B – Central Park (Copán Ruins)
• Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort (West Bay)
• Hotel Las Hamacas (La Ceiba)

7. El Salvador, the best place in Central America to visit for a unique experience

Lastly, a visit to Central America isn’t complete without seeing El Salvador . Spend some time in the capital city of San Salvador , either on your own or with this half-day tour . Among the city’s highlights, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Plaza El Salvador del Mundo, the National Palace, and the nearby crater lake of Ilopango stand out.

About 1.5 hours west of San Salvador, the breathtaking landscape of the Santa Ana Volcano is waiting. You can take a guided hike to enjoy the largest volcano in the country and its green crater lagoon. Nearby, the Izalco Volcano is known as the “Lighthouse of the Pacific” thanks to its high elevation of 6,400 feet. If you can’t decide, this volcano tour includes the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes, as well as Cerro Verde National Park. You’ll also see the Joya de Cer én Archaeological Site , which contains ancient Mayan remains and is known as the Pompeii of the Americas.

There are more pre-Columbian ruins in the area, such as the pyramids of San Andr és that date back to 900 B.C. The ancient city of Cihuat án was a major Mayan hub and still has old ceramic effigies and ceremonial structures. Tazumal is another cool place in Central America with ancient metal artifacts, pyramid temples, and chacmool sculptures.

In addition to history and culture, El Salvador has countless natural wonders. The huge crater lake of Coatepeque and the waterfalls of Tamanique are both prime hiking spots. Just 45 minutes from the capital, Boquerón National Park offers guided hikes through the volcanic scenery.

To the southwest, El Imposible National Park is another park with lush tropical vegetation and biodiversity. If you’re in the area, consider doing the Ruta de las Flores , which goes through several picturesque villages and local towns.

• Hotel Villa Serena Escalon (San Salvador)
• Sheraton Presidente San Salvador (San Salvador)
• Hotel Florencia (San Miguel)

Now that you know the best places to visit in Central America , all that’s left is to plan your trip . Maybe it’s easier with these travel discounts !

Of course, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below if you have questions about this guide, or if you want to share your favorite place in Central America .

Hopefully, this list of Central American countries helped you, and I know that whichever one you choose, you’ll have an amazing time. Stay safe and have a fantastic trip!

Don't miss a 5% discount on your HeyMondo travel insurance  

and the only one that pays all your medical bills upfront for you!

Ascen Aynat

3 replies on “ 7 Best Places to Visit in Central America in 2024 ”

Hi, I love your write up! Any recommendations for a rough itinerary for 2 weeks in Central America and a desire to visit at least 2 other countries besides Costa Rica?

Not sure if we should fly between some countries, or drive between others, or which ones to pick. I truly appreciate any feedback!

That is a very personal opinion, but if you are going to be traveling only for 2 weeks, I would spend the two weeks in Costa Rica and still you won’t have time to see the most important attractions there.

I agree with Costa Rica suggestion. There are some restrictions but you can still move around freely and entry requirements are not terrible. I would say that 2 weeks is enough if you don’t spend too much time in the capital. Suggested itenerary: San Jose – La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, Drive back to San Jose for a night and then head to Pacific Coast. You can fly regional plane to save time. On Pacific: Uvita, Santa Teresa, and Nosara. Don’t bother with Jaco or Tamarindo. Good luck.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Best Places to Visit in Central America

Joel Sharpe/Getty Images

Central America is a great place to visit. With seven countries to choose from—each packed with stunning natural and cultural attractions—it can be hard to decide where to go. Luckily, we've compiled the top Central America travel destinations for you to explore. 

To give you just a little more help, you'll want to explore ways to take in as much of Central America as possible in just two weeks. Also, backpacking is a great way to get around on a seriously tight budget.

Beaches and Islands

Although there is no end to Central America’s attractions, most travelers make a beeline straight to the best beaches and islands.

Due to the isthmus' warm waters, flourishing marine life, and soft sands spanning two diverse coastlines, the epicenter of the Central America tourism industry is along the edges. From rollicking Pacific shores to outlying Caribbean isles , the beaches of Central America are truly unbeatable.

Costa Rica is the most popular destination in Central America for a reason. Though small in size, the country contains 5 percent of the world's biodiversity. For travelers, that means countless pristine beaches , tumbling jungles, and abundant flora and fauna.

To top it all off, Costa Rica boasts an amicable society founded upon kicking back and enjoying the scenery. It's everything you need for a great vacation.

Nicaragua is off the beaten path for the typical traveler, and yet it contains some of the world's most captivating scenery.

Home to the second largest rainforest in the Americas and the largest freshwater volcanic island in the world, Nicaragua's land mass holds 7 percent of the earth's biodiversity. After years of unrest, Nicaragua is emerging as the new Costa Rica at a fraction of the expense.

Although Belize is docked upon Central America's mainland, it’s an island of diversity. The country’s tiny fingernail of land is a natural and cultural wonderland, a thriving swirl of jungles, rivers, and beaches peopled by Mayans and the Garifuna.

Yet, travelers spend much of their time off the coast among Belize's brilliant waters, far-flung cayes, and the second largest barrier reef in the world. 

Guatemala is truly one-of-a-kind, a country of impossible vistas and staggering beauty. Over 40 percent of its population is of Mayan descent, the majority of which still don multicolored indigenous apparel.

Travelers are enchanted by Guatemala's gracious and fascinating culture, as well as the towering volcanoes, forested mountains, and Mayan ruins of unsurpassed quality. It is a central component in the popular La Ruta Maya , a popular travel plan that stretches from Mexico to Guatemala City.

El Salvador

El Salvador , though one of the world's smaller countries, holds numerous elements found in the rest of the Central American region, it's just in miniature form.

Many travelers claim that the country's ancient Mayan sites, volcanoes, jungles, and beaches rival those of its neighbors. At the same time, the hospitality of its people is unmatched anywhere in the world. And, because of its size, every attraction is easily accessible.

Though Honduras has a history of conflict, more travelers are discovering the country's abundant attractions. Drawing the most visitors are the Caribbean Bay Islands, Utila, Roatan, and Guanaja , each boasting some of the cheapest and best scuba diving in the world.

Honduras is also home to the captivating Mayan ruins at Copan . It has both a stunning natural landscape and a welcoming population.

Panama's location alone is intriguing. It literally serves as a land bridge between North and South America.

The country’s natural attractions are equally intriguing, from its virgin white sand beaches to its impenetrable rainforest. While the Panama Canal  is not natural, it does top every traveler’s itinerary because it's an astonishing manifestation of human ingenuity. 

The Best Places to Visit in Belize

Best Places to Vacation in May and June

The Most Popular Destinations on the Gringo Trail

Belize Travel Guide: Planning Your Trip

Learning to Surf Also Taught Me a Lot About Myself

Top 10 Backpacker Destinations in Central America

Top Caribbean Ecotourism Destinations

The Best Costa Rica Honeymoon Destinations

Is It Safe in Central America?

22 Best Things to Do in Belize

Tips for LGBTQ Travel in Central America

Scuba Diving in Central America: Top Dive Destinations

The Best Beaches in Central America

Best Lakes in Central America

Your Trip to Costa Rica: The Complete Guide

Must-Try Dishes in 7 Central American Countries

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• World's Best

The Top 10 Cities in Central and South America in 2021

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite cities in Central and South America.

This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

The natural environments and jaw-dropping archaeological sites of Central and South America hold massive appeal for good reason. After all, how many of us have included stepping into the ancient world of Machu Picchu or counting blue-footed boobies in the Galápagos on our list of dream itineraries ? But the regions' urban centers captivate voters, too, with the best cities in Central and South America offering an exhilarating blend of modern culture, cross-cultural cuisine, and adventures of their own.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated cities on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value.

Colombia has two honorees, with Cartagena placing fifth and the capital, Bogotá, coming in at No. 7. In both destinations, readers appreciated the high energy, friendly residents, and superb dining. "The old walled-city part of Cartagena was wonderful," wrote one voter of the coastal Caribbean city. "The food is great, and there are many opportunities for shopping." Another reader encouraged fellow travelers not to miss Bogotá's historical La Candelaria neighborhood and the Museum of Gold.

Argentina also scored two entries, with cosmopolitan Buenos Aires at No. 4 and Mendoza, in the heart of wine country, following close behind at No. 6. Several carnivores praised the former's parrillas (grill restaurants), which include the legendary La Cabrera and Don Julio. "If you like beef, you'll think you're in heaven," said a voter. "Outstanding and huge portions." Seeing a tango show, of course, is a popular activity — one that had a reader commenting, "I am totally in love and can't wait to go back!" Another reader who'd been to Mendoza pointed out that it's not just a fantastic jumping-off point to visit the regional vineyards, but also "the Uco Valley and nearby mountain communities like Tunuyán and Uspallata."

But even these long-popular hubs were no match for this year's No. 1: Antigua Guatemala. Find out below why readers voted it their favorite among the best cities in Central and South America.

1. Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Nicholas Schmidt/Travel + Leisure

Ringed by volcanoes, Antigua Guatemala has had to endure its fair share of earthquakes and other natural disasters over the centuries, but there are still plenty of historic monuments and buildings from the 1600s and 1700s that left readers marveling. "We were fortunate to visit just before COVID-19 hit," shared one voter. "Everything in this historic city is beautiful! The Jade Museum was wonderful. The friendliness and hospitality of the city were evident everywhere." Echoed another, "Beautiful old city with lots of charm and history. Religious processionals around and into the cathedral were so inspiring." In the historic core, visitors can also shop for beautiful local handicrafts and take a chocolate-making class at artisan shop Ek Chuah. Outdoor enthusiasts will also find plenty to do, including hiking the Corazón de Agua trail and taking a guided trek to see the Volcán Fuego erupt.

Score: 87.97

2. Cuzco, Peru

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 86.17

3. Rio de Janeiro

Score: 84.49

4. Buenos Aires

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 84.40

5. Cartagena, Colombia

Score: 84.03

6. Mendoza, Argentina

Score: 83.33

7. Bogotá, Colombia

Score: 83.05

8. Quito, Ecuador

Score: 82.82

9. Montevideo, Uruguay

Score: 81.24

10. São Paulo, Brazil

Score: 81.19

See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021 .

The Nine Best Countries to Visit in South America in 2023 for Nature, Culture, and Adventure

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 12th December 2023

Why do we travel? This is one of those existential questions best to answer with an example or experience, and the amazing continent of South America is full of them.

Chances are you’ve got a friend who raves about their time in Peru, Brazil, or Chile and you’re itching to get there yourself.

I’m here to give you a leg up on where to go, what to do, and how to do it best. I’ve visited almost all of the countries in South America (I’m just missing Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, and French Guiana), so I’m in a pretty unique position to guide you through this continent’s most spectacular places.

From towering mountain ranges to lush rainforests, dynamic cities, and spectacular beaches, South America serves up some of the world’s greatest adventures.

If you’re after unspoiled nature, beautiful landscapes, incomparable ruins, sun, and surf, or world-class food and drink, I’ve got you covered.

So which are the best countries to visit in South America? That’s for you to decide – but here are my suggestions.

Click to navigate this article:

Safety at a glance

It’s never been safer! Security has steadily improved across the continent, and most places in South America are now secure destinations for individuals and families. While petty crimes such as pickpocketing, car break-ins, and muggings can still occur, most trouble can be avoided by observing common sense.

While you should consult with your government travel advisories, we can confidently say that South America is an open and friendly travel destination.

As a general rule, the larger cities and capitals have the most crime, and visitors should avoid walking there late at night. It is advisable to take a taxi or Uber to your destination after dark. Avoid walking around with large amounts of cash, expensive jewelry, or with your phone out to ensure you are not a target.

Of the South American countries, Uruguay is statistically the safest country in South America, and Chile, Argentina, and Guyana rank as the next most secure. Violent crime is quite uncommon in these countries.

Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia are also generally safe for visitors who avoid the worse areas of the largest cities. Brazil has the highest crime rate of the countries covered here, but travelers who avoid flashing their valuables in public rarely run into trouble.

For more information on the current safety situation in South America, read our guide to the safest countries in South America .

All countries in South America are now open for travel. We strongly encourage all travelers to be fully vaccinated before journeying abroad.

At the time of writing, no country requires full vaccination for entry, but some countries require a negative PCR test prior to departure. If fully vaccinated, testing is not necessary.

In addition, proof of travel insurance covering Covid-related illness is required in all South American countries.

1. Peru: food and archaeological heritage

Let’s kick off with an unforgettable destination: Peru. The land of the Inca is one of superlatives, from the topography to the kitchen. A lifetime could be spent exploring this country, and it would be a life well spent.

Everyone who visits raves about Peruvian food . While the ceviche gets the most airtime, the sheer variety of dishes never fails to impress. Its influences range from Inca to Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. Few countries have incorporated so many ingredients and flavors into such a sumptuous cuisine.

A great choice for ceviche in Lima is La Mar Cevicheria , serving up the daily catch to discerning locals. For a truly special meal in Lima, head to the Michelin star-rated Maido , which specializes in nikkei , a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian foods.

Of special note is the cuisine of Peru’s southern city, Arequipa. For a taste of chupe de camarón (prawns in a rich curry-like soup) and rocoto relleno (spicy pepper stuffed with mince and veggies), try Victoria Picanteria Democrática in the center of Arequipa. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a pisco sour or chicha morada .

Between feasts, Peru has some of the best archaeological sites to explore. While everyone (rightly) praises the mountaintop citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu, this wonder is just the tip of the iceberg. In the Sacred Valley region near Cusco, visitors shouldn’t miss Saqsaywamán , Pisac , and Ollantaytambo .

If ancient mysteries are your thing, check out the expansive Nazca Lines in the desert in the south of the country. In the north just outside Trujillo is the ancient city of Chan Chan , which predates the Incas. Last, one of Peru’s best-kept secrets is Kuélap , built a thousand years before the arrival of the Spanish.

Planning Your Trip to South America?

Save time, stress & money with a customized travel itinerary planned for you by a South America expert

What previous clients have said:

Steph’s help laying out an itinerary for Chile was huge toward us having a great trip.  She listened to our interests and compiled a framework that we could follow to make our plans.  She included many practical tips as well as numerous options. She truly saved us many, many hours of research.

For more details about visiting Peru, check out my guides to visiting Machu Picchu (and the Inca Trail ), the Sacred Valley , and all things Peru .

2. Chile: Desert, hiking havens, ancient ruins, and wine

Venturing south, Chile is a land of extremes. It is a country with temperate rainforests and Earth’s driest desert, the towering Andes mountains, and bucolic wine country. It seems a world apart from even the neighboring countries, and this isolation has given it its distinct character.

At nearly opposite ends of the country are two of Chile’s biggest draws, the glacier-marked southern region of Patagonia, and the northern Atacama Desert. Both are prime destinations for trekking, camping, and getting away from it all.

Nature lovers will find themselves in heaven further south, though. Chilean Patagonia has an end-of-the-world feel to it, between the wind-swept high plains, glacial lakes, and snow-clad Andean peaks of Torres del Paine National Park .

This massive region, which includes the isolated landscapes of barely-visited Tierra del Fuego, is ripe for exploration, and all four seasons offer a different adventure for visitors, including camping, hiking, wildlife spotting, kayaking, and much more. For details, take a look at my Patagonia itineraries .

The stark beauty of the Atacama Desert draws visitors for its wildlife, salt flats, geysers, and stargazing. San Pedro de Atacama is the central hub for journeys further afield, and travelers can either do a guided tour (mention Worldly Adventurer for a 5% discount) or go it alone with a rented 4X4. For more, read up on my guide to the Atacama .

Across the Pacific Ocean – just 3,686 kilometers (2,290 miles) away! – Chile’s most enigmatic island rises out of the ocean. Dotted with angular stone heads known as moai, Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is a living relic of the Rapanui culture who’ve inhabited this remote island for over 800 years.

Closer to civilization, the fertile lands of central Chile are home to some of the world’s best vineyards. The rich volcanic soil is ideal for many grape varietals, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay, as well as rarer finds such as carignan, cabernet franc, and carmenere.

Between Santiago and Valparaiso is the Casablanca Valley, home to several award-winning wine producers, including Viña Casas del Bosque . Further south, Viña Montes in the Colchagua Valley specializes in bold cabernet sauvignon and complex carmenere.

For more on Chile, read my other guides and discover how to travel in Chile safely .

3. Argentina: football, barbecue, and vast natural spectacles

Chile’s neighbor across the Andes, Argentina, is a land of passion. The music, the dancing, the sport, and the food are all a reflection of this large, confident, and diverse country.

Much of what Chilean Patagonia offers can be found in southern Argentina, but a lot of the country’s appeal is in its cities and culture. A prime example is football.

Recently crowned World Cup champions for a third time, La Albiceleste are a national obsession bordering on religion.

The cities of Buenos Aires , Rosario, Santa Fe, and Cordoba are home to the most storied of the nation’s football clubs, and visitors are eagerly recruited into their fan bases at the first opportunity.

Arguably the most-storied of these clubs, Boca Juniors, play their home matches at La Bombonera, a temple, and cauldron of footballing passion. For those keen on an unforgettable experience, take a tour of the stadium.

It is very difficult, but possible, to get tickets to a match, but beware: a grudge match between rivals can make a London derby seem like a mild affair. The only way to get tickets is through the broker Landingpadba .

Other clubs in the capital to watch include River Plate, Estudiantes, and San Lorenzo.

Argentines are nearly as passionate about their asado as they are about their football. As the world’s largest producer of beef, asado restaurants can be found everywhere, and almost without exception serve expertly grilled prime cuts.

For some serious steak, head to Don Julio in Palermo District, Buenos Aires. While the focus is rightly on the beef (with optional chimichurri sauce), don’t miss the bife de chorizo sausage and a glass of malbec wine.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention some of Argentina’s vast natural landmarks. Iguaza Falls straddles the border with Brazil, and while both sides allow you to appreciate this 80-meter-high (262-foot) cascade of thundering water, Argentina can lay claim to some of the more dazzling viewpoints.

In the far south of the country, Argentina’s other giant natural icon is water but in a colder form. Located close to the Patagonian town of El Calafate, the Perito Moreno Glacier is perhaps the easiest glacier to reach in all of South America, measures 250 square kilometers (96 square miles), and – for added drama – is known for its spectacular calving of ice.

The area’s within striking distance of Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia, a city with a dramatic situation upon the Beagle Channel and the hub for cruises to the White Continent, aka Antarctica (read my list of the best books about Antarctica for inspiration and learn when’s the best time to visit !)

Looking to head to the White Continent?  I highly recommend the brilliant Swoop Antarctica. Their staff have extensive, first-hand experience of sailing to Antarctica and, because they sell cruises for all the well-known companies, they can give you handy, impartial advice for choosing the one that best suits you. What’s more, they specialize in small ship expedition cruises, which means you’ll be allowed to get off the boat at every stop on the itinerary (which is not the case for large ships!) and you won’t pay a cent more by booking through them rather than directly with the cruise company themselves.  Ready to be inspired?  Check out their  classic cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula , or their more unusual trips to  wildlife-rich South Georgia and the Falklands , or go further than most on  a cruise to the Antarctic Circle .

For more on Argentina, check out my other guides .

4. Brazil: Beach and carnaval

For decades, the word Brazil has been synonymous with fun. And given Brazilians’ love for music, dancing, and hanging out at the beach, how could it not? The biggest country in South America, Brazil has a culture and vibe all its own. I’m betting its infectious personality rubs off on you.

In Southern Brazil near the city of Florianópolis is the island of Santa Catarina, perhaps Brazil’s top destination for beach-goers. Visitors from all over come for the white sand beaches, swimming, surfing, and all-night parties.

