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Home » Central America » Backpacking Travel Guide

Backpacking Central America • TOP TIPS, Itineraries + Costs 2024

Backpacking in Central America was the best decision of my life . My experiences here moulded me into the man I have become today, and I’m now OBSESSED with inspiring others to visit this magnificent region.

Central America is an enchanting amalgamation of jungles, surf beaches, (tequila), and volcanoes. This part of the world attracts a certain kind of vagrant and broke backpacker – so you’re sure to fit right in. 😉

After exploring for months on end here, I now kinda consider this part of the world to be my second home. You won’t have to spend long here to feel the same, trust me.

There’s something so magical about these lands and the endless array of surprises and opportunities they possess…

Part of it is the unrivalled beauty of the jungles, mountains, volcanos, desert islands and beaches. Part of it is all the relaxing and inward soul searching. But truly, it’s the kindness and open-heartedness of the people that make you fall in love.

If you travel slowly while backpacking Central America  (and trust me, you should) you’ll find yourself on all sorts of weird and wild side quests. You know, the kind with people that very quickly become your new friends for life. One minute you’ve stopped for tacos and the next you’re chasing down Rodrigo’s pet chicken or singing karaoke with a Mayan grandmother.

A part of me is desperate to keep this place a secret before it turns into Southeast Asia 2.0, but I just can’t. I gotta spread the love ( pura vida style).

So, I’m here spilling the beans: insider tips, ups and downs, and essential information that I wish I had before I went backpacking in Central America.

Listo ? – Vamos!

acatenango and fuego volcano at sunrise in guatemala

Why Go Backpacking in Central America?

Backpacking Central America is a wild romp through both chaos and a long chill-out session. It lends itself to some incredible overland journeys and rounding out your own manifesto through travel. Because if you really get into learning Spanish here, you’ll suddenly find a whole new world of locals and fellow artisan backpackers opens up to you!

There are markets full of amber, beaches to sell your jewellery at (Central America is actually a good place to have a backpacker hustle), and of course, there is so much delicious food. I’m talking fried platanos, tacos, and ceviche whenever you’re on the coast. Plus, a party is never too far away. 😉

Then there’s the fact that Central America is a pretty cheap place to travel in. Backpacking Central America is ideal for those on a grown-up gap year or another type of time-constrained trip. But for the long-term vagabond who knows how to stretch every last dollar and doesn’t mind camping on beaches – man… Central America is a dreamy place for you!

girl in lake watching the sunset

And when you do want to splurge on some once-in-a-lifetime experiences, well the region delivers them in spades! Learning to free dive or SCUBA dive are two of the more popular ones. Take epic trekking trips, sky diving, and paragliding!

Now, not everyone is ready to throw themselves off a cliff in the name of a bucket list experience … and that’s ok! Central America hears you and instead offers up peaceful yoga retreats in the mountains or lazy beach days in the sunshine. Plus, because the countries that comprise this region are small (with the exception of Mexico) you can spend less time physically travelling and more time actually exploring – or chilling!

Honestly, backpacking in Central America is the whole package: the people, the parties, the paradisiacal landscapes. Now let’s take a look at some of your options for exploring this fantastic part of the world.

Best Itineraries for Backpacking Central America

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Depending on your time frame, there is a wide range of places to begin and end your backpacking trip. Choosing a general Central America backpacking route and itinerary that works for you will help in some of the basic planning on your journey.

One of the reasons I love backpacking in Central America is the ability to be spontaneous. The region thrives on a certain degree of chaos! Best of all, the distances in Central America are not as daunting as in other parts of the world, so it’s a good choice for backpackers short on time.

travelling around central america

Besides, I don’t see much point in rushing around the countries. You might as well slow down your travels and enjoy the ride!

Whether you are looking for a 2-week Central America itinerary or a 2+ month travel odyssey, I’ve got you covered amigos! Let’s dive in a explore some of the tried and true Central America backpacking routes I have enjoyed.

2-week Travel Itinerary for Central America: Mexico to Guatemala

travelling around central america

This 2-week Central America backpacking itinerary starts on the opposite end of the region. The cheapest flights into Central America usually fly into Cancún, Mexico.

Find somewhere to stay in Cancun and leave the next day – it’s no secret I STRONGLY dislike Cancun! But do spend some time exploring those insane white sand beaches and cenotes in Quintana Roo to make memories you’ll never forget.

travelling around central america

Now onwards to Chiapas ! Chiapas is one of Mexico’s most fascinating regions. The food alone makes it worth the visit, although the mix of cultures and the drop-dead gorgeous landscapes will compete for your attention, too. Explore San Crístobal de las Casas before you head to Guatemala.

Guatemala is a whole other fascinating country. Backpacking Guatemala is truly a special experience. It’s here that I accidentally spent six months falling in love with the country.

Some of the best trekking in Central America can be found in Guatemala. It also boasts steamy lush jungles with the most impressive Mayan ruins in the region. Lake Atitlan has, dare I say, spiritual energy that hasn’t been quashed by the many tourists that call it home.

And rounding out your taste for Central America you can stop in at one of the many awesome places to stay in Antigua – one of the most beautiful cities filled with the most delicious food in the world. Honestly, after two weeks in Central America, you’ll be hungry for more!

4-week Travel Itinerary for Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica

travelling around central america

Have a month to visit Central America? Perfect.

This route has you starting off in Guatemala. Of course, you could start in Costa Rica as well. In my opinion, it is better to save it for the end!

I recommend spending at least ten days in Guatemala before heading south. Definitely go to the ruins in Tikal – and make sure to stay in Flores , the town I fell in love with!

Check out the incredible pools at Semuc Champey . Now if you bus back across to find things to do in Lake Atitlan , you can get in your yoga fix while learning deeply from the Mayan culture still strongly felt here.

travelling around central america

Next up, walk to the cobblestone streets of the beautiful colonial city, Antigua . This is all before you get out of Guatemala – there is truly so much to do in Guate !

El Salvador is a country that is often skipped over entirely – and what a mistake that is! While backpacking El Salvador certainly is a bit lighter on the typical tourist things, the surfing and epic street food make it a worthy stop on your Central American itinerary. You won’t run into the safety problems you might think you would – especially if you stick to the beautiful beaches.

The killer beaches do not stop when you enter Nicaragua via a Honduras detour. But if you’re somewhat limited by time – my dudes, you’ve got to hit those surf beaches in Nicaragua. Playa Popoyo has some of the most consistent surf but less popular beaches on the way down!

Then there is Costa Rica : the cherry on top of your Central American pie. A big beautiful world of adventure backpacking awaits you when you arrive in the land of Pura Vida.

The surfers will want to stick to the Pacific Coast. Mal Pais  and  Montezuma  are classic Costa Rican surf towns that suck you in!

And the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica are the perfect end to your Central America backpacking trip – nothing but good vibes out here.

6-week Travel Itinerary for Central America: Mexico to Panama

travelling around central america

If you have 6 weeks or more then you can see the whole damn region. A trip to Honduras for some SCUBA diving is totally worth the effort.

The Bay Islands are one of the cheapest places in the world to get your PADI certification. Annddd, you could also learn to freedive aka underwater meditation!

Look, if you do a bunch of diving on top of exploring the Yucatan and the best beaches in Mexico and even doing some sightseeing in Belize and Guatemala , you’ll quickly run out of time!

Chichen itza

This 6-week itinerary is the whole enchilada as they say – it’d ideally be better off done with a lot more time up your sleeve. Still, if you head from Utila and the Bay of Islands through the jungle of Honduras you can have an awesome time trekking and exploring Mayan ruins such as the trails through Parque Nacional Montaña de Comayagua.

From there, you can cross to the Pacific side of Nicaragua and surf your way down the coast into Costa Rica and beyond. You have options in terms of the order of everything to see in this route, but it would work well to duck into Panama and hike in Bouquet, before returning to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica .

Settling into the Caribbean vibe, you can carry on back up the Nicaraguan coast and fit in some more snorkelling and diving!

I found a good balance between trekking, diving, visiting ruins, chilling out, and learning a travel language – Spanish. If you do too much of either of those things you can lose appreciation for how special they are. I found it best to settle into a place for at least a few days before heading out on chicken buses.

There are eight countries that make up the region of Central America; each one is worthy of exploration! Backpacking Central America offers up the opportunity to experience a vast array of landscapes, cultures, food, and activities.

Belize, Costa Rica, and parts of Mexico are more expensive than the other countries. El Salvador and Honduras are probably the least visited countries on the list – and yet have some of the best surfing and hiking in the region respectively!

Surfer in Sunset Nicaragua

If you are looking to get off the beaten track and away from the gringo trail, it’s easy in all of the Central American countries. This is especially true in Honduras and the Caribbean side of Nicaragua, where few backpackers go. Depending on the time you have, and more importantly your interests , your options of where to go backpacking in Central America are limitless.

Backpacking Mexico

Mexico is Northern America geographically . No, North America is not just the USA and Canada…

But culturally? Central American all the way! Of course I’m including it in backpacking in Central America.

It is a huge country with incredible diversity: ice-capped mountains, steamy jungles, bustling metropolises, great beaches…

The majority of people on a Central American backpacking route tend to stick to the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas regions. That said, there is much, much more to Mexico than those two places.

One could spend a lifetime backpacking Mexico and not see all of it. If you’re short on time, these two regions are some of the richest in landscapes and things to do. If you have longer, you should explore Mexico more deeply!

travelling around central america

Tulum makes a good base to explore natural and historical treasures of the Yucatan. Seriously, get yourself to the mind-boggling cenotes for a swim and learn to snorkel in epic cave systems. There is some excellent SCUBA diving in Mexico too, but it’s more expensive than Honduras.

Chiapas is one of my favourite parts of Mexico. There is plenty of history, incredible people, and natural wonders to keep you busy for as long as you want. Once you’ve had your fill of epic street food, you can ply through the local markets for colourful trinkets, and top it all off hiking through the highlands. Chiapas really has it all!

An alternative to flying into Cancun is to fly to Mexico City . From there, you can easily catch long-distance buses to other parts of the country or Guatemala. Take the opportunity to explore Mexico city a bit while you’re there though.

The longer you have to spend in Mexico, the longer you should spend in Mexico. She’s a special one!

What to Know Before Visiting Mexico

bacalar lake cenote in quintana roo mexico

  • Don’t miss out on… The Caribbean side . It’s touristy, but that’s for good reason. Go in search of hidden beaches and the best snorkelling spots.
  • You know what’s overrated… all of those beach resort towns. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas…these aren’t the real Mexico.
  • The coolest hostel is… Casa Angel Hostel (Oaxaca City) – This place is pretty dope. Clean, friendly, and great atmosphere. Ticks every box when it comes to hostel life!
  • The best food is found in… Oaxaca. Oaxaca is very well-known for its delicious moles and for being the birthplace of mezcal aka the original tequila.

Backpacking Belize

The paradise of Belize is a country I think of as the black sheep of Central America. For one, English is the official language.

Spanish is increasingly spoken as you get closer to the Guatemala border. Belizean Creole is commonly spoken on the coast.

In truth, a well-planned Belize itinerary is a great addition to any Central American backpacking trip. Belize is home to some of the best SCUBA diving opportunities anywhere in the North or South American continents.

The outlying reefs off of the coast are a part of the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world! Yeah eat your heart our Great Barrier Reef – these ones aren’t bleached either!

travelling around central america

There are also some terrific Mayan sites inland from the coast. The ruins at Caracol are some of the finest in Central America.

Whilst backpacking Belize, if you are not a vegetarian – and fuck it even if you are – you absolutely must eat lobster on one of the islands. This beautiful, fresh seafood delight will have a little party on your taste buds for less than half the price of the States. Mmmmmm, you delicious little langouste – I miss you!

What to Know Before Visiting Belize

diving in belize

  • Don’t miss out on… exploring some of the offbeat Mayan Ruin sites. For some reason, Belize is often overlooked when it comes to Mayan culture.
  • You know what’s overrated… going snorkelling at The Great Blue Hole. It is costly to get out there but to really see the marine life, you need to dive . Don’t fall for the snorkelling package.
  • The coolest hostel is… Yellow Belly Backpackers (San Ignacio) – A true paradise, this yellow house is the perfect base for travellers to explore natural treasures. It has a darts board, free biked and is 700m from the beach!
  • The best food is found in… Caye Caulker has some of the best lobster in the world – with decent prices too!

Backpacking Guatemala

Guatemala is hands down one of the most dynamic and exciting countries I have ever backpacked. In fact, I loved it so much that I ended up living in Flores (near Tikal) for six months!

The country is so rich in amazing things to experience. You can try artisanal coffee, chow down on the world’s best tamales ( shh don’t tell Mexico!), and experience some of the best hikes in the world in their national parks of volcanoes and jungles.

Mayan cultures are still very strong here. The ruins aren’t so much a relic of a culture lost, but reminders of a culture that remains. I remember walking down my street only to find pieces of obsidian embedded in the dirt road.

Tikal Ruins through the trees

The land is very much a life with the people that have occupied here for the last 10 000 years. Tikal is particularly impressive at sunrise, but there are many other Mayan sites to check out, too – like El Mirador .

There are a number of great Spanish language schools in Guatemala if you are keen to learn some Spanish and stay with a host family . Spending a few weeks at a Spanish language school was a game-changing experience for me.

The schools in Antigua or Quetzaltenango are the best. Not only do you embed yourself with a local family and get the privilege of experiencing the town, but your Spanish skills improve at light speed! Speaking Spanish opens up a whole new world for you on your travels in Latin America.

Check out Semuc Champey and Lake Atitlan while you’re in Guate. They might be touristy but they’re still beautiful!

For a true change of pace, you could even try out the boat life by volunteering on a sailboat in the Rio Dulce . Oooh boy, the sailors are a funny bunch down there!

You will fall in love with Guatemala, it’s unavoidable. I’m most certainly counting the days until I return…

What to Know Before Visiting Guatemala

lake atitlan backpacking in guatemala

  • Don’t miss out on… a 3-day trek around Lake Atitlan, ending in Xela. This one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala .
  • Keep an eye out for… safety in Guatemala City. This is probably one of the most hectic places in Guatemala. Base yourself in Antigua instead.
  • The coolest hostel is… Earth Lodge (Antigua) – Yoga studio? Organic kitchen? Avocado farm? I can hear the Californians stampede here already.
  • The best food is found in… Antigua for western food, Xela for Guatemalan food. Avoid all of the American fast-food restaurants.

Backpacking El Salvador

Straight off the bat, El Salvador has some of Central America’s best and least frequented surf beaches. The Town of El Tunco is a fantastic backpacker hub. La Libertad is another great beach town with excellent surf.

The Montecristo Cloud Forest is a beautiful place to hike. Since El Salvador is not as popular with backpackers, there is ample opportunity to venture off the beaten path.

So bring your bloody surfboard, ok? When you need to leave it behind to go hiking for a few days, the local hostels are more than happy for you to do so.

travelling around central america

El Salvador is a country with a troubled history (even by Central American standards) and many problems in the present day. While it is true that El Salvador experiences one of the highest rates of violent crime anywhere on earth, foreigners are rarely targeted .

Basically, if you go looking for trouble, you’ll definitely find it in El Salvador. That being said, the locals look forward to the day when tourism can take off a little better because life is calmer here. They’ll go out of their way to make sure you’re safe and comfortable and enjoying this epic little country.

That said, I wouldn’t venture out into San Salvador at night. However, during the day, San Salvador is pretty dope to explore.

What to Know Before Visiting El Salvador

cathedral in el salvador

  • Don’t miss out on… Visiting the surf town El Tunco. There is a fun expat vibe, plus the seafood and waves are plentiful.
  • Keep an eye out for… Pickpockets and being out late at night in San Salvador. San Salvador is probably not going to be the greatest experience anyway. Get out and head to the beaches, mate!
  • The coolest hostel is… Tunco Lodge – a great place to relax in between surf sessions.
  • The best food is found in… small local eateries, markets, and food stalls. Generally, I found the best food in the small coastal towns in El Salvador. I mean, fresh ceviche all day, every day? Yes, please!

Backpacking Honduras

Do you want to get PADI SCUBA certified on your backpacking Central America adventure? Head to the Bay Islands , amigos! This is one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified for SCUBA diving.

The legendary island of Utila is a backpacker’s paradise. There are more than a dozen dive centres to choose from. Roatan is a bigger island that caters more to cruise ships and older tourists. It is more expensive than Utila, but the SCUBA diving is arguably better.

The ruins at Cóban are the most significant in Honduras. Pico Bonito National Park is another major highlight of the country. There is an abundance of wild camping and hiking potential in the park.

Utila Honduras Sign in Caribbean Ocean

Honduras often gets skipped over by backpackers – except for Coban and Utila. No, the rest of Honduras seems to remain off the beaten path!

This is a bit of a shame considering there are some epic jungle hikes, and even a sneaky surf beach or two. It’ll definitely be less touristy so your Spanish better be up to scratch. 😉

In all seriousness, as this whole Central America backpacking thingy is very serious, if connecting with locals and seeing a more local side to a region is up your alley – Honduras is the place for you to explore.

What to Know Before Visiting Honduras

waterfall in honduras

  • Don’t miss out on… SCUBA diving in the Bay Islands and going to Utila in particular.
  • Keep an eye out for… your general well-being in big cities. Also avoid being ripped off by taxi and shuttle drivers. Try to learn what the fair price should be before setting off.
  • The coolest hostel is…. Roatan Bed and Breakfast – This super chill hostel in Roatan has been popular with travellers and lived up to expectations since it opened. A great place to make new friends.
  • The best food is found in… Johnny Cake bakeries! Honestly, anything from the street stalls!

Backpacking Nicaragua

I love Nicaragua because you can get beautiful beaches similar to those in neighbouring Costa Rica, but without the steep prices. Nicaragua is becoming the backpacker capital of Central America, and fast too.

The Pacific Coast is brimming with surf beaches, funky yoga retreat centres, and ex-pats in addition to friendly locals. The colonial cities of Granada and Leon have beautiful architecture, grand plazas, and strong ties to the Sandinista movement that gripped Nicaragua in the 1980s.

San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua Sunset at the beach

Ometepe Island is surprisingly underdeveloped in many areas. You can rent motorbikes and really explore what the island has to offer. If you like waterfalls, motorbikes, swimming, and rum, head to Ometepe for a few days.

The river and jungle areas of Nicaragua’s interior are wild and full of adventure potential. The Corn Islands off of Nicaragua’s Caribbean beaches are the most far-flung destinations in Central America.

It is no easy effort to arrive there (without flying). Once you do, you will be rewarded by the lack of backpacker hordes.

Nicaragua is the cheapest Central American country! So have a blast without breaking the bank, aye!

What to Know Before Visiting Nicaragua

group of hikers climbing volcano

  • Don’t miss out on… Laguna De Apoyo – A gorgeous freshwater lake where one can swim and chill. Also renting motorbikes on Ometepe Island.
  • Keep an eye out for… Other backpackers to share the cost of pricy tours with.
  • The coolest hostel is… Surfing Turtle Lodge – I personally stayed at this place and kept extending! This is one of the coolest and most unique hostels in the world. If you don’t believe me, Lonely Planet says so too. It’s remote though – cos it’s ON the beach.
  • The best food is found in… Leon and Granada for authentic local food. Like with anywhere in Central America: eat from the streets! The world’s best street food is always worth the diahorrea risk. 😉

Backpacking Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the long-standing adventure capital of Central America. Backpackers have been flocking here in search of that pura vida for decades. Costa Rica offers pretty much everything you could ask for: endless wildlife, cloud forests, amazing beaches , huge parties, and an overall easygoing vibe.

