For such a tiny part of the world, Central America is packed full of all kinds of natural beauty and great activities. From zip lining past sloths in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, to boarding down volcanoes in Nicaragua, to scuba-diving shipwrecks in Utila and snorkelling with whale sharks off Belize, Central America really has it all.
We have been through Central America twice now. We've gone North to South and then South to North and both times we've done loads of things and seen some truly amazing places.
Now to truly see and experience everything CA has to offer we're recommend at least 2 months. However you can still see lots of places and visit multiple countries with less time as travel between countries is quick-ish (emphasis on the ish) due to the small size of them.
Now although Mexico is technically part of North America we're going to include it in this itinerary because it's an easy base to fly in and out of AND it's an awesome country with LOADS to see and do (you could easily spend months just in Mexico and only scratch the surface)
We have been through Central America twice now. We've gone North to South and then South to North and both times we've done loads of things and seen some truly amazing places.
Now to truly see and experience everything CA has to offer we're recommend at least 2 months. However you can still see lots of places and visit multiple countries with less time as travel between countries is quick-ish (emphasis on the ish) due to the small size of them.
Now although Mexico is technically part of North America we're going to include it in this itinerary because it's an easy base to fly in and out of AND it's an awesome country with LOADS to see and do (you could easily spend months just in Mexico and only scratch the surface)
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Itinerary
If heading Nth → Sth: Fly in to Mexico City or Cancun (usually via LA if you're coming from Australia/NZ) and fly home from Panama City or San Jose. If heading Sth → Nth then reverse the itinerary! This Itinerary could take you anywhere from 2 to 4 months.. Or even longer! This is an itinerary combining our two trips to the region. It is by no means exhaustive, but we hope it is helpful in planning your own little jaunt.
- Mexico
- Yucatan Peninusla: (If flying in to Cancun)
- Cancun
- Isla Holbox
- Playa Del Carmen
- Isla Mujeres
- Tulum
- Central Mex: (If flying in to Mexico City)
- Mexico City
- Oaxaca
- San Cristobal
- Palenque
- Puerto Escondido (Only if surfing)
- All of Baja Mexico but further away, probably best to do on a separate trip unless you have loads of time
- Yucatan Peninusla: (If flying in to Cancun)
- Belize
- Caye Caulker
- Guatemala
- Flores (Tikal Ruins)
- Semuc Champey
- Lake Atitlan
- Antigua
- El Salvador
- El Tunco
- Honduras
- Utila (Only if scuba diving)
- Nicaragua
- Leon
- Granada
- Corn Islands
- Isla Ometepe
- Popoyo (Only if surfing)
- San Juan Del Sur
- Costa Rica
- Monteverde
- San Jose
- Manuel Antonio
- Nicoya Peninsula
- Montezuma
- Sata Teresa
- Corcovado National Park
- Puerto Viejo
- Panama
- Bocas Del Toro
- San Blas Islands
- Panama City
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Mexico
CANCUN
Where to stay:
What to do:
Where to stay:
- Plenty of resort options (Didn't do one so cannot recommend specifics)
- Hostel El Corazon (Really friendly, short walk to major bus terminal, but a bus trip to beach)
What to do:
- International Airport - Good start/finish point
- Super Touristy!
- Great if you want a resort/all inclusive experience
- Drink & party
- Catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres from here!
ISLA MUJERES
Where to stay:
What to do:
Where to stay:
- Poc-Na Hostel
What to do:
- Rent a golf cart to explore island
- Visit turtle sanctuary (not sure if real sanctuary...?)
- Lunch at Mango Cafe (Pricey but delicious!)
