Journey through Central America
Everything you need to know for an unforgettable journey
For travellers, Central America is a relatively unknown continent. It is enclosed by the great powers of North and South America and is therefore sometimes overlooked. A shame, because a trip through Central America, where you visit one or more countries, is one you will never forget. Want to know more? Here we share our tips to get you excited.
1. - Why a trip through Central America?
In Central America there is enough to discover for everyone. The countries are easy to travel, because the distances are generally not enormous, and the infrastructure is good. There is a lot of variety between culture and nature and for travelling with children there are many possibilities. Moreover, you can always end your trip in an idyllic and relaxing place on the coast.
Costa Rica
2. - What is there to see and do?
In Central America we offer trips to the following destinations: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. To give you an idea of the countries and what they have to offer, I will briefly explain all the countries here.
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Mexico
Mexico
Mexico has it all, a rich history, special archaeological sites, modern cities, characteristic colonial towns and so on. It is estimated that no less than 70% is of mixed ethnic origin and as many as 62 indigenous languages are recognized as national languages by the government. Its long history has ensured that Mexico is in possession of many archaeological findings, beautiful traditions and festivals, costumes, music and food and drink. But also, when it comes to nature you are at the right place in Mexico.
Highlights:
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Belize
Belize
When you say Belize, most people think of beach and an azure blue sea. That is absolutely right, only there is so much more. Belize is like a treasure trove of Mayan culture. The dense jungle that covers large parts of the country with its unique flora and fauna is a must for every nature lover. Although Belize is located on the mainland, the whole country has a relaxed island atmosphere. The people are friendly, and you can enjoy a beautiful combination between nature and the blue sea at the coast.
Highlights:
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Guatemala
Guatemala
The land of eternal spring and, thanks to the colorful and vibrant Mayan Culture, also one of the most colorful countries in the world. The special traditional costumes still determine the street scene in many villages. In addition to this Maya culture, Guatemala also has a very diverse flora and fauna. Tropical rainforest in the northern Petén region, rugged mountain ranges and volcanoes in the south with beautiful highlands and the Caribbean Guatemala in the east of the country. The very friendly Guatemalan sign will gladly show you all this beauty.
Highlights:
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Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Central America, yet the country has everything you need for a nice round trip. Beautiful lakes, giant volcanoes, atmospheric colonial cities, varied nature and attractive white sandy beaches. Nicaragua is characterized by the openness and hospitality of its people. You will feel comfortable here as you explore the lively history of the cities, enjoy rugged adventures and discover this idyllic country.
Highlights:
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Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a perfect destination if you love nature. The small country that is easy to travel, has different ecosystems so you can enjoy the variety that nature has to offer. In Costa Rica you will find rugged mountains, wild rainforests, rivers, dense cloud forests and an astonishing number of wildlife. Finally, Costa Rica has beautiful coastal towns on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The country offers many opportunities to explore in an adventurous way and in the evening, you can relax in one of the many comfortable boutique hotels that the country has to offer.
Highlights:
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Panama
Panama
When you think of Panama, you undoubtedly think directly of the Panama Canal. This is certainly one of the highlights of a trip of Panama, but there is more. The inland is characterized by rugged mountain areas, beautiful hilly landscapes and tropical rainforest. On the coast we know several unique places to spend the night. The diversity in Panama is not only expressed in the landscape, but also in the melting pot of cultures from different continents. In addition, there are 7 indigenous peoples in the country.
Highlights:
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Honduras
Honduras
Together with El Salvador, Honduras is the most unknown country in Central America. As a result, tourism is still in its infancy, which makes these countries a beautiful destination for adventurers. Traveling through these countries is completely safe and travelling with car rental in Honduras is easy.
Honduras is mainly known for its islands. Here you will find lovely beaches and a great coral reef which makes it an attractive destination for divers and snorkelers. The combination with one of the best-known archaeological sites and a great unspoiled natural park makes Honduras a beautiful travel destination.
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El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador is the same as Honduras; tourism in these countries is still in its infancy, which makes it a wonderful destination for adventurers. Traveling through these countries is completely safe and even with a rental car it is easy to do.
El Salvador has a colorful population, unspoiled nature, volcanoes, an attractive coastline, archaeological sites and quiet picturesque towns. El Salvador is an undiscovered gem in Central America!
3. - What is the best time to travel?
The same climate and the same seasons apply throughout Central America. You can visit all countries in Central America throughout the year. The reason for this is that the countries are close to the equator. Because of this, it is almost always warm, and the country has only two seasons.
- The dry season runs from January to April.
- The rainy season is from May to December.
(However, do not be discouraged from travelling in the rainy season, as downpours are usually limited to the afternoon only) - The temperature varies between 25 and 30 degrees throughout the year.
For some cases it can be wise to take a closer look at the travel time. This is important, for example, if you would like to see a specific species such as whales, turtles or the Monarch butterfly. In addition, it can have advantages if you are not tied to a specific period of time to travel. For example, you can travel outside the high season, which means that the prices of airline tickets are lower and there is more available.
4. - How much time should you take for a Central America journey?
How many days you need to set aside for a journey of one or more countries in Central America depends entirely on what you would like to see and do. However, it is very well possible to make a roundtrip from 10 days. Because the distances are not that large it is also very well possible to combine different countries. Think for example of Guatemala and Belize and Honduras and El Salvador.
It is also possible to visit several destinations at once, with the exception of Mexico. In 4 to 6 weeks you can get a nice total picture of Central America. Mexico is an exception, because this country is much larger than the other countries. It is not even possible to visit all of Mexico in one trip of 3 weeks. With this country you will have to make choices and therefore we advise you not to combine this country with another destination.