The thing is, Costa Rica lives up to the hype. From the capital of San Jose to the Pacific Coast and then back through the jungle to the Caribbean Coast – Costa Rica is really a slice of paradise. Camp out on the beaches as much as possible – trust me, it’s incredible!

Explore the Costa Rican national parks . Learn how to surf. Drink coconut water every damn day.

Make new friends and have the time of your life exploring this special place! I can guarantee that you will come back to Costa Rica for more someday. I sure did.

Monteverde hanging tree roots

With so much natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is full of great hikes . The Arenal Volcano area is particularly packed with excellent trails.

Costa Rica has the reputation for being one of Central America’s most expensive countries. Unfortunately, that reputation is true.

That said, exploring this magical country is bound to be a highlight of your backpacking trip. Budget travel in Costa Rica is entirely possible. It just takes a little more effort than backpacking in one of the neighbouring countries.

What to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

arenal volcano backpacking costa rica

  • Don’t miss out on… trekking through the cloud forests around Monteverde, taking a surf class, and staying in a jungle treehouse.
  • Keep an eye out for… Staying in San Jose too long. Just a night is enough in San Jose. Keep moving on to the next place.
  • The coolest hostel is… Luminosa Montezuma Hostel – Great staff and unbeatable location atop a small cliff overlooking the ocean! Natural springs nearby.
  • The best food is found… along the Caribbean coast (e.g Puerto Viejo ). Food in Costa Rica is quite similar from region to region, so I really appreciated the Afro/Garifuna influence found here.

Backpacking Panama

Ok, straight off the bat: Panama is much more than just a tax haven for rich guys . There are some pretty epic volcanoes and jungles to go romping through and the Caribbean Coast is full of some pretty epic slices of paradise!

In fact, the journey from Bocas Del Toro in Panama takes only a few hours to get to from Costa Rica. If you are there in the right season (dry) there is great scuba diving and fishing.

Like Costa Rica, Panama has some fantastic wild jungles and forests once you escape the numerous banana and palm oil plantations.  Baru Volcano National Park is a good place to start exploring.

The San Blas Islands are stunningly beautiful as well. Going through the San Blas Islands is a popular way that backpackers end up getting to Colombia and beginning their backpacking South America journey. Really, if you want to be exploring these low-lying islands by boat – you could try volunteering on a sailboat in the area!

San Blas Islands, Panama

Panama City is a huge sprawling metropolis where one can find some civilization and the associated annoyances. The international airport in Panama City is the main hub for transportation for the region – including flights south to Colombia.

I found it deeply interesting to catch a bus from the outskirts of Panama city and watch as the rural landscape dotted with shanty houses slowly transformed into a city more shiny and full of skyscrapers than anything I’d known back home (bearing in mind I came from a wee Australian town!).

Still, Panama City has some great hostels and interesting sights. I’d recommend climbing the hill to get some epic views of the place.

What to Know Before Visiting Panama

Panama City Waterfront

  • Don’t miss out on… spending a night on Red Frog Island. If you’re a bit sick of the party hostels in Bocas del Toro , Red Frog is a great place to escape to.
  • You know what’s overrated… Any organised “coffee” tour. Honestly, I’m partial to instant coffee so maybe I’m not the best judge! Apparently some of the best coffee in the world is here in Panama – but I’d just sample it yourself from local cafes!
  • The coolest hostel is… Lost and Found Hostel – A legend among Panamanian hostels! Fun, interesting, eco-friendly, and amazing views.
  • The best food is found …when sailing in the San Blas. Nothing beats fresh fish caught that day by the skipper.

Off the Beaten Path Adventures in Central America

The so-called gringo trail is definitely a thing here in Central America. There are certain hotspots where backpackers congregate. If you ask me, Costa Rica is the country most heavily populated by people travelling in Central America.

While there are plenty of spots on the gringo trail worth visiting, there are ample opportunities to get out and really explore. Indigenous villages, far-flung jungles, isolated beaches, remote mountains, winding rivers, and plenty of national parks provide an eternity of off-the-beaten path adventure potential.

travelling around central america

Honduras and El Salvador are two countries that get almost entirely overlooked! This to me is crazy, as I had some of my best memories surfing in El Salvador and tramping through the Honduran jungle.

Even within relatively popular countries like Nicaragua, far fewer backpackers check out the Caribbean Coast. And what a mistake! Some of the best diving, beaches, and food is here.

I think it’s about travelling slowly, authentically, and mindfully. Sure, some tourist spots will be worth your time – but many won’t. And the rewards of getting out there to explore are just so juicy!

Aether Backpack

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It’s not finding something to do that’s tricky in Central America – it’s picking what to do first! There are some truly spectacular adventures to be had: above, below, and on the water. Whether you end up a boat bum, sailing the Caribbean Coast of Central America or whether you simply dive from time to time, the water will reward you here!

travelling around central america

But the jungles, the Mayan culture, the street food, and the markets are also incredible. The more friends you make with artisans, the more likely you are to suddenly know how to make macrame. This is a bit of an obscure thing to do, but it is a handy backpacker job in a pinch!

Anyway, whatever you end up doing in Central America, you know it’s going to be a good time.

1. Get your open-water diving certification

You can SCUBA dive in pretty much every country in Central America and getting your certification will open up a whole new world of travel possibilities. The reef off Cozumel is pretty epic; as are the reefs off Belize. The cheapest place to get your actual certification is in Utila, Honduras.

Diving life is freaking dope! Not only do you get to make friends with the fish, but you also get to indulge in the diving lifestyle. Yeah, there’s a bit of drinking and partying involved let me tell you. 😉

2. Study Spanish

I did two stints of study on two different trips at the Mountain School outside of Xela. The experiences involved a few homestays and truly elevated my Spanish skills to the next level.

Seba standing power pose in front of the Mexican Markets

You can study Spanish almost anywhere in Central America. The more you sink into a community, the better your language skills get. The better your language skills get, the easier it is to get a richer experience in the country.

3. Stay in a treehouse in Costa Rica

One of the coolest places I have stayed EVER in 10 years of travel was atop a 35-meter treehouse in the middle of the jungle just south of Manzanillo (south Caribbean coast). Tell the owner I said hi if you stay there! The place is called the Nature Observatorio , check it out.

There are so many eco-lodges in Central America. Ok, they might not be quite as cool as a treehouse, but they are pretty damn beautiful – and doing just a little good for the planet.

  • Ultimate Eco Lodges Costa Rica
  • The Best Eco Lodges in Nicaragua

4. Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua

This activity speaks for itself: charge at top speed down the side of a volcano! Ok, so it’s little more than for novelty’s sake but you know what? Sometimes you’ve just got to do things and be a bit childish!

Leon Nicaragua Volcano Boarding

It’s a hell of a lot of fun and the scenery is really not too bad either.

5. Eat Lobster in Belize

One of the best (and cheapest) places to eat lobster anywhere in the world. No, but for reals, there is nothing better than fresh seafood.

It needs little other ingredients and is so damn good for you. As long as you check in with local regulations, you could even try your hand at spearfishing and get yourself some dinner!

Lemme suggest right now that fresh langouste goes very well seared in a lemon butter sauce. Simply, but delicious!

6. Take a Boat Down the Rio Dulce in Guatemala

It is actually possible to leave Guatemala by boat, bound for Honduras Bay Island through this jungly river system. I actually delivered sailboats from the Rio Dulce to Honduras a couple of times, but many backpackers can simply volunteer on a sailboat heading in that direction.

Rio Dulce Sunset

If you don’t end up on a sailboat, I’d definitely still recommend a boat ride up the Rio Dulce. Basically, you realise how puny your sailboat is as you come in surrounded by walls of the green jungle… Yeah it’s pretty freaking epic.

7. Visit the San Blas Islands in Panama

Whether you are a party animal or beach lover (or both) – a trip around the San Blas islands is one you’ll never forget (or will never remember, depending on rum consumption).

If you are sailing at your own pace, you’ll be able to get into the swing of island life and see some of the cultures there. Most people simply pass through – which is all well and good and you’ll definitely still have a dope party time! But to really understand how incredibly stunning – but also unique – San Blas is, then you’ll need to slow down and spend some time there.

San Blas Islands

8. Ride the waves!

Nicaragua and Costa Rica in particular are world-class surf destinations and great places to learn, but the entire Pacific Coast of Central America is full of epic surf spots. El Salvador is a surfing hotspot that is overlooked – and that’s a shame!

travelling around central america

So all you surf bums need to pack your boards and get on down to Central America. A goddamn delightful trip awaits you! Plus, we all know the rules of surfing life. Dawn surf, beers for lunch, party all night.

9. Visit the Cenotes in Mexico

Cenotes are a little slice of magic. They’re these clear, blue swimming holes sunken into limestone earth. The best swimming holes on earth are found in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The Maya used to use them for water sources… or dropping dead people…

Backflipping into a cenote

Today, there is almost something mystical to these locations. And even the popular ones are bloody awesome.

It’s really out of this world to be able to see up to 50 metres deep! Plus, the cold water is such a welcome relief when you’re sweltering through the Yucatan’s humidity.

10. Change your plans

Here’s a warning. Central America travel goes something like this: you arrive, you fall in love, you don’t want to leave. While it’s good to have a rough idea of which direction you want to go, the worst thing you could do is plan every part of your backpacking trip to a T. 

Get chatting with locals and other backpackers about their favourite places. Leave some wiggle room in your itinerary so you can extend your stay in those places that make you feel at home. 

travelling around central america

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Central America has plenty of budget accommodation options for backpackers. When you are not passing the night from the comfort of your tent or Couchsurfing, you’ll need to book a hostel.

Whether you just need a place to lay your head or a spot to meet fellow travellers, hostels are clearly where it’s at… Once you come around to hostel life , you’ll forever look back on the fond memories you made there!

travelling around central america

But you know what? Nothing beats a night camping under the stars or deep within in the jungle. I think one of my favourite nights in all my travels was camping at the Yaxha ruins in Guatemala. Of course, I had a good hiking tent , so my sleep was perfect.

The evening was spent chatting with the custodians of the park and playing cards. I fell asleep to the sounds of howler monkeys and woke to see the sunrise over the lake. So yes, staying in a hostel is an awesome way to connect with other travellers – but sometimes you’ve just got to go bush.

  • Where to Stay Mexico
  • Where to Stay Belize
  • Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
  • Where to Stay in Leon Nicaragua
  • Where to Stay Costa Rica
  • Where to Stay in Panama City

Each country in Central America will affect your budget in a different way. I found Nicaragua to be the cheapest country in Central America, followed closely by El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Honduras can be very cheap as well, though not super cheap in the Bay Islands. Costa Rica and Belize are far more expensive for certain things like transport and accommodation.

Travelling in Central America certainly does not need to be expensive! If you are worried about spending too much money, I recommend allotting more time for yourself to explore the cheaper countries. But honestly, if you stick to the tried and true methods of budget backpacking , your wallet will be quite alright.

A Daily Budget For Backpacking Central America

Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay on a daily basis whilst backpacking Central America…

Central America Budget Travel Hacks

travelling around central america

  • Camp: With plenty of gorgeous places to camp, Central America is a great place to pitch if you have a good-quality tent . Camping saves you money and can help you get off the beaten path.
  • Pack a hammock: If you’re feeling really adventurous and want to save some cash, consider picking up a  backpacking hammock . Central America has plenty of palm trees and hammock-ready beaches. If you want to bring something with you on your trip that you will use all the time, this beauty is your best bet.
  • Cook your own food:  Travel with a  portable backpacking stove  and cook your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking across Central America. If you plan to do some overnight hiking trips or to spend time at a surf camp, having a backpacking stove will be a great asset.
  • Couchsurf:  Central American locals are awesome. Get to know some by learning to couchsurf ! Check out Couchsurfing to make some real friendships and see a country from the perspective of locals. When using Couchsurfing, be sure to send personalized messages to your potential host. A generic copy-and-paste message is much more likely to get turned down. Make yourself stand out.

Why Should You Travel to Central America with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful!

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

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Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

When to go to Central America varies with the weather as each country in Central America has its own unique climate. The dry season is generally December, January, February, and March : this is certainly the time when most people visit. You can have some great weather in November and April as well.

Cahabón River at Semuc Champey, Guatemala

The rainy season can be a beautiful time to visit. The rain only complicates things if you want to do heaps of outdoor activities. During Christmas and the New Year, Costa Rican beaches are flat-out slammed with foreigners and locals alike.

Scuba diving is best in the winter or early spring months ( Nov-Feb ). The water has better visibility and the islands are generally more pleasant when it’s not pissing down rain. Basically, if you’re willing to put up with some rainy days and slightly less crowded beaches then do so: the jungle is certainly beautiful.

Also, the higher in altitude that you get, the more the weather changes. I can’t give a super accurate country breakdown because it truly depends where in the country you are as to what kind of weather you’ll get. Anything by the ocean is going to be more chill and have a less pronounced rainy season.

What to Pack for Central America

For such a variety of climates and range of activities to be done while backpacking Central America, you will need the  ultimate packing list .

There is no need to be that person who carts around 50 kilos of luggage. But you don’t want to be without the essentials either!

So what do you really need? Here are some essentials that accompany me on every single backpacking trip.

Earplugs

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

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Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

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Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Card Game

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Well, when people realise I’ve spent six months living in Central America and more travelling, they immediately ask: Well is Central America safe ? Whilst it is true that Central America suffered through decades of brutal war, gang violence, and a horrific narcotics trade, modern-day Central America is a different story (though many of these problems still exist, big time).

Don’t get me wrong, Central America still has a huge problem with gang violence and the narco trade, but it is concentrated in specific areas tourists don’t usually wander into. 99% of the trouble I ever hear about from backpackers started with them trying to buy drugs/buying drugs.

travelling around central america

So yes, the standard safe backpacking rules apply but no, you’ll rarely be running for your life here. However, I’d still think it was dishonest if I didn’t say that Central America has a higher crime rate than other parts of the world and foreigners are more likely to get caught up in something. Certain areas (mainly cities) in Central America have the highest rates of homicide anywhere in the world (not in a war zone).

That said, foreigners are very rarely involved or targeted by violence. And the one mugging I did accidentally witness was very quickly shut down by the neighbours because of how loud the girl screamed. In fact, the would-be robber was taken aside and dealt with by the community…

Basically, should you on the off chance find yourself being robbed, be loud but don’t be a hero. Aaaand, it’s probably not going to happen to you as long as you keep your wits about you.

  • Is Mexico Safe to Visit?
  • Is Guatemala Safe to Visit?
  • Is Belize Safe to Visit?
  • Is Nicaragua Safe to Visit?
  • Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit?
  • Is Honduras Safe to Visit?

Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll in Central America

What can I say? The first time I backpacked across Central America – I felt like the months I spent there were almost a continuous party. The backpacker circuit is well established and – in pretty much every hostel you stay at – there are other people game for putting a few beers back.

travelling around central america

Drugs like cocaine and weed are VERY abundant along the backpacker trail. My advice: dabbling a few times is a normal part of the backpacker experience – but be careful – 1. the drug trade is one of the most destructive forces in Central America and 2. hard drugs like coke are very addictive and overdoses do happen.

Prostitution is rampant across every country in Central America. I found that in some parts of Costa Rica, I was approached by sex workers nearly every single night. Remember that sex trafficking is also a big problem in Central America and the people working in the trade may not be doing so by choice.

In general, party and have a good time when you feel like it – but remember to take it easy too. Climbing a volcano or doing a big trek is WAY more fun when you are not hungover – take it from me. 😉

Getting Insured BEFORE Travelling to Central America

No matter what you do, travelling always involves some level of risk. So I HIGHLY recommend getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you

Before you go travelling,  please consider a  good travel insurance provider .  Shit happens on the road (and open ocean) all the time, and when it does, it’s nice to know  somebody  has got your back. And what’s the one travel insurance provider The Broke Backpacker trusts for all its insurance needs…?

World Nomads!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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I started my two Central America backpacking trips from Cancun and Guatemala City respectively. If you are coming from North America or Europe, you can score some pretty sweet deals on airlines flying into Cancun.

I personally hate Cancun, but its airport gets the job done. It’s much cheaper than Belize City, for example, which really isn’t too far away. To maximize your budget, it is all about finding cheap flights to Central America!

It is also possible to find cheap flights to the other Central American capital cities. Panama City is probably the cheapest, followed by Managua, and San Jose. Check out our post on how to score cheap flights to find a bargain on flights to Central America.

Friendly surfer local on cancun beach in Cancun mexico.

Depending on your time frame and schedule, you can make an informed decision about where to start your trip. If you’re keen on backpacking Central America in its entirety, I recommend starting in Mexico and working your way south. You might be lucky to find a cheap flight to Panama City, but really, that would be very lucky,

Conveniently, most Central American countries don’t require any sort of visa to enter either. Most Western nations, including the US, UK, EU, and Australia, can visit each country visa-free for a period of 90 days. Be aware though that some countries like to charge a small entry fee.

The easiest and cheapest option is to travel to Central America by bus. The region is famous for the chicken bus .

The Guatemalan chicken bus is a sight to behold. These old American school buses are often painted with psychedelic colours and filled to the brim with humans (and sometimes chickens).

A majority of the buses have been bought in the USA at auction and then driven down to Central America to live out a second (exhausting) life in public transportation. Instead of carrying American school children, they are flying down steep mountain roads with various local populations packed inside. I can almost smell the sweet aroma of burning breaks and delicious roadside snacks.

In Costa Rica and the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, the buses are of better quality, but much more expensive than elsewhere in the region. In major cities, public transit systems are complicated but relatively easy to get around. Some of the larger cities – like Mexico City – have easy-to-use metros.

traveling in central america

To get to the various Caribbean islands, you can catch a ferry. The ferries are more expensive than I anticipated, so budget accordingly.

You will hear the words “taxi taxi taxi” just about everywhere you go. Taxis are always more expensive than taking the bus but can be useful in certain situations. But turn your haggle game and ALWAYS set the price with the driver before getting into the cab.

Hitchhiking in Central America

Learning to hitchhike is definitely an option, buttttt it’s definitely easier when you know how to speak Spanish. If you dress the part and look like every other Latina vagabond, drivers will typically know what you’re doing. However, I always think it’s a good idea to offer to shout lunch or explain the journey that you’ve been on.

Hitchhiking edict changes from person to person, as some people picking you up, might want talkative company, and some people prefer quiet. This is where it’s much easier to speak Spanish so you can gauge the situation. Depending on the country, you’ll have differing wait times/success while hitchhiking.

travelling around central america

I hitchhiked in Mexico with the most luck. My chicken and I met van lifers, musicians, farmers, and other solo travellers. I feel like hitchhiking really does open up the world of travel in a much more raw way.