The island has several beaches, from busy and buzzing to secluded and relaxed. These are indeed cool places to travel.

In addition to the coastline on the sea, there are the calmer waters of the lagoon, Lagoa da Conceição, for several types of water sports, including wakeboarding, water skiing, kayaking, and sailing.

The most popular beach for surfing and hanging out with locals is Praia Mole . There are seafood restaurants, beachside bars, and DJ parties year-round. Go to Barraco da Mole for a cold caipirinha overlooking the beach, and Tropical da Mole next door for a seafood feast.

For gorgeous beaches away from the crowds, try Praia da Lagoinha do Leste in the south of the island. You’ll need to hike a bit to get there, but it’s well worth the effort.

And of course, visitors to Brazil won’t want to miss out on the annual Carnaval, celebrated across the country but best experienced in Rio de Janeiro or Salvador.

The ultra-popular Rio festival is exuberantly celebrated by locals and visitors alike, and everyone is welcome to join the street parties, music, and dancing. The most famous parade is in the Sambadrome . It’s a jaw-dropping spectacle with its riotous floats, costumes, and displays.

Every neighborhood in the city has its own celebration, though. Each bloco (street party) reflects the neighborhood and people who live there. Just put on something yellow and blue and join in!

While Carnaval in Rio gets international plaudits, Salvador’s celebration, in the northern state of Bahia, is no less fun. Carnaval in Salvador reflects the large Afro-Brazilian population and their unique culture. This one sees less foreign tourism and may be a more local experience for travelers.

5. Colombia: Cartagena and national parks

One visit to Colombia and you might get hooked. There’s so much to see and do that it merits repeated visits, and the local people are some of the friendliest you’ll meet anywhere in the world.

Travelers to Colombia are drawn to its well-preserved colonial architecture, warm and welcoming people and its incomparable national parks.

Cartagena , on the Caribbean coast in the north, is one of the most atmospheric colonial cities from the Spanish era. Its brightly-colored buildings crowd the streets, providing shade from the intense heat of the sun. The narrow streets open into leafy plazas with outstanding museums, cathedrals, and monuments.

Travelers should make sure to visit the massive San Felipe de Barajas fortress , Palace of the Inquisition in the Cartagena Museum , and the Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral .

Taking a tour with an indigenous Zenú guide offers the opportunity to peer under the superlatively beautiful skin of the city and learn about the struggles of Colombia’s indigenous people – and how tourism can help them revive their culture.

Just as stunning as the sights is the food. As Cartagena has grown in tourist popularity, its restaurant scene has exploded. Of special note are Restaurante Celele and Doña Lola in the Getsemaní neighborhood.

After dinner, head to Donde Fidel for salsa music and dancing, or Alquímico for DJs and cocktails. Read the full list of the best restaurants in Cartagena for more inspiration.

The astounding range of Colombia’s natural environments never fails to impress. With the Amazon rainforest, sun-drenched beaches, towering mountain ranges, and cloud forests, few countries can match Colombia’s amazing variety of national parks .

Tayrona National Park is an idyllic Caribbean beach retreat with jungle leading right down to the sand. For a slice of deep Amazonian jungle, head to Amacayacu , a remote national park. The high Andes El Cocuy offers prime trekking and camping opportunities, and Los Nevados is famous for its ethereal cloud forest under towering wax palm trees.

However, if you want to combine jungle landscapes with hidden archeological sites, don’t miss Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida, a “lost” city tucked away in the forests of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and only reachable as part of a five-day trek.

For all things Colombia, read my other guides .

6. Ecuador: The Galapágos Islands and Scenic Train Journeys

This relatively small country in South America is packed full of unforgettable experiences. Wedged between Colombia and Peru, it shares characteristics with both, yet has its own distinct culture, cuisine, and vibe.

From the spectacle of the Galápagos to the towering active volcanoes in the country’s center, Ecuador has so much to offer visitors.

The Galápagos Islands are a living laboratory for evolving species, having inspired Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and now drawing tourists for its unique wildlife, including penguins, iguanas, giant Galápagos tortoises, manta rays, whale sharks, and blue-footed boobies.

Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will love exploring the reefs around the different islands and there are ways that you can even explore Galapagos on a budget .

While South America leaves much to be desired in the rail travel department, Ecuador has some scenic rail lines catering to travelers.

Routes include the Quito – El Boliche that passes by Cotopaxi Volcano, the thrilling Devil’s Nose which switchbacks down a steep ridge, and the Ibarra – Salinas line with several tunnels and marvelous bridges over river gorges.

Many of these excursions include food and local guided tours at the destination. For more information about traveling on Ecuador’s railways, check out their website .

7. Bolivia: Lake Titicaca and the Salar de Uyuni

In the middle of the Andes range is a country known for its high altitude and stark natural beauty. Bolivia may not be as touristy as its neighboring countries, but that’s not due to a lack of attractions.

Its most famous destination is the world’s highest lake, Titicaca, which it shares with Peru. Close to its border with Chile is the world’s largest salt flats: the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni.

Lake Titicaca is a natural wonder of the world, a huge expanse filled with glacial meltwater sitting at a dizzying height of 3812 meters (12,507 feet). Travelers shouldn’t miss a visit to Isla del Sol in the middle of the lake, the mythical birthplace of the Incas.

Copacabana, the gateway town to the lake, is easily reachable from the city of La Paz , itself the highest capital city in the world.

On the Peruvian side of Titicaca are the Uros Islands , famous for being constructed out of reeds. Their homes, boats, and furniture are all hand-woven and float on the lake.

In the high desert of western Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni stretches to the horizon and during the rainy season acts as a perfect mirror of the sky above. In the dry season the salt flat turns paper white, and the terrain is less muddy and easier to traverse.

Also of interest just outside the town of Uyuni is the eerie train graveyard, a remnant of decades past when local mining was big business. In fact, Uyuni will likely gain importance in the years to come as the area is rich in lithium, the key mineral required for producing batteries.

Check out my other guides for a comprehensive list of what to do in Bolivia .

8. Uruguay: Cowboy Ranches and Punta del Este

Sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, the Spanish-speaking country of Uruguay is influenced by its neighbors but has a distinctly European feel to it.

As in Argentina, this is gaucho (cowboy) country, and cattle and horse ranches are big business. And like Brazil, Uruguay has a legendary beach hotspot, Punta del Este, to call its own.

A major draw of Uruguay is its estancias : working cattle ranches that are often open to tourists. The plains, rolling hills, and marshlands of rural Uruguay are ideal for horseback riding.

Visitors can learn the life of a cattle rancher or go on an extended horse-riding trip at Estancia Aguila Blanca or San Pedro de Timote .

The country’s biggest and buzziest draw is the long, sandy stretch of beach in Punta del Este in the southeast. Surfers, scenesters, and the international jet set have been coming here for decades to bask in the sun and party till dawn.

The best-known symbol of Punta del Este is the striking La Mano , a statue of stone fingers emerging from the sand.

It’s easy to get your own piece of sand, too, as the beautiful beaches stretch for over 20 kilometers on either side of the peninsula. Surfers should head for Playa Brava just east of the point.

Beyond the sand, visitors shouldn’t miss the renowned Ralli and MACA museums. After dark, dine at the outstanding Lo de Tere or Leonardo Etxea . Following dinner, have a drink at Bigote or Moby Dick before dancing at Ovo into the small hours.

The area also attracts visitors for its range of wildlife. Southern right whales are often spotted from June to November, as are dolphins and orcas, while nearby Isla de Lobos has South America’s largest colony of sea lions.

9. Guyana: rainforests and giant wildlife

Mylast destination is far less known than the other countries on this list. However, Guyana will no doubt appeal to the intrepid traveler.

About 80% of the country is covered in rainforest, English is the national language and you’re likely to encounter few if any tour groups.

Because Guyana has retained its large swathes of primary forest, the habitats of its diverse species have remained intact, with many large species resident in this country.

In the national reserves, you may encounter jaguars, huge bird-eating spiders, howler monkeys, and harpy eagles. To see some of these animals and for an unforgettable experience, stay at the ATTA Rainforest Lodge in the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.

In the south of Guyana stretch the grasslands of Rupunupi. Visitors to Karanambu Lodge have the opportunity to spot capybaras, caimans, giant anteaters, and giant otters.

For those who dream of seeing the Angel Falls in neighboring Venezuela, Kaieteur Falls are no less spectacular, plummeting 226 meters (741 feet) and officially the longest single-drop waterfall on Earth.

For more on the hidden gem of Guyana, read my guides or contact my recommended tour agency, Wilderness Explorers (and mention Worldly Adventurer for a 5% discount).

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

What about Suriname (former Dutch Guiana) and French Guyane (still French Overseas department)??? A combined package tour of Guyana - Suriname and French Guiana gives you the authenticity of these 3 small countries called The Guianas!

Friday 24th of February 2023

Easter Island is an independent country now and it's not in South America. It is a Polynesian island good try on trying to claim it.

Steph Dyson

Tuesday 28th of February 2023

Nope...Rapa Nui is still part of Chile and thus part of South America.

• Meet the Team
• Work with Us
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Scandinavia
• Philippines
• South Korea
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Budget Travel
• Work & Travel
• The Broke Backpacker Manifesto
• Travel Resources
• How to Travel on $10/day

Home » Central America » Backpacking Travel Guide

Backpacking Central America • TOP TIPS, Itineraries + Costs 2024

Backpacking in Central America was the best decision of my life . My experiences here moulded me into the man I have become today, and I’m now OBSESSED with inspiring others to visit this magnificent region.

Central America is an enchanting amalgamation of jungles, surf beaches, (tequila), and volcanoes. This part of the world attracts a certain kind of vagrant and broke backpacker – so you’re sure to fit right in. 😉

After exploring for months on end here, I now kinda consider this part of the world to be my second home. You won’t have to spend long here to feel the same, trust me.

There’s something so magical about these lands and the endless array of surprises and opportunities they possess…

Part of it is the unrivalled beauty of the jungles, mountains, volcanos, desert islands and beaches. Part of it is all the relaxing and inward soul searching. But truly, it’s the kindness and open-heartedness of the people that make you fall in love.

If you travel slowly while backpacking Central America  (and trust me, you should) you’ll find yourself on all sorts of weird and wild side quests. You know, the kind with people that very quickly become your new friends for life. One minute you’ve stopped for tacos and the next you’re chasing down Rodrigo’s pet chicken or singing karaoke with a Mayan grandmother.

A part of me is desperate to keep this place a secret before it turns into Southeast Asia 2.0, but I just can’t. I gotta spread the love ( pura vida style).

So, I’m here spilling the beans: insider tips, ups and downs, and essential information that I wish I had before I went backpacking in Central America.

Listo ? – Vamos!

Why Go Backpacking in Central America?

Backpacking Central America is a wild romp through both chaos and a long chill-out session. It lends itself to some incredible overland journeys and rounding out your own manifesto through travel. Because if you really get into learning Spanish here, you’ll suddenly find a whole new world of locals and fellow artisan backpackers opens up to you!

There are markets full of amber, beaches to sell your jewellery at (Central America is actually a good place to have a backpacker hustle), and of course, there is so much delicious food. I’m talking fried platanos, tacos, and ceviche whenever you’re on the coast. Plus, a party is never too far away. 😉

Then there’s the fact that Central America is a pretty cheap place to travel in. Backpacking Central America is ideal for those on a grown-up gap year or another type of time-constrained trip. But for the long-term vagabond who knows how to stretch every last dollar and doesn’t mind camping on beaches – man… Central America is a dreamy place for you!

And when you do want to splurge on some once-in-a-lifetime experiences, well the region delivers them in spades! Learning to free dive or SCUBA dive are two of the more popular ones. Take epic trekking trips, sky diving, and paragliding!

Now, not everyone is ready to throw themselves off a cliff in the name of a bucket list experience … and that’s ok! Central America hears you and instead offers up peaceful yoga retreats in the mountains or lazy beach days in the sunshine. Plus, because the countries that comprise this region are small (with the exception of Mexico) you can spend less time physically travelling and more time actually exploring – or chilling!

Honestly, backpacking in Central America is the whole package: the people, the parties, the paradisiacal landscapes. Now let’s take a look at some of your options for exploring this fantastic part of the world.

Best Itineraries for Backpacking Central America

Best places to visit in central america – country breakdowns, 10 top things to do in central america, backpacker accommodation in central america, backpacking central america costs, best time to visit central america, staying safe in central america, how to get into central america, how to get around central america, working in central america, central american culture, unique experiences in central america, faqs about backpacking central america, final advice before visiting central america.

Depending on your time frame, there is a wide range of places to begin and end your backpacking trip. Choosing a general Central America backpacking route and itinerary that works for you will help in some of the basic planning on your journey.

One of the reasons I love backpacking in Central America is the ability to be spontaneous. The region thrives on a certain degree of chaos! Best of all, the distances in Central America are not as daunting as in other parts of the world, so it’s a good choice for backpackers short on time.

Besides, I don’t see much point in rushing around the countries. You might as well slow down your travels and enjoy the ride!

Whether you are looking for a 2-week Central America itinerary or a 2+ month travel odyssey, I’ve got you covered amigos! Let’s dive in a explore some of the tried and true Central America backpacking routes I have enjoyed.

2-week Travel Itinerary for Central America: Mexico to Guatemala

This 2-week Central America backpacking itinerary starts on the opposite end of the region. The cheapest flights into Central America usually fly into Cancún, Mexico.

Find somewhere to stay in Cancun and leave the next day – it’s no secret I STRONGLY dislike Cancun! But do spend some time exploring those insane white sand beaches and cenotes in Quintana Roo to make memories you’ll never forget.

Now onwards to Chiapas ! Chiapas is one of Mexico’s most fascinating regions. The food alone makes it worth the visit, although the mix of cultures and the drop-dead gorgeous landscapes will compete for your attention, too. Explore San Crístobal de las Casas before you head to Guatemala.

Guatemala is a whole other fascinating country. Backpacking Guatemala is truly a special experience. It’s here that I accidentally spent six months falling in love with the country.

Some of the best trekking in Central America can be found in Guatemala. It also boasts steamy lush jungles with the most impressive Mayan ruins in the region. Lake Atitlan has, dare I say, spiritual energy that hasn’t been quashed by the many tourists that call it home.

And rounding out your taste for Central America you can stop in at one of the many awesome places to stay in Antigua – one of the most beautiful cities filled with the most delicious food in the world. Honestly, after two weeks in Central America, you’ll be hungry for more!

4-week Travel Itinerary for Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica

Have a month to visit Central America? Perfect.

This route has you starting off in Guatemala. Of course, you could start in Costa Rica as well. In my opinion, it is better to save it for the end!

I recommend spending at least ten days in Guatemala before heading south. Definitely go to the ruins in Tikal – and make sure to stay in Flores , the town I fell in love with!

Check out the incredible pools at Semuc Champey . Now if you bus back across to find things to do in Lake Atitlan , you can get in your yoga fix while learning deeply from the Mayan culture still strongly felt here.

Next up, walk to the cobblestone streets of the beautiful colonial city, Antigua . This is all before you get out of Guatemala – there is truly so much to do in Guate !

El Salvador is a country that is often skipped over entirely – and what a mistake that is! While backpacking El Salvador certainly is a bit lighter on the typical tourist things, the surfing and epic street food make it a worthy stop on your Central American itinerary. You won’t run into the safety problems you might think you would – especially if you stick to the beautiful beaches.

The killer beaches do not stop when you enter Nicaragua via a Honduras detour. But if you’re somewhat limited by time – my dudes, you’ve got to hit those surf beaches in Nicaragua. Playa Popoyo has some of the most consistent surf but less popular beaches on the way down!

Then there is Costa Rica : the cherry on top of your Central American pie. A big beautiful world of adventure backpacking awaits you when you arrive in the land of Pura Vida.

The surfers will want to stick to the Pacific Coast. Mal Pais  and  Montezuma  are classic Costa Rican surf towns that suck you in!

And the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica are the perfect end to your Central America backpacking trip – nothing but good vibes out here.

6-week Travel Itinerary for Central America: Mexico to Panama

If you have 6 weeks or more then you can see the whole damn region. A trip to Honduras for some SCUBA diving is totally worth the effort.

The Bay Islands are one of the cheapest places in the world to get your PADI certification. Annddd, you could also learn to freedive aka underwater meditation!

Look, if you do a bunch of diving on top of exploring the Yucatan and the best beaches in Mexico and even doing some sightseeing in Belize and Guatemala , you’ll quickly run out of time!

This 6-week itinerary is the whole enchilada as they say – it’d ideally be better off done with a lot more time up your sleeve. Still, if you head from Utila and the Bay of Islands through the jungle of Honduras you can have an awesome time trekking and exploring Mayan ruins such as the trails through Parque Nacional Montaña de Comayagua.

From there, you can cross to the Pacific side of Nicaragua and surf your way down the coast into Costa Rica and beyond. You have options in terms of the order of everything to see in this route, but it would work well to duck into Panama and hike in Bouquet, before returning to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica .

Settling into the Caribbean vibe, you can carry on back up the Nicaraguan coast and fit in some more snorkelling and diving!

I found a good balance between trekking, diving, visiting ruins, chilling out, and learning a travel language – Spanish. If you do too much of either of those things you can lose appreciation for how special they are. I found it best to settle into a place for at least a few days before heading out on chicken buses.

There are eight countries that make up the region of Central America; each one is worthy of exploration! Backpacking Central America offers up the opportunity to experience a vast array of landscapes, cultures, food, and activities.

Belize, Costa Rica, and parts of Mexico are more expensive than the other countries. El Salvador and Honduras are probably the least visited countries on the list – and yet have some of the best surfing and hiking in the region respectively!

If you are looking to get off the beaten track and away from the gringo trail, it’s easy in all of the Central American countries. This is especially true in Honduras and the Caribbean side of Nicaragua, where few backpackers go. Depending on the time you have, and more importantly your interests , your options of where to go backpacking in Central America are limitless.

Backpacking Mexico

Mexico is Northern America geographically . No, North America is not just the USA and Canada…

But culturally? Central American all the way! Of course I’m including it in backpacking in Central America.

It is a huge country with incredible diversity: ice-capped mountains, steamy jungles, bustling metropolises, great beaches…

The majority of people on a Central American backpacking route tend to stick to the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas regions. That said, there is much, much more to Mexico than those two places.

One could spend a lifetime backpacking Mexico and not see all of it. If you’re short on time, these two regions are some of the richest in landscapes and things to do. If you have longer, you should explore Mexico more deeply!

Tulum makes a good base to explore natural and historical treasures of the Yucatan. Seriously, get yourself to the mind-boggling cenotes for a swim and learn to snorkel in epic cave systems. There is some excellent SCUBA diving in Mexico too, but it’s more expensive than Honduras.

Chiapas is one of my favourite parts of Mexico. There is plenty of history, incredible people, and natural wonders to keep you busy for as long as you want. Once you’ve had your fill of epic street food, you can ply through the local markets for colourful trinkets, and top it all off hiking through the highlands. Chiapas really has it all!

An alternative to flying into Cancun is to fly to Mexico City . From there, you can easily catch long-distance buses to other parts of the country or Guatemala. Take the opportunity to explore Mexico city a bit while you’re there though.

The longer you have to spend in Mexico, the longer you should spend in Mexico. She’s a special one!

What to Know Before Visiting Mexico

• Don’t miss out on… The Caribbean side . It’s touristy, but that’s for good reason. Go in search of hidden beaches and the best snorkelling spots.
• You know what’s overrated… all of those beach resort towns. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas…these aren’t the real Mexico.
• The coolest hostel is… Casa Angel Hostel (Oaxaca City) – This place is pretty dope. Clean, friendly, and great atmosphere. Ticks every box when it comes to hostel life!
• The best food is found in… Oaxaca. Oaxaca is very well-known for its delicious moles and for being the birthplace of mezcal aka the original tequila.

