
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)
Itinerary
- 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
Mexico

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!

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

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)

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)

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

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

Where to Stay:
- Zephyr (more party party) or Utopia (more chill)
What To Do:
- Visit Semuc Champey

Where to Stay:
- Not sure sorry!
What To Do:
- Visit Tikal Ruins!
- Guided tour very worth it to learn all about the history!

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

Where to Stay:
- Bigfoot Hostel
- Can get shuttle direct to Leon & Utila from here!
What To Do:
- Visit Markets
- Explore cobblestone streets
HONDURAS

NICARAGUA


Where to Stay:
- Carlitos Place ($7 per person for hut on water!)
What To Do:
- Scuba Dive
- Swim
- Explore Islands
- Trivia Night @ Tranquilo

Where to Stay:
- El Momento
What To Do:
- Visit Laguna de Apoyo & Apoyo Beach Club
- Explore streets and cafes (Garden Cafe!)


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

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

Where to Stay:
- Pension Santa Elena
What To Do:
- Canopy Tour
- Ziplining & Tarzan Swing
- Bird watching
- Ziplining & Tarzan Swing
- Butterfly House

(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

Where to Stay:
- Backpackers Manuel Antonio
What To Do:
- Beach
- Manual Antonio National Park

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!)


Where to Stay:
- Lizard King
- Rocking J's
What To Do:
- Beach
- Cahuita National Park
- Sloth Sanctuary
PANAMA

Where to Stay:
- Casa Max
What To Do:
- Snorkelling Trip
- Red Frog Beach & Hospital Point
- Ride bikes to Bocas Del Drago
- Aqua Lounge

Where to Stay:
- On a boat! Or on the Islands!
- San Blas Adventures was great!
What To Do:
- Snorkel
- Read
- Relax