Onwards Travel from Central America

Looking to continue travelling south after backpacking Central America? You have a few options. You can always fly from Panama City, Mexico City, or Cancun (depending on which direction you travel the region) onto South America or Europe.

A far more rewarding alternative is to take a boat. Multiple boat companies now offer passage from Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands with trips ranging from three to five days. If you are keen to go on an island-hopping sailing adventure, this option is for you.

From here you can go on to backpack South America! Fuck yeah!

san blas islands

The third option, if you can call it that, is crossing the Darien Gap overland. Rumour has it that you can hire a guide (for quite a bit of money) and cross the Darien Gap on foot. In the past, this was impossible due to narco-terrorist/guerrilla activity and is still considered a very dangerous place to cross . May the backpacker gods be with you if you attempt the journey on your own without a guide.

Taking a boat from Panama to Colombia sounds like the most fun for sure. You’ll have a chance to sleep on totally isolated islands and swim in crystal clear waters whilst drinking some ice-cold beers on your boat… It’s an epic trip.

  • Backpacking Colombia
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Central America has been an ex-pat destination for decades. The whole spectrum of humanity comes down here for various reasons: retirement, to escape the desk, for the digital nomad lifestyle , to surf endlessly, to party forever, or to simply enjoy a cheaper cost of living away from the rat race.

Central America is one of the leading candidates for backpackers and digital nomads looking for a place to settle long-term (according to recent digital nomad trends ). Certainly, some countries cost more to live in than others, but generally speaking, life just costs less in Central America and one can enjoy a very pleasant lifestyle with about half the cost of living in Europe or the USA.

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A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in Central America

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst giving something back. There are loads of different volunteer projects in Central America ranging from teaching to animal care to agriculture to pretty much everything! 

Programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers and Workaway are generally well-managed and highly reputable. However, they aren’t without their flaws too. whenever you are volunteering, stay vigilant, especially when working with animals or children.

Central America is home to dozens of distinct ethnic groups – each with its own set of traditions, food styles, dress, and in some cases, language. The ethnically Mayan peoples of the Guatemalan highlands I found to have the richest and most distinct cultural practices and traditions that have largely survived the modernization (and bloody civil war) of Guatemala.

One really feels the vibe of ancient traditions when you spend a few nights in a Mayan village. Similarly, I found the Garifuna communities in Belize and Honduras to be full of life – especially when it came to music and food.

travelling around central america

A major thread that connects all of the Central American countries is religion. This is a very Catholic region almost without exception with local saints and patrons to be found in every village it seemed.

In general, I found the people in every country I visited in Central America to be kind, generous, and welcoming – and just as often very keen on sharing a strong drink and a chat with you, time permitting.

What to Eat in Central America

The food in Central America can be as diverse as its human inhabitants…

Though, I’ll start by saying that I have been much more wowed by the food in Asia and the Middle East than by the backpacker staples of rice and beans in Central America. That said, you can find some really tasty stuff to try!

Must-Try Dishes in Central America

  • Tamales (Everywhere) – A kinda of staple puree with a filling, cooked and served in a leaf. Every town and every person has their own style. They’re cheap and delicious – so always take at least one wherever you see them.
  • Pupusas (El Salvador) – Originating in El Salvador, Pupusas are all over Guatemala. Thick corn tortillas stuffed with fillings – usually refried beans, cheese and/or pork – Nothing like that crunchy fried texture with the squishy inside.
  • Ceviche (Everywhere) – Fresh fish doesn’t come any fresher than ceviche. Not cooked, but marinaned in lime. Feels weird, tastes incredible.
  • Tacos (Mexico and Guatemala) – If you’re hungry, tacos. If you’re not, tacos. If you don’t eat meat, often no tacos: we have to go hungry in some places.
  • Mole (Mexico) – This soul sauce is made up of the ingredients directly from the heart of the women who spend hours on end concocting it. It dates prehispanic and Puebla and Oaxaca have the best ones.
  • Gallo Pinto (Costa Rica): The national dish of Costa Rica! Rice and beans (yes, again) stir-fried together to create a speckled appearance. It is usually served for breakfast along with eggs and sour cream or cheese. There is no avoiding it.
  • Olla de Carne (Costa Rica): A hearty stew of beef, cassava (a starchy tuber used in  Tico cooking), and whatever else gets thrown into the pot.
  • Johnny Cakes and Fry Jacks (Belize) :  Both the jacks and Johnny cakes are made from flour: the jacks are flattened and fried, the Johnny cakes are round fluffy savory biscuits. Like everything, it’s best with butter or cheese.
  • Lobster (Belize):  Self-explanatory and f***** delicious.

While you’re out here travelling, vagabonding, and being a broke backpacker, I’d encourage you to have a little pot of funds to try some unique experiences. Because there are some truly special activities to try out when you’re in Central America.

Yes, you can go paragliding or bungee jumping. You can volcano board, or trek through jungles.

But there are two activities that Central America can really claim as its own: SCUBA diving and surfing . The fun in the sun never stops along this coastline!

packable travel medical kit

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

SCUBA Diving in Central America

You should know by now that Central America has some excellent scuba diving venues. It is possible to go diving in all of the countries as they all have access to the coast. Mexico, Belize, and Honduras are the clear winners.

travelling around central america

Diving in Belize is more expensive than in Honduras, although undoubtedly still epic. The great blue hole is an awesome diving experience but so are the multitude of shallow reefs around the place too.

Mexico might have the most famous areas – like Cozumel and the cenotes – but I’d argue they more than live up to the hype. You can swim with manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, and innumerable tropical fish!

If you’re going a little further afield, backpacking Cuba can offer up some truly mind-blowing dive sites. Plus, although the Cayman Islands are technically British, they’re just south of Cuba and are basically one whole island full of dive sites.

However, The Bay Islands in Honduras are the go-to spot for getting your PADI certification. The backpacker scene on Utila makes up part of the draw as well.

During my time in Utila, I met many people in the Bay Islands who had moved there for the majority of the year to work in the diving industry. I must admit I was pretty envious of them. If you are looking to live somewhere beautiful long-term, becoming a diving instructor is one sweet way to make that happen.

Surfing in Central America

Surfing reigns supreme on much of Central America’s southern Pacific coast starting in El Salvador and winding down all the way to Costa Rica and Panama. Some of the best surf beaches in the Northern Hemisphere are found here.

New to surfing? There are plenty of surf schools to help you get the start you need in order to catch a few waves.

travelling around central america

A stint at a Nicaragua or Costa Rica surf camp is a good way to fully immerse yourself in the world of surfing. Meeting people who have a higher level than you always helps one to improve.

A surf camp is basically a surfing hostel with (dorms) or without rooms (camping) where communities of surfers base themselves. Life at a surf camp is rough. Surfing, eating, making friends, and partying make up the main activities. Sound like fun? Time to get packing my friends.

Is Central America safe for backpackers?

Yes, most of Central America is perfectly safe to visit – including Honduras and El Salvador. But there are some parts of all the big cities in the region that you should avoid walking in at night, as well as always following your standard safety procedure.

How long do you need to backpack Central America?

I’d recommend a minimum of 6 weeks in Central America but even that will feel rushed. If you travel slowly and volunteer along the way, you could easily spend 3 – 6 months backpacking in Central America.

Where can I go backpacking in Central America?

All the countries in Central America offer something a little different, so it depends on what you’re after! You could go surfing, hiking, diving, or on a food tour. Guatemala might be your best bet for hiking, whereas El Salvador or Nicaragua would be better for surfing.

Is Central America safe for solo female travellers?

Generally, yes. I don’t think Central America is less safe for women than other travellers. You still need to keep your wits about you, listen to your gut, and then you will likely have a very safe experience.

Why did the chicken cross Central America?

Because Indigo needed a friend. No, it’s not a joke: that really is Indigo’s friend.

travelling around central america

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Be good to Central America.

Central America is a region that has not had it easy over the years, and yet they’ve bounced back. It’s a beautiful region full of people that are genuinely excited to show off their home to you. So with that, my last bit of advice would just be to travel in a way that leaves the place better – not worse.

The surfing, the diving, the hiking, the partying… It’s all supremely good here.

You get the best of the backpacker world and the local’s world once you pick up a little Spanish and leave the gringo trail. You’ll meet friends for life and get swept up in adventures that sound unreal when you retell them back home.

But that’s just Latin America for you! It’s kind to the vagrants and the artisans with the next free camping spot just up the road. The markets are full of colour and the streets are full of delectable food.

So off you go, book that ticket, and get to exploring! I found a second home here and I’m almost certain that you will too! Hopefully, I’ll see you on the road sometime.

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Volcano in the distance at sunset in Guatemala

Updated February 2023 by Laura Hall .

travelling around central america

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Joe Middlehurst

Joe Middlehurst

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Divergent Travelers

Ultimate CENTRAL AMERICA Travel Guide

Central America  is a fascinating place to visit offering lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, hidden beaches, massive preserves and national parks, rich history and indigenous heritage. This Central America travel guide is designed to uncover some of our favorite places and things about this region and help you plan your own trip to this unique part of the world.

Defining Central America can be referred to as the region that resides between  North America  and  South America . It is made up of seven countries including Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama. Mexico, while not officially included in this region, is often included too.

These countries are bordered by Mexico to the North,  Colombia  to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the West, and the Caribbean Sea to the East.

Destinations

Central america travel: quick tips, don’t visit central america without:.

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

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GET A GUIDEBOOK

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REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

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CENTRAL AMERICA BUCKET LIST

Bird watching in costa rica.

Boasting more than 850 bird species, twice as many species as the USA and Canada combined, Costa Rica, is a bird watcher and photography mecca. Keep your eye out for the Resplendent Quetzal, as well as toucans, parrots, trogons, hummingbirds, and macaws.

SNORKEL THE BLUE HOLE

Located off the coast of Belize, and part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Great Mayan Reef is the famous Blue Hole. This giant marine sinkhole is 318 meters across, 124 meters deep, and lined with incredible coral reef systems to snorkel and dive. 

VISIT THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS

The San Blas Islands are a series of islands that belong to the Guna Yala people off the Caribbean coast of  Panama . They offer an idyllic island escape with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. It’s the perfect place to snorkel, kayak, and SUP.

MORE THINGS TO TRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA

There is no shortage of great  places to visit in Central America  during your visit and the biggest problem you’ll face is fitting them all into your itinerary.

Each country has its own offering and unique things to check out during a visit, so be sure to look at our country guides once you decide where you’re itinerary will take you.

ADVENTURE IN ROATAN:   Soaring above the lush jungles of Honduras is a definite highlight of any Honduras itinerary. The course in  Roatan  is built with several segments, meaning this adventure lasts much longer than any single zip line. You’ll get to be above the tree canopy with incredible views of the ocean.

SLOW DOWN IN CAYE CAULKER:  It’s all about island time when you visit  Caye Caulker, Belize . There are some yummy local restaurants, white sand beaches and some fantastic snorkeling to be had here. It is also a great place to access the Hol Chan Marine Park from.

HIKE THE RING OF FIRE IN GUATEMALA:  Embark on a trek that conquers the 7 major volcano summits in Guatemala dubbed the ring of Fire that make up the Western Backbone of the country. This is one of the world’s  Top 100 Travel Adventures , so it’s not for the light of heart.

RAFT THE PACUARE RIVER IN COSTA RICA:  Some of the best white water rafting in the world takes place on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. The best part of the river is rafted on a minimum 2 day/1 night trip that puts you up in a rustic jungle lodge for the night. It is also possible to extend the stay in the jungle for any number of nights too. The river is best rafted when it is producing class III rapids.

SOAK UP THE SUN ON BALLENA BEACH:  One of Costa Rica’s hidden gems, Ballena Beach is a place that the locals love to go. The beautiful stretch of beach sits right up against the lush rainforest, offering hiking opportunities. In the water, you’ll enjoy snorkeling with a diverse array of marine life. If you just want to relax, bring your beach towel and sit under the swaying palm trees for an afternoon of Pura Vida.

WATCH DOLPHINS IN GOLFO DULCE:  You’ll have to put in some work and planning to reach Golfo Dulce, as it’s quite off the beaten path, but you won’t regret it. Not only is there spectacular bird watching here but you’ll also enjoy the company of dolphins when you’re on the water.

TRANSIT THE PANAMA CANAL:  One of the most iconic sites in the world is the Panama Canal, a dredged stretch of water that allows transit between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The construction of the canal is brilliant and booking a cruise that includes a transit of it will give you an up-close and personal look at how it works.

VISIT COIBA NATIONAL PARK:  Located in Panama, Coiba National Park offers so much beauty that even the Costa Ricans are jealous of it (true story!). This part is the definition of pristine, featuring both mainland and island preserves to enjoy. For a day of sun and snorkeling, you’ll want to head to Granito de Oro.

JOURNEY INTO THE DARIEN GAP:  Easily one of the most notorious stretches of land on the planet, the Darien Gap is not a place for the faint of heart. It serves as the most northern tip of the Amazon Rainforest and has played host to some of the most dangerous drug cartels in the world. That aside, its pristine primary rainforest that is begging to be explored. One of the highlights from our visit was meeting the Embera Tribe and learning about their culture.

TOUR THE FORTS IN PORTOBELO:  As with most of Central and South America, Panama has a strong Spanish colonial history. This means you can find ruins and remnants dotted throughout the country. Portobelo is no exception, offering one of the best preserved forts in Central America. You can expect to see walls and buildings constructed from coral and plenty of canons.

FOODIE BUCKET LIST

Central American food revolves around a few staple ingredients, but you’ll be surprised at how creative local chefs can get. During your travels, you’ll be eating lots of  rice, beans, and plantains , usually with  vegetables  and  grilled meat or fish .

Central Americans have lots of local dishes too. In El Salvador, the local specialty is  Pupusas  – maize tortillas stuffed with delicious fillings. In Costa Rica, you’ll be eating  Gallo Pinto , and in Guatemala, you’ll be gorging on spicy,  Mayan inspired stews .

CENTRAL AMERICA FESTIVALS

Central America is packed with exciting cultural and religious festivals throughout the year. The most important week of the year for most locals is  Semana Santa  – or Holy Week – which is the lead up to Easter.

Each town, village, and city has its own  Carnival , where you’ll get to party and dance the night away with locals (Panama City has a particularly famous carnival in February).

CONSIDERING A CENTRAL AMERICA CRUISE?

Central america travel budget.

Setting a budget for travel to Central America is highly dependent on your travel style. It is possible to visit just about anywhere on any budget and still have a great trip. That said, you can make your trip as basic or as luxurious as you desire.

To help you set your budget, we’ve included some base range price estimations for travel within Central America. Of course, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on seasons, availability and festivals.

ACCOMMODATION:  When you travel to Central America, accommodation can be found for as low as USD 10 per night in  hostels , while  private rooms  or  guest houses  shouldn’t cost more than USD 30 per night.  Luxury hotels  or  eco-lodges  can be found for upwards of USD 50 per night.

FOOD:  Food is inexpensive across Central America travel routes. You can often find good  restaurant meals  for between USD 5 and USD 10 per person (with a few beers thrown in, too). You can eat  street food  for less than this (a few dollars), or splurge and enjoy  high-end restaurants  in the cities and tourist spots.

TRANSPORT:  Local transport, such as the infamous  Chicken Bus , is incredibly cheap. You can cross the entirety of El Salvador for less than 5 USD, for instance.  Tourist shuttles  or overnight,  first-class buses  are much more expensive, however. A bus ride from San Salvador to Guatemala City will cost around 50 USD. The  ferry  from La Ceiba to Roatan costs around USD 30 each way.  Flights  in the region are more expensive, however, and can cost hundreds of dollars for international hops.

ACTIVITIES:  Activities are a fantastic value when you travel to Central America.  Scuba diving  can cost as little as USD 30 per dive (Roatan is one of the cheapest places in the world to dive),  hiking  day trips will cost 20-30 USD, and  guided tours  the same.

50 USD PER DAY

USD 30 to USD 50 per day will get backpackers dorm rooms, the odd private room, local transport on chicken buses, street food, and plenty of activities.

100 USD PER DAY

USD 50 to 100 will give midrange travelers private or tourist transport for much of the trip, restaurant food, and private rooms in nicer hotels.

150 USD + PER DAY

Luxury travelers spending above USD 150 per day will be able to enjoy some of the best hotels, as well as private tours, first-class transport, and restaurant meals.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN CENTRAL AMERICA

There are a few ways to get around Central America during a visit, including cruises, ferries and flights. Despite most of the countries being small, there is a surprising number of ways to get around. Plan ahead and be flexible.

CRUISES:  It is possible to visit many of the popular areas of Central America by cruise ship. This is primarily done on the Caribbean side and you cruise from Mexico to South America stopping off in multiple Central America ports along the way. It is also possible to visit the Pacific side of Costa Rica and Panama with smaller expedition ships too.

BUS:  Major cities are all connected by regular first-class bus services, which are safe to travel overnight on. You can travel by bus all the way from Guatemala City to Panama City if you desire. Some major tourist destinations are only connected by tourist shuttle services or local chicken buses. Lake Atitlan to El Salvador, for instance, requires three changes of the chicken bus. Or you just jump on the dedicated tourist shuttle (it’s less authentic, but it’s quicker). If you’re getting off the beaten track, then you’ll have to use local transport and have plenty of patience.

FLIGHTS:  The quickest way to get around during your Central America travel trip is to fly (at least from one country to the next); however, flights only often connect major cities and can be infrequent and expensive. If you’re short on time, however, and want to see more than one country this will be your best, and in many cases, only option.

FERRIES:  Major islands such as Roatan, the Corn Islands, or Bocas del Toro, all have regular ferry services in the dry season. To access more exclusive or off the beaten track places like Coiba National Park and the San Blas Islands, you’ll need to hire a private boat transfer or book a day tour.

CAR RENTAL:  It’s not unheard of to rent a car in Costa Rica or Belize to do some exploration on your own. Some travelers also do it in Panama. Outside of those three countries, it isn’t advised. Check out  Discover Rental Cars  for great deals.

TOP CENTRAL AMERICA TOURS

Best of panama.

8 Days from Panama City Visits: Panama City, Boca del Toro, Boquete & David

CLASSIC BELIZE & TIKAL

9 Days Belize City to Caye Caulker Visits: Belize City, San Ignacio, Tikal, Flores & Caye Caulker

EXPLORE COSTA RICA

14 Days from San Jose Visits: Manuel Antonio NP, Monteverde, Arenal & Tortuguero

GRAND MAYAN ADVENTURE

22 Days from Playa del Carmen Visits: Belize, Guatemala & Mexico – following the Mayan highway

WHEN TO VISIT CENTRAL AMERICA

Central America has a  diverse range of microclimates , and the weather on the Pacific Coast can often be very different from the weather on the Caribbean Coast. The highlands are cooler than the lowlands, but it’s going to be hot and humid in general. When you plan your Central America travel itinerary, you should factor in the  wet and dry season .

The  dry season  runs from November through to April, and the wet season from May to October. Strangely, in Costa Rica, this is often reversed: the country has many mini-wet and mini-dry spells throughout the year.

As with anywhere tropical, the dry season is the most popular time to travel to Central America. In many destinations, though, you’ll find it’s never that busy, especially if you avoid the Christmas, New Year, and Easter holidays.