Backpacking Belize

The paradise of Belize is a country I think of as the black sheep of Central America. For one, English is the official language.

Spanish is increasingly spoken as you get closer to the Guatemala border. Belizean Creole is commonly spoken on the coast.

In truth, a well-planned Belize itinerary is a great addition to any Central American backpacking trip. Belize is home to some of the best SCUBA diving opportunities anywhere in the North or South American continents.

The outlying reefs off of the coast are a part of the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world! Yeah eat your heart our Great Barrier Reef – these ones aren’t bleached either!

There are also some terrific Mayan sites inland from the coast. The ruins at Caracol are some of the finest in Central America.

Whilst backpacking Belize, if you are not a vegetarian – and fuck it even if you are – you absolutely must eat lobster on one of the islands. This beautiful, fresh seafood delight will have a little party on your taste buds for less than half the price of the States. Mmmmmm, you delicious little langouste – I miss you!

What to Know Before Visiting Belize

• Don’t miss out on… exploring some of the offbeat Mayan Ruin sites. For some reason, Belize is often overlooked when it comes to Mayan culture.
• You know what’s overrated… going snorkelling at The Great Blue Hole. It is costly to get out there but to really see the marine life, you need to dive . Don’t fall for the snorkelling package.
• The coolest hostel is… Yellow Belly Backpackers (San Ignacio) – A true paradise, this yellow house is the perfect base for travellers to explore natural treasures. It has a darts board, free biked and is 700m from the beach!
• The best food is found in… Caye Caulker has some of the best lobster in the world – with decent prices too!

Backpacking Guatemala

Guatemala is hands down one of the most dynamic and exciting countries I have ever backpacked. In fact, I loved it so much that I ended up living in Flores (near Tikal) for six months!

The country is so rich in amazing things to experience. You can try artisanal coffee, chow down on the world’s best tamales ( shh don’t tell Mexico!), and experience some of the best hikes in the world in their national parks of volcanoes and jungles.

Mayan cultures are still very strong here. The ruins aren’t so much a relic of a culture lost, but reminders of a culture that remains. I remember walking down my street only to find pieces of obsidian embedded in the dirt road.

The land is very much a life with the people that have occupied here for the last 10 000 years. Tikal is particularly impressive at sunrise, but there are many other Mayan sites to check out, too – like El Mirador .

There are a number of great Spanish language schools in Guatemala if you are keen to learn some Spanish and stay with a host family . Spending a few weeks at a Spanish language school was a game-changing experience for me.

The schools in Antigua or Quetzaltenango are the best. Not only do you embed yourself with a local family and get the privilege of experiencing the town, but your Spanish skills improve at light speed! Speaking Spanish opens up a whole new world for you on your travels in Latin America.

Check out Semuc Champey and Lake Atitlan while you’re in Guate. They might be touristy but they’re still beautiful!

For a true change of pace, you could even try out the boat life by volunteering on a sailboat in the Rio Dulce . Oooh boy, the sailors are a funny bunch down there!

You will fall in love with Guatemala, it’s unavoidable. I’m most certainly counting the days until I return…

What to Know Before Visiting Guatemala

• Don’t miss out on… a 3-day trek around Lake Atitlan, ending in Xela. This one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala .
• Keep an eye out for… safety in Guatemala City. This is probably one of the most hectic places in Guatemala. Base yourself in Antigua instead.
• The coolest hostel is… Earth Lodge (Antigua) – Yoga studio? Organic kitchen? Avocado farm? I can hear the Californians stampede here already.
• The best food is found in… Antigua for western food, Xela for Guatemalan food. Avoid all of the American fast-food restaurants.

Backpacking El Salvador

Straight off the bat, El Salvador has some of Central America’s best and least frequented surf beaches. The Town of El Tunco is a fantastic backpacker hub. La Libertad is another great beach town with excellent surf.

The Montecristo Cloud Forest is a beautiful place to hike. Since El Salvador is not as popular with backpackers, there is ample opportunity to venture off the beaten path.

So bring your bloody surfboard, ok? When you need to leave it behind to go hiking for a few days, the local hostels are more than happy for you to do so.

El Salvador is a country with a troubled history (even by Central American standards) and many problems in the present day. While it is true that El Salvador experiences one of the highest rates of violent crime anywhere on earth, foreigners are rarely targeted .

Basically, if you go looking for trouble, you’ll definitely find it in El Salvador. That being said, the locals look forward to the day when tourism can take off a little better because life is calmer here. They’ll go out of their way to make sure you’re safe and comfortable and enjoying this epic little country.

That said, I wouldn’t venture out into San Salvador at night. However, during the day, San Salvador is pretty dope to explore.

What to Know Before Visiting El Salvador

• Don’t miss out on… Visiting the surf town El Tunco. There is a fun expat vibe, plus the seafood and waves are plentiful.
• Keep an eye out for… Pickpockets and being out late at night in San Salvador. San Salvador is probably not going to be the greatest experience anyway. Get out and head to the beaches, mate!
• The coolest hostel is… Tunco Lodge – a great place to relax in between surf sessions.
• The best food is found in… small local eateries, markets, and food stalls. Generally, I found the best food in the small coastal towns in El Salvador. I mean, fresh ceviche all day, every day? Yes, please!

Backpacking Honduras

Do you want to get PADI SCUBA certified on your backpacking Central America adventure? Head to the Bay Islands , amigos! This is one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified for SCUBA diving.

The legendary island of Utila is a backpacker’s paradise. There are more than a dozen dive centres to choose from. Roatan is a bigger island that caters more to cruise ships and older tourists. It is more expensive than Utila, but the SCUBA diving is arguably better.

The ruins at Cóban are the most significant in Honduras. Pico Bonito National Park is another major highlight of the country. There is an abundance of wild camping and hiking potential in the park.

Honduras often gets skipped over by backpackers – except for Coban and Utila. No, the rest of Honduras seems to remain off the beaten path!

This is a bit of a shame considering there are some epic jungle hikes, and even a sneaky surf beach or two. It’ll definitely be less touristy so your Spanish better be up to scratch. 😉

In all seriousness, as this whole Central America backpacking thingy is very serious, if connecting with locals and seeing a more local side to a region is up your alley – Honduras is the place for you to explore.

What to Know Before Visiting Honduras

• Don’t miss out on… SCUBA diving in the Bay Islands and going to Utila in particular.
• Keep an eye out for… your general well-being in big cities. Also avoid being ripped off by taxi and shuttle drivers. Try to learn what the fair price should be before setting off.
• The coolest hostel is…. Roatan Bed and Breakfast – This super chill hostel in Roatan has been popular with travellers and lived up to expectations since it opened. A great place to make new friends.
• The best food is found in… Johnny Cake bakeries! Honestly, anything from the street stalls!

Backpacking Nicaragua

I love Nicaragua because you can get beautiful beaches similar to those in neighbouring Costa Rica, but without the steep prices. Nicaragua is becoming the backpacker capital of Central America, and fast too.

The Pacific Coast is brimming with surf beaches, funky yoga retreat centres, and ex-pats in addition to friendly locals. The colonial cities of Granada and Leon have beautiful architecture, grand plazas, and strong ties to the Sandinista movement that gripped Nicaragua in the 1980s.

Ometepe Island is surprisingly underdeveloped in many areas. You can rent motorbikes and really explore what the island has to offer. If you like waterfalls, motorbikes, swimming, and rum, head to Ometepe for a few days.

The river and jungle areas of Nicaragua’s interior are wild and full of adventure potential. The Corn Islands off of Nicaragua’s Caribbean beaches are the most far-flung destinations in Central America.

It is no easy effort to arrive there (without flying). Once you do, you will be rewarded by the lack of backpacker hordes.

Nicaragua is the cheapest Central American country! So have a blast without breaking the bank, aye!

What to Know Before Visiting Nicaragua

• Don’t miss out on… Laguna De Apoyo – A gorgeous freshwater lake where one can swim and chill. Also renting motorbikes on Ometepe Island.
• Keep an eye out for… Other backpackers to share the cost of pricy tours with.
• The coolest hostel is… Surfing Turtle Lodge – I personally stayed at this place and kept extending! This is one of the coolest and most unique hostels in the world. If you don’t believe me, Lonely Planet says so too. It’s remote though – cos it’s ON the beach.
• The best food is found in… Leon and Granada for authentic local food. Like with anywhere in Central America: eat from the streets! The world’s best street food is always worth the diahorrea risk. 😉

Backpacking Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the long-standing adventure capital of Central America. Backpackers have been flocking here in search of that pura vida for decades. Costa Rica offers pretty much everything you could ask for: endless wildlife, cloud forests, amazing beaches , huge parties, and an overall easygoing vibe.

The thing is, Costa Rica lives up to the hype. From the capital of San Jose to the Pacific Coast and then back through the jungle to the Caribbean Coast – Costa Rica is really a slice of paradise. Camp out on the beaches as much as possible – trust me, it’s incredible!

Explore the Costa Rican national parks . Learn how to surf. Drink coconut water every damn day.

Make new friends and have the time of your life exploring this special place! I can guarantee that you will come back to Costa Rica for more someday. I sure did.

With so much natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is full of great hikes . The Arenal Volcano area is particularly packed with excellent trails.

Costa Rica has the reputation for being one of Central America’s most expensive countries. Unfortunately, that reputation is true.

That said, exploring this magical country is bound to be a highlight of your backpacking trip. Budget travel in Costa Rica is entirely possible. It just takes a little more effort than backpacking in one of the neighbouring countries.

What to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

• Don’t miss out on… trekking through the cloud forests around Monteverde, taking a surf class, and staying in a jungle treehouse.
• Keep an eye out for… Staying in San Jose too long. Just a night is enough in San Jose. Keep moving on to the next place.
• The coolest hostel is… Luminosa Montezuma Hostel – Great staff and unbeatable location atop a small cliff overlooking the ocean! Natural springs nearby.
• The best food is found… along the Caribbean coast (e.g Puerto Viejo ). Food in Costa Rica is quite similar from region to region, so I really appreciated the Afro/Garifuna influence found here.

Backpacking Panama

Ok, straight off the bat: Panama is much more than just a tax haven for rich guys . There are some pretty epic volcanoes and jungles to go romping through and the Caribbean Coast is full of some pretty epic slices of paradise!

In fact, the journey from Bocas Del Toro in Panama takes only a few hours to get to from Costa Rica. If you are there in the right season (dry) there is great scuba diving and fishing.

Like Costa Rica, Panama has some fantastic wild jungles and forests once you escape the numerous banana and palm oil plantations.  Baru Volcano National Park is a good place to start exploring.

The San Blas Islands are stunningly beautiful as well. Going through the San Blas Islands is a popular way that backpackers end up getting to Colombia and beginning their backpacking South America journey. Really, if you want to be exploring these low-lying islands by boat – you could try volunteering on a sailboat in the area!

Panama City is a huge sprawling metropolis where one can find some civilization and the associated annoyances. The international airport in Panama City is the main hub for transportation for the region – including flights south to Colombia.

I found it deeply interesting to catch a bus from the outskirts of Panama city and watch as the rural landscape dotted with shanty houses slowly transformed into a city more shiny and full of skyscrapers than anything I’d known back home (bearing in mind I came from a wee Australian town!).

Still, Panama City has some great hostels and interesting sights. I’d recommend climbing the hill to get some epic views of the place.

What to Know Before Visiting Panama

• Don’t miss out on… spending a night on Red Frog Island. If you’re a bit sick of the party hostels in Bocas del Toro , Red Frog is a great place to escape to.
• You know what’s overrated… Any organised “coffee” tour. Honestly, I’m partial to instant coffee so maybe I’m not the best judge! Apparently some of the best coffee in the world is here in Panama – but I’d just sample it yourself from local cafes!
• The coolest hostel is… Lost and Found Hostel – A legend among Panamanian hostels! Fun, interesting, eco-friendly, and amazing views.
• The best food is found …when sailing in the San Blas. Nothing beats fresh fish caught that day by the skipper.

Off the Beaten Path Adventures in Central America

The so-called gringo trail is definitely a thing here in Central America. There are certain hotspots where backpackers congregate. If you ask me, Costa Rica is the country most heavily populated by people travelling in Central America.

While there are plenty of spots on the gringo trail worth visiting, there are ample opportunities to get out and really explore. Indigenous villages, far-flung jungles, isolated beaches, remote mountains, winding rivers, and plenty of national parks provide an eternity of off-the-beaten path adventure potential.

Honduras and El Salvador are two countries that get almost entirely overlooked! This to me is crazy, as I had some of my best memories surfing in El Salvador and tramping through the Honduran jungle.

Even within relatively popular countries like Nicaragua, far fewer backpackers check out the Caribbean Coast. And what a mistake! Some of the best diving, beaches, and food is here.

I think it’s about travelling slowly, authentically, and mindfully. Sure, some tourist spots will be worth your time – but many won’t. And the rewards of getting out there to explore are just so juicy!

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

It’s not finding something to do that’s tricky in Central America – it’s picking what to do first! There are some truly spectacular adventures to be had: above, below, and on the water. Whether you end up a boat bum, sailing the Caribbean Coast of Central America or whether you simply dive from time to time, the water will reward you here!

But the jungles, the Mayan culture, the street food, and the markets are also incredible. The more friends you make with artisans, the more likely you are to suddenly know how to make macrame. This is a bit of an obscure thing to do, but it is a handy backpacker job in a pinch!

Anyway, whatever you end up doing in Central America, you know it’s going to be a good time.

1. Get your open-water diving certification

You can SCUBA dive in pretty much every country in Central America and getting your certification will open up a whole new world of travel possibilities. The reef off Cozumel is pretty epic; as are the reefs off Belize. The cheapest place to get your actual certification is in Utila, Honduras.

Diving life is freaking dope! Not only do you get to make friends with the fish, but you also get to indulge in the diving lifestyle. Yeah, there’s a bit of drinking and partying involved let me tell you. 😉

2. Study Spanish

I did two stints of study on two different trips at the Mountain School outside of Xela. The experiences involved a few homestays and truly elevated my Spanish skills to the next level.

You can study Spanish almost anywhere in Central America. The more you sink into a community, the better your language skills get. The better your language skills get, the easier it is to get a richer experience in the country.

3. Stay in a treehouse in Costa Rica

One of the coolest places I have stayed EVER in 10 years of travel was atop a 35-meter treehouse in the middle of the jungle just south of Manzanillo (south Caribbean coast). Tell the owner I said hi if you stay there! The place is called the Nature Observatorio , check it out.

There are so many eco-lodges in Central America. Ok, they might not be quite as cool as a treehouse, but they are pretty damn beautiful – and doing just a little good for the planet.

• Ultimate Eco Lodges Costa Rica
• The Best Eco Lodges in Nicaragua

4. Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua

This activity speaks for itself: charge at top speed down the side of a volcano! Ok, so it’s little more than for novelty’s sake but you know what? Sometimes you’ve just got to do things and be a bit childish!

It’s a hell of a lot of fun and the scenery is really not too bad either.

5. Eat Lobster in Belize

One of the best (and cheapest) places to eat lobster anywhere in the world. No, but for reals, there is nothing better than fresh seafood.

It needs little other ingredients and is so damn good for you. As long as you check in with local regulations, you could even try your hand at spearfishing and get yourself some dinner!

Lemme suggest right now that fresh langouste goes very well seared in a lemon butter sauce. Simply, but delicious!

6. Take a Boat Down the Rio Dulce in Guatemala

It is actually possible to leave Guatemala by boat, bound for Honduras Bay Island through this jungly river system. I actually delivered sailboats from the Rio Dulce to Honduras a couple of times, but many backpackers can simply volunteer on a sailboat heading in that direction.

If you don’t end up on a sailboat, I’d definitely still recommend a boat ride up the Rio Dulce. Basically, you realise how puny your sailboat is as you come in surrounded by walls of the green jungle… Yeah it’s pretty freaking epic.

7. Visit the San Blas Islands in Panama

Whether you are a party animal or beach lover (or both) – a trip around the San Blas islands is one you’ll never forget (or will never remember, depending on rum consumption).

If you are sailing at your own pace, you’ll be able to get into the swing of island life and see some of the cultures there. Most people simply pass through – which is all well and good and you’ll definitely still have a dope party time! But to really understand how incredibly stunning – but also unique – San Blas is, then you’ll need to slow down and spend some time there.

8. Ride the waves!

Nicaragua and Costa Rica in particular are world-class surf destinations and great places to learn, but the entire Pacific Coast of Central America is full of epic surf spots. El Salvador is a surfing hotspot that is overlooked – and that’s a shame!

So all you surf bums need to pack your boards and get on down to Central America. A goddamn delightful trip awaits you! Plus, we all know the rules of surfing life. Dawn surf, beers for lunch, party all night.

9. Visit the Cenotes in Mexico

Cenotes are a little slice of magic. They’re these clear, blue swimming holes sunken into limestone earth. The best swimming holes on earth are found in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The Maya used to use them for water sources… or dropping dead people…

Today, there is almost something mystical to these locations. And even the popular ones are bloody awesome.

It’s really out of this world to be able to see up to 50 metres deep! Plus, the cold water is such a welcome relief when you’re sweltering through the Yucatan’s humidity.

10. Change your plans

Here’s a warning. Central America travel goes something like this: you arrive, you fall in love, you don’t want to leave. While it’s good to have a rough idea of which direction you want to go, the worst thing you could do is plan every part of your backpacking trip to a T. 

Get chatting with locals and other backpackers about their favourite places. Leave some wiggle room in your itinerary so you can extend your stay in those places that make you feel at home. 

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Central America has plenty of budget accommodation options for backpackers. When you are not passing the night from the comfort of your tent or Couchsurfing, you’ll need to book a hostel.

Whether you just need a place to lay your head or a spot to meet fellow travellers, hostels are clearly where it’s at… Once you come around to hostel life , you’ll forever look back on the fond memories you made there!

But you know what? Nothing beats a night camping under the stars or deep within in the jungle. I think one of my favourite nights in all my travels was camping at the Yaxha ruins in Guatemala. Of course, I had a good hiking tent , so my sleep was perfect.

The evening was spent chatting with the custodians of the park and playing cards. I fell asleep to the sounds of howler monkeys and woke to see the sunrise over the lake. So yes, staying in a hostel is an awesome way to connect with other travellers – but sometimes you’ve just got to go bush.

• Where to Stay Mexico
• Where to Stay Belize
• Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
• Where to Stay in Leon Nicaragua
• Where to Stay Costa Rica
• Where to Stay in Panama City

Each country in Central America will affect your budget in a different way. I found Nicaragua to be the cheapest country in Central America, followed closely by El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Honduras can be very cheap as well, though not super cheap in the Bay Islands. Costa Rica and Belize are far more expensive for certain things like transport and accommodation.

Travelling in Central America certainly does not need to be expensive! If you are worried about spending too much money, I recommend allotting more time for yourself to explore the cheaper countries. But honestly, if you stick to the tried and true methods of budget backpacking , your wallet will be quite alright.

