Central America
Seven small nations, teeming with biodiversity, varied landscapes, ancient civilisations & ecotourism
Spanning the narrow isthmus that separates North America from South America, the seven small nations that make up Central America are a marvel of culture, environment, wildlife and history.
Hemmed in between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea these countries contain enormous ecological biodiversity, a backbone of volcanoes, stunning beaches, breathtaking highlands, giant freshwater lakes, untamed wilderness. In short, a wealth of places to see, explore, discover and enjoy.
By far the most visited of the Central American countries is Costa Rica, which has become renowned for being the ecotourism capital of the world. Other countries, such as El Salvador and Nicaragua, plagued by various social upsets in the later part of the 20th century, are only just starting to wake up to their ecotourism opportunities, but as such remain magical places to visit.
Guatemala and Honduras contain some of the most important remains of ancient Mayan civilisations found in Latin America – both Tikal and Copán are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, yet far less visited than other historic ruins such as Peru's Machu Picchu in South America or Chichen Itza, north of the region in Mexico. Both also contain charming highland villages, many of which maintain their Mayan traditions and have vibrant markets filled with colour and flair.
The Caribbean coast is a surprising change from classic Central America, as the culture has a strong Garífuna influence, following the arrival of escaped and shipwrecked African slaves in the early 17th Century. This is particularly evident in English speaking Belize, which has a distinctively Caribbean feel, especially as you head out to the Cayes to dive or snorkel amongst the second largest Coral Reef in the world.
The Pan American Highway runs south through the region through the wildlife-filled cloud forests of Panama to its end in the untamed Darien Gap, which only boats can navigate. In this stunning country, the bustling high-rise Panama City sits aside the globally important Panama Canal, which sees constant queues of freight ships and cruise-liners, whilst Kuna Indians maintain their traditional culture on the San Blas Archipelago.
Central America is where cultures, colours, communities and countryside collide, bringing together a fascinating melting pot of biodiversity, landscapes, ancient civilisations and great opportunities for both high-end travel or ecotourism adventures.