The  wet season  can be ferocious at times, but generally, you’ll see lots of rainfall in a short period, in the morning or afternoon, leaving you lots of time to still explore. If you’re planning your Central America travel itinerary around scuba diving or snorkeling, you should aim to be in the region towards the end of the dry season when underwater visibility is best.

PACK LIKE A PRO ON YOUR NEXT CENTRAL AMERICA TRIP!

Safety in central america.

Central America has a notorious reputation when it comes to crime. Countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, often have the highest homicide rates in the world.

It’s rare for travelers to be involved in dangerous gang violence, especially if you stick to the tourist trails. Be safe, don’t wander around the cities at night, and try to arrive at a new destination in daylight.

Central America travel can be more dangerous than other regions, but be careful, and you’ll be fine. If you do get into trouble, hand over any belongings and don’t put up a fight. Ask locals and other travelers for advice, and if someone says you need a police escort to go hiking, then you probably do.

Don’t let these warnings scare you from this part of the world. Instead, be prepared and you’ll have a fantastic time. We have some tried and trusted advice to keep you safe, so be sure to read our  25 Essential Safety Tips for Travel .

CENTRAL AMERICA TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES

Central america travel guide: related articles.

Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel to Central America and start planning your dream trip.

17 Best Places to Visit in Central America

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How to Get Around Central America on a Budget

Aerial view of La Fortuna Town with Arenal Volcano in the background on a sunny day in Costa Rica

Surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Central America is a magical region that is perfect for backpacking. The area is full of rainforests, unexplored Mayan ruins, gorgeous beaches, incredible reefs, cheap prices, delicious food, and welcoming people.

It can be difficult arranging transportation throughout the region.

In this post, I’ll provide some helpful tips on getting around Central America so you can navigate the region safely — and without breaking the bank.

Here’s how you can travel around Central America cheaply – no matter how long you’ll be there:

Table of Contents

  • Getting Around By Bus
  • Getting Around By Flying
  • Getting Around By Car
  • Getting Around By Backpacker Bus
  • Getting Around By Boat
  • Getting Around By Train
  • How Long Does it Take to Get Around Central America?

Getting Around Cheap By Bus

One of the many colorful local chicken buses in Guatemala, Central America

There are several different kinds of buses in the region.

The most comfortable are the international buses that run between the larger cities and tend to have their own bus terminals. They have set, reliable schedules and are best for long distances. They make traveling easy and even take care of the hassles at border crossings. The companies you use might vary by country, but a few of the larger services include:

  • Central Line
  • Nica Expreso
  • Comfort Lines
  • Hedman Alas

Here are some approximate fares and journey durations for express bus routes in Central America (in USD):

  • Belize City to Flores – $30 (6 hrs)
  • Flores to Guatemala City – $28 (8 hrs)
  • Guatemala City to San Salvador – $25 (6 hrs)
  • San Salvador to Tegucigalpa – $35 (9.5 hrs)
  • Tegucigalpa to Managua – $30 (6 hrs)
  • Managua to San Jose – $30 (7.5 hrs)
  • San Jose to Panama City – $80 (16 hrs)
  • San Salvador to Antigua – $30 (6 hrs)
  • San Jose to Tamarindo – $18 (4 hrs)
  • San Jose to Boquete – $20 (9 hrs)

The routes are often straightforward, the buses are air-conditioned, there’s a bathroom on board, and the seats recline. Some companies have partnerships with local hotels/hostels so that you get dropped off right at the door rather than having to find your way in the middle of the night upon arrival.

While most of these bus services have websites, they’re often extremely buggy and difficult to use. To compare routes and prices, you can research your journey on Rome2Rio.com or Bookaway.com before either booking on the bus company’s website or simply showing up at the terminal to purchase your ticket.

For short distances, there are colectivos . This short-distance minivan service is super cheap, but often very crowded. You’ll usually find them at bus terminals, so it’s worth checking with the drivers to see where they’re going.

Finally, there is the local chicken bus. These colorfully painted vehicles were formerly U.S. school buses. They are called “chicken buses” because they also transport chickens and rice, and thus have a lot of chickens on them. It’s a nickname that has stuck among travelers. They stop just about everywhere to let people hop on and off. They are a cramped but fun and interesting way to get around places. I always end up meeting interesting folks on chicken buses.  

Getting Around Cheap By Flying

a flight taking off against a blue sky in Central America

While there are direct flights, to get the cheapest prices, you’ll have to connect and that’s a pain (and can even take longer than the bus in some cases). Here are some sample non-stop flight times and one-way ticket prices (USD):

  • Guatemala City to Belize City – $200 (1 hr 15 min)
  • Guatemala City to San Salvador – $60 (45 min)
  • Flores to Guatemala City – $50 (1 hr)
  • Managua to Panama City – $765 (1 hr 40 min)
  • San Jose to Panama City – $370 (1 hr 20 min)
  • Managua to San Jose – $370 (1 hr 15 min)
  • San Pedro Sula to San Salvador – $80 (50 min)

Note: If you book early, you can save on fares. Fares also vary depending on the time of year.

Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights around the region.

Getting Around Cheap By Car

Cars driving down a road in Costa Rica with a volcano in the background and cows grazing on the sides of the road

Just keep in mind that not all car companies allow you to drive their vehicles across borders, so this can sometimes be a tricky option depending on what countries you plan to travel through. However, renting a car can be a great way to explore one country more in-depth.

If you plan on exploring the region by car, you should be a confident driver. Roads are not always in the best condition and rules of the road can be more like loose suggestions. Always make sure to take common safety precautions too, such as never leaving valuables in the car, not driving at night if you can avoid it (this greatly increases your risk of carjacking), and being mindful of general safety in the areas through which you plan to drive (ask locals in advance for tips about your planned route).

Use Discover Cars to find the best rental car prices as it pulls data from over 8,000 car rental locations to ensure you always find a great deal.  

Getting Around Cheap By Backpacker Bus

Bamba is a backpacker bus company that serves Central America (among other regions). Bamba has a fleet of hop-on-hop-off buses that travel set routes throughout the region, making it easy to get around and explore if you’re looking for a simple transportation option.

As with all pre-arranged tours, there is much less flexibility with this choice as you’re going on their schedule (though they will always be back if you want to stay somewhere longer). That being said, you can meet a lot of really cool backpackers with this option. They also organize tours and excursions, and some travel passes include a few days accommodation as well as meals.

Personally, these buses are not my thing. By doing it yourself, you’ll have more flexibility and save money (Bamba’s travel passes start at $1,487 USD for a 21-day pass). Want to meet people? Just learn to say “hi” to strangers on buses and in your hostels!  

Getting Around Cheap By Boat

View of water taxi pier and terminal on the beach in San Pedro, Belize

In Belize , ferries to the islands are typically $35-45 USD and the main operators are Caribbean Sprinter and Ocean Ferry Belize. You can reach Honduras’ Bay Islands (including Roatan) by ferry, and you’ll definitely want to take a boat trip if you’re heading to the Corn Islands .

If you are traveling from Belize to Guatemala , there’s a water taxi from Punta Gorda to Puerto Barrios. And there’s a service from Belize (Placencia or Belize City) to Honduras (Puerto Cortes).

Here are some sample ferry durations and fares (in USD):

  • Belize City to Ambergris Caye (1.5 hrs) – $42 (one way), $57 (round trip)
  • Belize City to Caye Caulker (45 min) – $36 (one way), $45 (round trip)
  • Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker (30 min) – $36 (one way), $45 (round trip)
  • La Ceiba to Roatan (1 hr 15 min) – $40 (one way), $71 (round trip)

For short journeys (like between the Corn Islands or to various towns on Lake Atitlan), it’s easiest to just show up and hire a boat or water taxi to take you across. Prices are usually negotiable this way.  

Getting Around Cheap By Train

Besides a few isolated tourist trains, there are no trains in Central America. It’s not an option!  

How Long Does It Take to Get Around Central America?

Aerial photo of the river mouth area filled with boats near downtown Belize City

But, to help you plan, here is a distance and time chart so you know (roughly) how long it takes to get from place to place in Central America:

Central America is an amazing place – though getting around the region will take some planning and research.

Things won’t always go smoothly and getting from place to place here can sometimes be a hassle. But with a little preparation and a pinch of patience, you’ll be able to have an amazing experience.

Be flexible with your schedule. Make sure you plan ahead. Do that, and you’ll be able to enjoy this incredible region of the world!

Book Your Trip to Central America: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
  • Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
  • Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Central America? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Central America for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Central America Itinerary

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central america itinerary

Central America attracts tourists of all kinds, especially those who are passionate about culture, history, and outdoor adventures.

If you want this to be your destination, this Central America travel itinerary is exactly what you’re looking for.

Table of Contents

You will find cerulean seas, the greenest of forests, breathtaking Mayan ruins, over 300 volcanoes, and so much more.

Whether you want to spend 1 week in Central America or 2 weeks in Central America, this itinerary will help you get organized!

Is Central America Itinerary Safe?

Central America is not a dangerous place to visit overall. Granted, there are a few risks, but you can avoid them by taking precautions and following basic travel safety tips.

The colorful town of Leon in Nicaragua

It’s important to note that Central America is a transit zone for cocaine markets, so certain countries have a higher crime rate and gang activity.

The risk of natural disasters is also something to consider because there are so many volcanoes and coastlines in the region, which means flooding and hurricanes are a possibility.

To avoid this, visit outside the hurricane season so you can enjoy your Central America backpacking itinerary to the fullest.

Planning a trip to Central America

So you’ve decided you want to go to Central America? Now comes the important part of properly planning for your trip.

The first top tip is to have all of your necessary vaccinations taken care of. There are a lot of diseases in the area, and it’s more than worth getting a few jabs before to prevent any serious conditions down the line.

Another important piece of advice is to pack properly. When we think of Latin America we tend to think of the hot climates and beautiful beaches, and yes of course these are in great abundance here.

However, there are some areas that can get quite cool such as the Guatemalan highlands.

So if planning on visiting everything, then it will be wise to bring a mix of light clothes as well as some layers for when things get chilly.

Also make sure to bring quality, sturdy pair of hiking boots as many of the trails are not properly developed, and you’ll also keep your grip better if heading during the rainy seasons.

How long do you need in Central America?

The general opinion is that Central America can be backpacked very quickly.

And to be fair when looking at a map, of course, it’s pretty small when compared with South America and other regions of the World.

However there’s still a lot to see, so the minimum time needed from Belize (or The Riviera Maya in Mexico as a popular jumping-off point) to Panama would be 3 months.

This will be enough to cover all countries and see all of the top sights.

Alternatively, for those with more time or desire to really sink their teeth into the region – 4/5 months would be much better.

How much does it cost to backpack Central America?

Costs in Central America really do vary between countries.

For example, backpacking Costa Rica and Panama fall on the more expensive side, with a daily budget of between $30-35 needed.

Belize is more moderate, with between $25-30 needed daily.

Then we have Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua making up the rest, which are all very cheap to backpack.

You can travel these countries on a daily budget of $20-25.

Of course these are rough estimates, and take into account only the daily costs of a dorm bed, food and some extras.

What you’ll end up spending really depends on your style and comfort, as we’re all different at the end of the day.

Central America Travel Itinerary

With so many places to visit in Central America, this article looks at each country’s best spots so you get to see the places you simply can’t miss.

You can start your Central America travel itinerary in Guatemala City, where you can visit museums, breweries, and many different attractions to get a feel of the country.

The colonial town of Antigua, Guatemala

Then, you can go to colonial Antigua and spend a few days exploring the town. It’s known for its cobblestoned streets, handicraft markets, and surrounding mountains.

The Pacaya and Acatenango volcanoes are worth visiting, Lake Atitlan is gorgeous, and you can visit surrounding towns such as San Pedro, San Marcos, and Santa Cruz.

Once you’re done in Guatemala, you can head to Belize to continue your Central American backpacking itinerary.

We recommend you spend most of your time in San Ignacio, which is the heart of inland Belize.

Downtown of San Ignacio, Belize

Here, you’ll find Mayan Ruins such as Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, vibrant local markets, and a cave system you’ll be able to explore.

Then, you can head to Caye Caulker, a lovely island that’s perfect for relaxation.

El Salvador

El Salvador could be the next stop on your Central America backpacking trip. At this point of the trip, you may want a relaxing beach retreat.

If so, head to El Tunco, a small beach town known for its surfing. There is plenty of local eats, surfing, and exciting nightlife waiting for you.

Surfers at El Tunco beach

Then, you can go to El Cuco to relax and refuel by a hammock on the beach or enjoy some swimming or paddleboarding.

Honduras is another great place to visit for your Central America travel itinerary.

honduras travel

You can go to La Ceiba, a lovely seaside town where you can enjoy your time, and then take a ferry to Utila, a nice island where you can enjoy a PADI Open Water 4-day diving course.

If you’re already a certified diver, you should consider the Advanced Open Water course or simply sign up for dives that interest you. There are also jungles and freshwater caves to explore!

Next, you can go to Nicaragua where you can visit Leon, which is the best introduction you can have to this country.

san juan del sur

Leon is a colonial town where you’ll be able to enjoy amazing food and visit places such as the Leon Cathedral at the heart of the town and go black sandboarding at Cerro Negro.

How about visiting Lake Apoyo? Or, even look into an active volcano by visiting Masaya, the only open volcano you can drive to instead of hiking.

To continue your Central America travel itinerary, you can go to Costa Rica and visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

It’s paradise on earth and you will enjoy exploring coffee plantations, hiking trails, and even have zip-lining adventures.

costa rica

There are also butterfly, hummingbird, and frog sanctuaries, and you can walk on hanging bridges and spot wildlife.

You can end your stay in Tortuguero, a jungle known for being a nesting area for native turtle species.

You can wrap up your Central America travel itinerary in Panama and head to Cerro Punta where you can take a 1-day hiking tour on the Quetzal Trail.

panama casco viejo

You can send your luggage ahead of you and it will land in Boquete, a lovely town where you can rest in bungalows before you head to Bocas del Toro, a party town.

There, you can explore Cayos Zapatillas and other wonderful places.

Central America Travel + Safety Tips

Generally, Central America is not too dangerous to visit, but you still need to take precautions. Follow these travel safety tips:

A small village in Guatemala - this type of villages is a common sight in Central America

  • Don’t travel at night, but if you do, take a taxi instead of walking or taking a bus.
  • Avoid doing drugs.
  • Avoid tap water, especially in rural areas.
  • Remember to get your FREE travel insurance quote before you travel for peace of mind while on the road.
  • Crime rates are high in capital cities so limit your time there and be vigilant.
  • Learn basic Spanish phrases or have a translation app on your phone for emergencies.
  • Always pay attention to your surroundings.
  • Avoid bad neighborhoods and isolated areas, stick to the crowd.
  • Don’t dress in expensive clothes or wear flashy items, blend in.
  • Don’t flaunt your valuables or leave them unattended.
  • Only bring the cash you need for the day with you, store the rest in a secure location.

If you follow these precautions, you won’t have a bad experience while traveling in Central America.

Traveling Around Central America

Traveling around Central America by bus can be a good option because it’s cheap and easy.

Short-distance buses are known as chicken buses. They are inexpensive but not 100% safe, so be careful and keep an eye on your belongings.

A colorful repurposed school bus used as a local mode of transport in Guatemala

For long-distance travel, use luxury liners like Ticabus, King Quality, or Transnica, which are reliable and safe but will cost a little more.

Buses in Central America

By far the best and most inexpensive way to get around Central America is by the good ol’ buses. Whilst the cost-benefit makes sense, you’ll even find that some areas of this region can only be accessed by bus anyway.

In Costa Rica and Panama, they are the best developed, and the rides will be pretty smooth with most roads in good condition.

In the more northern parts (especially Guatemala and Honduras) you’re gonna be in for a ride!

Within cities and towns, be sure to take a chicken bus at least once for the experience, as it really is one of a kind and also a rite of passage for travelers heading to Central America.

Best time to visit Central America

Thankfully due to its small size, Central America is much easier to plan for when it comes to the weather, especially in comparison with its giant neighbor of South America.

Most of the region follows the same dry and wet season patterns, so you’ll know what you’ll most likely be in for. The dry season runs from December until April, and is often considered the best time to visit.

Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica, for example, has average temperatures of 75-79°F, with highs of 84°F and lows of 68°F.

Rainfall ranges from 180-310mm for each of these months. The wet season, which runs from May until November, is of course much wetter.

Whilst it can make challenges for getting around, it’s also a really beautiful time to visit as the jungle comes alive with its bright and luscious greens.

It’s also cheaper, as you’ll be there during off-peak season. An example of a location during the wet season is Flores, in northern Guatemala.

Average temperatures range from 75-83°F, with highs of 94°F and lows of 68°F. Rainfall ranges anywhere from 4-7.5 inches each month, which is a big increase from the 1-3 inches expected in the dry season months.

Central America Itinerary: Final Words

Central America is quite a magical place to visit and this Central America travel itinerary can serve as a guide.

Use it to plan your trip and have fun backpacking through incredible countries with a lot to offer!

If you are thinking about heading further South you can see our South America itinerary to get some ideas on where to go.

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15 things you absolutely must do in Central America

Feb 13, 2022 • 9 min read

Panama City, Panama - September 12, 2013: Woman walking the streets and a vendor sleeping, in historic Casco Viejo district of Panama City, Panama.

Panama City is Central America’s most hustling, bustling capital city - and Casco Viejo is its heart. ©Shahaira/Getty Images

The Central American isthmus consists of seven countries, two expansive coastlines and more than 100 volcanoes. Add it all up, and you’ve got one of the most exciting regions in the world to explore.

Options for adventure travelers and nature enthusiasts are ubiquitous, and you’ll also find plenty of relaxed island getaways, magnificent Maya ruins and bustling cities. Whatever your travel preferences, Central America can satisfy them.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a repeat customer, knowing where to start can be a challenge – but it’s also part of the fun. In this roundup of Central America’s best experiences, we’ll guide you on where to find monkeys, how to choose islands, which volcanoes to summit and who throws the best parties. ¡Vamos!

1. Island hop in Bocas Del Toro, Panama

With nine main islands and some 200 islets , this stunning archipelago looks like a series of eye-catching postcards and is unsurprisingly Panama’s most popular vacation spot. Its dockside hotels and restaurants, low-hanging palm trees and crystal-blue water have for many years attracted international travelers. Some have even refused to go home.

Activities of choice include pedaling a beach cruiser around, snorkeling among giant sea stars, surfing reef breaks, touring chocolate farms and feasting on delicious Caribbean fare. In the evenings, Latin rhythms and clinking glasses fill the air on backpacker-y Isla Colón .

2. Meet wildlife on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula

The wildest of the wild in Costa Rica , this national park on the country’s most secluded peninsula  explodes with biodiversity and eye-popping ecosystems. In the same afternoon, you can traverse a gnarled, dripping rain forest, cross a waist-deep river and take lunch on a wilderness beach – and you’re all but guaranteed to encounter dangling monkeys, shy tapirs and squawking macaws. 

It’s usually intrepid types who venture out here, as the terrain is rugged and remote. But the trails are in good shape, and a guide is required (which is great because getting lost would suck).