A Daily Budget For Backpacking Central America

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay on a daily basis whilst backpacking Central America…

Central America Budget Travel Hacks

• Camp: With plenty of gorgeous places to camp, Central America is a great place to pitch if you have a good-quality tent . Camping saves you money and can help you get off the beaten path.
• Pack a hammock: If you’re feeling really adventurous and want to save some cash, consider picking up a  backpacking hammock . Central America has plenty of palm trees and hammock-ready beaches. If you want to bring something with you on your trip that you will use all the time, this beauty is your best bet.
• Cook your own food:  Travel with a  portable backpacking stove  and cook your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking across Central America. If you plan to do some overnight hiking trips or to spend time at a surf camp, having a backpacking stove will be a great asset.
• Couchsurf:  Central American locals are awesome. Get to know some by learning to couchsurf ! Check out Couchsurfing to make some real friendships and see a country from the perspective of locals. When using Couchsurfing, be sure to send personalized messages to your potential host. A generic copy-and-paste message is much more likely to get turned down. Make yourself stand out.

Why Should You Travel to Central America with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful!

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

When to go to Central America varies with the weather as each country in Central America has its own unique climate. The dry season is generally December, January, February, and March : this is certainly the time when most people visit. You can have some great weather in November and April as well.

The rainy season can be a beautiful time to visit. The rain only complicates things if you want to do heaps of outdoor activities. During Christmas and the New Year, Costa Rican beaches are flat-out slammed with foreigners and locals alike.

Scuba diving is best in the winter or early spring months ( Nov-Feb ). The water has better visibility and the islands are generally more pleasant when it’s not pissing down rain. Basically, if you’re willing to put up with some rainy days and slightly less crowded beaches then do so: the jungle is certainly beautiful.

Also, the higher in altitude that you get, the more the weather changes. I can’t give a super accurate country breakdown because it truly depends where in the country you are as to what kind of weather you’ll get. Anything by the ocean is going to be more chill and have a less pronounced rainy season.

What to Pack for Central America

For such a variety of climates and range of activities to be done while backpacking Central America, you will need the  ultimate packing list .

There is no need to be that person who carts around 50 kilos of luggage. But you don’t want to be without the essentials either!

So what do you really need? Here are some essentials that accompany me on every single backpacking trip.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Well, when people realise I’ve spent six months living in Central America and more travelling, they immediately ask: Well is Central America safe ? Whilst it is true that Central America suffered through decades of brutal war, gang violence, and a horrific narcotics trade, modern-day Central America is a different story (though many of these problems still exist, big time).

Don’t get me wrong, Central America still has a huge problem with gang violence and the narco trade, but it is concentrated in specific areas tourists don’t usually wander into. 99% of the trouble I ever hear about from backpackers started with them trying to buy drugs/buying drugs.

So yes, the standard safe backpacking rules apply but no, you’ll rarely be running for your life here. However, I’d still think it was dishonest if I didn’t say that Central America has a higher crime rate than other parts of the world and foreigners are more likely to get caught up in something. Certain areas (mainly cities) in Central America have the highest rates of homicide anywhere in the world (not in a war zone).

That said, foreigners are very rarely involved or targeted by violence. And the one mugging I did accidentally witness was very quickly shut down by the neighbours because of how loud the girl screamed. In fact, the would-be robber was taken aside and dealt with by the community…

Basically, should you on the off chance find yourself being robbed, be loud but don’t be a hero. Aaaand, it’s probably not going to happen to you as long as you keep your wits about you.

• Is Mexico Safe to Visit?
• Is Guatemala Safe to Visit?
• Is Belize Safe to Visit?
• Is Nicaragua Safe to Visit?
• Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit?
• Is Honduras Safe to Visit?

Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll in Central America

What can I say? The first time I backpacked across Central America – I felt like the months I spent there were almost a continuous party. The backpacker circuit is well established and – in pretty much every hostel you stay at – there are other people game for putting a few beers back.

Drugs like cocaine and weed are VERY abundant along the backpacker trail. My advice: dabbling a few times is a normal part of the backpacker experience – but be careful – 1. the drug trade is one of the most destructive forces in Central America and 2. hard drugs like coke are very addictive and overdoses do happen.

Prostitution is rampant across every country in Central America. I found that in some parts of Costa Rica, I was approached by sex workers nearly every single night. Remember that sex trafficking is also a big problem in Central America and the people working in the trade may not be doing so by choice.

In general, party and have a good time when you feel like it – but remember to take it easy too. Climbing a volcano or doing a big trek is WAY more fun when you are not hungover – take it from me. 😉

Getting Insured BEFORE Travelling to Central America

No matter what you do, travelling always involves some level of risk. So I HIGHLY recommend getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you

Before you go travelling,  please consider a  good travel insurance provider .  Shit happens on the road (and open ocean) all the time, and when it does, it’s nice to know  somebody  has got your back. And what’s the one travel insurance provider The Broke Backpacker trusts for all its insurance needs…?

World Nomads!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

I started my two Central America backpacking trips from Cancun and Guatemala City respectively. If you are coming from North America or Europe, you can score some pretty sweet deals on airlines flying into Cancun.

I personally hate Cancun, but its airport gets the job done. It’s much cheaper than Belize City, for example, which really isn’t too far away. To maximize your budget, it is all about finding cheap flights to Central America!

It is also possible to find cheap flights to the other Central American capital cities. Panama City is probably the cheapest, followed by Managua, and San Jose. Check out our post on how to score cheap flights to find a bargain on flights to Central America.

Depending on your time frame and schedule, you can make an informed decision about where to start your trip. If you’re keen on backpacking Central America in its entirety, I recommend starting in Mexico and working your way south. You might be lucky to find a cheap flight to Panama City, but really, that would be very lucky,

Conveniently, most Central American countries don’t require any sort of visa to enter either. Most Western nations, including the US, UK, EU, and Australia, can visit each country visa-free for a period of 90 days. Be aware though that some countries like to charge a small entry fee.

The easiest and cheapest option is to travel to Central America by bus. The region is famous for the chicken bus .

The Guatemalan chicken bus is a sight to behold. These old American school buses are often painted with psychedelic colours and filled to the brim with humans (and sometimes chickens).

A majority of the buses have been bought in the USA at auction and then driven down to Central America to live out a second (exhausting) life in public transportation. Instead of carrying American school children, they are flying down steep mountain roads with various local populations packed inside. I can almost smell the sweet aroma of burning breaks and delicious roadside snacks.

In Costa Rica and the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, the buses are of better quality, but much more expensive than elsewhere in the region. In major cities, public transit systems are complicated but relatively easy to get around. Some of the larger cities – like Mexico City – have easy-to-use metros.

To get to the various Caribbean islands, you can catch a ferry. The ferries are more expensive than I anticipated, so budget accordingly.

You will hear the words “taxi taxi taxi” just about everywhere you go. Taxis are always more expensive than taking the bus but can be useful in certain situations. But turn your haggle game and ALWAYS set the price with the driver before getting into the cab.

Hitchhiking in Central America

Learning to hitchhike is definitely an option, buttttt it’s definitely easier when you know how to speak Spanish. If you dress the part and look like every other Latina vagabond, drivers will typically know what you’re doing. However, I always think it’s a good idea to offer to shout lunch or explain the journey that you’ve been on.

Hitchhiking edict changes from person to person, as some people picking you up, might want talkative company, and some people prefer quiet. This is where it’s much easier to speak Spanish so you can gauge the situation. Depending on the country, you’ll have differing wait times/success while hitchhiking.

I hitchhiked in Mexico with the most luck. My chicken and I met van lifers, musicians, farmers, and other solo travellers. I feel like hitchhiking really does open up the world of travel in a much more raw way.

Onwards Travel from Central America

Looking to continue travelling south after backpacking Central America? You have a few options. You can always fly from Panama City, Mexico City, or Cancun (depending on which direction you travel the region) onto South America or Europe.

A far more rewarding alternative is to take a boat. Multiple boat companies now offer passage from Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands with trips ranging from three to five days. If you are keen to go on an island-hopping sailing adventure, this option is for you.

From here you can go on to backpack South America! Fuck yeah!

The third option, if you can call it that, is crossing the Darien Gap overland. Rumour has it that you can hire a guide (for quite a bit of money) and cross the Darien Gap on foot. In the past, this was impossible due to narco-terrorist/guerrilla activity and is still considered a very dangerous place to cross . May the backpacker gods be with you if you attempt the journey on your own without a guide.

Taking a boat from Panama to Colombia sounds like the most fun for sure. You’ll have a chance to sleep on totally isolated islands and swim in crystal clear waters whilst drinking some ice-cold beers on your boat… It’s an epic trip.

• Backpacking Colombia
• Backpacking Ecuador
• Backpacking Peru
• Backpacking Brazil

Central America has been an ex-pat destination for decades. The whole spectrum of humanity comes down here for various reasons: retirement, to escape the desk, for the digital nomad lifestyle , to surf endlessly, to party forever, or to simply enjoy a cheaper cost of living away from the rat race.

Central America is one of the leading candidates for backpackers and digital nomads looking for a place to settle long-term (according to recent digital nomad trends ). Certainly, some countries cost more to live in than others, but generally speaking, life just costs less in Central America and one can enjoy a very pleasant lifestyle with about half the cost of living in Europe or the USA.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in Central America

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst giving something back. There are loads of different volunteer projects in Central America ranging from teaching to animal care to agriculture to pretty much everything! 

Programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and Workaway are generally well-managed and highly reputable. However, they aren’t without their flaws too. whenever you are volunteering, stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children.

Central America is home to dozens of distinct ethnic groups – each with its own set of traditions, food styles, dress, and in some cases, language. The ethnically Mayan peoples of the Guatemalan highlands I found to have the richest and most distinct cultural practices and traditions that have largely survived the modernization (and bloody civil war) of Guatemala.

One really feels the vibe of ancient traditions when you spend a few nights in a Mayan village. Similarly, I found the Garifuna communities in Belize and Honduras to be full of life – especially when it came to music and food.

A major thread that connects all of the Central American countries is religion. This is a very Catholic region almost without exception with local saints and patrons to be found in every village it seemed.

In general, I found the people in every country I visited in Central America to be kind, generous, and welcoming – and just as often very keen on sharing a strong drink and a chat with you, time permitting.

What to Eat in Central America

The food in Central America can be as diverse as its human inhabitants…

Though, I’ll start by saying that I have been much more wowed by the food in Asia and the Middle East than by the backpacker staples of rice and beans in Central America. That said, you can find some really tasty stuff to try!

Must-Try Dishes in Central America

• Tamales (Everywhere) – A kinda of staple puree with a filling, cooked and served in a leaf. Every town and every person has their own style. They’re cheap and delicious – so always take at least one wherever you see them.
• Pupusas (El Salvador) – Originating in El Salvador, Pupusas are all over Guatemala. Thick corn tortillas stuffed with fillings – usually refried beans, cheese and/or pork – Nothing like that crunchy fried texture with the squishy inside.
• Ceviche (Everywhere) – Fresh fish doesn’t come any fresher than ceviche. Not cooked, but marinaned in lime. Feels weird, tastes incredible.
• Tacos (Mexico and Guatemala) – If you’re hungry, tacos. If you’re not, tacos. If you don’t eat meat, often no tacos: we have to go hungry in some places.
• Mole (Mexico) – This soul sauce is made up of the ingredients directly from the heart of the women who spend hours on end concocting it. It dates prehispanic and Puebla and Oaxaca have the best ones.
• Gallo Pinto (Costa Rica): The national dish of Costa Rica! Rice and beans (yes, again) stir-fried together to create a speckled appearance. It is usually served for breakfast along with eggs and sour cream or cheese. There is no avoiding it.
• Olla de Carne (Costa Rica): A hearty stew of beef, cassava (a starchy tuber used in  Tico cooking), and whatever else gets thrown into the pot.
• Johnny Cakes and Fry Jacks (Belize) :  Both the jacks and Johnny cakes are made from flour: the jacks are flattened and fried, the Johnny cakes are round fluffy savory biscuits. Like everything, it’s best with butter or cheese.
• Lobster (Belize):  Self-explanatory and f***** delicious.

While you’re out here travelling, vagabonding, and being a broke backpacker, I’d encourage you to have a little pot of funds to try some unique experiences. Because there are some truly special activities to try out when you’re in Central America.

Yes, you can go paragliding or bungee jumping. You can volcano board, or trek through jungles.

But there are two activities that Central America can really claim as its own: SCUBA diving and surfing . The fun in the sun never stops along this coastline!

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

SCUBA Diving in Central America

You should know by now that Central America has some excellent scuba diving venues. It is possible to go diving in all of the countries as they all have access to the coast. Mexico, Belize, and Honduras are the clear winners.

Diving in Belize is more expensive than in Honduras, although undoubtedly still epic. The great blue hole is an awesome diving experience but so are the multitude of shallow reefs around the place too.

Mexico might have the most famous areas – like Cozumel and the cenotes – but I’d argue they more than live up to the hype. You can swim with manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, and innumerable tropical fish!

If you’re going a little further afield, backpacking Cuba can offer up some truly mind-blowing dive sites. Plus, although the Cayman Islands are technically British, they’re just south of Cuba and are basically one whole island full of dive sites.

However, The Bay Islands in Honduras are the go-to spot for getting your PADI certification. The backpacker scene on Utila makes up part of the draw as well.

During my time in Utila, I met many people in the Bay Islands who had moved there for the majority of the year to work in the diving industry. I must admit I was pretty envious of them. If you are looking to live somewhere beautiful long-term, becoming a diving instructor is one sweet way to make that happen.

Surfing in Central America

Surfing reigns supreme on much of Central America’s southern Pacific coast starting in El Salvador and winding down all the way to Costa Rica and Panama. Some of the best surf beaches in the Northern Hemisphere are found here.

New to surfing? There are plenty of surf schools to help you get the start you need in order to catch a few waves.

A stint at a Nicaragua or Costa Rica surf camp is a good way to fully immerse yourself in the world of surfing. Meeting people who have a higher level than you always helps one to improve.

A surf camp is basically a surfing hostel with (dorms) or without rooms (camping) where communities of surfers base themselves. Life at a surf camp is rough. Surfing, eating, making friends, and partying make up the main activities. Sound like fun? Time to get packing my friends.

Is Central America safe for backpackers?

Yes, most of Central America is perfectly safe to visit – including Honduras and El Salvador. But there are some parts of all the big cities in the region that you should avoid walking in at night, as well as always following your standard safety procedure.

How long do you need to backpack Central America?

I’d recommend a minimum of 6 weeks in Central America but even that will feel rushed. If you travel slowly and volunteer along the way, you could easily spend 3 – 6 months backpacking in Central America.

Where can I go backpacking in Central America?

All the countries in Central America offer something a little different, so it depends on what you’re after! You could go surfing, hiking, diving, or on a food tour. Guatemala might be your best bet for hiking, whereas El Salvador or Nicaragua would be better for surfing.

Is Central America safe for solo female travellers?

Generally, yes. I don’t think Central America is less safe for women than other travellers. You still need to keep your wits about you, listen to your gut, and then you will likely have a very safe experience.

Why did the chicken cross Central America?

Because Indigo needed a friend. No, it’s not a joke: that really is Indigo’s friend.

Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…

Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.

Be good to Central America.

Central America is a region that has not had it easy over the years, and yet they’ve bounced back. It’s a beautiful region full of people that are genuinely excited to show off their home to you. So with that, my last bit of advice would just be to travel in a way that leaves the place better – not worse.

The surfing, the diving, the hiking, the partying… It’s all supremely good here.

You get the best of the backpacker world and the local’s world once you pick up a little Spanish and leave the gringo trail. You’ll meet friends for life and get swept up in adventures that sound unreal when you retell them back home.

But that’s just Latin America for you! It’s kind to the vagrants and the artisans with the next free camping spot just up the road. The markets are full of colour and the streets are full of delectable food.

So off you go, book that ticket, and get to exploring! I found a second home here and I’m almost certain that you will too! Hopefully, I’ll see you on the road sometime.

• Backpacking Southeast Asia
• How to Find Cheap Flights
• Best Party Cities in the World
• The Best Travel Cameras

Updated February 2023 by Laura Hall .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Joe Middlehurst

Share or save this post

26 Comments

We are hoping to do Central America from Mid April to Mid May… we thought we’d start in Panama or Costa Rica and head north to try and catch the best of the weather, but every suggested itinerary I’ve seen online suggests travelling in the opposite direction. Can anyone offer any guidance on what the best option is and why? Especially travelling at the end of the dry season/beginning of the rainy season? Any guidance much appreciated.

Very good guide, it helped me a lot during my trip through Central America. I look forward to a post-pandemic update.

Awesome to hear, Isla!

Amazing blog Keep posting such content

Hi Chris, My friends and I are really keen to #3 Backpacking Central America Itinerary 4 weeks: Guatemala to Costa Rica, but there’s not a lot of detail listed. How many days would you recommend at each stop? Best wishes,

travelling is love

I meant Chris, not Will. I’m so sorry!

Thank you so much for the amazing information, Will! I plan on backpacking Central America starting this December through every in Central America. I know some countries require a negative Covid test 72 hours prior to entering. How would this be achieved when crossing borders from country to country throughout my trip? Would I need to get a Covid test in each country? If so, how would I go about doing that? I am currently vaccinated for Covid, could I just show them my vaccination card? Thank you so much for your time, I just want to make sure I’ll be able to complete my journey!

Hi Jonathan, Its great you have been vaccinated. Make sure you have proof of your vaccination with you, make sure you have a digital back up copy too. Regarding the Covid tests for travel, you will need to follow the exact instructions given by each country prior to border crossing. I imagine most countries will have this listed on their website, including how, when and where to get the test done. Unfortunately, even if you have the vaccine you may still need to follow the testing protocol. Have a great time.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful article. It’s really helpful and valuable tips.It’s really good and thanks for sharing this good article.

Glad you enjoyed it! Safe travels.

Your blog is by far the best backpacking one out there. I spent 6 weeks travelling Central America this past summer using many suggestions from your site, and am planning my SE Asia trip in May again using your blog as a guide and starting point. Thank you!!

Thanks Brianna, have a great time in SEA!

Your photos are awesome! They really add a lot to your article. Do you use a high end camera or a smartphone to get such great shots?

My boyfriend and I are currently planning a trip to CA and this blog post SERIOUSLY had EVERYTHING we were looking for! Thank you!!

Hi! Did you need a proof of the onward journey (pr return ticket) when entering countries of CA?

Oh my god, it’s a gamble. As of 2 years ago, most times you’re not asked. When you are, you can usually get by if you tell them something really specific, like “I’m going to take a bus to Costa Rica next month for a jungle trek.” Make sure that whatever it is you say, it’s actually far enough out, because in some countries they’ll limit your visa only for as long as you need it. Hope this helps!

Honestly man. I never really leave any comments on blogs but this is one of the most helpful, detailed and honest blogs I have ever stumbled upon. Thank you for being realistic about safety concerns in central America, talk about realistic prices and your detailed itineraries are incredible. Keep it going!!

Thanks for the love Lars! We hope you make it to Central America and love it!

Hey, I totally get wanting to eliminate plastic waste but in Mexico & Central/South America, we are unable to drink water that comes out of taps or fountains. So where to refill the reusable bottles??? I hope I’m not missing an article about this, I clicked on your links and didn’t see any explanation….. GREAT GUIDES, MIL GRACIAS!

I carry a Grayl Geopress 🙂

when did you visit central America? is it safe for a male and female to take buses from cancun to Honduras and maybe further at this time? Even with all the travel warnings? I loved the blog post, I will certainly use it to plan more of my trip.

I wouldn’t take public transport in Honduras but private buses with decent bus lines should be OK

Amazing guide, thank you! I’m planning to solo-backpack through Central America this spring. Can you tell me, where will I meet other backpackers and make friends? Where is a good and safe place to start my backpacking-journey? Thank you! 🙂

I recommend starting in Guetamala – Antigua is chill 🙂 You’ll meet people in hostels – just choose some sociable ones 🙂

Thumbs up for the security belt with a hidden pocket you suggested. I make my husband wear it anytime we’re traveling 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

10 Best Beach Towns in Central and South America | Start Planning Your Next Summer Vacation

• Central and South America
• Destinations

Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

As fall transitions into winter in the United States, so does my desire to go someplace warmer, to disconnect on a beach, avoid the gray skies, and allow my phone to go to voicemail.