In short, already from 10 days it is possible to make a nice journey through one or more destinations of Central America. But even if you would like to go away for 6 weeks, there are plenty of possibilities.
Livingston, Guatemala
5. - Where is the best place to stay?
For a trip through Central America we like to work with unique accommodations that are in special locations. In the middle of the rainforest, surrounded by wild animals. Beautiful cabañas located directly on the beach or higher up in the mountains with a 180-degree view over the surrounding forest and the Caribbean Sea in the background.
The countries have many different accommodations where you can stay. Because we organize tailor-made trips we work with different hotels in different categories. It is a condition that the accommodations offer the necessary comfort, service and hygiene. In addition, we like to look for accommodations that add value to your trip, such as a unique location, a beautiful boutique hotel in a city or a hotel with a personal service. Before we start working out a travel program, we would like to discuss with you what you are looking for so we can choose the accommodations that best suit your wishes.
Some examples of accommodations that we are happy to work with:
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Pacuare lodge – Costa Rica
Pacuare lodge – Costa Rica
Rafting along the Pacuare River, you will reach this special lodge in the middle of a mountainous landscape overgrown with rainforest. During your stay you can go kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, bird watching or hiking. Petra visited the Pacuare Lodge and wrote a blog about it.
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Isla Palenque - Panama
Isla Palenque - Panama
A small island that can only be reached by boat. The 8 cottages are all named after famous writers who wrote about islands. Enjoy the serene tranquility of this enchanting place. Johan visited Isla Palenque in 2018 and wrote a blog about it.
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Lamanai Outpost - Belize
Lamanai Outpost - Belize
This lodge lies deep in the unspoiled wilderness of the Orange Walk district. This is one of the best places in Belize to spot animals. The lodge is located near a very watery area where many animals live. Think of jaguars, various monkey and bird species and crocodiles. More than 400 species of birds have been counted. Customers visited this accommodation and wrote about it on our blog.
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Hotels in Antigua - Guatemala
Hotels in Antigua - Guatemala
This picturesque town situated between the green slopes of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes is one of Latin America's best kept secrets. A lovely place, with brightly coloured houses on cobbled streets and fine boutique hotels for everyone.
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Haciendas in Yucatan - Mexico
Haciendas in Yucatan - Mexico
The Yucatan peninsula is a true paradise. The culture of the Maya is alive and kicking here, the coast breath taking and the traditional dishes delicious. In addition, you have a wide choice of beautiful accommodations here. Over the years, many dilapidated haciendas have been restored and converted into small-scale hotels. A stay in one of these old haciendas has the old-fashioned grandeur of the time of the big landowners and the lords. The grandeur of yesteryear with the comfort of today.
6. - What's the best way to travel around Central America?
Travelling around Central America can be done in different ways and depends on your wishes and the route you want to travel.
Travelling by rental car
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but you can visit Central America with a rental car. Countries that are ideal for that are Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras and El Salvador. An additional advantage is that in many cases you can take the rental car across the border during a trip through Central America. Exceptions are Mexico and Belize.
Travelling around by car is a great way to discover a country or area. What makes traveling by car so special is the possibility that you can stop wherever you want. This way, you will go to places that you would otherwise not have been, and a trip is never the same.
Transfers
Would you prefer not to go out alone in a rental car? Then of course it is also possible to travel from one destination to another with a transfer. We mostly offer an English-speaking guide who can tell you more about the area you are driving through. Moreover, you can choose to make a stop along the way at a place of interest, such as a Mayan temple or one of the many volcanoes that the continent is rich in.
Travelling with transfers gives you the peace and relaxation you need on your journey, because you don't have to worry about where and when to go. You only have to worry about enjoying yourself.
Flights
Depending on the route you want to travel, domestic and/or local flights may be recommended. In some cases, such a flight is also a special experience because of the size of the aircraft. An example is in Belize. Here, the flights are used just like the bus connection is used in the Netherlands. You get on a small propeller plane for 10 - 16 people and fly from one destination to another. It may happen that you make a stopover at another destination to drop off or pick up other passengers.
7. - Examples of a Central America journey
As you can read here, there is no set solution for a trip through Central America. There are numerous possibilities and different destinations to visit. We can imagine that you are overwhelmed by all the information. To conclude, I have therefore listed a few examples of itineraries. Of course, these trips can always be customized, and you can always come up with your own ideas for which we map out the best route.
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14-day journey Guatemala and Belize
14-day journey Guatemala and Belize
family trip - ancient civilizations - jungle - beach
A unique sequence of experiences in which culture and nature meet at the most extraordinary locations. Also, a beautiful family trip.
From €3,995 per person -
17-day journey Costa Rica
17-day journey Costa Rica
family trip - driving - wildlife and bird watching - primeval forests
With your own rental car, you can drive through Costa Rica. Discover the diverse nature of the inland, the Caribbean coast and the Pacific coast.
From €4,900 per person -
21-day journey Central America by rental car
21-day journey Central America by rental car
family trip - driving - off the beaten track
By rental car you will discover Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. An impressive journey never to forget.
From €6,100 per person -
15-day journey Yucatan with rental car
15-day journey Yucatan with rental car
family trip - driving - ancient civilizations
A great trip introducing you to the diverse Yucatan Peninsula
From €4,550 per person -
17-day luxury journey Panama with rental car
17-day luxury journey Panama with rental car
Driving - wildlife spotting - jungles
During this beautiful trip you will drive with a rental car through the Panamanian landscape. Drive along the coast, visit the rolling inland and end your luxury trip on a private island in the Pacific coast.
From €6,400 per person
More Central America
Would you like to make a trip through Central America? We can arrange the above trips for you, but we are also happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nlor request a tailor-made offer below. We will be happy to help you.