Hiker with panorama view of Lake Atitlán and volcano San Pedro and Toliman early in the morning from peak of volcano Atitlán, Guatemala

3. Self-reflect at Guatemala’s Lago de Atitlán

Outsiders tend to fall in love with  Central America’s deepest lake , extending their trips by weeks or even years – and for good reason. Ringed with lush hillsides, towering volcanoes and diverse communities, this crater lake and its aquamarine waters, a highlight of any Guatemala trip, offer an escape to a simpler way of living. 

On an Atitlán getaway, travelers can do it all: some learn Spanish, practice yoga and stay with a local family; others long-distance kayak, scale volcanoes and throw down with other backpackers in San Pedro La Laguna . Whatever you do here, take some time to relax and reflect by this glorious lake as the rustic fishing boats glide by. 

4. Explore Mayan ruins in Honduras’s Copán

Tucked into an idyllic river valley, these archeological ruins were home to a Maya civilization whose artisans could carve stone like few others. The sculptures here are particularly impressive – don’t miss the hieroglyphic stairway – and a day spent peering around these temples and the surrounding sites will make you feel like a time traveler.

Thereafter, you can retreat to the neighboring town of Copán Ruinas and its lovely boutique hotels or stay in the pine-forested hills at Hacienda San Lucas . Day trips north for a soak in hot springs at Luna Jaguar Spa Resort are to be savored.

5. Plunge into Belizean waters

Undersea adventures are off the hook around the atolls of Belize , where snorkelers and divers glide over spectacular coral formations and encounter majestic marine life, including reef sharks. At the world-famous Blue Hole , divers submerge more than 100 feet into a massive marine sinkhole. 

Reputable tour operators with excellent customer service and solid environmental credentials abound. And bold travelers seeking a highly personal and adventurous experience should consider a stay on the castaway-esque island Long Caye, which is just minutes from the country’s most coveted underwater attractions. 

Market sellers on a lively Sunday market in front of the cathedral facade in the main square of Antigua, Guatemala

6. Explore Guatemala’s colonial gem, Antigua

Central America’s top colonial showpiece is an enchanting amalgam of cobblestone, crumbling ruins and elegant churches. To comply with its World Heritage listing, the former Guatemala capital hides all evidence of modernity behind traditional pastel facades, and its plazas and markets pulsate with local life. 

If you ever tire of wandering these charming streetscapes (which you won’t), you’re also well-placed to venture into the surrounding countryside, where traditional Maya communities, verdant coffee plantations and smoking volcanoes await. 

7. Road trip through El Salvador’s Ruta de las Flores

Flanked by wildflowers, this scenic 20-mile road through multi-hued colonial villages and undulating coffee plantations is a journey into the heart of El Salvador . It is best undertaken on weekends when the cobbled streets of five main settlements come alive with local food festivals. The Feria Gastronómica in Juayúa is particularly delicious. 

Regardless of when you go, there will be ample opportunity to shop for artisanal crafts and sample the coffee. Not too far off the route, Los Chorros de Calera offers hiking and swimming near a series of waterfalls spilling from fractured cliffs.   

8. Feast on the Corn Islands’ Caribbean fare

Foodies who land in Central America simply cannot miss the lip-smacking Caribbean cuisine, and there’s no better place to sample it than on Nicaragua ’s dreamy Corn Islands . We’re talking scrumptious lobster, whole fried snapper, heaping plates of coconut-y rice and beans, and (best of all) the rondón . Essentially the jambalaya of the Caribbean, this local favorite features sea bass or snapper, shellfish, tubers, plantains, heart of palm, plantains, peppers and a host of spices.

Local restaurants on Great Corn – the larger and busier of the two islands – serve this stew year-round. Be sure to give 24 hours' notice for your order, though, as the ingredients must simmer in a spicy coconut broth all day. The islands also throw a festival dedicated to crab soup every August.

9. Move-and-shake in Panama City

Welcome to Central America’s most hustling, bustling capital city . You could almost mistake the place for Miami with all its steel and glass towers – but the glittering skyline is only the beginning. 

We recommend staying in the historic district, Casco Viejo , whose restored colonial buildings now house boutique hotels, swank restaurants and rooftop bars. You’ve also got the crumbling ruins of Panama Viejo , the rollicking nightlife of Calle Uruguay and an abundance of casinos all over the city to keep you entertained. 

A short drive west, you can visit the world-famous Panama Canal and its impressive lock system. Rainforest and beach destinations are also within striking distance.

10. Live it up in El Salvador’s Playa El Tunco

El Salvador’s most famous beach is a hard-partying black-sand paradise with killer beach breaks and a distinctive pig-shaped rock formation just offshore. (“ Tunco ” means pig.) Weekends are an absolute scene with both locals and tourists, and hangovers are best nursed with thin-crust pizza at Tunco Veloz . 

Other nearby beaches are much more chill, particularly the windswept wilderness of Barrio Santiago, where turtles hatch along the shore.

A man slides down the sooty side of a volcano at high speed in León, Nicaragua

11. Volcano-board in León, Nicaragua

There is just one place in the world to “send it” down the sooty terrain of a volcano: Nicaragua’s Cerro Negro, just outside of León . The little-known sport essentially involves dressing up in an orange jumpsuit, a helmet and safety goggles and carrying sled-like equipment up over lava-baked rocks. Then, you hurl yourself down the sulfur-spewing cinder cone’s ashy flank. The idea is to go fast, but not so fast that you wreck. What’s not to love?

For the full experience, stay at the Bigfoot Hostel , a vibrant backpacker joint formerly owned by the inventor of volcano boarding. Go with one of their group tours and have a Toña beer once you’ve survived.

12. Learn to scuba dive in Utila, Honduras

If you’re looking for big experiences on a small budget, consider taking the plunge off Utila , one of the world’s least expensive places to get scuba-certified. The balmy, turquoise waters off this palm-flecked Caribbean isle simply teem with colorful coral and curious fish. Enormous whale sharks have been known to chill on the northern tip of the island all year round, and the tasty seafood and lively bar scene are nothing to scoff at, either.

A scuba diver seen in silhouette from below next to the hull of a boat by the underwater coral reefs in Utila, Honduras

13. Surf Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast

Ever since Endless Summer II hit the big screen in 1994, surfers have been flocking to Central America’s Pacific Coast for its temperate sea and uber-consistent swells. The film featured  Costa Rica’s Tamarindo , and certainly that beach is a surfer’s paradise. But just a few hours north in Nicaragua, things get a bit more adventurous and a lot more affordable. 

The former fishing village of San Juan del Sur is now Nicaragua’s jumping-off point for all things surf, but its waves are unremarkable compared to the point breaks and beach breaks found in the secluded bays to the north and south. The hollow tubes rolling into Playa Maderas are world-class, and the backpacker beach vibes are strong. 

A young adventurous man zip-lining through the cloud forest of Monteverde

14. Zip-line through the Monteverde forest canopy

We know, we know: there’s nothing more touristy than strapping on a helmet and shimmying into a harness to zip around a Central American forest like some oversized hummingbird on a bender. But the rush is undeniable, and if you’ve never done it, you need to. 

There is no shortage of zip lines, particularly in Costa Rica, where the tourist attraction was invented. We are partial to forest flying in the adventure parks of Monteverde , where businesses have stepped things up with Tarzan swings, rappels through tree centers and treetop walkways. When you’re done, head to the Tree House Restaurant for a delicious passion-fruit smoothie.

15. Do nothing on Caye Caulker in Belize

Sometimes travel can feel a bit hectic. Rest assured that this will never happen on this blissed-out tropical dream island . Think sugar-white sand, warm azure waters and beach bars serving up fruity cocktails and pumping reggae tunes all day long. Nights are on the quiet side, which tends to draw a chilled-out, international backpacker crowd and plenty of families.

For visitors who insist on doing stuff, there are plenty of opportunities for snorkeling around with turtles and small sharks, spying on manatees or kayaking to lesser-explored parts of the island. 

You might also like: 6 road trips in Costa Rica that aren't for the faint of heart Central America's most thrilling volcano adventures Why you should take a cacao tour in Latin America

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Explore With Lora

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Central America

By: Author Lora Pope

Posted on Published: August 3, 2020  - Last updated: October 11, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking and making a purchase through the links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclaimer for more information. This and display ads allow me to keep the site up to date and give back .

Backpacking Central America is an amazing experience. From diving into the blue hole in Belize to camping by active volcanoes in Guatemala, this region of the world is home to some amazing bucket-list experiences.

Central America was the region of the world that reignited my love for backpacking. I say reignited because it wasn’t the first trip.

I went on my first backpacking trip in Europe like a cliche, then got sucked into the working world and forgot how magical it was until a trip to Costa Rica reminded me of my passion.

I’m obsessed with Central America. While I was working full-time in Canada, I would take short trips there every time I had a moment off work. It’s not that far to travel for a week, and flights are affordable.

When I decided to go backpacking for a year, I started my journey in Guatemala after falling in love while briefly visiting it on another trip. I’ve spent months of my life traveling Central America, so I created this post to share all my favorite places with you.

This Central America travel guide will tell you everything you need to know about backpacking Central America, including the best places to visit, costs, tips on getting around, solo female travel, safety, and more.

Countries to visit in Central America

Mexico is actually part of North America, but as its neighbors with Guatemala and Belize, many backpackers add it to their Central America itinerary.

Flights are pretty cheap to Cancun, Mexico from North America, so oftentimes I would fly here from Toronto, even if I was planning a trip to Belize or Guatemala. It may seem crazy to travel to a country two away from the one you want to go to but hear me out.

From Cancun, you can either take an overnight bus (directly from the airport) to Belize City or you can take the ferry from Chetumal to San Pedro, Belize. Chetumal is very close to Bacalar, which is a beautiful chill place to visit on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

bacalar mexico

Cancun itself is very touristy, I’m not a big fan of it. It’s a good place if you want to party, but Playa Del Carmen is even better, and it’s just an hour away. It’s easy to get from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen or Tulum via bus!

If you want to chill out, Tulum is an amazing place to visit and just two hours away from Cancun. It’s got beautiful turquoise water, beaches, and Mayan ruins. There are also some wonderful Cenotes nearby you can swim in!

While the east coast of Mexico is beautiful, the rest of the country is worth exploring.

Puerto Vallarta is where I live now. I love it so much that I made an entire website about Puerto Vallarta where you can find all the information you need to plan a trip there!

Beyond that, check out Oaxaca for culture , Guanajuato State for ecotourism , and any of these party cities for a good time.

Belize is such a tropical island paradise , and makes for the perfect place to start your adventure backpacking Central America – especially if you are coming from Mexico! You can either take the bus from Southern Mexico to Belize City or take the ferry from Chetumal to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye, which is a gorgeous island in Belize.

Home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is an amazing place to go scuba diving and snorkeling. It was snorkeling here that inspired me to get my diving certification! It’s also home to some impressive Mayan ruins.

Long Caye Aquarium Dive in Belize

The atmosphere of Belize is different than the rest of Central America due to its Caribbean influence. The flavors of the cuisine here are wonderful, it was my favorite food outside of Mexico.

It’s a relatively easy place to travel as the tourism industry is well established, and the official language is English. On the flip side of that, it’s one of the most expensive countries to travel in Central America.

Best Places to Visit in Belize

There are many beautiful places to add to your Belize Itinerary, but here are some of my favorites:

Caye Caulker & Ambergris Caye – Two gorgeous islands that you can visit via boat from Belize City (there is also a boat from Chetumal Mexico to San Pedro).

Going diving in Caye Caulker belize

Both islands have a variety of accommodation options, but Ambergris Caye has higher-end resorts. I prefer Caye Caulker, as it’s slightly cheaper and is oriented towards backpackers. The two islands offer similar day tour options for snorkeling and diving. This is where you can go diving in the blue hole!

Placencia – Amazing place to go diving, especially for whale sharks. The best way to get here is via the Raggamuffin Sailing Tour , which leaves from Caye Caulker and ends in Dangriga (just an hour away from Placencia or Hopkins, another town you can visit).

Cayo District (San Ignacio) – Great place in Belize for adventure and history. It’s home to Mayan ruins, caves, wildlife, and rivers for tubing.

backpacking lake atitlan guatemala central america

Guatemala is one of my favorite countries in Central America. It’s the perfect place for active adventures, with 37 volcanoes, including several you can go hiking on. It’s also a wonderful place to experience culture in Central America.

Guatemala is also one of the cheapest countries in this region, you can get by on $30 USD per day. It’s also a great place to learn Spanish, with affordable lessons and an easy-to-understand accent.

Knowing some Spanish will make your time backpacking Central America much easier, so this can be a great thing to do at the start of your trip!

Places to Visit in Guatemala

Flores (Tikal) – If you’re coming from Belize to Guatemala, this is a great first stop on your Guatemala Itinerary. The Tikal ruins are some of the most impressive in all of Central America. Go at sunrise for an unforgettable experience; just don’t stay up the whole night before like I did.

pyramid in Tikal

Semuc Champey – A not-so-hidden oasis in the middle of the jungle. No matter where you’re coming from, it’s going to be a long ass journey to get here, but yes, it is worth it.

Antigua – One of the most charming colonial cities in Guatemala. This is a great place to start your itinerary in Guatemala if you’re flying into Guatemala city, as it’s only an hour away.

It’s also home to the Acatenango Volcano hike , which is one of the best adventures in Central America.

travelling around central america

Lake Atitlan – Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala for nature lovers. It’s the perfect place to relax, but if you’re craving more adventure, you can go diving at altitude, hike more volcanoes, or kayak in the volcanic crater.

Xela – a true Guatemalan city with access to Central America’s highest peak. It’s also home to some incredible hot springs to relax in after all that hiking.

Rio Dulce – This is more of an off-the-beaten-path destination but a perfect place for wildlife lovers to come and relax in nature. Plus, it has a hot spring waterfall!

Natural Hot Spring Waterfall in rio dulce guatemala

For more inspiration on planning your trip through Guatemala, check out my Guatemala backpacking guide.

If you’re backpacking overland through Central America, you have a choice between El Salvador and Honduras after leaving Guatemala.

Both have a reputation for being dangerous, but there are safe places to visit in either country. I chose Honduras and went straight from Rio Dulce to Utila via a boat from La Ceiba.

travelling around central america

Places to visit in Honduras

Bay Islands – One of the safest and most beautiful places to visit in Honduras are the bay islands – Utila and Roatan. I spent a week learning to dive in Utila , which was a highlight of my time in Central America.

Utila is definitely a backpacker island, locals will say there are two things to do here: dive and party. If you’re looking for more luxury and family-friendly options, Roatan may be a better option. To get to either island, you can catch a ferry from La Ceiba.

Diving  in utila honduras while backpacking central america

Another great place to add to your backpacking route in Honduras is Copan, which is home to incredible ancient Mayan ruins.

El Salvador

El Salvador is the only country I haven’t had a chance to visit in Central America, so I’ve asked Lara from Both Feet on The Road to share her first-hand experience about backpacking in El Salvador.

The smallest country in Central America is also the least visited one by tourists, El Salvador. When talking about the  National Stereotypes of Central America , the standard people say to El Salvadorans is  “Where is that?” or “Aah Mexico ”.

Which is a shame, because El Salvador is not the same as Mexico and this tiny country actually has a lot to offer!

An ultimate El Salvador itinerary would take at least 2 weeks (preferably longer) and stops at El Tunco, Ruta de las Flores, Suchitoto, and Santa Ana. Getting around El Salvador can easily be done by public transport (taking the chicken buses).

In fact, traveling around by those local buses is part of the experience that makes El Salvador such a great country to visit.

Best Places to Visit in El Salvador

El Tunco is a small beach village famous for its surfing, relaxed atmosphere and of course a little bit of a party. Though El Salvador is not really renowned for the parties. If you’re looking for a quieter beach town you can check out El Zonte or El Palmarcito or head further down the coast to El Cuco.

sunset on beach in el salvador central america

Besides stunning beaches, El Salvador is also a great destination for nature and culture lovers, and the Ruta de las Flores is perfect for people who are interested in both.

Ruta de las Flores is a route of several small villages connected by a road that passes beautiful landscapes of hillsides filled with coffee plantations, green lush, and colorful flowers in bloom. That is if you visit in the right season which is generally from late November to February.

Though even if you do not find the colorful flowers in bloom, the scenery of Ruta de las Flores and the small lively villages are still worth a visit. Check out the beautiful murals, local markets, weekly food festivals, stunning waterfalls, or coffee plantation to fill your days at the Ruta de las Flores. Some of the popular villages are Juayua, Sonsonate, Nahuizalco, Ataco, and Apaneca,.

After the small villages, it is time to head to El Salvador’s second-biggest city, Santa Ana. It’s a nice city to check out the colonial architecture, visit the Cerro Verde National Park with the Santa Ana Volcano.

cerro verde national park el salvador

A smaller and lesser-visited town to enjoy the beautiful colonial architecture in El Salvador is Suchitoto. And for those interested in visiting world heritage, a visit to the archaeological site of Joya de Cerén has to be included, as this is the only site in El Salvador listed by UNESCO.

Costs of Traveling El Salvador: Expect to pay around 25-30 USD per day for traveling in El Salvador.

Safety in El Salvador: El Salvador has unfairly gained a reputation for being an unsafe country for travelers. And though I won’t deny that incidents have happened with tourists getting robbed, if you use your common sense, make sure you are well-informed about which areas to visit with a guide or police escort, you will be just as safe (or unsafe) in El Salvador as you would in other Central American countries. 

Everyone always says Nicaragua is their favorite country in Central, and while I enjoyed it, it wasn’t mine. That said, Nicaragua is one of the cheaper countries to visit in Central America and has beautiful beaches, volcanoes, islands, and epic parties.

beach in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua central america

Places to visit in Nicaragua

Leon – If you’re coming from El Salvador or Honduras, Leon will likely be your first stop on your Nicaragua itinerary. It’s a colonial town that can appear rough on the surface but has its own charm. Leon is home to the volcano boarding, which is the only place in the world you can do this.

Grenada – Another gorgeous colonial town in Nicaragua

Corn Island – two remote islands on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, that are a dream for diving. I didn’t make it here and regret not going. They are out of the way, and most people fly here.

Ometepe Island – My favorite place in Nicaragua is Ometepe Island. This beautiful tropical island is home to two volcanoes which you can go trekking on (go with a guide, as it is not safe on your own). There is also a beautiful waterfall you can visit here, farm animals everywhere, and amazing sunsets.

ometepe nicaragua central america travel

San Juan Del Sur – A surf town that’s home to Sunday Funday , Central America’s biggest pool party.

sunset nosara costa rica central america

While pricier than its neighboring countries, Costa Rica is still one of my favorite countries to visit in Central America. I’ve come back four times, and I always discover new amazing places.

It’s an ideal destination if you love wildlife, as over 25% of the country is protected land. There are so many amazing national parks here! It’s also a hub for adventure travel, with plenty of zip lines, hiking trails, diving sites, rafting, and more.

Places to visit in Costa Rica

Coming from Nicaragua, you’ll be close to Liberia, where there is also an international airport. There isn’t that much to do in Liberia, so I would continue on to the Pacific Coast for beaches or head up to La Fortuna/Monteverde for adventure.

Likewise, if you’re flying into the capital city San Jose, I would continue on as there are much nicer places to be.

