Top 5 Central American Hot Spots

Costa Rica aside, Central America doesn’t get nearly as much love as it deserves. Due to its rather turbulent past, travellers have been put off visiting this thin stretch of land. But, today, Central America is completely unrecognisable from what it once was and has reinvented itself as a modern region with a fantastic traveller infrastructure.

Not only is Central America blessed with spectacular weather all year round, but it has some of the most exceptional natural beauty in the world. Combine this with bustling cities and quaint villages and you’ve got the ideal travel destination.

So, here are some Central American hotspots that should definitely feature on your bucket list.

Caye Caulker, Belize

If you are looking for a paradise island with the most chilled out vibe on earth then look no further than Caye Caulker. Accessible by boat from the port in Belize City, this island is a far cry from chaotic mainland Belize. The people have a deeply-rooted ethos that you should move slow and be happy. The island offers great snorkelling and diving opportunities and is the starting point for trips to the famous Blue Hole dive site. It also has some fantastic restaurants that serve fresh lobster for fabulously cheap prices.

Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua is an explosion of colour and is in equal parts beautiful and busy. As one of the main tourist zones in the country, the city is well set up for visitors. There are dozens of restaurants and bars as well as street vendors and markets. If you want to pick up some souvenirs during your time in Guatemala then the main market in Antigua should do the trick. Selling everything from toys to food to clothes to gorgeous hand-woven fabrics, this market has it all. For something more adventurous, strap on your hiking boots and head to one Antigua’s nearby volcanoes.

Utila, Honduras

Mainland Honduras still very much bears the scars of its former troubles – some of which are not fully extinguished. But, Utila is the calm in the storm. This lovely island is filled with expats seeking a more relaxing life and diving enthusiasts from all over the world. Utila is one of the cheapest places on earth to get qualified as a scuba diver and the quality of the diving here is unbelievable. Divers will have chance to swim among eels, tropical fish and even whale sharks.

Ometepe, Nicaragua

The first thing you will learn about Nicaragua when you get there is that the Nica breakfast is really good. The next thing you will learn is how incredible Ometepe is. Situated right in the middle of the immense Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe is an island that is known for its outstanding nature, which includes the twin Maderas and Concepción volcanoes. Other points of interest include Santo Domingo beach, the Ojo de Agua and the San Ramón waterfall.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Most people think of beaches and rainforest when they think about Costa Rica and there is no doubt that both of those things can be found in abundance here. However, there is a slightly less well-known terrain in Costa Rica, known as the cloud forest, which will take your breath away. Monteverde is a small town in the highlands of Costa Rica. The temperature here is cooler than most other parts of the country and the scenery is second to none. Be sure to save a couple of days to explore the hanging bridges that run through this cloud forest.