- Beach
ISLA HOLBOX
Where to stay:
What to do:
Where to stay:
- Hosel Ida y Vuelta
What to do:
- Beach
- Street Food in Square at night (Tacos, Churros & Corn for 50c)
- Swim with whale sharks (if in season)
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Where to stay:
What to do:
Where to stay:
- Plenty of options from hostel dorms up to high end resorts
What to do:
- Party
- Hire a car and visit Ik Kil Cenote & Chichen Itza (pictured)
- Beach (but much better at other places along coast)
TULUM
Where to stay:
What to do:
Where to stay:
- Tulum Bay
What to do:
- Hire Bikes! (From Kellys)
- Ride to Grand Cenote (150 peso entry per person)
- Tulum Ruins (64 peso entry per person)
- Beach
BELIZE
CAYE CAULKER
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Jeremiah's Inn
What To Do:
- Drinks at Lazy Lizards
- Swim at The Split
- Raggamuffin Tours
- Snorkelling Day Trip
- 2 Night Boat Trip
GUATEMALA
SEMUC CHAMPEY
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Zephyr (more party party) or Utopia (more chill)
What To Do:
- Visit Semuc Champey
FLORES (TIKAL RUINS)
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Not sure sorry!
What To Do:
- Visit Tikal Ruins!
- Guided tour very worth it to learn all about the history!
LAKE ATITLAN (San Pedro)
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Hostel Fe
What To Do:
- Hike around the lake!
- Boat to San Marcus then walk to Santa Cruz, have a delicious lunch with a view at Cafe Isla Verde and boat back to San Pedro!
- Hike to Indian Nose
ANTIGUA
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Bigfoot Hostel
- Can get shuttle direct to Leon & Utila from here!
What To Do:
- Visit Markets
- Explore cobblestone streets
HONDURAS
NICARAGUA
CORN ISLANDS (LITTLE CORN)
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Carlitos Place ($7 per person for hut on water!)
What To Do:
- Scuba Dive
- Swim
- Explore Islands
- Trivia Night @ Tranquilo
GRANADA
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- El Momento
What To Do:
- Visit Laguna de Apoyo & Apoyo Beach Club
- Explore streets and cafes (Garden Cafe!)
PLAYA GIGANTE & POPOYO (Only if Surfing)
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Playa Gigante
- Gigante Bay
- Popoyo
- Mag Rock
- Nica waves Surf Camp
What To Do:
- Playa Gigante
- Surf Colorados
- Playa Amarillo
- Eat at Partywave
- Popoyo
- Surf
- Expensive beverages & food at Mag Rock
SAN JUAN DEL SUR
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Surfing Donkey
- Naked Tiger (Party party)
What To Do:
- Hike to Christ Statue (amazing viewpoint!)
- Sunday Funday
- Hire car/motorbike and surf
COSTA RICA
MONTEVERDE
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Pension Santa Elena
What To Do:
- Canopy Tour
- Ziplining & Tarzan Swing
- Bird watching
- Ziplining & Tarzan Swing
- Butterfly House
NICOYA PENINSULA
(Montezuma & Santa Teresa)
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
(Montezuma & Santa Teresa)
Where to Stay:
- Santa Teresa
- Don Jon's
- Montezuma
- Aurora Hotel
What To Do:
- Hire quad bikes and drive between Montezuma, Santa Teresa & Mal Pais
- Jump rocks and fresh water pools at Montezuma Waterfalls
- Surf & Beach
MANUEL ANTONIO
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Backpackers Manuel Antonio
What To Do:
- Beach
- Manual Antonio National Park
CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Cabinas Del Perezoso
What To Do:
- Tour of National Park
- See loads of animals (birds, anteaters, moths, bats, monkeys, frogs, lizards and sloths!)
PUERTO VIEJO
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Lizard King
- Rocking J's
What To Do:
- Beach
- Cahuita National Park
- Sloth Sanctuary
PANAMA
BOCAS DEL TORO
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- Casa Max
What To Do:
- Snorkelling Trip
- Red Frog Beach & Hospital Point
- Ride bikes to Bocas Del Drago
- Aqua Lounge
SAN BLAS ISLANDS (end in Colombia)
Where to Stay:
What To Do:
Where to Stay:
- On a boat! Or on the Islands!
- San Blas Adventures was great!
What To Do:
- Snorkel
- Read
- Relax
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