Tamarindo isn’t the nicest beach on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast , but it’s a popular spot for backpackers given its lively nightlife and proximity to the airport. It’s also home to several music festivals with the recent addition of the BPM music festival .

Nosara – Very chill beach town further down the Pacific Coast (although not particularly easy to get to given the horrible road conditions). It’s a great place for Surf/Yoga.

Santa Teresa – a very chill beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula

Manuel Antonio – Home to the countries most popular national park, Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s probably one of the most touristy places in Costa Rica, but it is worth visiting.

White faced monkey in Manuel Antonio National Park costa rica central america

Uvita – My new favorite place in Costa Rica. Amazing opportunities for wildlife here, including whale watching and the best diving in Costa Rica at Cano Island .

La Fortuna – Great place for adventure in Costa Rica. You can go hiking on volcanoes, zip-lining, waterfall canyoning, and relax in hot springs to soothe your muscles afterward. It’s also nearby to Rio Celeste, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica.

Monteverde – A beautiful Cloud forest reserve set in the mountains of Costa Rica. Perfect place for hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching. Bring a sweater here, it gets chilly at night!

Puerto Viejo – The Caribbean Coast is a completely different side of Costa Rica.

For more inspiration on backpacking Costa Rica, check out my ultimate guide.

Panama is a wonderful country to end your time in Central America. It’s got beautiful beaches for surfing, amazing remote islands to visit, lush jungles and cloud forests to go hiking, and a vibrant capital city for all your shopping needs.

travelling around central america

Places to visit in Panama

Bocas Del Toro – After crossing the Panama-Costa Rica Border, Bocas Del Toro is a logical next stop. It’s a gorgeous island where you can go surfing, snorkeling, ATVing through the jungle, and much more.

Boquete – a beautiful town set in the highlands of Panama, where delicious coffee is made. You can stay in a super cool castle hostel and hike to lost waterfalls.

Panama City – Unlike most Central American country capitals, Panama City is one actually worth spending some time in. It’s got so many fun things to do, from visiting the famous Panama Canal, nightlife, shopping, or just admiring the city’s skyscrapers.

San Blas Islands – incredible islands you can visit between Panama and Colombia in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. There are over 365 islands, few inhabited. It’s the best way to travel between Central and South America, but you can also do a return trip from Panama City if you’re not going to Colombia.

The first island we slept on the San Blas Islands tour

How long should you spend in Central America?

To see all of Central America, you’re going to want to have at least two months . And that would be rushing it.

If you’re volunteering or sticking around to learn Spanish in one place, you could easily extend your trip for months or even a year. I met backpackers who had been living in Guatemala for months just studying Spanish!

The amount of time to spend traveling to Central America depends on the pace you want to go. I’m a fast traveler and would still want at least two months if I was going to backpack Central America for the first time.

On one trip I did in Central America, I backpacked from Antigua, Guatemala to Colombia in six weeks but I had already been to Belize, Panama, and Costa Rica previously, so I didn’t mind skipping over some places.

Central America Backpacking Routes / Central America Itineraries

travelling around central america

There’s a pretty established backpacking route through Central America. The big decision you’ll have to make is whether you are going to be traveling North or South. If you plan to go to South America, it makes sense to start at the top in Mexico or Belize and then make your way down.

When I backpacked across Central to South America, I started in Antigua, Guatemala, spent two weeks backpacking Guatemala , then crossed the border to Honduras near Rio Dulce.

I spent a week learning to dive in Utila, then met my friend in Leon, Nicaragua, where we went backpacking Nicaragua for one week.

From San Juan Del Sur, I crossed the border into Liberia, Costa Rica and spent another two weeks backpacking Costa Rica with two Swedish girls I met in Honduras.

crossed the border on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica into Panama, spent a week backpacking Panama , and then went to Colombia via the San Blas Islands.

The way Central America is shaped makes it a pretty straightforward itinerary. The only time you’ll have to choose between countries is when leaving Guatemala, as you can go via El Salvador or Honduras. I went through Honduras, which is why I haven’t gotten the chance to experience El Salvador yet.

You don’t need to book everything in advance for your trip, nor do I recommend it. You’re going to meet people, and your plans are going to change.

For my big backpacking trip through Central America, I only booked my first two nights in the hostel in Antigua and had no trouble booking everything else as I traveled.

Getting around Central America

a chicken bus in guatemala

The backpacker trail is well established in Central America, and you won’t have any trouble getting around via busses.

If you’re on a shoestring budget, the best bet is chicken busses, which are retrofitted school busses used to transport locals and goods. They usually only cost a couple of dollars for hours of travel but can be hot and crowded.

I took a few chicken busses while traveling in Central America but mostly used tourist shuttles. These are still relatively affordable, with the exception of Costa Rica, where I found them to be quite costly. I actually think renting a car (especially if you have friends to split it with) is the best way to get around Costa Rica.

You can always fly between cities in Central America, but I believe overland travel is the best way to get around this region. It’s a relatively small section of the world, so none of the distances you will be traveling are that far apart, making for short bus journeys. Many places are also only accessible by bus.

Crossing the borders between Central American countries is relatively easy. I’ve crossed between every country in Central America and have never run into any issues. Expect to spend an hour or two crossing the border. Many countries have an exit or entrance fee, but it’s not more than $5-10 USD.

backpacking costa rica central america

Visas for Central America

For many nationalities, including Canadians, Americans, and Europeans, Visas are not required for stays up to 90 days.

Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua have an agreement in place that allows you to travel freely between the four countries for 90 days.

Belize, Panama, and Costa are separate from this but also allow visitors from those nationalities to stay for 90 days without a visa. This makes it very easy to stay backpacking Central America for months without worrying about needing a visa.

Costs of Backpacking Central America

Central America is a relatively cheap region of the world to go backpacking in, but the costs do vary between countries. Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize are the most expensive, while the rest are very affordable. You can get by on 30 USD per day in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras but for Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize I’d budget at least 50 USD/per day.

A good way to make your money stretch in Central America is to volunteer or work somewhere for a while. You can check on Worldpackers for opportunities. You may also just come across opportunities while traveling. I’ve been offered jobs in hostels here in exchange for room and board.

Best Time to Visit Central America

San Blas tours from Panama City

As a whole, the best time to visit Central America is during the dry season from November to April. That said, the country is open year-round, and if you don’t mind a bit of rain, you’ll be rewarded with cheaper prices and fewer crowds.

I visited in May, and in my experience, it usually just pours for an hour in the morning, and then it’s sunny all day. If you’re a surfer, the best time to visit El Salvador is during the wet season, as this is when the waves are at their best!

Safety & Solo Travel in Central America

sunset in belize while backpacking central america

Is Central America Safe? Even as a solo female traveler, I still felt safe backpacking through Central America. Most crime happens at night, so avoid going out by yourself during the night (I never did).

The crime also tends to be concentrated in the capital cities, which is why I never spent much time in any of them aside from Panama City.

Most of the popular backpacker spots are small towns, and the locals tend to be quite friendly as tourism plays an important role in their economies. During all the months I spent backpacking Central America, I never had anything bad happen to me, nor did I meet anyone who did.

The most common form of crime here is petty theft, such as bag snatching and pickpockets. A great way to avoid this from happening is by using pickpocket-proof garments, which ensure thieves don’t know you’re carrying valuables.

I love Clever travel companion for this. They make pick-pocket proof gear for both men and women – everything from underwear to dresses!

Another way to stay safe is to lock up your belongings when you get to your hostel or hotel. I do bring my camera out with me when I’m walking around during the day, as I need to take photos.

I strongly recommend getting travel insurance for both yourself and your belongings if you are going to be backpacking Central America. I use and love SafetyWing travel insurance.

Do you want to travel Central America yet? I hope this post could give you some inspiration! It really is an amazing region of the world, and so affordable to visit if you’re coming from North America.

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travelling around central america

Lora is a full-time digital nomad on a quest to visit every country in the world and pet as many dogs as she can along the way. Over the last 15 years, she has traveled to 70+ countries and six continents solo. She currently calls Puerto Vallarta, Mexico home and enjoys ending each day with sunset and tacos on the beach.

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Hi Lora, Thank you for the great read! Myself and a friend are planning a backpacking trip for Dec. this year. Greg will be going for three months, myself for six. I am from Ingersoll, Ont. and Greg is from Stratford, Ont. Both in our mid 50’s. This will not be my first backpacking adventure as I spent a year in Europe many, many years ago before marriage, kids and far too many hours working. Starting in Cancun, three months will take us to Costa Rica/Panama where Greg will head back to Canada. I will go on to South America. I am thinking of west first through Peru, Equator, Bolivia, northern Chile, then crossing over to Argentina. My gut tells me to skip Venezuela, but not sure how to get around it. Walt

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Hi Walt! I haven’t been to Venezuela myself and have heard that it can be quite dangerous with the current situation so if you do go I would recommend looking into getting a reputable guide. You don’t need to go through Venezuela to visit all those other countries – I went from Argentina to Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and then to Equator all by land.

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Central america backpacking | from guatemala to panama.

Central America backpacking

Slurping coconuts every day. Exploring ancient ruins. Swinging in a hammock by the beach. Hiking through rainforests and up volcanoes. Surfing awesome waves in the Pacific. Traveling along the Central America backpacking route, you can have the time of your life. Adventure is calling!

Table of contents

Visiting Tikal is one of the most impressive things to do in Guatemala when backpacking in Central America / Die Ruinen von Tikal sind ein beeindruckender Guatemala Reisetipp auf deiner Mittelamerika Backpacking Route

Maya ruins in Tikal

Is Central America the right destination for me?

  • Are you looking for great beaches to go surfing or to learn how to surf? Or diving?
  • Do you get excited by fascinating nature, like lakes, rivers and rainforests?
  • Are you interested in ancient temples and Maya culture?
  • Would you like to climb an active volcano?
  • Have you ever wanted to hang out on Caribbean beaches?
  • Do you like exotic animals?
  • And do you speak Spanish or would love to learn some Spanish?

Rainforest in Panama

Backpacking in Central America

Backpacking Central America itineraries

Central america backpacking route for 3 months.

Central America backpacking route interactive map

Interactive map of the Central America backpacking route (click to view in a separate window)

Central America backpacking route for 2 months

  • Guatemala ⇨ Honduras ⇨ El Salvador ⇨ Nicaragua
  • Honduras ⇨ Nicaragua ⇨ Costa Rica ⇨ Panama

Central America backpacking route for 1 month

  • Guatemala & Honduras
  • Guatemala & El Salvador
  • El Salvador & Nicaragua
  • Honduras & Nicaragua
  • Costa Rica & Panama

Best places to visit when backpacking in Central America – Country breakdowns

Which countries to visit on a central america backpacking trip.

  • Antigua – the old capital with its cobblestoned colonial streets and colorful houses
  • Acatenango volcano – on top you have breathtaking views of its fire-spitting neighbor El Fuego
  • Lake Atitlán – for relaxed vibes and fun boat rides
  • Semuc Champey – to jump into the natural, turquoise pools after a hike
  • Tikal – the ancient Maya capital full of temple ruins (the world’s largest Mayan site)
  • Río Dulce – to enjoy the river on a kayak, boat ride, or swimming

More travel tips for Guatemala!

Hiking up a volcano is one of the most amazing things to do in Guatemala / Eine Vulkanwanderung darf unter den Guatemala Reisetipps nicht fehlen

Impressions of Guatemala

  • Bay Islands (especially Utila) – not only one of the cheapest places in the world to do your Padi, but also directly at the world’s second-largest coral reef
  • Copan Ruins – Beautiful Maya ruins that you can explore almost by yourself
  • Congrejal River Valley – The place to go for whitewater rafting and canyoning
  • Pico Bonito National Park – a beautiful national park for hiking in the rainforest (the largest jungle in Central America)

More about backpacking in Honduras!

Relaxing by the beach in Honduras / Entspannung am Strand in Utila, Honduras

Impressions of Honduras

  • El Tunco – the country’s surfer hot spot on the Pacific coast
  • Santa Ana Volcano – After hiking up to the top, you’re rewarded with the unique view of a turquoise lake inside the crater
  • Ruta de las Flores – a route across the El Salvadoran countryside among pretty villages and hot spring waterfalls
  • Suchitoto – a cute colonial town next to a beautiful lake

More inspiration on El Salvador!

Staying in El Zonte is popular among backpackers in El Salvador

Impressions of El Salvador

  • León & Granada – Two completely different towns but both with super good backpackers vibes
  • Laguna de Apoyo – The cleanest lake you’ll find in Central America, great for swimming and kayaking
  • Ometepe island – Probably my favorite place in Nicaragua with volcano hikes, great beaches, and a laid-back flair (tip: rent a scooter!)
  • Cerro Negro volcano boarding – Sliding down a volcano on a  wooden board is a fun activity that you’ll find nowhere else
  • Pacific surf towns – No matter if you decide on Las Peñitas, Playa Gigante or Playa Popoyo

More about the backpacker's paradise Nicaragua!

Don't miss climbing a volcano when you're backpacking in Nicaragua / Einen Vulkan zu besteigen gehört zu den besten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Nicaragua

Impressions of Nicaragua

  • Beach towns at the Nicoya Peninsula – Santa Teresa, Montezuma, and Samara are just a few of the paradisiacal Pacific beach towns perfect for surfing
  • National Parks – Monteverde, La Fortuna, Tortuguero, Corcovado, Manuel Antonio. The list of national parks in Costa Rica is really long & you should see at least 2-3 of them.
  • Puerto Viejo – With Caribbean vibes and amazing beaches, this town is quite unique and worth a visit

More travel tips for Costa Rica!

Samara beach is perfect to relax on your Costa Rica backpacking trip / Der Strand von Samara ist ein toller Costa Rica Reisetipp

Impressions of Costa Rica

  • Bocas del Toro – Spend a few days here, renting beach bikes and driving from one relaxing spot to the next while watching sloths hanging in the trees
  • San Blas Islands – Do not leave Panama without going to these tiny islands in front of Panama’s coast belonging to the indigenous Kuna Yala. I’ve never experienced anything like that.
  • Boquete – Lush jungles and majestic volcano hikes
  • Valle de Anton – A unique nature nestled in the crater of an extinct volcano

More about the best places to see in Panama!

Riding bikes in Bocas del Toro was a slow traveling adventure

Impressions of Panama

Best things to do in Central America

Climb a volcano.

  • Acatenango, El Fuego and Pacaya (all close to Antigua in Guatemala)
  • Masaya (close to Granada in Nicaragua)
  • Santa Ana (in El Salvador)
  • Maderas (on Ometepe island in Nicaragua)
  • Cerro Negro in Nicaragua
  • Acatenango (in Guatemala)
  • Momotombo (in Nicaragua)
  • Arenal (Costa Rica)
  • Volcan Baru (Panama)
  • Maderas (Ometepe island, Nicaragua)

The hike up Volcan El Fuego is probably among the most exhausting things to do in Guatemala but worth it when backpacking in Central America / Unter den Guatemala Reisetipps ist die Wanderung auf den Vulkan El Fuego wohl das anstrengendste beim Backpacking in Mittelamerika

Central American volcanoes

Visit Maya ruins

A temple in Tikal, Guatemala

Maya ruins in Tikal and Copan

Learn how to surf on the Pacific coast

  • El Paredon (more popular) and Monterrico (more local) in Guatemala
  • the area around El Tunco (very hip) and El Zonte (more relaxed) in El Salvador
  • Las Peñitas, Playa Gigante and Playa Popoyo in Nicaragua
  • all the beaches on the Nicoya peninsula, such as Santa Teresa, Nosara and Samara in Costa Rica
  • Playa Venao and Santa Catalina in Panama

Samara beach is perfect to relax on your Costa Rica backpacking trip when backpacking in Central America / Der Strand von Samara ist ein toller Costa Rica Reisetipp auf deiner Mittelamerika Reiseroute

Pacific beaches

Hang around on Caribbean beaches

  • White beach in Guatemala
  • The Bay Islands with Utila and Roatan in Honduras
  • Corn Islands in Nicaragua
  • Puerto Viejo and the paradisiacal beaches in Cahuita national park in Costa Rica
  • Bocas del Toro and San Blas in Panama

San Blas Islands

Caribbean beaches

Diving in Utila is a highlight when backpacking in Honduras on your Central America backpacking route / Tauchen in Utila darf bei den Sehenswürdigkeiten in Honduras auf deiner Mittelamerika Backpacking Route nicht fehlen

Diving in Utila, Honduras

Hike through rainforests

Walking in a Costa Rica national park

Central American rainforests

Hike to a viewpoint for sunrise

The view from Acatenango volcano for sunrise - what a highlight when backpacking in Central America / Die Sicht beim Sonnenaufgang auf dem Acatenango Vulkan ist ein Highlight auf deiner Mittelamerika Backpacking Route

The sunrise view from Acatenango volcano

Relax around lakes

  • Lago de Atitlan & Lago de Izabal for great boat rides and relaxed vibes in Guatemala
  • Suchitoto & Lago de Coatepeque in El Salvador
  • Laguna de Apoyo & Isla de Ometepe in Lago di Cocibolca for swimming and relaxing by the beach in Nicaragua

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

The fantastic lakes in Central America

Learn Spanish

Streets in Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala

Try the typical food in each country

Pipas frias

Enjoying Central American food

Good to know before backpacking in Central America

Central america backpacking budget, how much money do you need for 3 months in central america, which central american country is the cheapest.

  • Food: average meal in a restaurant 35 – 50 Quetzales (4.50 – 7 $) / simple tortillas for 35 Quetzales (4.50 $)
  • Hotels: around 30 – 40 $ for a nice, basic double room / 10 – 12 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room
  • Transport: an 8 – 10 hour trip by local chicken bus around 12 $, but easily 300 Quetzales (40 $) by tourist shuttle
  • Food: average meal in a restaurant 120 – 160 Lempira (5 – 6.50 $) / simple baleadas for 20 Lempira (0.80 $)
  • Hotels: around 25 $ for a nice double room / 8 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room
  • Transport: an 8 – 10 hour trip by local chicken bus around 10 $, but easily 40 $ by tourist shuttle
  • Food: average meal in a restaurant 7 – 9 $ / pupusas for 0.75 – 1 $ each
  • Hotels: around 30 $ for a nice, basic double room (easily more around El Tunco) / 15 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room
  • Transport: a 3 – 4 hour trip by local chicken bus around 3 – 4 $, but easily 25 $ by tourist shuttle
  • Food: average meal in a restaurant 100 – 150 Cordobas (3 – 4 $) / simple Gallo pinto with eggs for 80 – 100 Cordobas (3 $)
  • Hotels: around 20 $ for a nice double room / 8 – 10 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room
  • Transport: a 5-hour trip by local bus around 5 – 6 $, but easily 30 $ by tourist shuttle
  • Food: average meal in a restaurant 6000 – 7000 Colones (10 $) / simple Casado in a Soda for 4000 Cordobas (6 $)
  • Hotels: around 60 $ for a nice, basic double room (easily way more along the Pacific coast) / 20 – 25 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room
  • Transport: a 5-hour trip by local bus around 7 – 8 $, but easily 50 $ by tourist shuttle
  • Food: average meal in a restaurant 7 – 8 $ / simple local food for 4 – 5 $ (more in Bocas)
  • Hotels: around 40 $ for a nice, basic double room (easily more on Bocas) / 15 – 20 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room
  • Transport: an 8 – 10 hour trip by local bus around 15 – 20 $, but easily 60 $ by tourist shuttle

Exchange rates

  • 100 Quetzales are around 13 $
  • 100 Lempiras are around 4 $
  • FYI: El Salvador is the first country to accept Bitcoins as an official currency as well
  • 100 Cordobas are a bit less than 3 $
  • 1000 Colones are around 1.50 $
  • FYI: While US Dollars predominate in everyday use, you sometimes get your small change in Balboas, Panama’s old currency.
  • 100 Balboas equals 100 $

Nicaraguan Cordobas

Beautiful Nicaraguan Cordobas

Sustainable travel hacks in Central America

Sustainable accommodation.

