Destinations Categories: Central America

The Americas’ tiniest country, El Salvador is huge on natural beauty—and hospitality. El Salvador is proof that great things come in small packages. In the space of two or three hours, travelers can get to anywhere in this enchanting country. You can be at the top of a volcano one minute, and swimming and surfing in the ocean 45 minutes later. With so many attractions on offer, El Salvador starts looking not so chiquito after all.

Mexico is a land of staggering contrasts, where desert landscapes give way to lush jungles, and snowcapped volcanoes rise above palm-fringed beaches. It is both ancient and cutting-edge, a place where pre-Hispanic traditions and world-class modern art coexist in everyday life. For travelers, it offers not just destinations, but whole worlds contained within a single country.

With its potent cocktail of a stunning skyline and colonial charm, Panama City is by far Central America's most sophisticated capital. But to truly experience Panama's soul, you need to venture beyond the glittering metropolis and the world-famous canal. A whole tropical paradise awaits, offering a universe of experiences tucked into Central America's slender waist.

With its massive barrier reef and pristine jungle, Honduras is a land just waiting to be explored. Central America’s least-visited destination has a case of bad PR. For a decade, nasty crime stats scared away visitors to this stunning tropical nation—even though gang violence never came close to touching the tourist areas.

Stand awestruck amidst the silent ruins of ancient Mayan kings. With smoking volcanoes, windswept mountain lakes, and cobblestone colonial streets, Guatemala is one of the most gorgeous spots on the planet. Its crowning glory, however, is its incredible Mayan cities, whose silent jungle setting only deepens their timeless mystery.

A land of lakes and volcanoes, with a proud, fiery culture, Nicaragua is pure passion. Poets and revolutionaries: Nicaragua has spawned both in abundance. Yet apart from its sumptuous colonial cities and stormy history, what most characterizes this Central American gem is the sheer gorgeousness of its tropical landscapes.