CENTRAL AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDE
Surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the slender land bridge of Central America runs from Mexico to South America and is made up of seven countries — Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Political and civil unrest in the 1980s kept most tourists away, but now the area is a slowly becoming hotspot for travelers, surfers, luxury travelers, and even retirees.
Why?
Because traveling Central America is beautiful, filled with history, affordable, and much safer than it used to be.
While there are still regions where you need to be vigilant, people have realized that it’s not the place the media makes it out to be. I’m glad the collective consciousness is shifting.
The region’s rainforests are filled with unexplored Mayan ruins and wildlife, its beaches are great for surfing, its reefs offer world-class diving, there’s a huge variety of flora and fauna here, and the cheap accommodation, food, and transport throughout the region make it a budget traveler’s dream.
I began my nomadic life traveling around Central America.
Whenever I return to Central America, I fall in love even more with the friendliness of the people, the tasty food, the weather, history, and beauty.
This travel guide to Central America will give you all the tips you need to have a memorable trip to this part of the world.
Top Things to See and Do in Central America
1. Head to Antigua
Considered one of the best-preserved colonial cities, Antigua (in Guatemala) is a major travel hot spot for backpackers. There are tons of pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, hostels, and even Spanish language schools if you want a reason to stay longer!
2. Go diving
The shores around Central America are home to many coral reefs. As such, diving is hugely popular. The colors and variety of fish will amaze you, as will the clear visibility. Diving here is cheaper than in the Caribbean and most parts of Mexico. Popular dive countries include Panama, Honduras, and Belize. Expect to pay $50-100 USD for a two-tank dive, or a few hundred dollars for your certification course.
3. Tour coffee plantations
This entire region is known for its coffee, particularly Costa Rica and Panama. Tour the plantations and see how the beans are grown, picked, and ground. You can also buy fresh coffee at heavily discounted prices (it’s a great souvenir). I found the best coffee to be from Monteverde, Costa Rica — and I don’t even like coffee! But I drank it and loved it (it tasted like chocolate!).
4. Visit Chichicastenango
Most people who come to Guatemala visit Chichicastenango, the largest indigenous market in Central America. Stalls sell handicrafts, blankets, pottery, souvenirs, and more. It’s the best place to find local food for cheap and take in the hustle and bustle of local life.
5. Tour the museums
Most cities in Central America are filled with museums, particularly those paying homage to Mayan civilization. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in San José, Costa Rica is fascinating, with over 1,000 different gold objects such as animal figures, and jewelry, as well as a scale model of a Pre-Columbian village. For Mayan artifacts, head to the Copán Archaeology Museum in Honduras ($3 USD admission).
6. Sail the San Blas Islands
This archipelago in Panama consists of 378 islands and cays to explore. Taking a day, or even a week-long sailing trip throughout them is super fun. There are incredible seascapes to behold, as well as fascinating people to meet and colorful reefs to see up close. There is an abundance of wildlife to check out and the boats make frequent snorkeling and scuba diving stops. These trips are popular with budget travelers and can be organized anywhere in the country. Expect to spend upwards of $600 USD for a 4-5-day cruise. It’s not super cheap, but it’s worth it!
7. Surf down a volcano in Nicaragua
If you like adrenaline activities, try volcano boarding. Cerro Negro, a young and active volcano in Nicaragua, offers tourists a chance to ride a surfboard down its graveled slopes. You have to hike up to the top yourself (which takes around an hour) so be prepared for a climb and to get dirty! A half-day outing excursion costs $35 USD, with transportation, gear, and drinks included.
8. Dive the Great Blue Hole
This natural wonder in Belize is part of the Lighthouse Reef system. It’s a near-perfect circular hole that stretches 480 feet below the surface. The water here is almost completely motionless, so visibility is clear to about 200 feet. The Great Blue Hole is an amazing place to dive or snorkel and is considered one of the best natural dive spots in the world! Tour prices vary, but snorkeling tours cost around $220 USD, and diving tours start at $260 USD.
9. Walk through the Treetops
The Rainmaker Aerial Walkway in Costa Rica was the first aerial walkway to be built in Central America and it’s still considered one of the top aerial walkways in the region. At the highest point on the walkway, you’ll find yourself 20 stories above the ground. Tours start at $75 USD and include two light meals.
10. Visit the Macaw Mountain Bird Reserve & Park
Located in Copán Ruinas, Honduras, this enclosure is in a tropical rainforest brimming with an amazing range of birds. You’ll see everything from brilliant Buffon Macaws to vibrant Blue and Gold Macaws to colorful Keel-Billed Toucans. Included in the ticket price is a three-day access pass to the park, a one-hour guided tour, and a 20-minute walk through an adjacent coffee plantation. Admission is $10 USD.
11. The Barrier Reef, Belize
This is the second longest barrier reef in the world. It’s home to a vibrant coral reef is home and magnificent marine life (including sea turtles, rays, and sharks) and is the country’s most popular tourist attraction. In 1996, the reef was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s now a popular spot for diving, snorkeling, and boat tours. A three-tank dive costs around $125 USD.
12. Go to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Located on Nicaragua Lake, this is the largest volcanic island in the world that resides inside a freshwater lake. It’s easy to get to and is close to Managua. There is a plethora of restaurants and hotels on the island. Be sure to check out Cascada San Ramon, a waterfall you can access via a beautiful four-hour hike. Also, don’t miss El Pital where you can learn how chocolate is made (tours are $15 USD).