Casa Papaki in Ometepe

Casa Papaki & Utopia Eco Hotel

Riding a chicken bus is an experience when backpacking in Guatemala / Eine Fahrt im Chickenbus ist definitiv ein Erlebnis beim Guatemala Backpacking

A chicken bus ride is always fun

Eco-friendly food

Fruit market in Nicaragua

Eating locally in Central America

Interested in getting a water bottle with a filter?

Filling up a filter bottle in Guatemala / Wasserfilter beim Reisen auffüllen

Filtering with my Grayl water purifier bottle

Eco-Tours & activities

Plastic packaging & trash, more about reducing waste during your trip.

With Bamboo cutlery you can make backpacking in Honduras more sustainable / Mit Bambusbesteck kannst du die Sehenswürdigkeiten in Honduras nachhaltiger entdecken

Zero waste equipment for traveling

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More about sustainable travel

Visiting Granada is a must when backpacking in Nicaragua / Granada steckt voller Sehenswürdigkeiten in Nicaragua

Volunteering in Central America

More about ethical volunteering.

Volunteering with animals at ARCAS Parque Hawaii, Guatemala / Freiwilligenarbeit mit Tieren in Guatemala

Volunteering at ARCAS in Guatemala

Central American food

  • Tortillas with Guacamole (instead of meat filling you can find some with vegetables or even soy meat) and the typical Chapin breakfast (tortillas with beans, eggs, platano, avocado and cheese) in Guatemala
  • Baleadas (a large tortilla wrap filled with beans and cheese) in Honduras
  • Pupusas ((like small, filled tortillas with cheese) in El Salvador
  • Gallo Pinto (rice and beans) in Nicaragua
  • Casado (rice, vegetables and beans) in Costa Rica,

travelling around central america

Food in Central America

Accommodation for backpacking in Central America

Relaxing in Panama

Central American accommodation

Best time to visit Central America

Pacific beaches in Costa Rica

Hot days by the Pacific

What to pack for backpacking in Central America

  • Water purifier bottle  – to be able to drink water anywhere and save a ton of plastic bottles
  • bite away   – a super smart gadget for insect sting relief
  • Organic anti bug spray – to keep insects away without chemicals
  • Smell-proof laundry bag – for your sweaty, damp or even wet clothes, so the rest of your backpack stays fresh
  • Reusable silicone zip lock bag – to get your take-away food without plastic
  • Cutlery & reusable straw – to avoid using plastic cutlery
  • Toothbrush made from bamboo and toothpaste tablets –  to keep your dental care plastic-free
  • Shampoo bar – so you don’t have to worry about liquids

Is it safe to backpack in Central America?

  • Avoid the big cities (as mentioned above).
  • Don’t walk home alone at night.
  • Don’t travel at night (except in Costa Rica and Panama, where traveling at night is fairly safe).
  • Leave your valuables (such as your passport and credit cards you don’t need right now) locked at the accommodation, and just take a bit of cash when you’re out.
  • Store your money and credit cards in different places in your luggage (in the rare case you get mugged, you still have some money source somewhere else).

Is Central America safe for solo female travelers?

Backpacking in Costa Rica

Solo backpacking as a woman

How long do you need to backpack Central America?

Is central america easy to travel around.

  • Local buses (often called “chicken buses”) – The colorful public buses are retired American school buses that have been upcycled and painted by artists. In all Central American countries, traveling by chicken bus is super cheap, brings you closer to the local way of living, and is always fun. Yet, it can get cramped in there, and you usually have to change lots of times on most routes. But you have to try it!
  • Shared shuttles (collectivos) – These minibuses are usually the fastest option to reach a different destination, as they run directly, and are reliable and safe. Yet, they’re way more expensive than chicken buses. You can calculate paying around 5x the amount that a chicken bus trip would cost.
  • Cross-country bus companies (such as Ticabus) – Local bus companies that run cross-country, such as Ticabus, are a great option to get from one country to the next. They typically leave from the capitals and are a bit cheaper than taking a shuttle.
  • Private shuttles – In many places, you can also find the option to book a private transfer. Of course, this is the luxury version of traveling and normally not something backpackers would do. In my opinion, booking a private shuttle only makes sense if you’re planning to head to a totally remote location. Otherwise, just sitting in your private car with a driver is not really environmental-friendly.
  • Rental car – Well, also not the most environmentally-friendly option, as long as there are no electronic cars to rent. Yet, sometimes it’s a great option to reach more off-the-beaten-path destinations. Especially in Costa Rica, a rental car is very popular. And over there, it really makes sense. Many routes which are just a 2-hour-drive by rental car can take 6 hours or more by bus.

Chicken buses in Guatemala

Transportation in Central America

Onward travel from Central America to South America

Can you get a sim card for all central american countries, can you get around without spanish.

Taking the boat to the islands in Panama

Interact with locals!

Useful Spanish phrases for Central America

  • Hello –  Hola
  • Good Morning –  Buenos dias
  • Bye – Adiós
  • Excuse me – Perdón
  • Thanks – Gracias
  • I don’t understand –  No entiendo
  • Please –  por favor
  • Sorry –  Lo siento
  • Help me! –  Ayudame!
  • Cheers! –  Salud!
  • Here –  aquí
  • How much is it? –  Cuánto cuesta?
  • Where is the toilet? –  Donde está el baño?
  • Where does the bus leave? – Donde parte el bus?
  • No plastic bag –  Sin bolsa de plastico
  • No straw –  No paja
  • No plastic cutlery –  No cubiertos de plástico

Country data

Get more in-depth info about backpacking central america.

  • Central America on a Shoestring  – the best for budget travelers
  • Central America Travel Guide – with all the best planning advice
  • Best of Central America – covering all the highlights

More travel guides on backpacking in Central America

More about guatemala, discover honduras, a guide on backpacking in el salvador, more travel tips for costa rica, more about the best places to see in panama, backpacking central america – a wrap-up.

Have you ever been backpacking in Central America? Any hidden gems you’s like to share or any place that shouldn’t be missing on any Central America backpacking itinerary? Feel free to leave a comment below!

travelling around central america

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27 comments.

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Wow, this is so comprehensive! I went to Costa Rica earlier this year, which was my first time in Central America. But I can only imagine how much you could see doing a trip like this! I would be concerned about safety in certain places, but it’s good to hear that you didn’t have any negative experiences.

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Hi Maggie, Costa Rica is a great start for your first time in Central America, as it’s probably the safest country over there and also quite “westernized”. But the other countries are definitely worth exploring as well! And with a few precautions, there’s no need to worry. in terms of security :)

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What an amazing guide! I’ve been to GUA once, but I really want to go back! Lake Atitlán looks stunning! I forgot that Rotan was such a big diving place too!

Hey Linnea, yeah, Guatemala has left a mark on my heart for sure! You should definitely go again & see Lake Atitlan. :)

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I have visited Costa Rica twice but you have really inspired me to visit the other Central American countries. I love all the vegetarian food options.

Hi Terri, I’m happy to hear that my post has inspired you. Yeah you should go & see more countries! Central America has so much to offer & also so much yummy stuff for veggies!

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Wow! What a comprehensive guide! I haven’t backpacked through these countries but have been to several of them. Your stories and photos are bringing back great memories and I’d love to go back! This guide is so helpful for someone looking to backpack this area. It seems really easy to do so!

Hi Nikki, So glad to hear that you liked this post and that it has brought back good memories of your trip to Central America. It’s indeed much easier to go backpacking in this region than I thought before. The infrastructure is great, there is wonderful accommodation everywhere and well, of course there is stunning nature!

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What an amazing guide to Central America! I’ve yet to venture into that beautiful region and when I do, this will be my guide. And I love how you included tips about sustainable travel items.

Hi Bea, thanks for your comment. Sustainable travel is a very important aspect for me. And there’s always a way to see a destination more sustainable, even Central America :)

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What an amazing post, Jilii! The central region is indeed quite beautiful. However, isn’t Guatemala a little unsafe?

Thanks for your lovely words! Safety is an important issue all over Central America. But with the right precautions (not walking alone at night, leaving your belongings in your accommodation, etc), you can have an amazing time in Guatemala and in all the other Central American countries. Tbh, I never felt unsafe, even as a female solo traveler in Guatemala. So I can totally recommend it to anyone!

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This is truly the ultimate guide for backpacking in Central America. Central America is one of the places I look forward to exploring in the future. I plan to reference your guide in the future!

Hi Erin, So glad to hear that you like my Central America guide. I love thinking back to this unique adventure. I hope this guide will be of great help once you’ll plan to explore this region :)

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Dream trip! Saved for future trip plans! Right now, work is keeping me from any trips >2 weeks, but the dream is there.

Hi Anja, I totally feel you! I actually quit my job right before I traveled to Central America. With the job I had back then, such a long trip wouldn’t have been possible. So it’s indeed a trip for which you need more time, if you want to see several countries. But you could pick one country, e.g. only Guatemala or Costa Rica for a 2 weeks holiday. And never stop dreaming ;)

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Wow this is such a comprehensive and detailed guide! I’ve been hoping to plan a Central America trip like this for such a long time and having so much detail in one place is super helpful – thank you for this!

Hi Helena, I’m happy to hear that this post is helpful to you. I hope you’re able to head to Central America soon, it’s such a unique adventure :)

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Very good guide, it helped me a lot during my tour of Central America, especially the part that covers Nicaragua and Guatemala. I look forward to a post-pandemic update.

I’m more than happy that my Central America backpacking guide was helpful for you throughout your journey. Thanks for your lovely comment!

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Hi Jill, this is such a brilliant article with so much detail! I’m planning to do a trip next summer after I finish university. If it’s ok to ask, did you feel safe travelling as a female through these areas? I may be doing some legs of the trip solo so just curious how you felt. Planning to stay on a ‘tourist route’ through most of the trip and hit many of the areas you suggested. Any details would be amazing. Thanks so much!

Hey Jade, thanks so much for your lovely comment. It makes me so happy reading that my article on backpacking is helpful and inspiring for your plans to go backpacking in Central America. I was solo traveling in Guatemala and felt safe and never got into any dangerous situation. In my opinion, as long as you stick to some rules and trust your gut feeling, you will be fine. I always recommend avoiding the capitals (except Panama City which is not as dangerous in most neighborhoods), avoiding dodgy areas and walking alone at night, don’t wear any expensive jewelry etc, leave your valuables in your accommodation. If you don’t want to use chicken buses, there are always tourist shuttles which are very safe. And usually, you meet other travelers everywhere you go, so you don’t have to be alone if you don’t want to :) Enjoy your trip, you will love it!

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Very helpful, thank you. I have been thinking about this trip for a while, especially having loved travelling through both Mexico and Colombia in last 5 years. Just out of interest, why did you skip Belize as you were so close? Supposed to have some lovely beaches etc.

Hey John, I also loved Colombia. Haven’t been to Mexico (yet). The reason I skipped Belize was that back in the beginning of 2022 the regulations for entering the country were still very strict. I think you even had to quarantine for a few days in a hotel upon entering Belize. Hope to make it back some time and also visit Belize. I heard lots of amazing things about this country as well.

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This by far is the best Central America blog post I have come across! It is so detailed and in-depth. Jill you are truly a natural at this and it has definitely helped me plan my backpacking journey! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much, Julia. You just gave me a huge smile! It makes me extremely happy to hear that my blog posts actually help and inspire fellow travelers <3

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I just wanna say thank you put these ammazing information together. I love your blogs they are more realistic. Waiting to read more of them..

Thanks so much for the amazing work !!

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Efficient Central America Itinerary (8 Countries, 1-3 Months)

Author Carina Klein

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We compiled a comprehensive backpacking Central America route – 8 countries, 1-3 months, 28 stops, no flying (just public transport).

In 2022, we spent 6 months backpacking in Central America. Here is our ultimate Central America backpacking itinerary.

Backpacking Route Central America

Itinerary for central america, 12 days backpacking in mexico, 11 days backpacking in belize, 15 days backpacking in guatemala, 7 days backpacking in el salvador, 8 days backpacking in honduras, 13 days backpacking in nicaragua, 12 days backpacking in costa rica, 12 days backpacking in panama, number of countries.

We visit 8 countries in our itinerary:

  • El Salvador

Best Time for Backpacking in Central America

The dry season is from December to April. We travelled from January to June and must say that the months of the wet season are quite humid and rainy and definitely not our favourite weather-wise.

How Much Does it Cost to Backpack Central America?

We paid 40$ to 70$ per person and day.

Travelling Around Central America

You don’t have to take a single flight. You can easily travel around by bus, tuk-tuk, or minivan. Tourist transfers are mostly a convenient option. Islands are connected by boats.

How Long do you Need in Central America?

If you want to see everything (or at least most of it), we recommend at least 3 Months or 90 days. This means around 28 stops and 3 days per stop on average.

We have also created a 1 and 2 months itinerary in case you have a shorter time limit.

Best Places to Slow the Itinerary Down

  • Tulum (Mexico)
  • Hopkins (Belize)
  • Lake Atitlan (Guatemala)
  • El Tunco (El Salvador)
  • Utila (Honduras)
  • Ometepe (Nicaragua)
  • Bocas del Toro (Panama)

Central America Itineraries (1,2, and 3 months)

Our suggested Central America travel route for 1, 2, or 3 months.

For time reasons, we concentrate on the Yucatan peninsular of Mexico. If you have more time, you can (and should) start in Mexico City and also visit Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, and Palenque.

Mexico Overview

Mexico public transport.

We love public transport in Mexico. The offer ranges from super comfortable ADO buses which you can book online and are safe and comfortable enough to take overnight to super cheap and local colectivos (shared taxis).

You can go literally everywhere in Mexico by public transport – be it from one town to another or from your hotel to your next sight. All of the destinations on our suggested Mexico itinerary are connected by ADO bus. You can easily reach sights like Chichen Itza or the cenotes by colectivo.

Mexico Average Coast

We paid 40$ per person per day on average.

Mexico Highlights

The highlights of your time in Mexico will be:

  • Chichen Itza Mayan ruins.
  • Beautiful Caribbean beaches.
  • Cenotes, water-filled caves you can swim in.

Picture of Tulum beach

Mexico itinerary

Picture of Valladolid

More Mexico resources:

Come for Caye Caulker, stay for the rest.

Belize Overview

Belize public transport.

Travelling Belize by public bus is easy and reliable. Normally, you can just jump on the bus and buy your ticket. It should cost you around 4 and 6 BZD. There are well-established north-south and east-west routes connecting the country which are connected in the capital Belmopan. If you don’t want to get off at the major bus stations, you can just tell the conductor where to stop.

Belize Average Coast

We paid 55$ per person per day on average.

Belize Highlights

The highlights of your time in Belize will be:

  • Caribbean island vibes.
  • Off-the-beaten-track Mayan ruins.

Mexico - Belize Border

The easiest way is to take an ADO bus across the border.

Picture of Hopkins beach

Belize Itinerary

Picture of Lamanai Mayan ruins

More Belize resources:

travelling around central america

Belize Backpacking – Belize 2 Week Itinerary (2023)

Our itinerary for Belize features Orange Walk Town, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Dangriga, Tobacco Caye, and San Ignacio. This Backpacking in Belize guide includes the highlights and hidden gems: from the beaches of the atolls in Belize to the waterfalls and caves of the mainland.

travelling around central america

Backpacking Guatemala and Belize – 14 Day Itinerary with Map (2023)

2 countries, 1 trip. Spend 10 days backpacking Guatemala and 4 days backpacking Belize on this roundtrip. See the highlights of both countries like the Acatenango volcano, Tikal, and Lake Atitlan in Guatemala as well as the ATM Cave and the Caribbean beaches of Belize.

travelling around central america

Travel Guides

Where to Stay in Belize on a Budget PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ONLY!

Best places to stay in Belize on a budget in Hopkins, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, Orange Walk Town, and Dangriga. All the cheap Belize places we personally stayed at!

Guatemala Overview

Guatemala public transport.

To be honest, we did not hear good things about public transport in Guatemala. Other travellers told us they got robbed. Others mentioned that they had to change buses a lot – and without any English information.

That’s why we opted for tourist shuttles all the time. It raised our costs quite a bit but they were always punctual, safe, and reliable. You can buy tickets from every travel agency – and you will find plenty of them in tourist destinations.

Guatemala Average Coast

We paid 50$ per person per day on average.

Guatemala Highlights

The highlights of your time in Guatemala will be:

  • Hiking Acatenango Volcano.
  • Tikal Mayan ruins.
  • Semuc Champey waterfall.
  • Lake Atitlan.

Belize - Guatemala Border

You can take a quick and easy taxi to the Guatemala border. After you crossed, take a shared direct minivan to Santa Elena. Here, you change into a tuk-tuk to Flores.

Picture of View from Acatenango to Fuego volcano

Guatemala Itinerary

Picture of Semuc Champey

Don’t skip El Salvador! It’s super easy to incorporate into your itinerary!

El Salvador Overview

El salvador public transport.

To be honest, we were shocked at first when we realised that we could not book any tourist shuttles in El Salvador. Here’s the reason why:

The public transport in El Salvador is amazing. In fact, it was our favourite public transport in the whole of Central America. Buses come super often and you can just flag them down on the side of the road – no bus stop needed. The prices are super low – we never paid more than 1$ – and they are signposted in the driver's cabin to prevent scams. You can do the entire Ruta de las Flores with public transport – no tour needed.

El Salvador Average Coast

We paid 40$ per person per day on average. Mostly because of the cheap public transport.

El Salvador Highlights

The highlights of your time in El Salvador will be:

  • Surfing in El Tunco.
  • Santa Ana Volcano.
  • Salto Malacatiupan hot waterfall.

Guatemala - El Salvador Border

Shuttle buses from Antigua to various destinations in El Salvador leave regularly.

Picture of El Tunco beach

El Salvador Itinerary

Picture of Santa Ana sign

More El Salvador resources:

travelling around central america

EASY 1 week El Salvador itinerary - Why you should not skip it!

There are a lot of beautiful places in El Salvador so you should definitely include it in your Central America itinerary. Backpacking El Salvador rewards you with lovely people and good infrastructure. From the beaches of El Tunco to the volcano in Santa Ana and the mountain villages of the Ruta de las Flores - we show you the best places to visit in El Salvador.

Although Honduras was our least favourite country in Central America, we have still compiled three must-see places for you.

