5 Best Places to Visit in Central America
There’s more to Latin American tourism than just all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Spring Break in Cancun.The entire region of Central America has such a natural beauty for anyone to enjoy without breaking the bank.The region’s packed with gorgeous beaches, rich wildlife, tropical rainforests, ruins from some of the world’s earliest civilizations, and year-round summertime climates. What more could you want?Let’s explore the best places to visit in Central America:
1. Tikal and Copan – Guatemala
There’s more to Latin American tourism than just all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Spring Break in Cancun.The entire region of Central America has such a natural beauty for anyone to enjoy without breaking the bank.The region’s packed with gorgeous beaches, rich wildlife, tropical rainforests, ruins from some of the world’s earliest civilizations, and year-round summertime climates. What more could you want?
2. Lake Atitlan – Guatemala
This lake formed as a result of a volcanic explosion 85,000 years ago that spread volcanic ash all the way up to Florida.The pressure from the volcano’s magma forced the surface ground to collapse, forming a hollow circle that soon filled up with water.Today, the breathtaking site is home to small quaint villages and is an ideal stopping point for any backpacker.This location is more for relaxation and taking a breather from all the adventure than it is for partying.You can take in the serene beauty of the lake and volcanos by kayaking, hiking, biking, jet skiing, swimming, boating, or taking a cultural tour through the surrounding indigenous villages.
3.Dominical – Costa Rica
This beach town is a surfer’s dream. With consistent ten-feet-high waves, hardly anyone does anything else.But there are other options aside from taking surfing lessons from one of the countless surfing companies along the shore.Dominical has gorgeous rainforests, waterfalls, and caves where you can go zip lining, horseback riding, hiking, enjoy a massage or even a yoga session.You can also see whales 9 months out of the year. There are whale watching tours where you can see the only place in the Western Hemisphere where whales from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. This beach town is a perfect place to lay back in a hammock and relax off the beaten trail—since there are no paved roads, chain restaurants, or significant cultural sites here.
4.Corcovado – Costa Rica
National Geographic called Corcovado National Park the “most biologically intense place on Earth,” and they were definitely onto something. It’s the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national parks, with 103,290 acres of tropical rainforest, and home to 500 species of trees, 6,000 species of insects, 140 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 40 species of fish. There are also jaguars, sea turtles, sloths, and many species of monkeys. So if you want to hike up your sleeves and explore the wildlife of the incredible Central American rainforests, you surely can’t miss Corcovado!
5. San Blas Islands – Panama
Lonely Planet named San Blas the #3 tropical paradise in the world in 2011. This heavenly place of 365 islands is exactly what you picture when you think tropical paradise: white sand, crystal-clear waters, palm trees, and isolation. Thanks to the Guna indigenous group who owns this region, big business and commercialization hasn’t been allowed in. They have preserved the natural environment in all of its glory. You won’t find any concrete, sky scrapers, or even wifi in this part of Panama, and it is bliss if you’re really trying to escape from reality for a few days (or weeks or years…you might just want to move there). All the islands are very accessible to each other, so you can hop from one to the other by boat and enjoy sun bathing, snorkeling, kayaking, or sailing. The Guna people are also very friendly, and happily offer tours of their villages to tourists. You can explore their peaceful way of life that seems like it’s stuck in time, walking through their bamboo houses and swinging hammocks, all tucked in between the rainforest, waterfalls, and impeccable beaches.