Each year, it comes down to where to go. Belize and its carless islands? The familiarity of expats and creature comforts in Costa Rica? The mix of Peruvian and Chilean cuisines? The art form of capoeira and sounds of Gal Costa’s Aquarela Do Brasil that give the impression that you’re in the Brazil of the past? 

Over the years, these countries have become my go-to places and my safe havens for when the wind starts knocking on my window. Not all of them are easily accessible, but that is part of their charm. 

Although a few may have tourists here and there, for the most part, you will find locals spending their vacation time at most of these locales and, if you arrive at the right time, you will also find me enjoying one of the beautiful beaches.

Central America boasts stunning beaches like those in Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio with lush rainforest backdrops, offering diverse wildlife encounters. South America’s beaches, such as Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha, dazzle with crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life.

Both regions offer paradise-like settings, yet Central America’s beaches often have a more untouched, rustic charm while South America’s tend to be more developed with bustling beach towns and vibrant cultures

Below is my guide to my favorite beach getaways from Belize to Uruguay , plus a bonus recommendation in Mexico .

Best Beach Towns in Central and South America

1. ramon’s village, ambergris caye, belize.

Due to the country using English as a local language and its location near the United States, Belize is a quick getaway from almost every major U.S. city. 

To reach the islands of Belize , you fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International (BZE). From there, you take a shuttle to one of two ferries that go to the islands or take a short flight into the San Pedro Regional Airport (SPR). 

Once there, you have a few options. My favorite beach is Ramon’s Village in Ambergris Caye — the biggest of all the islands. I gravitate to this specific destination due to its restaurants, bars, and Garifuna food. 

From here, you can easily grab a boat to go snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, or visiting Shark Ray Alley.

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Ramon’s Village

2. Playa El Tunco

El salvador.

Although not on most travelers’ radar, Playa El Tunco rewards its visitors by showing a side of the country (on the Pacific) not seen often or portrayed in a positive light. Before arriving at San Salvador International (SAL), arrange for transportation to take you to the town of La Libertad. 

Only 35 minutes away from the airport, you can utilize the time to see the beauty of the country and hopefully get some pollo (chicken) campero . Luxury accommodations are on the far end of Playa El Tunco and overlook the ocean. A rocky barrier partitions the public (Playa Las Flores) and private sides of the beach.

Although the private side leaves you with long stretches with almost no one in sight, the public side has the restaurants and fishermen who are delighted that the Americans are visiting. English is barely spoken here, so here is your opportunity to practice your Spanish. Locals will have a million questions for you and want to share their lives and stories with you.

Pro Tip: Carry some cash. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Playa El Tunco

3. San Juan Del Sur

A beach town that serves as a stopover before heading deeper into the country, San Juan Del Sur has an interesting history due to American William S. Walker, who used the site as a port of entry before proclaiming himself the president of Nicaragua in 1856.

Once again, book transportation before flying into Managua International (MGA). You can take a regional bus, but I strongly suggest private transportation for the 2-hour trek. The laid-back vibe and attitude will grab you instantly. While here, I took long naps on the beach, ate late lunches, and lost track of time.

A prime surf, scuba diving, and snorkeling site, you will find a few surfers stopping by to catch a few waves, party in town, before leaving the next day via the bus station. For families, there are vendors offering pony and donkey rides up and down the beach.

The people are friendly, and every day feels like Sunday. My only gripe is that a few locals attempted to sell me everything from souvenirs and cigarettes to coconut water while I was trying to relax. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near San Juan Del Sur

4. Playa Herradura

Jaco, costa rica.

Transportation from San Jose International (SJO) is a 90-minute ride to the Caribbean side of the country and one of the most popular destinations. Deciding to steer clear of the crowds, I stayed at one of the resorts at Playa Herradura.

What I prefer about this area just a short drive from the city of Jaco are the creature comforts that I am used to coming from a Caribbean family — namely, the food. While in Herradura, it tasted authentic. In the city, I noticed that a number of restaurants received their food from American companies. The taste was different, even a bit bland. 

Playa Herradura is the perfect place for spending time with friends. When I’m there, I like to meet for a few drinks, explore the area that was the inspiration for the original Jurassic Park , and relax on the beach while watching the boats out on the water. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Playa Herradura

5. Puerto Villamil Beach, Isabela Island

Galapagos islands, ecuador .

A short walk from the port where all the ferries to other islands are located is Puerto Villamil. It is a strange sensation to relax on a beach where flamingos walk by, but that is exactly what you will experience.

This is a location with spotty cell service and only a few ATMs where you can detach and enjoy the scenery while trying to spot the various inhabitants who call this place home. 

Ask a local guide to take you around the island, go snorkeling or hiking, or try to spot the various penguins, tortoises, and boobies that swim by. 

When you are done, stop at one of the local restaurants along the beach and relax. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Puerto Villamil Beach, Isabela Island.

6. Playa Cavancha

Iquique, chile.

Located in the north of Chile, Iquique is an ideal entry point to the Atacama Desert and home to Empanadas Don Ignacio , which serves some of the best empanadas in the country. 

Iquique is one of the most unique cities in the country. Because Iquique was a part of Peru prior to the War of the Pacific (1879–1884), you will undoubtedly notice a mix of cultures, foods, and spices that  exists only in this region. 

Playa Cavancha sits next to the main artery of Avenue Arturo Prat Chacon, a great site for watching the waves and taking a sandboarding lesson. More often than not, the waters are too turbulent to swim in, but the views are amazing as the city’s few tall buildings create a photo-worthy site once the sun starts to set. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Playa Cavancha

7. Playa Brava

Punta del este, uruguay.

In one of the best beach towns in South America, grab a chivito (Uruguayan steak and egg sandwich) and head to Playa Brava to experience the jet-set life. Punta del Este is where the famous go to vacation. Going back to the 1950s, the site has attracted all sorts due to its beautiful beaches and nightlife.

Going by many names — the Monaco of the South, Pearl of the Atlantic, the Hamptons of South America, Miami Beach of South America, and St. Tropez of South America — this is where you can get away and run into American or Latin celebrities. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Playa Brava

8. Praia Do Rio Vermelho

Salvador de bahia, brazil.

Most travelers prefer Rio de Janeiro , but Salvador is my preference. Laid back and with more families as well as couples visiting Farol da Barra for some private time, Praia do Rio Vermelho does not have crowds, but there are plenty of nightclubs in the vicinity where travelers can practice their samba. 

During the day, you can take a private speedboat tour of the area or visit the surrounding islands before watching the sun set over the Atlantic.

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Praia Do Rio Vermelho

9. Punta del Diablo, Uruguay

A stone’s throw away from the Brazilian border, Punta del Diablo in Uruguay exudes boho vibes. You can enjoy the town’s laid-back atmosphere while relaxing under the sun or playing beach volleyball. This is one of Uruguay’s most liberal party spots where smoking marijuana isn’t prohibited.

From Christmas until February, this little town with 900 inhabitants turns into a major tourist destination. The rest of the year travelers can enjoy the tranquility of its winding dirt streets and long stretches of beautiful empty white sand beaches.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Punta del Diablo.

10. Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bocas del Toro on Isla Colón is the capital of the identically named province in northeast Panama which comprises a small piece of the mainland and an archipelago of islands. 

With calypso and reggae rhythms in the streets, the archipelago of Bocas is a reflection of Afro-Caribbean culture. The archipelago was also declared a Hope Spot by Mission Blue , for the restoration of coral reefs. For this reason, adding diving and snorkeling into your travel itinerary is a fantastic idea.

Explore hotels and Airbnbs near Bocas del Toro.

Bonus: Punta Maldonado (El Faro)

Guerreo/oaxaca state border, mexico.

It feels odd to me to speak of all these Latin American destinations without including Mexico. So while it’s not technically in Central or South America, I want to introduce Punta Maldonado — a reminder of what Mexican beach town s were once like. There are no fast-food restaurants here. Instead, you have families preparing regional meals. It is quiet and removed. The loudest noises you will encounter are the sound of children playing and the regional bus calling out for customers. 

Known as El Faro ( The Lighthouse ), Punta Maldonado sits along Costa Chica ( Short Coast ) on the border of the Guerrero and Oaxacan states. To reach this destination means either flying into Acapulco International (ACA) or Puerto Escondido (PXM) and taking regional transportation that will take you right to the beach.

It’s known by locals for a slave ship that crashed off its coast, forcing its shackled inhabitants to swim to shore, and there are many people in the area who trace their lineage to those swimmers. More of a fishing town, you will find numerous vessels tied to makeshift docks and fishermen going out for the day’s catch while their families take care of chores.

Hotels are located on the top floors of a few local homes. The area is rough-looking, but that is part of its charm. It is safe, but no tourism dollars have gone to the area, and you can see it in the infrastructure and architecture. The locals were repairing their nautical museum when I was there — repaving the ground and cleaning it. 

A few restaurants are over the water. It won’t be too long before someone offers you a Victoria beer and a menu featuring fresh ceviche.

Pro Tips: Carry cash as there are not any ATMs and cell service is spotty. Head up the road to catch the lighthouse watcher, who will let you go inside for a panoramic view. Put a few pesos in the box before leaving. 

Explore hotels and  Airbnbs near Punta Maldonado (El Faro)

No matter which Mexican, Central, or South American beach destination you prefer, each offers its own unique charm, fun excursions, accessibility to locals who will be fascinated that you made it there, and delicious local foods that make the trek absolutely worth it.

Planning your beach vacation? Consider all our beach content here .

Which South American Country to Go For a Beach Vacation?

Beautiful beaches in South America go far beyond the famous Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. There are stunning beaches from Colombia to Peru, and even the Galapagos and Chile. Whether for a tranquil escape, nightlife, or a rugged wilderness, there are amazing beaches in South America for everyone. 

Why Travel to Beach Towns in South America?

Whether you daydream about surfing waves, relaxing at beach clubs, or simply strolling along the sand after a refreshing dip, with the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean sea on its shores, South America has a beach city to fulfill every traveler’s wishes.

Which Central American Country to Go For a Beach Vacation?

From Mexico and the Caribbean Islands to countries on the Central Pacific coast like Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama, the most famous beaches are truly unbeatable. They also boasts some of the best beach towns in Central America.

Why Visit Beach Towns in Central America?

Beach towns in Central America cater to every taste. With long stretches of white sands, warm clear waters, fun parties, or laid-back surf towns, anyone looking for a beach vacation would be wise to visit South America. Given the enormity of this continent, beach options are vast.

Central America vs South America: Which Is Better?

The easy answer to Central America vs South America would be to visit both. Nonetheless, with stunning beaches on all sides, a trip to Central America is more suited for family trips, while in South America a lot of its charm lies inland so it may be more suited to active adventurers.

He has been to 80 destinations and lived in Greece, New Zealand, South Australia, Espana, Chile, and the United States.

Getting around Central America is easy by bus, plane and boat

Mar 19, 2022 • 8 min read

So-called "chicken buses" form the backbone of bus travel in Central America © Mint Images RF / Getty Images

Spanning seven countries and countless beaches, jungles, volcanoes and lost cities, Central America is surprisingly compact. The Pan-American Highway runs for nearly 2000km (1240 miles) along this chain of Spanish-speaking countries, but the isthmus is no wider than 560km (35o miles) across at its widest point.

With enough time and patience, all seven countries can be traversed by bus, daisy-chaining from Guatemala and Belize through Honduras and El Salvador to Nicaragua , Costa Rica and Panama . With less time to spare, it's easy to pair up countries – perhaps Mayan pyramid-hopping in Guatemala combined with scuba-diving in Belize, or toucan-spotting in Costa Rica paired with cruises along Panama’s famous canal.

Here's what you need to know about getting around Central America.

The easiest and cheapest way to explore Central America is by bus

Central America has a bus for every budget and every kind of traveler. The backbone of bus travel in the region is the 'chicken bus' – these repurposed and gaudily painted North American school buses race along highways, belching black smoke and stopping in every city, town and hamlet. Buses cover fixed routes with the destination displayed on the front windscreen, and are as much a cultural experience as a way to get from A to B.

Vast numbers of minivans follow similar routes to the chicken buses, leaving when full for a slightly higher fare. Then there are tourist-orientated shuttle buses linking major hubs, such as the ones provided by Interbus in Costa Rica. In line with its famous green credentials, Costa Rica is trialing electric buses in San José , with the aim of moving the whole country to all-electric buses by 2030. Pura vida! 

For long-haul trips between major cities, there are long-distance bus lines such as Ticabus , which serves destinations across the region’s seven countries using comfortable buses equipped with toilets, air conditioning, WiFi, reclining seats, and on-board security for less stable parts of the isthmus.

Other useful lines include Trasnica , which operates in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and Transporte del Sol in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

Taxis are plentiful in all the major cities

Taxis are cheap and plentiful across Central America. However, tourists are often charged elevated rates, so try to use a radio taxi or official taxi, rather than flagging a cab down on the street. If the taxi has a meter, insist it’s turned on, or take a different cab. For longer journeys, you'll normally have to negotiate a price – and confirm the currency! – before you set off. Carry small bills to pay for taxi rides and grab all your baggage before you hand over any money.

To the annoyance of local taxi drivers, Uber is now available in Panama City (including Uber Assist for people with accessibility issues), Guatemala City and Antigua , San Salvador , and Costa Rica’s Central Valley , and drivers will often take you around the country from these urban hubs. Local ride-hailing app, inDriver , is available in all of the above countries, plus Honduras and Nicaragua.

Three-wheeled mototaxis – the Central American take on tuk-tuks – are becoming increasingly popular in many parts of the isthmus, with fares negotiated as for taxis.

Hiring a car is expensive, but great for exploring

Hiring a car doesn’t come cheap in Central America, but it’s a great way to get off the tourist trail and explore the isthmus at your own pace. Driving in Central America isn’t for the fainthearted – you'll face challenges ranging from bumper-to-bumper traffic in cities to rural roads crowded with cows and wildlife, and erratic drivers ignoring traffic signs everywhere.

All the major rental car companies have outlets at international airports, in capital cities, and in popular tourist destinations. Most countries allow you to drive with your home driving license, but there's no harm in carrying an International Driving Permit just in case. You'll pay a lot more to pick up a car in one place and drop it off at another location, and even higher premiums to cross international borders (if the company allows it at all).

A decent 4WD vehicle is a must if you’re going off-the-beaten-track and planning to tackle any dirt roads. Always make sure the vehicle comes with all the necessary safety equipment, including a functional spare tire, and always read the rental agreement’s small print and take out as much insurance as possible to reduce what you might have to pay in the event of an accident.

On the road, keep emergency services numbers to hand in case of breakdowns, and drive cautiously and defensively. Never leave valuables unattended in your car, and avoid driving at night. Also keep your passport, driving license and rental papers to hand in case you have any dealings with the police.

A boat journey in Central America will take you places you wouldn’t otherwise reach

Central America has two beach-sprinkled coastlines facing the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and dozens of stunning lakes and jungle-fringed rivers. A boat can be the best – and sometimes the only – way to get from A to B.

In Nicaragua, there are regular sailings from San Jorge to the bucolic island of Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua . Boats also run from Bluefields on the Caribbean Coast to the icing sugar-soft beaches of the Corn Islands , and you can ferry-hop from La Ceiba to the underwater paradise of the Bay Islands in Honduras.

On Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Tortuguero can only be reached by boat or plane, with small boats chugging along the wildlife-rich canals of its namesake national park. On the Pacific Coast, a regular ferry service connects Puntarenas with Playa Naranjo and Paquera, providing easy access to the year-round surf breaks on the Nicoya Peninsula . And daily ferries operate from Golfito to Puerto Jiménez on the wild and wonderful Osa Peninsula .

In Guatemala, you can explore the myriad Mayan villages that dot the shore of Lake Atitlan by lancha (public boat); Panajachel is the main hub for ferry services. And don’t miss a trip along one of the planet’s greatest man-made marvels, the Panama Canal , squeezing along those famous locks and admiring the engineering genius of the Culebra Cut. A partial transit of the isthmus by cruise boat takes around six hours.

Let the plane take the strain

If you’re cash-rich and time-poor, flying can knock hours off many road trips, though there's an environmental impact to consider in those calculations. For example, the flight from Guatemala City to Flores – gateway to the towering temples of Tikal – takes just one hour, compared to an eight-hour journey by bus.

Panama-based Copa Airlines and Colombian flag carrier Avianca operate the majority of services on the isthmus, and both are part of Star Alliance , making for easy international transfers. Discount Mexican carrier Volaris has some very reasonable low-cost fares to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador.

You can also take a "puddle-jumper" – a small propeller-driven aircraft used for short local and mainland-to-island hops. You'll share the tiny open cabin space with the pilot, and you’ll often be weighed along with your baggage at check-in, so pack light.

These diminutive planes are a popular alternative to long road trips and bumpy boat rides to Central America’s fringing islands. Useful routes include Tropic Air 's service from Belize City to Caye Caulker , and La Costeña 's shuttle from Bluefields and Managua to Nicaragua’s Corn Islands.

Urban transport is easy in major cities

Trains may be scarce in Central America, but Panama City has the region’s first and only metro , linking the northern and southern reaches of the metropolitan area to the city center, with more lines under development. You’ll need to buy a rechargeable Metro, MetroBus, or RapiPass card to use the service, and these tickets also work on the city’s buses.

In Costa Rica, the Interurbano Line is a commuter train connecting the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago in the lush Central Valley. In other major cities, downtown transport is provided by fleets of local buses, mototaxis and conventional taxis.

My favorite way to travel in Central America is by 'chicken bus'

Traveling on a chicken bus is an experience like no other. On journeys across the isthmus, I’ve shared a seat with a strident caged cockerel and been swept off the bus by the voluminous skirts of Guatemalan ladies eager to get to market.

It’s always easy to strike up a conversation with your fellow passengers – if you can hear them above the tinny music played at ear-splitting volume on the bus stereo – and a little Spanish goes a long way when it comes to breaking the ice. The buses can be cramped, hot, dusty, and sometimes downright dangerous when careering around blind corners at breakneck speed, but the experience is never dull.

Accessible travel in Central America

Central America still has a way to go before it becomes a truly accessible destination, but it’s not all bad news. Strict accessibility laws saw Costa Rica named the world's best accessible travel destination in 2021, and awareness of accessibility issues is growing around the region.

Throughout Central America, obstacles include buildings with steps, poor (or absent) sidewalks, hotels without elevators, a general absence of safe road crossings and few accessible buses or boats. In general, hiring a vehicle or using taxis is often the easiest option for those with mobility issues. For more information, see Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel Resources page .

You may also like: The 14 best beaches in Central America 15 things you absolutely must do in Central America 8 of the best places to surf in Central America for beginners to pros

Explore related stories

Public Transport

Jan 6, 2024 • 6 min read

The second-largest country in Central America, Honduras is a sprawl of mountains, islands, coastal plains and tropical lowlands. Here's how to get around.

Dec 23, 2023 • 6 min read

Nov 5, 2023 • 11 min read

Mar 12, 2024 • 22 min read

Mar 10, 2024 • 8 min read

Mar 2, 2024 • 7 min read

Feb 19, 2024 • 7 min read

Feb 1, 2024 • 7 min read

Jan 31, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 30, 2024 • 9 min read

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Places to Go in Central and South America in 2024

By CNT Editors

This is part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024 – find more travel inspiration here .