13. Take in the Nicoya Coast, Costa Rica
This is a beautiful peninsula in Costa Rica peppered with quaint little towns and plenty of beaches. It is constantly sunny here, and there’s a lot to see and do. Some of the main attractions include Barra Honda National Park, Isla Tortuga, scuba diving, and driving along the coast. My favorite town in this area is Santa Theresa.
14. Visit La Libertad, El Salvador
For those of you who are big on surfing, this is considered the best place to catch a wave in Central America. While there is the risk of bumping into a swarm of beach-bum types, it doesn’t take away from the amazing waves, the endless seafood barbecue, and cool accommodation. Surfboard rentals start at $15 USD.
15. Enjoy Carnival
The biggest carnival in the region is La Cieba in Honduras. Held every May, the streets fill with bright costumes and dancing, while bars and clubs burst with locals and tourists alike, all vying to soak up the party atmosphere. Different neighborhoods host “Carnavalitos” (little carnivals), competing on who can throw the best party.
16. Visit the Montecristo Cloud Forest
This cloud forest has a diverse swath of flora and fauna including ferns, orchids, mosses, spider monkeys, and anteaters. Hike to the highest point, El Trifinio, where the borders of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala converge. It’s a steep 4-mile (7-kilometer) climb, so bring lots of water. There’s a limit to how many people can visit the park each day so it’s best to arrive bright and early and finish before the park closes at 3pm.
17. Dive the Bay Islands in Honduras
The Bay Islands are one of the best diving spots in Central America. The Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja archipelagos all offer stunning dive sites. Get up close to colorful coral formations or deep dive 2,000 feet into the abyss for bluntnose sixgill shark sightings. It’s also super affordable; prices start at $40 USD.
Central America Travel Costs
Accommodation – Dorm rooms with 6-8 beds cost $5-20 USD while private room cost between $15-30 USD for single or double bed with private bathroom (in Belize, Costa Rica or Panama, you will pay on the higher end of that range).
Family-owned guesthouses or hotels are the next most affordable accommodation. These rooms average $25-40 USD per night for a private room with an ensuite bathroom. Many include breakfast, not to mention the added bonus of meeting a local.
In cheaper countries like Honduras, a private room can cost $15 USD per night while in a more expensive destination like Panama City, you can expect to pay on the higher end, about $30 USD per night.
Airbnb is also an option around Central America, with private rooms starting around $30 USD per night. For an entire home or apartment expect to pay at least $70 USD per night (though prices are often double that).
Camping can be done easily at hostels and in certain national parks. Most hostels have space where you can pitch a tent or string up a hammock for under $5 USD per night. National parks require camping fees that vary from country to country. See country guides for specifics on where to stay.
Food – While the cuisine for each country in Central America varies, there is some overlap. Expect to find dishes centered around rice, beans, tortillas, meat, and seafood. Generally, you’ll find a mix of Spanish, Caribbean, and traditional Mesoamerican influences here.
The cheapest food option is to eat at the roadside restaurants that dot the region. Buying your own groceries and cooking is also super affordable, though not all hostels have kitchen facilities.
At small restaurants serving the regional cuisine, expect to pay around $5 USD for a meal. If you want really cheap food, you can find empanadas (fried pastries filled with meat, cheese, or potatoes) for under a dollar.
If you plan on cooking your own meals, head down to the local market and pick up fruit, vegetables, rice, and some meat or seafood for $20-40 USD per week depending on your diet.
The local markets have tons of fresh fruit for incredibly cheap, so fill up on that when you can. A typical restaurant meal per main dish and a drink is about $10 USD, however, western food will cost about three times as much as the local dishes. See country guides on specifics!
Transportation – In cities, public buses are the cheapest and most convenient way to get around. Fares cost less than a dollar, and buses are widespread. However, keep in kind that in some cities, public transportation is rife with petty theft so you’ll want to be vigilant.
Longer bus rides and overnight trips from one country to the next are generally between $10-30 USD. Be prepared, though — buses here (often called “chicken buses” due to the abundance of chickens and rice transported on them) stop everywhere to let people on and off. They are interesting but slow. If you’re in a hurry, pay extra for the direct coach buses.
Trains are virtually non-existent in Central America so you’ll need to stick to buses if you’re on a budget.
Not surprisingly, this region of the world actually relies a lot on hitchhiking. Buses can be late or sporadic and sometimes extremely full. I’ve done this in Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama because there is a limited regional air network here and flights are expensive. That said, hitchhiking isn’t appropriate everywhere so use Hitchwiki for more information and safety tips.
Flying around the region is possible, but expensive. A one-way flight from Guatemala City to Belize City is $300 USD, whereas the bus is only $50 USD. From Belize City to Panama City also costs around $300 USD each way. In short, avoid flying!
Activities – Entrance to national parks is typically inexpensive, usually starting at $10 USD. Mayan ruins cost around $10 USD as well, with Tikal in Guatemala costing $20 USD. Diving is likely to be your most expensive activity, costing between $50-100 USD for a two-tank dive. A half-day manatee-spotting tour ranges from $35-50 USD while a visit to a wildlife sanctuary costs around $5 USD. The Copán Ruins can get expensive if you factor in the entrance fee ($15 USD), entrance to the tunnels ($8 USD), and a guided tour ($20 USD). Canopy tours (zip lining) usually costs between $30-50 USD per person.