Rainforests, volcanoes, and living cultures
Central America is a narrow but diverse region connecting North and South America. It is full of volcanoes, jungles, colonial towns, and coastline, and is ideal for overland country catching where multiple countries can be visited in a single route.
Costa Rica and Panama are the easiest and most developed catches, while Guatemala and Nicaragua offer more cultural depth and adventure. Honduras and El Salvador are improving and increasingly accessible, making the region a strong mix of easy and slightly more challenging catches.
🇧🇿 Belize – Is known for its coral reefs, clear waters, and jungle interiors. 
English speaking. The Belizean dollar (BZE) is the official currency, and it is fixed to the US dollar ($2 BZE = $1 USD). Most businesses accept both USD and BZE. Scuba diving and water sports are popular. Ziplining can be done inland. Water taxis are good fun.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica – Is a leader in eco tourism with rainforests, volcanoes, and rich wildlife. Beaches and national parks make it popular with both families and adventurers. Excellent for beaches and inland for rainforests. Very popular with the US market so try to avoid the very busy areas. USD widely accepted. Good entry point for Central America and can possibly go to other countries from here. See more on Costa Rica here
🇸🇻 El Salvador – Is small, intense, and culturally rich. Tourism is growing as safety and infrastructure improve. USD is the official currency. Lush rainforests as well as beaches. Try to catch El Tunco which is a lively with black sand beaches and buzzing nightlife. Ancient Mayan ruins in Chalchuapa.
🇬🇹 Guatemala – Ancient ruins, highland villages, and Lake Atitlan sit alongside the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. A lot of Mayan culture and colonial charm. Lake Atitlan is a great tourist area with much to do socially as well as volcano visits. Pepian is a great local stew that is wonderful to try. See more on Guatemala here
🇭🇳 Honduras – Has both Caribbean islands and rugged interior landscapes. Diving and snorkelling in Bay Islands is a great activity. Local markets such as Mercado Guamilito are interesting as are the cities for history and Mayan culture. Good value accommodation and try the rapiditos which are much faster than the standard buses.
🇳🇮 Nicaragua – Feels raw and authentic with volcanoes, lakes, and colourful colonial cities. Ometepe Island is an incredible place to catch with many outdoor activities as well as boasting two volcanoes. Colonial history is best seen in Granada and Leon. The national dish is gallo pinto which is rice and beans and available everywhere. Lake Ometepe. Be warned that the ferries are cancelled in high wind, which seems to be more common during winter. Best to check with locals about the wind and the upcoming forecast to save a wasted journey to San Jorge, which I did! (Anthony)
🇵🇦 Panama – Connects continents through its famous canal and global city. World famous for the canal so plan your visit there. Try to have a drink overlooking the canal but there isn’t much to see there once you visit it. The city is bustling and feels an interesting cultural mix. Good to catch from Costa Rica. Do not cross the Darien Gap to go to Colombia!
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