For a region so marked by its ancient cultures – the Mayans, the Olmecs, the Aztecs, the Incas, the Moche, the Wari, spanning 5,000 years of human history – it’s a real shift of perspective to look at a map of places to go in Central and South America, tilt your head, and ask: “So – what’s new?”

After all, superlatives are usually part of the draw in these parts. The oldest known civilisation in the Americas flourished around 3,000 BC in Caral, Peru, with today’s travellers regularly driving three hours from Lima to walk its grounds. Tikal, the Mayan citadel in Guatemala, is described by UNESCO as “one of the most important archaeological complexes left by the Maya civilisation,” and cars, buses, and helicopters bring visitors to it daily.

Yet around these gobsmacking, still-standing vestiges of cultures past, there is so much newness. There are museums of a staggering scale, like the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) – Brazil ’s first modern art museum when it opened in 1947 – that’s soon to become even bigger with a 14-story extension; just blocks away, a brand-new Soho House will be the club’s first outpost in South America . On the Magdalena River in Colombia , the charming city of Mompox (founded in 1540) that Gabriel García Márquez anointed in his novel The General in his Labyrinth, will become more accessible than ever thanks to new river cruises aboard the glossy AmaWaterways. (Expect to hear more brands hitting these waters in years to come.) As for Tikal, in Guatemala? It’ll be easier to reach in 2024 thanks to new direct flights from the US to Guatemala City (where you’ll want to stop to try food from the country’s rising chefs). There’s also glamping, ritzy resorts , and the makings of a few epic road trips .

These are the best places to go in Central and South America in 2024 – where new meets the very, very old. – Megan Spurrell

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica

Go for: glitzy resort openings from beloved brands

Villa Eram is one of several shiny new stays on Costa Rica's Papagayo Peninsula, where surf, sea, wellness, and high design collide.

You wouldn’t be alone in thinking Costa Rica was all barefoot backpackers, surf seekers, and adrenaline-fueled adventurers. But on a tiny Pacific peninsula in Guanacaste, beach lovers with deeper pockets can find sleek resorts from beloved hospitality brands like Four Seasons , Andaz , Hyatt-owned Secrets , and Marriott’s El Mangroove, Autograph Collection . This all-star resort destination will get even better in 2024 when it welcomes Nekajui , a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: an ultra-lavish playground with 107 rooms and 36 private residences overlooking Pochote’s horseshoe-shaped bay. Nekajui , which means “garden” in Chorotega (one of the region’s native languages), nods to the open-air experiences, from a show-stopping infinity pool and a beach club reachable by funicular to a treehouse spa accessed via suspension bridge. Plus, the beloved, 20-year-old Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo just completed a major renovation as of November 1. There’s now a Mediterranean-inspired beach club on Playa Virador, improved sustainability on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer–designed golf course, and new wellness offerings for those seeking out Costa Rica’s Blue Zone benefits. With the much-anticipated arrival of Waldorf Astoria Residences Guanacaste on the other side of Culebra Bay coming in 2025, consider this your chance to get in on the exclusive enclave’s five-star service and unparalleled privacy while making the most of the Liberia airport’s new purpose-built terminal for private jets and Peninsula Papagayo’s 180-berth private marina, which can accommodate yachts up to 250 feet. Short-term renters can register their interest with Martha Dayton Design and U+B Architecture & Design’s latest project, Villa Eram , a biophilic retreat (opened in 2022) inspired by the rainforest, while brand loyalists should keep their eyes peeled: It’s rumoured that Six Senses, One & Only, and Rosewood are all in talks with developers here too. – Anna Prendergast

Chacarita in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Go for: cool wine bars, seasonally driven restaurants, and celebrated cocktail spots

At Sofá in Buenos Aires, up-and-coming bartender Agostina Elena makes expert cocktails in a moody space.

Small plates and late-night dancing round out the ambience at Sofá, emblematic of the casual-cool spots that have made Chacarita so popular.

Buenos Aires has long banked on grass-fed beef to propel its food scene, but that’s hardly all that’s on the menu these days – and Michelin’s first guide to Argentina , unveiled in November 2023, is proof. Porteños embrace a spontaneous approach to eating and drinking, and the Chacarita neighbourhood – right near ever-cool Palermo – is the Argentine capital’s current casual-dining darling with a diverse collection of recently opened spots.

Wine bars are all the rage: at Naranjo , enjoy higher-welfare porchetta and skin-contact vintages under the orange tree for which it’s named; Anchoíta Cava’ s wine, cheese, and charcuterie lists are notable, while small plates, such as cacio e pepe, and a generous pick-your-own bottle selection are paired with charming floral arrangements at Lardito . Southeast Asian tapas such as chicken pao are on the menu at Apu Nena , while dishes are for sharing at Picaron and Condarco : When they appear on the changing menus, order the razor clams in salsa verde at the former and griddled oyster mushrooms at the latter. The 25-year-old chef, Nicolas Tykocki, at the opened-this-year Ácido , meanwhile, intrigues diners by making a daily off-menu dish. Chacarita’s drinks scene, spearheaded by vermouth specialist La Fuerza , also punches above its weight: whiskey aficionados can sip from 110-plus cask-aged malts to a vinyl soundtrack at Sede ; find signature beverages from bartending legend Mona Gallosi at Punto Mona ; and try up-and-coming Agostina Elena’s cocktails at just-opened Sofá . If you’re traveling to eat and drink in the year ahead, Chacarita should be your first stop. – Sorrel Moseley-Williams

Colca Canyon, Peru

Go for: a stylish new tented camp, epic hiking, and unforgettable landscapes

In Peru's dramatic Colca Canyon, trekking and horsebacking riding are popular ways to traverse the epic Andean landscape.

Peru now has its first tented camp thanks to Puqio, with stylish interiors and elevated dining and excursions included in every stay.

Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon , Colca is a dramatic gash in Southern Peru where Inca-built agricultural terraces line the hillsides, and shadows of Andean condors – with all nine feet of their wingspans – ripple across the landscape. It’s long been worth the journey required to reach this hiking destination, which is about three hours by car from the colonial city of Arequipa (itself a 90-minute flight from Lima or Cusco). But with Peru’s first-ever tented camp, open as of September 2023, the Colca Canyon is set to climb even higher on visitors’ bucket lists.

Puqio – from the same team behind chic Cirqa in Arequipa, boutique Atemporal in Lima, and the lakeside lodge of Titilaka on Lake Titicaca – has all the makings of another destination-worthy stay. Safari-style tents and adobe huts are on offer, with all meals and drinks included – expect local dishes cooked in clay ovens, or over an open flame, and the zing of pisco in cocktails. Outdoor bath tubs and wood-burning stoves make it tempting to turn in early, but Puqio-organized excursions will keep you busy, whether you’re looking to learn from Andean herbalists, go horseback riding, embark on sweat-inducing treks, or dip into natural hot springs. It’s much of what already draws travellers to Colca, wrapped in a bow – go while it’s still easy to nab one of only eight accommodations available. – Megan Spurrell

Go for: new cruises leading to ancient ruins, and a burst of artsy openings

From the capital city to Antigua, new art, cultural, and community spaces beg travellers to venture beyond Mayan ruins like Tikal – and stay awhile.

Luna Zorro Studio, which sells artisan textiles, will open a boutique with a two-bedroom casita for rent in October 2024, in Antigua.

When National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions launch their new Belize to Tikal itinerary in January 2024, travellers may be tempted to tack on a few days ashore Belize’s white-sand beaches and palm-dotted islands. But Guatemala, home to the jungle-shrouded Mayan ruins of Tikal, is the extension not to skip. The country’s mix of rich Indigenous and colonial history, staggering natural beauty, and now expanding infrastructure for tourism in the form of restaurants, hotels, and tours makes 2024 the year to explore Guatemala in earnest. In the charming city of Antigua, the world class MUNAG (National Museum of Art Guatemala) , which covers 3,000 years of heritage through a contemporary lens, is now open, and a second-phase unveiling is expected imminently. Nearby, the team behind Luna Zorro studio – known for merging traditional craftsmanship with modern textile design and crafting boutique trips throughout Guatemala in collaboration with El Camino Travel – is renovating a historic property into La Valiente: It will house a Luna Zorro boutique and a coffee-and-wine bar in the front, with a two-bedroom casita for rent in the back, all set to open in October 2024. Café No Sé , meanwhile, an anchor of the old city that’s touted as the first mezcal bar outside of Mexico , will continue to honour “20-ish” years of being in business with events and live music. A flush of new art spaces, like Aura Galerías , and innovative restaurants continue to characterise the capital of Guatemala City.

Air carriers have taken notice of the increasing interest in this destination – in December 2023, Alaska will begin daily service from Los Angeles to Guatemala City, marking a new year-round route for the airline. Delta is bumping up access to Latin America in general and upping the frequency of winter flights from its Atlanta hub to Guatemala. – Ali Wunderman

Inhotim, Brazil

Go for: the chance to finally spend the night within the renowned open-air art museum

Inhotim has long been a jewel in the crown for art-loving travelers. In 2024, new bungalows on-site will make it possible to sleep among the masterpieces.

Nestled within Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, Inhotim is Latin America’s largest open-air art museum –and one that begs for slow, thoughtful exploration. Here, one of the most diverse collections of contemporary art in the world, with pieces ranging from large-scale sculptures to paintings and photographs, stretches over thousands of acres of botanical gardens. An art centre of this magnitude begs for a multi-day visit, yet the lack of nearby accommodation has long made that difficult. This will all change next year.

Come September 2024, there will be 45 bungalows on-site, the first phase of a project spearheaded by Clara Resorts , a São Paulo-based hotel group focused on sustainable luxury. Each night, hotel guests will be able to retreat to luxurious rooms outfitted with balconies, fireplaces, and soapstone bath tubs; amenities like a 25-meter heated pool, sauna, massage room, gym, and events space are also planned. Plus, there will be a food hall with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. In an effort to create a welcoming and comfortable space for families, each bungalow will accommodate four to five people – and, once the bungalows are complete, 60 additional rooms and a spa will follow, and a larger resort with at least 150 rooms is expected to open by 2029.

The project will incorporate designs by architect Freusa Zechmeister, a native of the state of Minas Gerais, and overflow with stones from the state – nodding to the area’s prosperous mining history and inviting visitors to explore Brazil’s most destination-worthy museum, less than a two-hour drive from the city of Belo Horizonte. – Carla Vianna

Magdalena River, Colombia

Go for: scenic river cruises with a big hit of culture

Colombia's Magdalena River and the historic towns that line it are about to become more accessible than ever, thanks to new cruise itineraries coming via river sailing experts AmaWaterways.

Immortalised in Gabriel García Márquez’s classic Love in the Time of Cholera, the Magdalena River is Colombia’s largest and most important waterway. Running 930 miles from the snowcapped Andes through fertile valleys and into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean , it's the economic and cultural heart of the country. However, for many travellers, the mighty Magdalena has been off the radar.

But courtesy of luxe river-cruise company AmaWaterways , two different ships will kick off voyages in the future: AmaMagdalena , in November 2024, and AmaMelodia , in January 2025. Both ships will sail the Magic of Colombia itinerary, from Barranquilla to Cartagena , and the Wonders of Colombia itinerary, from Cartagena to Barranquilla – each taking passengers upriver to the UNESCO-designated city of Mompox , founded in 1540, where riverfront plazas and ornate churches await in this lost-in-time pueblo mágico.

Along the way, the three-story ships, which come with rooftop sun decks and balconies, stop for birdwatching and hiking. What really sets this river sailing apart from those in the Amazon River , though, is its focus on culture: From musical explorations in the town of Palenque , the first “free” town founded by formerly enslaved people in the Americas, to jazz concerts in Mompox and a special Colombian Carnaval celebration in Barranquilla, this is a journey into the exuberant heart of Colombian life.

Fly via Cartagena, with its world-class beaches, dining, and nightlife – not to mention the new Casa Pestagua hotel , situated in a lavishly restored 17th-century palace – for a soft landing before or after the cruise. There are a number of existing nonstop flights from the US, including an increase in weekly flights from Atlanta via Delta as of October 2023. – Ocean Malandra

Panama City, Panama

Go for: a buzzy old quarter with new boutique hotels, and easy access to beaches and jungle

With new restaurants and boutique hotels in the UNESCO-designated Casco Viejo neighborhood, and bucket-list cruises offering multi-day itineraries via the port, Panama City is no longer just a stopover.

Once a mere stopover destination, Panama City is giving us new reasons to stay awhile. Go beyond the eponymous canal – arguably the most significant trade route of all time – to a city punctuated with mind-bending skyscrapers (like the F&F Tower), uniquely steeped in both American influence and Central American culture, and wrapped around its own rainforest (the 573-acre Metropolitan Natural Park ).

In the old quarter, UNESCO-designated Casco Viejo, the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama opened last year in a former social club founded in 1917. Breeze through its immaculate French-colonial-inspired lobby with fringed palms and tiled floors to Arcano, a speakeasy with tarot card readings and aged Panamanian rum. The new Kaandela restaurant, inside the adults-only Amarla boutique hotel, opened in 2022 and showcases open-fire cooking just behind the bar. Fan out from the old quarter on Truly Panama ’s new epicurean Flavours of Panama tour to score chicheme (a traditional, creamy spiced drink), ceviche at the fish market, tropical fruit at stands in sprawling Park Omar, and lunch at Afro-Panamanian La Tapa del Coco . Further north along the coast, stay at the sprawling Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort , for a round at its 72-par Jack Nicklaus golf course, backed by the Panama City skyline – or time your visit for January to catch the first-ever 2024 Latin American Amateur Golf Championships .

The city remains a perfect launching point for wide-ranging Panamanian adventures, too. Dive deep into nature with a quick flight to the rarely explored Gulf of Chiriqúi, plotting a new nighttime jungle hike and mod beachfront bungalow stay at Isla Palenque . Or stop over on a cruise that lands you at port at the new Fuerte Amador cruise terminal, with ideal access to the Panama Canal. Following a new multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the Crystal Serenity offers glam suites with Italian marble and custom-made Jesurum 1870 linens and will stop in this tropical metropolis on 2024’s World Cruise. – Nina Kokotas Hahn

Patagonia Azul, Argentina

Go for: seafaring excursions, wildlife sightings, and new eco-stays

The Patagonian steppe meets the Atlantic coast in the protected area of Patagonia Azul. Glamp by the sea – or stay in new oceanfront huts, open for the 2023-2024 austral summer – then boat, scuba dive, or whale watch with local tour operator Viento Azul.

Despite the challenges of taming Argentina’s vast and unmeasurable region of Patagonia , Fundación Rewilding’s Patagonia Azul Project park conservation effort has scaled up over the past two years with several gateways for visitors. And the adventures are rich: Navigations to Islas Blancas and the abandoned Isla Leones lighthouse with local tour operator Viento Azul , for example, put you in the company of petrels, cormorants, and Commerson’s dolphins as well as four species of whale – you can go even deeper into the blue with snorkelling and diving in Camarones. When calm, the Bustamante Bay’s waters are perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddling, while surfers come to Cabo Raso for the testing tubes.

Flights to Patagonia Azul arrive via the El Tehuelche Airport in Puerto Madryn or Trelew International Airport in the north and Comodoro Rivadavia in the south, then it’s a drive to the entry point of your choice. Plan on three hours to reach the portal near Camarones, where hardy travellers can bed down for free with no previous reservations a stone’s throw from the Argentine Sea’s winds and waves at the 10-spot Cañadón del Sauce and nine-spot Bahía Arredondo (the latter houses a simple kitchen and dining room for use). For those seeking greater creature comforts, Portal Isla Leones will assemble six new ocean-front huts in mid-December for the Southern Hemisphere's 2023–2024 summer. At Bahía Bustamante, an hour’s drive from Camarones, the eponymous eco lodge has also just opened four new marine lofts in addition to eleven existing cabins not far from a 100,000-strong colony of Magellanic penguins. – Sorrel Moseley-Williams

Quito, Ecuador

Go for: a city on the rise

Quito is catching up to culinary neighbour Lima with spots like Nuema, where award-winning chef and co-owner Pia Salazar blends sweet and savoury ingredients.

Opposites also attract in the heart of Quito. Modern architecture lives alongside a UNESCO-anointed colonial centre – in late 2023, an all-new metro will better connect the city's various parts.

Quito is finally getting its due. The city’s mile-high skyline got a lot higher thanks to the work of architects like Bjarke Ingels Group, whose 32-story IQON tower (completed in 2022) is now the city’s tallest. It's just one of several projects to come from Ecuadorian development firm Uribe Schwarzkopf , in its ongoing effort to mature the ancient Andean city into an unlikely new hub of contemporary architecture. That’s no small feat considering that Quito stands atop both the ruins of a pre-Columbian settlement and an earthquake-prone high plateau and is anchored by an untouchable colonial centre with UNESCO status. But a new generation of Ecuadorian and international creatives are pushing the city toward the future – and not just for the sake of visitors.

Moving things along in that direction, an all-new metro system will be inaugurated in late 2023, with 15 stations spanning from Quitumbe in the southern part of the city to El Labrador in the north. New hotels have been slower to arrive, but one standout is the affordable 151-room Go Quito Hotel , which opened in June 2023 with a rooftop bar-restaurant, spa, sauna, pool, and airy rooms offering unbeatable views of the city. Meanwhile, Quito’s dining scene is finally catching up to culinary neighbour Lima . Buzzy new restaurants include Cardó , where Chef Adrián Escardó makes octopus bacon and suckling pig with naranjilla sauce; Aura , which leans into native Ecuadorian ingredients like Mashua honey and Manaba cheese from the coast; and Nuema , where chef and co-owner Pia Salazar’s sweet-salty hybrid desserts – think pastries with leek with lemon verbena and tonka bean, and white seaweed with black garlic – won her World’s Best Pastry Chef 2022, a first for Quito and Ecuador, and 2023. – Adam H. Graham

San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Go for: stargazing, a luxe stay, and a super bloom in a new national park

The beloved Habitas brand laid roots in northern Chile in 2023, with a boutique hotel that complements the dramatic desert surrounds.

San Pedro de Atacama is known for its geographical wonders, from snowcapped volcanic mountains, to shimmering lakes with flamingos.

With its bronzed, dusty roadways and handcrafted adobe dwellings, Chile ’s oldest village has captivated adventurous visitors for decades. But now, the soulful oasis of San Pedro de Atacama is securing the spotlight as Chile’s northern star, with a variety of travellers eager to experience its rugged-chic vibe. After all, this celestial city is a hotbed of geographical wonders, with snowcapped volcanic mountains in the world’s driest non-polar region, high-altitude lagoons dotting the Andean desert, and dazzling salt flats.

Wildlife lovers flock to Los Flamencos National Reserve for up-close encounters with the world’s rarest flamingos and native vicuñas. And the surreal, dramatic scenery of the steaming El Tatio Geysers at sunrise can only be rivalled by the fiery palette of the Valle de Catarpe canyons at dusk. In 2024, El Niño is likely to spark an extraordinary Atacama superbloom inside Chile’s new national park, Desierto Florido .

Under the clearest skies on the planet, backyard astronomers can explore the cosmos on ethereal stargazing tours . The ALMA Observatory , poised at an atmosphere-topping 16,000 feet, promises expert-led interstellar experiences. But the most otherworldly excursion might be traversing the Valle de la Luna's inhospitable yet magically serene moonscape environment. Earthly travellers can seek solace in the area’s newest luxe property, Habitas Atacama . Opened in September 2023, the elite outdoorsy design guarantees a memorable stay before you jet off to glimpse Easter Island’s annular solar eclipse in October. – Colleen Kelly

São Paulo, Brazil

Go for: major openings for art lovers and jet-setting socialites

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) will massively expand in 2024, with a second building – making this an exciting year for culture vultures to fly South.

