Central America

From the magical ruins of Mayan civilizations through smoking volcanoes to tropical sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.

Central America

From the magical ruins of Mayan civilizations through smoking volcanoes to tropical sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.

Central America, Mexico and Cuba covers a vast region of diverse cultures, enthralling indigenous markets, spectacular wildlife, smoking volcanoes, serene lakes, steamy jungles, and idyllic white sand beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and Pacific, abundant with a colourful underworld of coral reefs and marine life.

With cerulean seas and verdant forests, magnificent Maya ruins and smoking volcanoes, Central America is like a tropical fairy tale – except all of it is real.The Maya civilizations sprawled from Mexico to Honduras, leaving behind ruins in five present-day countries – four in Central America – where visitors can still step back and connect with an ancient and mysterious past.

Central America may take up less space than Texas, but its rich mix of people and cultures has created a diverse and dynamic society. With more than 20 Maya languages spoken, Guatemala is the region’s indigenous heartland. The Spanish left their mark throughout with gorgeous colonial plazas, fervent beauty contests and silent hours of siesta. African culture permeates the Caribbean coast, from the Congo rebel traditions to lip-smacking rondón seafood gumbo. And the last century brought the rest of the world – Asians, Europeans, North Americans – along with a coat of modernity that dressed up Panama City into a contemporary capital.

With chilled-out Caribbean vibes on one side and monster Pacific swells on the other, Central America is perched between the best of both beach worlds. From deserted playas to full-moon parties, this tiny region can deliver just about any sun-soaked experience that your inner beach bum desires. What’s more, there’s that magnificent, mysterious world that begins at the water’s edge. Seize it by scuba diving with whale sharks in Honduras, snorkeling the world’s second-largest coral reef in Belize, getting stoked on Costa Rica’s world-class surf breaks, or setting sail among Panama’s virgin isles. Hello, paradise.