Just a few blocks from MASP, Cidade Matarazzo is a massive redevelopment project focused on showcasing Brazilian culture – Soho House São Paulo will open there in 2024.

Home to more than 12 million people, São Paulo is one of Latin America’s most diverse metropolises – the New York City of the Southern Hemisphere, if you will. In 2024, travellers have even more compelling reasons to visit, starting with the long-anticipated expansion of Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP). Connected via underpass to MASP’s original Lina Bo Bardi – designed modernist building, the 14-story LEED-certified addition will house five exhibition galleries, two multipurpose spaces, a restaurant, a shop, classrooms, and a restoration lab. Nearby Cidade Matarazzo , one of São Paulo’s biggest and most ambitious redevelopment projects, is busy transforming a warren of 20th-century buildings into an arts centre, a retail village, restaurants, and a green space. Its anchor tenant, the 160-room Rosewood São Paulo hotel, opened in 2022 and features Philippe Starck interiors and 450 site-specific works by 57 Brazilian artists. Also coming to Cidade Matarazzo in 2024 is Soho House São Paulo , the club’s first foray into South America. Once complete, the 36-bedroom property will include a rooftop pool, a spa, a gym, members-only dining spaces, and interiors showcasing Brazilian designers. It’s a good thing reaching São Paulo just got easier, thanks to new direct flights from Los Angeles and London via Delta-LATAM and Virgin Atlantic , respectively. – Ashlea Halpern

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

7 of the best Maya ruins to visit in Mexico

Remnants of ancient civilisations still stand across Central America — and well-preserved temples and jungle-cloaked pyramids are open to visitors across southern Mexico.

Before the Spanish colonised Central America in the 16th century, the ancient Maya were one of the most sophisticated civilisations in the Western Hemisphere. They developed a complex calendar system through their knowledge of astrology and mathematics, used intricate hieroglyphics to record their history and built large, lavishly decorated cities, complete with pyramids, temples, and plazas.

At its height, the ancient Maya civilisation comprised 40 cities across Central America, spanning southern Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador and Nicaragua. In the southern Mexican states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Chiapas, many of these settlements — the largest housed up to 50,000 people — still stand today, offering visitors a unique insight into the social, cultural and religious lives of the ancient Maya.

From carefully reconstructed sites like Chichen Itza to the wild, jungle-clad pyramids and ceremonial temples of Calakmul, these are the ancient Maya ruins not to miss in southern Mexico.

1. Chichen Itza

Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the beautifully preserved Chichen Itza in Yucatán is Mexico’s most famous Maya ruin. Despite the crowds, few are disappointed with El Castillo — a carefully restored pyramid that rises up 80ft and has 365 steps — or the city’s tlachtli , the largest Maya ball court in the Americas.

Occupied until the 16th century, Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited by the Maya and the only one built by the coast. The pyramids here aren’t as large as other Maya ruins in Mexico, but the setting, on 40ft-high cliffs above turquoise Caribbean waters south of Cancun, more than makes up for it.

Home to the tallest pyramid in the state of Quintana Roo, Cobá was once one of the most important Maya cities in Yucatán. Located around 30 miles west of Tulum ruins, the city was built in around 600 CE and it eventually grew to 50,000 inhabitants. Though much of Cobá has yet to be excavated, travellers can climb the 138ft-high Nohoch Mul — a pyramid that offers sweeping views over the Yucatán jungle. Cobá is also known for its sophisticated sacbe,   or ‘white road’2,   network —   limestone pathways that connect the city to neighbouring settlements.

4. Palenque

Deep in the jungles of northeastern Chiapas state in southern Mexico lies Palenque , a Late Classic Maya city known for its detailed hieroglyphic inscriptions and sculpted reliefs. These highly sophisticated designs have helped archaeologists understand more of the ancient Maya's history, mythology and calendar systems.

5. Calakmul

Cloaked by the second-largest expanse of tropical forests in the Americas, in Campeche’s Calakmul Biosphere Reserve near the border with Guatemala, Calakmul is one of Mexico’s wildest Maya ruins. It has the largest and tallest pyramid in Yucatán and more than 6,000 structures, many of them covered by jungle. The site is particularly beautiful at sunrise, when the surrounding jungle comes alive with birdsong, howler monkeys and, if you’re lucky, the roar of a jaguar.

6. Ek Balam

Around 25 miles north of the Yucatán city of Valladolid is Ek Balam , which means ‘black jaguar’ or ‘jaguar star’ in the Yucatec Maya language. The city reached its height in the eight century, when more than 20,000 people lived here. Its largest pyramid is 160 metres long and 105ft high, and contains the tomb of Ukit Kan Le´t Tok, the king of Ek Balam between 770 CE and around 797 CE. Archaeologists found the ruler buried with more than 7,000 pieces of jade, bone, ceramic, shell and precious metal, and the outside walls decorated with stone jaguars, winged creatures and human skulls.

A one-hour drive from the Yucatán capital of Merida is this seventh-century Maya city, once large enough to house 25,000 inhabitants. The Uxmal ruins are part of the Ruta Puuc, a 25-mile road network that connects Uxmal with the archaeological sites of Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, Labná, Oxkintok, Grutas de Calcehtok and Grutas de Loltún.

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Related topics.

• HISTORIC SITES
• ADVENTURE TRAVEL
• PREHISTORIC CULTURES
• ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

You May Also Like

Albert Lin hunts for lost Maya cities in Mexico. Here’s how travelers can too

A guide to Guadalajara, the alternative Mexican city hosting this year's Gay Games

Photo story: ancient ruins and Indigenous culture in Mexico's Maya Ka'an region

It’s been called ‘the greatest museum of prehistoric art’—but few tourists know it exists

China just had a museum building spree. Here are 6 of the best.

• Environment
• Perpetual Planet

History & Culture

• History & Culture
• History Magazine
• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Paid Content
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

StarsInsider

Hidden attractions of South and Central America

Posted: April 17, 2024 | Last updated: April 17, 2024

South and Central America—often collectively referred to as Latin America— are well-trodden destinations. But hidden away in some of the 20-odd countries found from Mexico to the southern tip of the South American continent are places that still remain relatively unexplored. 

Click through the gallery and discover Latin America off the beaten track. 

You may also like:

Follow us and access great exclusive content every day

You may also like: The dark side of fashion: mental illness in the fashion industry

You may also like: Famous people who've served their country

You may also like: Look up at the world's most stunning ceilings

You may also like: Sandra Bullock and other famous figures who lost their significant other

You may also like: Celebs who aren’t scared of armpit hair

You may also like: The final goodbye to our beloved pets

You may also like: The burning truth about spontaneous human combustion

You may also like: Who was the "it" couple the year you were born?

You're unlikely to gaze upon a more dramatic and breathtaking South American canvas than that of the soaring, snow-capped Towers of Paine, the three distinctive granite peaks of the Paine mountain range, and the signature landmark of the National Park Torres del Paine. 

You may also like: Hacks to keep food fresh for longer

You may also like: The most anticipated movies of 2021

You may also like: Foods that contain almost no calories

You may also like: The houses of the zodiac explained

You may also like: The dramatic life of Jean Harlow, Hollywood's original "Blonde Bombshell"

While Machu Picchu remains the travel brochure favorite, Kuélap, a walled settlement located in the mountains near the towns of María and Tingo, is the lesser-known and uncrowded archaeological gem you need to see. It's set in the spectacular surroundings of the Utcubamba Valley.

See also: The most beautiful national parks in the world . 

More for You

28 celebrities you probably did not know are nonbinary

In America’s Biggest Oil Field, the Ground Is Swelling and Buckling

Team USA Issues Statement Regarding Caitlin Clark's Olympic Status

Do I have to pay off my spouse's debts when they die? Here's what you're responsible for and what you aren't after a loved one's death

John Jacob Astor IV was one of the richest men in the world when he died on the Titanic. Here's a look at his life.

iPhone users in 92 countries received a recent stark warning

Southwest Airlines Is in Trouble

Best Movies Now on Netflix

'10-foot-tall people' discovered by archaeologists in Nevada cave

106 Favorite Recipes From Our Test Kitchen

Luke Grimes Supports Kevin Costner's Decision On ‘Yellowstone'

Scientists say they have found a chapter of the Bible hidden under a section of text for more than a thousand years

How Much Beer You'd Have To Drink To Equal A Single Shot Of Liquor

The films everyone should see at least once before they die, according to critics

I'm abrosexual - it took me 30 years to realise

LeBron James explodes on Darvin Ham during Lakers' Game 4 victory over Nuggets

18 ‘Normal’ Things From the ’80s and ’90s That Are Considered Luxuries Now

We Tested 4 Copycat Samoas Against the Original Girl Scout Cookie

Scientists have discovered the maximum age a human can live to

Spacecraft spots "spiders" scattered across surface of Mars

What Are the Safest Countries to Visit in South America Right Now?

Amid alarming headlines, these are South America's safest travel destinations.

By Zac Thompson

April 25, 2024

In recent months several South American destinations have generated the sorts of international headlines that can unsettle tourists. 

Amid reports of gang violence in Ecuador , protests in Peru (some of which have caused temporary closures at Machu Picchu ), huge political demonstrations  and an alarming spike in violent crime (with a rising number of American victims) in Colombia, and continuing problems with kidnappings and yellow fever throughout the continent, travelers can't be blamed for feeling cautious. 

To be fair, though, it's worth remembering that many of the most dangerous areas are outside of tourism zones and, further, there are many precautions you can take to lower the risks when traveling abroad, whether in South America or anywhere else. 

For starters, read up on the U.S. State Department's best safety practices . Consider buying travel insurance . Register your trip with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get up-to-the-minute safety alerts and help officials find you in the event of an emergency. And stay informed about the destination you plan to visit so you're not completely caught off guard by the situation on the ground. 

To that end, the State Department's directory of travel advisories  assessing each country's threat level on a scale of 1 ("Exercise normal precautions") to 4 ("Do not travel") can be a handy resource. 

At the moment, just four countries in South America have been given a level 1 rating by the U.S. government. We've listed them below, followed by the South American nations with level 2 advisories ("Exercise increased caution"), along with info about which parts of those countries are considered most dangerous. 

For context, keep in mind that France, Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, Italy, and the U.K. are all at level 2 as well. 

South America's Safest Countries to Visit Right Now

Countries with level 1 travel advisories.

"Exercise normal precautions" here: 

• Argentina : Despite an increased risk of crime in the city of Rosario, the dangers are relatively few for travelers seeking to experience Argentina's wide range of offerings, from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires to the pounding waterfalls of Iguazú and the mighty icebergs of Los Glaciares National Park . 

• Paraguay : The State Department advises increased caution near the northeastern border with Brazil due to crime, but in most of this landlocked and underrated country you can expect to remain safe while encountering pristine jungles and vast wetlands. 

• Suriname : The smallest country in South America is also one of the most ethnically diverse —and one of the safest. Draws for travelers include rainforests, a picturesque coastline in the continent's northeast, and Dutch colonial buildings in the capital city of Paramaribo.

• French Guiana : The State Department likewise gives its lowest threat assessment to French Guiana, located to the east of Suriname and featuring a similar landscape dominated by eye-catching tropical rainforest. 

Countries with Level 2 Travel Advisories

"Exercise increased caution" here:

• Bolivia : The most dangerous areas are the Chapare and Yungas regions, due to crime, according to the country's travel advisory.

• Brazil : Crime rates are highest, per the State Department, near the country's land borders, in the informal housing developments known as favelas, and in Brasilia's satellite cities. 

• Chile : Street crime such as theft is common throughout the country, the State Department warns. Large demonstrations periodically occur in the capital, Santiago.

• Ecuador : Gang violence and other crimes have been on the upswing in several cities in Ecuador, including in parts of Guayaquil, a gateway to the Galápagos Islands. Consult the State Department's travel advisory for a full list of places to avoid. 

• Peru : The U.S. government advises steering clear of the section of the Loreto Region that borders Colombia due to crime, and the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) due to crime and the presence of antigovernment terrorist groups. 

• Uruguay : The State Department recommends staying on your guard against theft and armed robbery in urban areas, especially Montevideo, Canelones, and Rivera. 

Related : The Safest Caribbean Islands Right Now

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

This Country Will See More Eclipses In A Decade Than Any Other

Spain will see three eclipses before the end of the decade, including a dramatic one in 2027 that will span Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

• Spain is set to witness 3 solar eclipses before the decade ends, starting with a total eclipse on 12 August 2026 in northern Spain.
• The 2026 eclipse will be visible in Greenland and Iceland rather than major Spanish cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
• The next total eclipse in Spain will be on 2 August 2027, with southern Spain and other regions of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East in the path.

North America just experienced a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse , with millions of people seeing it. But that's it for the United States as it won't experience another total solar eclipse until 23 August 2044 (and even then, it will only be seen in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota). That being said, there will be a remote solar eclipse over parts of Alaska in 2033 . So, what country will enjoy the most solar eclipses in the next decade?

According to Forbes, Spain will experience not one or two, but three eclipses before the end of the decade. The second eclipse will be by far the most dramatic and one of the best places to see it will be the tiny British Rock of Gibraltar (home to Europe's only population of wild macaques) .

Total Solar Eclipse 12 August 2026

The 2026 eclipse will come at dusk and will be better seen in northwestern spain as it goes towards iceland and greenland.

It turns out Spain won't have to wait too long to experience its solar eclipse. On 12 August 2026, northern Spain will experience a total eclipse. The eclipse will start over the Mediterranean Sea and head across northern Spain and then up into the North Atlantic, where it will be visible in Greenland and Iceland.

Unfortunately, this eclipse will not be visible in the major Spanish cities of Madrid or Barcelona.

While the Spanish city of Valencia will be in the path of the eclipse, it will miss out as the pre-sunset eclipse will occur 10 degrees above the west in northern Spain but only two degrees from Mallorca. This means the Spanish East Coast will miss out on it. For the best views, go to Galicia in northwest Spain and places like Santander, Bilbao, Gijon, and Burgos.

This will be the first total eclipse over continental Europe since 11 August 1990 and the first total solar eclipse over Spain since 30 August 1905 (which also followed a similar path across Spain).

This Will Be The First City To Experience The Solar Eclipse

Total solar eclipse 2 august 2027, the 2027 eclipse will be a major event for much of europe, north africa, and the middle east.

Time Magazine states that Spain only has to wait less than a year until it experiences the next total solar eclipse on the early morning of 2 August 2027 (the sun will be around 37 degrees or halfway up).

Southern Spain will be on the path of totality as totality commences over the eastern Atlantic Ocean and travels across the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco, as well as across North Africa and the Middle East.

The partial eclipse will also cover more than 90% of the sun in parts of Ireland, Great Britain, Portugal, Italy, France, the Balkans, North Africa and bits of North America. This is an eclipse that will be witnessed by a very large portion of the populations of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

The place with the maximum duration of totality will be around 37 miles southeast of Luxor in Egypt, where it will last 6 minutes and 22 seconds (Luxor is where visitors can see the famed Tomb of Tutankhamun ). The greatest totality in Spain will be around 4 minutes and 39 seconds on the south coast between Cadiz and Malaga (fortunately, these are also among the amazing Spanish cities to visit for the first time ).

Notable cities in the path of the totality include Cadiz and Malaga in southern Spain, Tangier in Morocco, Gibraltar, Oran in Algeria, Sfax in Tunisia, Luxor in Egypt, Jeddah and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and Sana'a in Yemen.

'Flower Moon' & Lunar Eclipses: 10 Celestial Events To See This Year & Where To See Them

Annular solar eclipse 26 january 2028, at dusk, southern spain will see the 2028 eclipse that will cross south america.

Spain will end its three solar eclipse streak in three years with the 26 January 2028 annular solar eclipse (an annular eclipse is a partial eclipse). This eclipse will be much better seen over northern South America, but it will still be visible at around dusk in Spain.

The path of annularity will pass through Ecuador, Peru, and northern Brazil before going across the Atlantic and ending in Spain. A partial eclipse will also be visible over some of Central and South America and Western Europe.

Protect Your Trip »

The 18 best places to see the northern lights.

Check the aurora borealis off your bucket list.

The Best Places for the Northern Lights

Getty Images

The northern lights, known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. They occur when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant streaks of blue, green, pink and violet dancing across the night sky. 2024 and 2025 are an excellent time to catch the northern lights: Solar activity will be at a peak, making for a more impressive experience, if you're in the right place.

The best places to see the aurora borealis have little light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. The lights are only visible at northern latitudes when it's dark outside, so the months from September to April are best for seeing the aurora. There's also a Southern Hemisphere counterpart, the aurora australis; there are fewer easy spots from which to view this phenomenon, but if you're lucky, it can be equally brilliant.

For more information on the northern lights, scroll down to the FAQ section at the bottom of this page. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is by far one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights, as it's located directly under the auroral oval. This ring-shaped zone sits around the Earth's geomagnetic North Pole and is generally associated with the most vibrant aurora sightings. Visitors can expect to see the lights on an average of four out of five clear nights during aurora season, which lasts from late August to late April.

You can book a northern lights tour to see the aurora from the springs and tubs at Chena Hot Springs Resort. This excursion includes round-trip transportation to the resort from town, a soak in the hot springs, a visit to the Fairbanks Aurora Ice Museum and an aurora viewing tour; dinner and drinks centered around Alaska produce are an option extra with hot drinks supplied.

There's more to Fairbanks than just the northern lights: If you visit in late summer, consider family-friendly activities like a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or gold panning. For a festive holiday experience in the winter, head around 15 miles out of Fairbanks to visit the Santa Claus House in the city of North Pole. Travelers can also see ice sculptures in February and March at the impressive World Ice Art Championships or take a dog-sledding or snowmobiling tour .

Where to stay: For excellent chances of aurora viewing, book a private igloo at Borealis Basecamp, a top glamping resort located on 100 remote acres of boreal forest about 25 miles from Fairbanks. With activities like dog-sledding on top of aurora viewing, past visitors regularly describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tromsø, Norway

Located about 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. At the darkest point of the aurora season – which runs from September to early April – the sun doesn't rise in this northern part of the country, although there is twilight during the day. With this level of darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora.

Tromsø itself is a small but lively city, so there's plenty to see and do when you're not looking up at the sky, including a visit to the beautiful Arctic Cathedral. In late January to early February, the city hosts the Northern Lights Festival, a 10-day music and performing arts event featuring a variety of musical genres.

Aurora chasers can view the lights on their own while in town, but to get a better view, it's recommended to head away from the city lights. Arctic Circle Tours is one company offering guided trips, with small groups for a more personal vibe. Alternatively, adventure-seekers can embark on an exhilarating husky trekking expedition in the Arctic wilderness.

Where to stay: For accommodations with harbor views, look no further than the Scandic Ishavshotel – guests love it for its convenient central location in the city, as well as its plus-sized breakfast buffet with plenty of choices.

Luosto and Rovaniemi (Lapland), Finland

Lapland is located within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Finland. The northern lights are most visible here between the end of August and April – and approximately 200 times a year – so there are many opportunities for aurora spotting. Finnish Lapland is also known as home to the Sámi people (the only recognized Indigenous group in the European Union region), some 200,000 reindeer and Santa Claus – who can be visited in the town of Rovaniemi, the region's largest city and a great base for your aurora expedition.

Consider venturing roughly 70 miles north of Rovaniemi to the resort town of Luosto, set among the picturesque and hilly landscape of Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Here, you can also spend a magical evening outdoors under star-filled skies during a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered forests. Jaakkola Reindeer Farm offers a reindeer sleigh tour to spot the aurora once weekly; it includes a stop to warm up at a bonfire camp with snacks, hot beverages and local fireside stories.

Where to stay: For a bucket list experience, watch the impressive light show from a glass igloo at Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos in Luosto. Past visitors love the cozy atmosphere here, boosted by amenities like saunas and log fireplaces. If you're sticking to Rovaniemi, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is a stunning choice, with designer cabins perched among the snow-covered taiga forest.

Orkney, Scotland

This group of captivating (and mostly uninhabited) islands, located about 10 miles off Scotland's remote northern coast, is one of the best places to see the northern nights in the U.K. Fall and winter are the best seasons to witness the aurora, also known in local Shetland dialect as the "Mirrie Dancers," with fall bringing the highest proportion of clear nights. A few places to see the spectacular light show include along the coast at Birsay or the Broch of Gurness, an archaeological ruin on a sweeping and dramatic coastline.

In addition to the aurora, Orkney is home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and more sheep than you can count (try some local lamb, if you can). Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several monuments dating back 5,000 years.

Where to stay: During your visit, plan to stay in the historic town of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands: The no-fuss Ayre Hotel offers harbor views, and past visitors compliment the hearty meals in the hotel restaurant. Spot the aurora close to town at Inganess Bay and Wideford Hill.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada 's Northwest Territories, dubs itself the "Aurora Capital of the World." Thanks to its position in the middle of the auroral oval, the city puts on one of the world's most awe-inspiring light shows. The period from mid-November to the beginning of April is the recommended time to spot the aurora, but it's also possible to see the aurora during more hospitable weather from late summer to early fall as the lights are visible up to 240 days a year.

Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. If you visit in March, plan to attend the monthlong Snowkings' Winter Festival, which features events and activities like a snow-carving competition, a snow castle, live music and more.

For a unique experience, book a tour through Aurora Village to view the lights. The property will pick you up from your hotel and take you to its site, where you can stay warm in a tent while sipping hot beverages. The Aboriginal-owned Aurora Village also offers activities such as dog-sledding or snowshoeing excursions.

Where to stay: Warm up in the fireside lounge at The Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife. Previous visitors note the warm and helpful staff as a strength here.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, known as Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. The small Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi sits around 125 miles above the Arctic Circle on the Torne River and is an ideal locale for aurora viewing. You'll fly to the nearby Kiruna Airport to get here. With the village's origins dating back to the 17th century, you can still find some of the original homesteads, including an old timber cottage. Today the village boasts 800 residents – and more than 1,000 dogs.

Where to stay: If you're up for a chilly overnight adventure, reserve accommodations at the world's first permanent ice hotel, the aptly named Icehotel 365. Each of its artist-designed suites is sculpted from ice with a unique theme and maintains temperatures around minus 5 degrees Celsius (about 23 degrees Fahrenheit). The rooms also feature beds with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags so you can bundle up during the night. While you're at the property, take advantage of the guided "Northern Lights Safari on Snowmobile" or embark on the "Moose Safari on Horseback" atop an Icelandic horse.

Reykjavik, Iceland

October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland . There are numerous natural parks and attractions throughout the country where you can view the show during the long and dark winter, but the capital city of Reykjavik also offers many options for accommodations, restaurants, tours and other activities for your visit. For optimum aurora viewing in the city away from the light pollution, head to Öskjuhlið. This wooded and hilly area in Reykjavik sits at 200 feet above sea level and has walkways and paths where you can see the nighttime show.

Atop this hill sits Perlan, which houses the only planetarium in the country and a museum featuring exhibits about Iceland. Perlan is also home to the world's first indoor ice cave and glacier exploratorium. During your visit, don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the building's fourth-floor observation deck. From this vantage point, you'll be able to see the Snæfellsjökull glacier; Keilir, a volcanic mountain; and Esja, the mountain of Reykjavik.

Where to stay: While in Reykjavik, splurge on an overnight tour with Buubble Tours. This experience includes breathtaking sightseeing spots and a night spent under the magical northern skies in a transparent bubble at the 5 Million Star Hotel. For longer stays, consider the eco-friendly Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, with sweeping views of the city – guests love it for its cozy yet chic Scandinavian design.

Southern Iceland

While Reykjavik is a great aurora-viewing spot if you like having amenities close by, consider getting out into Iceland's stunning, otherworldly countryside for a unique backdrop for the northern lights. One unique place to see them is the black sand beach at Reynisfjara (but watch out for the dangerous waves here). Alternatively, head to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon and seal habitat, where the aurora's reflections in the icy water are truly beautiful.

There's no shortage of tours that will stop by these locations and more for possible aurora sightings. Consider a 10- or 13-day tour around the country with Fun Travel, or a four-day option from Arctic Adventures. If you want to do things at your own place, it's also possible to self-drive – just know that road conditions can be icy, particularly in the depths of winter (although Icelandic roads are generally well-maintained).

Where to stay: Hotel Rangá is a formidable option for aurora-spotting. It offers a variety of special amenities, such as aurora wake-up calls, a lookout deck and snowsuits to keep you warm if you're outside viewing the lights. Past visitors praise Rangá for being a comfortable yet luxurious place to relax, be it in the outdoor hot tubs or the cozy and sociable bar.

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Greenland may not be the most accessible place to travel for viewing the northern lights, with limited flight options (mostly via Iceland), but those who make it here will be thrilled they did. The tundra of Kalaallit Nunaat – the Greenlandic name for the country – is one of the best places on the globe to see the aurora from September to early April.

For the more adventurous aurora seekers, head to the top of the Greenland Ice Cap for spectacular views of the lights. This impressive glacier covers 80% of the country and is accessible via the tiny town of Kangerlussuaq. Located on a fjord right along the Arctic Circle, the town, often described as a gateway to Greenland, was a former U.S. Air Force base and is now home to Greenland's main airport. The town is known for having clear skies on some 300 nights per year, so chances of a sighting are particularly good here.

Tour company Guide to Greenland offers various tours, from two-hour aurora-viewing trips to a tough but rewarding multi-night dog-sledding expedition across the ice. For a less strenuous experience, companies like Nordic Saga Tours offer cruises through the Arctic landscapes around Kangerlussuaq.

Viking cruise along Norway's coast

Courtesy of Viking

Embrace the winter and set sail for the Arctic Circle to experience the aurora in northern Norway. The 13-day "In Search of the Northern Lights" cruise itinerary with Viking departs from London for the North Sea with stops in ports of call that are top aurora-viewing locales, including Tromsø, Alta and Narvik, plus a stop in Amsterdam en route. The cruise ends in Bergen, Norway.

While on land, take in the natural beauty of the snow-blanketed landscapes and book bucket list excursions like a night spent in an igloo or a reindeer sledding adventure. You can also chase the lights into the wilderness by snowmobile, take a dog sled ride under the stars or view them from a Sámi tent atop the mountain Pæska in Alta. This Viking Ocean Cruises itinerary is offered with departure dates from mid-January to mid-March.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan

Regarded as one of the top spots in the U.S. to see the aurora outside Alaska, Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits at the top of Michigan 's lower peninsula, less than 5 miles from Mackinaw City. While the northern lights are less common here due to the relatively southern location, the best time to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon is typically during the spring and fall – and appearances can usually be predicted a couple of days in advance. The park even maintains an online Clear Sky Chart so you can check the weather forecast before you go.

There are also other stargazing opportunities throughout the year at Headlands. During the summer months the Milky Way is visible across the sky, and late summer evenings entertain visitors with meteor showers.

Where to stay: If you're visiting between late April and the end of October, splurge on a stay at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, where the aurora should also be visible. Guests describe this iconic property situated along the shoreline of Lake Huron as positively charming, thanks to its historic nature and manicured grounds. The resort also offers a host of outdoor activities from bike rentals to swimming.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Martha Shuff | Courtesy of Voyageurs National Park

Located on the international border between Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is an approximately 218,000-acre labyrinth of boreal forests, lakes and streams. Voyageurs is Minnesota's only national park; it's also unique in that the park's interior is accessible only by boat, unless you visit by snowmobile in winter. As a certified International Dark Sky Park , Voyageurs provides opportunities to view the Milky Way on clear evenings, especially in the summer. Year-round aurora viewing is also possible on evenings with clear dark skies, but chances are better during the winter, when it's dark for longer.

For a guided stargazing tour – including the Milky Way, the constellations and (if you're lucky) the northern lights – book with Voyageurs Outfitters. If you're on your own, park officials note that almost any campsite is a good spot for northern lights viewing and stargazing. You can also check out the boat launch areas around Ash River, Kabetogama Lake and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for top-notch views.

Where to stay: Those who prefer to sleep in a warm, cozy bed instead of camping under the stars can make reservations at the Cantilever Distillery + Hotel, a boutique Trademark Collection by Wyndham property in the nearby town of Ranier, Minnesota. Visitors report that there's a lot to like here, from the industrial-chic rooms to friendly staff to top-notch cocktails in the active distillery on the premises.

Abisko National Park, Sweden

Given its Arctic location, Sweden is one of the prime spots for aurora viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, with Swedish Lapland at the top of the list. The fall and winter months (from September to March) offer the best opportunities to witness the spectacle, as there is more darkness than light during the days.

If you're up for the Arctic adventure, December is an ideal month to visit Abisko National Park, which some regard as one of the best places on Earth to see the lights dance across the sky. The park's mountainous terrain and clear dark skies offer dramatic front-row seats for viewing the northern lights. The Aurora Sky Station is one of the best vantage points to see the aurora in the park. Join one of the expert presentations to learn about the science behind this fascinating phenomenon.

If you'd prefer to chase the lights with a curated tour, professional photographers and aurora-chasing guides at Visit Abisko lead three- to four-hour tours throughout the fall and winter. If you can, try to join the tours in fall, as this time of year offers a unique opportunity to view the lights both in the sky and reflected in the lakes and rivers, which you won't see in the winter months.

Where to stay: For cozy Nordic vibes, stay at Abisko Mountain Lodge, which also offers activities like ice climbing and snowmobile tours in winter. Guests love the excellent restaurant here, which offers Swedish specialties ranging from salmon to moose.

Nellim, Finland

Courtesy of Wilderness Hotels

Located a stone's throw from the Russian border in Finnish Lapland, this remote Arctic destination is a top-rated locale to view the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. You'll be seriously out of the way of any built-up areas, as there's not even a paved road into Nellim. The best time to visit is between December and early April. This village is a great place to hunker down in a lodge and relax while enjoying a slice of life in the Finnish wilderness.

Where to stay: The Nellim Wilderness Hotel offers a perfect base with year-round activities, including aurora-chasing tours by car, snowmobile or on snowshoes. You can even take a sleigh ride through the snow to a campsite on Lake Inari to spot the aurora in pristine nature.

Beyond standard rooms, the Wilderness Hotel also offers glass-roofed cabins, as well as classic log cabins and bubble-shaped accommodations for two where guests can watch the dancing lights through the glass roof above your warm, cozy bed. When you're not chasing the lights, enjoy other Arctic activities like a husky safari, ice fishing, snowmobiling or a day in the snow meeting the local reindeer.

Saariselkä and Kakslauttanen, Finland

These two towns are around 150 miles above the Arctic Circle, with a prime location under the auroral oval, allowing as many as 200 opportunities per year to see the northern lights (weather permitting, of course). This area in Finnish Lapland is known for its stunning scenery, Sámi culture, cross-country and downhill skiing, and Urho Kekkonen National Park – one of Finland's largest.

Ski enthusiasts can roll two trips into one by hitting the slopes by day in Saariselkä and aurora spotting by night at Finland's northernmost ski resort. March into early April is the best time to view the aurora, as the Finnish Meteorological Institute notes that the weather is usually clearer at this time of year. But it's possible to see the northern lights at any time during the season from late August to early or mid-April.

Where to stay: Seven miles south of Saariselkä sits the village of Kakslauttanen, where you can book two- or four-person Glass Igloos at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. The new Kelo-Glass Igloos, which sleep up to six, mix the comforts of a log chalet with the visibility of the glass roof; enjoy a private sauna, a fireplace and more. There's also an impressive selection of year-round tours and activities at this resort, including northern lights excursions on snowmobiles or by horse-drawn carriage.

Stewart Island, New Zealand

Courtesy of RealNZ

Although they may be isolated, some far-south destinations offer the chance to see the aurora australis – or southern lights. While you might be able to see them year-round in some locations (just as with the northern lights), certain months are better for aurora viewing in the Southern Hemisphere. Stewart Island is regarded as one of the top spots to see the brilliant display in New Zealand , with 85% of the island encompassed by Rakiura National Park, so there are few people and virtually no light pollution. You can reach Stewart Island by flying in from Invercargill or taking a ferry from Bluff.

New Zealand's winter months – June to August – are the best time to see the southern lights; spring and fall are also not bad times to spot them. The brighter summer months, between December and February, make it more difficult to spot the aurora, but there's still a chance you'll catch a glimpse between midnight and 4 a.m.

Where to stay: Consider reserving a room with at Stewart Island Lodge, an intimate bed-and-breakfast. This beautiful property is just minutes by foot from the village of Oban, and the property will pick you up at the ferry terminal for your stay. Past visitors rave about the spectacular views of Halfmoon Bay and the Foveaux Strait from both the rooms and lodge terrace.

Tasmania sits approximately 150 miles south of mainland Australia. This mountainous island is one of relatively few places on the planet where it's theoretically possible to see the aurora 365 days a year due to its latitude, which allows for full darkness even on summer nights. The capital city of Hobart is the easiest point of entry: It's home to Tasmania's largest airport and serves as a convenient base. The city's burgeoning food and cultural scenes will also give you plenty to see and do.

From here you'll be able to reach several great viewing locations with unobstructed and open views of the sea along the southern and southeast coastlines, like Goat Bluff and Tinderbox Bay. When you're not staring at the night sky, splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight with Tasmanian Air Tours. Depending on your whims, your private pilot can whisk you away to soar over the sea cliffs; stop at a local winery to sample local vintages; or head south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Port Arthur , Tasmania 's historic and most notorious prison.

Where to stay: Reserve accommodations at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. The historic luxury property is situated along the lively waterfront area with harbor views. Past guests admired the historic building housing the hotel and loved the heritage rooms featuring gas fireplaces for those cold Tasmanian nights.

Expedition cruise to Antarctica

If you're one of the lucky few people on the planet to travel to the southernmost continent on Earth, it may be pricey, but you'll have an adventure of a lifetime in Antarctica, especially if the aurora illuminates the sky. The southern lights are most visible in the winter months (between March and October), but due to weather conditions, only researchers brave the Antarctic winter – and they mostly stay indoors.

However, all hope is not lost if you seek to view the aurora australis in Antarctica. Late-season expedition cruises to this continent offered in March also bring the opportunity to view the southern lights and enjoy the end of Antarctica's fleeting summer. As the days shorten in length, you may encounter light snow across the extreme landscape and ice starting to form on the water's surface.

When it comes to wildlife viewing, humpback whale sightings are abundant, and you'll still see penguin colonies – including king and gentoo penguins. You can also keep your eyes peeled for elephant seals, leopard seals, wandering albatross and other species of birds. When night falls on clear evenings, look for the light show in the southern sky. Companies that offer March voyages include Swoop Antarctica, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Silversea Cruises , Aurora Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

There's no one location that's widely accepted as the best place to see the northern lights. However, the strongest light displays are within what's called the "auroral oval": a rough circle around the Earth's magnetic northern pole that tends to occur around 60 to 70 degrees of latitude. The oval's exact size expands and contracts (some more southerly destinations can fall under it when the aurora is particularly strong), but there are certain locations that generally fall within the oval most of the time.

These places include:

• Central and northern Alaska
• Large areas of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and northern Quebec in Canada
• Southern Greenland
• Far northern Norway, Sweden and Finland

Within these areas, it could be argued that Iceland is the best place to see the aurora as it experiences much milder temperatures than some other areas within the oval. But this is subjective, and some travelers may prefer a location like Yellowknife in Canada for a full-on, very cold Arctic experience.

The northern lights are only visible when it's dark out. Since many of the best places to see them are so far north that they experience near-constant daylight in the summer, you'll generally want to schedule a trip between late August and early April. However, within this time period, there's some debate about the best time to catch the lights. For example, the aurora tends to be more active around the September and March equinoxes due to stronger solar winds – but on the other hand, your chances of seeing them may be higher in the depths of winter, since there's longer nights and therefore a longer window in which they might appear.

In more southern locations like Minnesota, it may be possible to see the light show in the summer months, but it's still advisable to go at a time when the nights are longer. It can also be worth trying to schedule your northern lights trip when there's a new moon: While the aurora can shine through moonlight, it may be harder to see if there's a full moon.

Of course, cloudy weather can block the aurora even if you go at the right time of year. So, it may be wise to research the local weather patterns at your chosen destination to find out if there's a month where you can expect clearer skies. In many cases, though, there's a little luck involved.

These two countries can offer excellent views of the northern lights, since both are directly under the typical auroral oval. Yet there are some differences to be aware of.

In Norway, you'll need to head to the north of the country to catch the aurora: While they have been sighted in Oslo , the capital and largest city, it's too far south to be a reliable vantage point. Cities like Tromsø are popular spots, but direct flights there are only possible from some European cities, so North Americans will have to take connecting flights. On the other hand, Iceland is generally easier to reach, with direct flights to its capital, Reykjavik, from a large number of U.S. destinations (particularly from the East Coast) with no further connection required.

Since clear skies are key for seeing the northern lights, weather is another factor to consider. In November, December and March, Reykjavik has statistically slightly more frequent clear skies, while in January and February, Tromsø is a little better, but the difference isn't big: Both places have clear skies only around 25 to 30% of the time in these months. Reykjavik has slightly warmer weather, though, so between that and the ease of access, it has a slight edge over Norway for seeing the northern lights.

Alaska and Iceland are known for stellar aurora light shows, so deciding between them may depend on which destination you find more convenient and more to your tastes. In Alaska , the city of Fairbanks is considered a great spot to catch the northern lights. (They can still be seen elsewhere in the state – for example, in Anchorage, although they're not so common in more southern locations like Juneau). The advantage of Fairbanks is that you won't need a passport , yet there aren't many direct flights from the lower 48 states. Despite being an international destination, Iceland may be more accessible (particularly from the eastern U.S.), thanks to fairly regular flights to Reykjavik from numerous American cities.

Fairbanks does offer statistically better weather for aurora viewing: It has clear skies more often than Reykjavik, particularly in March when the Alaska city experiences them around 45% of the time (compared to about 25% for Reykjavik). But you'll have to be able to tolerate the cold. While temperatures in Reykjavik hover around freezing in midwinter, Fairbanks is a veritable deep freeze, with average highs around 5 degrees Fahrenheit down to lows colder than minus 5 in December.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Timothy Forster , as a Canadian who has traveled from coast to coast in that sprawling country, knows all about travel in the cold northern reaches of the world. Forster used his extensive traveling background along with research expertise to curate this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Waterfalls in Iceland
• The World's Top Treehouse Hotels
• The Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Most Beautiful Landscapes in the World

Tags: Travel , Vacation Ideas

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Flight canceled or delayed what to do.

Amanda Norcross April 26, 2024

The Best Beach Hats

Megan Johnson and Sharael Kolberg April 26, 2024

The Best Florence Tours

John Rodwan April 25, 2024

The 9 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours of 2024

John Rodwan April 24, 2024

How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Gwen Pratesi April 24, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Cape Cod

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maine

Marisa Méndez April 23, 2024

The Best Wineries in Napa Valley

April 23, 2024

The Best East Coast Beaches

April 19, 2024

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024