Honduras Overview

Honduras public transport.

Honestly, both public transport and tourist shuttles are horrible in this country. If you want to go to Utila and want to avoid spending a night in La Ceiba (which is not really recommended), you cannot avoid taking a shuttle.

Because of a rather mediocre experience, we opted for public transport afterwards which was also less than optimal. Buses do not run very frequently, it’s hard to find information (either online or from locals), and they are pretty pricey compared to what you get. On the plus side, they always brought us where we needed to go and we never felt unsafe. Except maybe for when we changed buses in Tegucigalpa and everybody told us that we should not be walking because it’s not safe.

Honduras Average Coast

We paid 65$ per person per day on average. Involving some overpaying for accommodation (when you go scuba diving, your basic accommodation will be included in the dive prize) and being scammed. In general, not the best value for money so don’t plan to stay too long.

Honduras Highlights

The highlights of your time in Honduras will be:

  • Scuba diving in the Bay Islands
  • Copan Mayan Ruins.
  • Lago de Yojoa.

El Salvador - Honduras Border

We took a shuttle from Santa Ana to Copan which drove through Guatemala for a while. Currently, the shuttles don’t leave every day so plan in advance.

Picture of Copan Mayan ruins

Honduras Itinerary

Picture of Beach on Utila

More Honduras resources:

travelling around central america

Honduras Backpacking Guide and Itinerary with Map

Wondering if you should go backpacking in Honduras? We say yes, don’t skip it! We have got you covered for your backpacking trip to Honduras: This blog post will inform you how to get around Honduras, what to do in Honduras, and showcase the best Honduras backpacking routes.

Most people stick to the Pacific side of Nicaragua which is amazing. If you have more time, check out the Caribbean side as well!

Nicaragua Overview

Nicaragua public transport.

Public transport in Nicaragua was frequent and cheap enough that we never opted for a tourist shuttle although they exist. All of our suggested destinations are well connected by buses and vans. A ferry connects Ometepe to the mainland.

Nicaragua Average Coast

Nicaragua highlights.

  • Cerro Negro volcano boarding.
  • Ometepe island.
  • Somoto Canyon.

Honduras - Nicaragua Border

In case you stick to our advice and start your Nicaragua itinerary in Somoto, you can take a bus from Tegucigalpa to Choluteca where you change into a bus to San Marcos de Colon. From here, a shared van will take you to the El Espino border. Make sure not to arrive too late because buses and taxis stop running on the Nicaraguan side.

Picture of Leon

More Nicaragua resources:

travelling around central america

How to Travel the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua on a Budget (2023)

If you’re backpacking Nicaragua, the Caribbean coast belongs to the best places in Nicaragua you can visit. Our complete travel guide to the Nicaragua Caribbean coast gives you travel tips for the best beaches, the best places, and the best Caribbean islands in Nicaragua - all on a budget and mostly with public transport.

The wildlife here is out of this world!

Costa Rica Overview

Costa rica public transport.

We took buses around Costa Rica because the shuttles were crazy expensive compared to other Central American countries. We have met travellers who experienced theft on the buses so always keep an eye on your belongings.

Costa Rica Average Coast

We paid 50$ per person per day on average. Although everybody always says that Costa Rica is expensive, it was by no means our most expensive country on this trip.

Costa Rica Highlights

The highlights of your time in Costa Rica will be:

  • The wildlife (sloths, dolphins, tapirs, toucans,…)!

Nicaragua - Costa Rica Border

Bus companies like Trans Nice or Nica Bus conveniently cross the border.

Picture of Tapir in Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica Itinerary

Picture of Sloth in Manuel Antonio National Park

More Costa Rica resources:

travelling around central america

Travel Planing

11 Best Hostels in Costa Rica (real travellers recommend)

Backpacking Costa Rica and looking for a hostel? Real travellers share the best hostel Costa Rica has to offer in their opinion.

travelling around central america

Travel Ideas

Costa Rica, Drake Bay – Travel the Osa Peninsula Without a 4x4 Car (2023)

Drake Bay in Costa Rica is a great addition to your Costa Rica road trip. Its situation on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica makes it the perfect starting point to visit the Corcovado National Park and Cano Island - two natural paradises above and below water. And the best? As of 2022, you can reach it with a regular car!

Nightlife and beaches? Yes, please!

Panama Overview

Panama public transport.

We took a combination of public transport and tourist shuttles depending on the length of the trip. They both worked fine. San Blas is easiest visited on a guided tour.

Panama Average Coast

We paid 70$ per person per day on average. Our highest daily cost in Central America.

Panama Highlights

The highlights of your time in Panama will be:

  • San Blas islands.
  • Boas del Toro.
  • Panama City.

Costa Rica - Panama Border

We booked a transfer from Limon to Bocas del Toro which was super convenient and did not even cost more than public transport.

Picture of Aqua Lounge, Bocas del Toro

Panama Itinerary

Picture of Panama City skyline

More Panama resources:

travelling around central america

San Blas vs Bocas del Toro – Which Panama Islands Should You Visit?

Should you visit the Bocas del Toro or San Blas Islands in Panama? Including a complete travel guide for Bocas del Toro and San Blas.

travelling around central america

Complete Panama itinerary - 14 - 21 days, 5 - 8 stops

Most Panama itineraries that you find online will only include the Panama highlights like Bocas del Toro, San Blas, Panama City, or Boquete. In our Panama itinerary, we feature some off-the-beaten path destinations like Boca Chica, Santa Catalina or Valle de Anton to include in your Panama backpacking trip.

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Our Central America backpacking itinerary for 2 months

A new journey was coming. We wanted to spend at least two months exploring a different region of our beloved planet Earth. The idea of traveling and doing a Central America backpacking itinerary started to crawl into our minds, uncertain and vague. We left for CA with many questions unanswered, and many things unclear, but with the idea that the journey will take us to the right places, the right people, and the right experiences.

Now that we’re back from this incredible two-month journey in Central America, we want to help anyone who’s still wondering if or how they should visit the region. Below you’ll find information on anything we were asking ourselves and the Internet before we took off.

The guide to Central America for the independent traveler

Is Central America easy to travel independently and backpacking?

Central America is, in general, very easy to travel independently. Most of the places on our route welcomed from few to many travelers and tourists. Some more remote areas could be hard to reach and be explored on your own, so always search for more info on the current situation and if it’s suitable for travelers at all.

Most of the travelers we met in Central America were independent travelers which made our hearts smile. We like this trend of growing independent travel around the world!

Mexico Chichen Itza Kukulcan hands on top New7wonders

The importance of your Spanish

Speaking some Spanish is important but not an essential part. Most of the popular places to visit are quite international and all the staff around can manage some English. Some more off-the-beaten-path areas would require at least basic Spanish to get along. You should know that conversations with locals are always the best way to learn realistic viewpoints, about the lifestyle and the situation in a country. If you want to make a conversation, you’ll need some decent Spanish.

We find really helpful to learn the numbers, the food, and the names of dishes – this way you can bargain and will never be hungry – two very important things in Central America, and almost anywhere on the planet!

Another comforting thought is that the official language of Belize is English – so you can spend more time there and communicate with locals (most of them speak English) and ask them about the other countries around – they may share some interesting stories!

Travelers having lunch at the Mercado 28 in Mexico Cancun

Plan your day in advance

Even if your Spanish is not so good, knowing where you want to go, what you want to see, what you might want to eat – all this will be helpful. So at least knowing your direction and the approximate price could save your ass from getting ripped off or ending at the wrong place.

Ignorance is a bliss

We had cases meeting travelers who struggled too much to speak other languages than their native English. It was funny because they didn’t even get to understand the situation at all, be it complex and not looking good or positive. The funnier thing was that every time those people managed to get what they want, get the best rate, find the best option – just like that. A part of their success hides in probably being with the right people to translate (read us) at the right moment, or just because it’s a bliss not to know what’s going on.

We still want to warn everybody that being ignorant doesn’t always end with a happy end so doing this will test your luck.

San Blas Guna Yala village Island in Panama

Being brave

Some say you need to be super brave to go travel on your own outside the “modern western world”. We don’t agree with this statement. It takes just a tiny step to go from your independent travels in Europe to your independent exploration of Central America. It’s a tiny step but you need to be brave and open-minded to make it.

We generally believe that goodness and kindness are universally spread and if you are a good person and make good, you’ll receive the same wherever you go. The hope for the universal value of “good” is what drives us to travel everywhere!

Traveling solo in Central America

We received a lot of questions from people who want to travel solo through Central America. We can actually recommend traveling the region solo as much as we recommend doing it in a couple or a bigger company.

Solo travelers are rarely alone, it’s very easy for them to find friends, also travel companions to places they’ll feel better with someone else. We spent a lot of social time with solo travelers and all of them were so happy they did this journey solo. We almost got jealous – being able to be with people when you want and being alone when you want is a cool mix!

Is solo female travel in Central America safe? Well, the only difference we noticed is that ladies were more careful about walking alone after dark or going to more distant places alone. But it’s a precaution we, as a couple, also took. Some towns are known for their doggy after-dark reputation, and sometimes traveling to distant places is always better done in a group. So a solo trip to Central America – yes, please!

We are dancing on the beach in San Pedro, Belize

When to go to Central America?

Having in mind we wanted to travel in October and November, there was this one question that bothered us the most: Is it going to be okay during the rainy/hurricane season?

In reality, it was absolutely fine. Yes, it was the end of the hurricane season in some places and the end of the rainy season in others. We had some plans changed because of the weather. The biggest loss was not visiting Isla Mujeres in Mexico because of expecting tropical storm Nate to hit the ground near Cancun . It didn’t hit but all the marinas were closed for a day or two.

Another change of plans occurred when a totally unexpected during this time of the year and region rain poured for a day in El Tunco, El Salvador. What we did was chill and relax one day more, until the weather got better for moving on. Other tropical rains were just a nice shower for us in the heat or just urged us to take it slow and enjoy doing nothing for a while.

The heat was close to unbearable in places. The humidity didn’t help too. But we’ve experienced worse and we’ve felt worse so this was okay for us. Staying hydrated (with water, not beer), staying under the shadow, and not overeating are our advice if you have to survive tropical heat and humidity.

There were few places where we had to put on jackets though. And this is not related to the freezing temperatures in all the air-conditioned buses. It’s about being a little bit higher – higher altitudes, nights in the mountain, windy cloud forests, too rainy rain forests – those were pretty much all the occasions we had to pull out the jackets.

We’re very happy with the time of the year we spend in Central America. It was mostly low to mid-season, which meant no crowds and better opportunities to improvise and not book too much ahead of time anything.

Mexico Laguna Bacalar Paradise Isla de los Pajaros

What places to put on our Central America itinerary for 2 months?

No matter how much time you can spend in a place, it will never be enough. We gave up trying to see/experience/do/cover everything a while ago. Traveling is not about ticking checklists created by public opinion, trends, or even yourself.

This blog post contains some affiliate links of services and products we like. If you book through those links, we’ll get a small commission at no extra cost for you. Thank you for helping us keep The Magic of Traveling going!

We decided to let the journey take us wherever it decides. We left a lot of room for improvisation, new plans, anything. We arrived in Central America with nothing but a return ticket to Europe and an Airbnb reservation in Cancun for the first couple of days.

Thanks to being open and flexible, we managed to define our Central America itinerary on the go, following advice from blogs, travel books , and people we met on the road. We were booking places to sleep 2-3 days in advance at most. That was the best decision and now that we fully experienced the benefits of it, we’ll strive to travel like that mostly. Whenever and wherever applicable, of course.

We had a proper guidebook in hand – Lonely Planet’s Central America on a shoestring guidebook. We used it as a source of help and inspiration whenever we needed to. All the rest was just the magic of traveling leading us.

Bistra is reading and the Monteverde national park scenery smiles next to her, Costa Rica

The embedded converter never stops working.

When you travel between countries with different currencies, it could be confusing. Our embedded currency converters didn’t stop converting all the time. In Mexico, the pesos we divided by 10 to BGN and by 20 to EUR. In Belize it was easy – 1 USD = 2 Belize dollars. So from Belize to BGN – multiply by 0.9 – easy. In Guatemala we struggled for the first days to find the perfect formula to convert from Quetzals- but then we just divided by 4 to BGN (by 8 to EUR). El Salvador was no fuss at all – they use US dollars. Honduran Lempiras, we divided by 15 to get the value in Bulgarian levs. Nicaraguan cordobas we divided by 20 to BGN (40 to EUR). In Costa Rica, the exchange was between 500 to 600 colones for a US dollar, but to leave the complex math out, they accepted dollars everywhere with the change back in colones many times. In Panama we finished with an easy deal – their balboas are equal in value to US dollars, and we only saw balboas in coins.

Changing money

Never ever change money at the border if you have other options! That thing is true probably everywhere but in Central America is the first law. We got literally ripped off with some exchange rates and the only comforting thought was we didn’t change a lot of money.

We never used “official” change bureaus but we feel it was better this way. To start a trip to Central America, we advise you to bring in some US dollars – they are accepted in many countries and easy to convert in others. Euros are not converted at a decent rate, especially in Guatemala where they even gave fewer quetzales per euro than per dollar.

Local woman is caring a fruit basket on top of her head in Leon, Nicaragua

There are many ATMs that would offer you the option to withdraw dollars or local currency. Speaking of ATMs, we were very happy with those of Credomatic and the red ones of BAC. We found them in a few countries in Central America and they always gave us money. Unlike many others that were so annoying!

General security precautions on drawing money from ATMs – always go for guarded or at least closed ATMs. We’ve heard bad stories about lonely open ATMs somewhere on the street or in places with no police/security around. Some towns don’t have ATMs so you need to plan ahead of time when you’ll need cash.

Card payments

Belize, Panama, Costa Rica – cards were widely accepted. In some cases they charged us extra for paying by card or paying online – annoying, but could happen and paying cash is the cheapest way always. In the other countries of Central America, cards were mostly not accepted. Speaking of small to medium businesses – if they accepted cards, that would be a reason for a serious celebration on our side.

Swimming with the nurse sharks at the Hol Chan maritime reserve in Belize

Budget for a Central America backpacking trip

We met people avoiding countries like Belize just because they were more expensive. We stumbled upon many misconceptions and stereotypes of “expensive” countries and places. The truth is somewhere there – some of the Central American countries are more affordable, whereas others are quite polished for tourists and expensive. The most expensive country in Central America, IMHO, is Costa Rica. Followed by Panama and Belize, and then maybe Mexico. Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala we found conveniently affordable.

Some important pillars of our budget would be the airfare from Brussels to Cancun – we found a deal of 300 euros one-way. If we were more flexible with dates and booked earlier, prices could go down to 150-200 euros for a one-way ticket between Europe and Central America. All the expenses as accommodation, food, activities, and transport inside Central America, are worth up to 1500-2000 euros per person per month. We slept in mostly private rooms (with shared bathrooms), ate street food, cooked at hostels, or ate out very rarely. We mixed local transportation with tourist shuttles and we probably spend the biggest chunk of money on activities and experiences. By the way, you might want to consider renting a car for sections of the journey or the whole journey – find great deals on DiscoverCars.com .

Nace crashed a fresh coconut with bare hands and teased the monkeys at Caño Island, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

And here we go, we reached our favorite topic. First, we advise you to follow any generic security measures and precautions. Like, always keep your room locked, or lockers locked, and don’t stroll around with too many valuable shiny things (especially after dark). We tried to carry lesser amounts of cash and cards with us. This is general stuff and we usually do it everywhere we go, even at home.

Some Central American countries suffer the prejudice of some people and are being called extremely dangerous on very blurry grounds. We traveled to every country of Central America and suffered no street crime, theft, or whatever. Some cities, though, have this bad reputation of being the playground for drug trafficking, street gangs, or other dangerous illegal activities. We avoided those places as much as possible and always talked to locals if we had the plan to do something outside the beaten protocol.

For example, we hiked the Indian Nose near Lake Atitlan in Guatemala with a guide with a machete, as we heard they rob independent hikers quite often. We skipped walking around Santa Ana city center at night as all the locals advised us (they don’t do this either). On the other hand, we had to hitchhike a bit in Mexico and left all of our belongings in the open tropical forest in Costa Rica or on the tiny island full of strangers in Panama, so we’d done some dangerous stuff too! But if we can’t give the benefit of the doubt to people every once in a while, how are we going to enjoy life at all?

Waiting on a crossroad in Guatemala for the second bus to Tikal ruins

Advice on accommodation

We aimed to stay more with locals, in guesthouses and hostels with cool vibes, instead of at big soulless hotels. We opted for double rooms rather than dorms wherever it made sense financially. Choosing places that attracted us to something special, be it the view, the nice host, or more experiential stays , was our strategy.

We enjoyed some accommodations a lot, some were so-so, and very few turned out to be a poor choice and a waste of nerves.

Recommendations on how to choose the right place for you in each of the Central-American countries we visited will be put together in a separate post. Coming soon, of course!

A panoramic view of Antigua with the erupting Volcano El Fuego and Volcano Agua in Guatemala

Borders and immigration

Crossing borders, dealing with immigration – below you’ll find some tricks and remarks on our border experience through Central America. As Bulgarian citizens, we didn’t need visas and were allowed to stay up to 90 days in each of the countries. Here are some of the land borders specials, as we were crossing from Mexico all the way down to Panama by land.

Mexican exit fees can vary between different borders. If you fly in and out of Mexico, it’s probably included in your airfare, but you have to show a document that says the Mexico border fee is included, otherwise you will pay, just as we had to do when crossing to Belize. At the Chetumal sea border, there was a dog sniffing all the bags. That was actually the only luggage check.

When we arrived in Belize (and paid all the taxes which are fixed and mentioned in advance), the border staff even wanted to help us find a place to stay as we weren’t getting picked by the boat terminal. We expected we’ll have to pay a small “tip” when crossing from Belize to Guatemala, but we didn’t have to. That happened on the way from Guatemala to El Salvador, where the currency conversion rate imposed a small “tip” of about 50 cents per person.

ES to Guatemala to Honduras – nobody noticed our car passing, but we returned to get stamps and prevent problems at following borders. Entering Nicaragua is the most time-consuming border-crossing experience ever! We had announced our crossing with all data necessary in advance, and still, it took more than 2 hours of ridiculous “procedures” to let us in. They measured our temperature, asked super weird questions and didn’t write down answers, washed and sanitized the van, and probably conducted their famous “background checks”.

Leaving Nicaragua was a piece of cake. As soon as we paid the “municipality fee”, we put our bags in a scanning machine nobody paid attention to and we entered Costa Rica with our proofs of exit (could be a plane or bus ticket). When we were leaving Costa Rica, they really got on our nerves as we had to pay a ridiculous dealer fee for dealing with the exit fee because the automatic machine wasn’t working. I strongly believe it had never been working, anyway. The border of Panama was like a huge open-air casino. Not our cup of tea, so we hurried to get our stamps before we sank into shining glittering duty-free shops and indecent entertainment.

Selfie at the border between Guatemala and El Salvador on our drive to Copan Ruins in Honduras

Helpful stuff

Here is some helpful stuff. The WhatsApp messenger app is widely used in Central America so any independent traveler is advised to install it (it’s free) and use it to arrange things and chat.

Tap water was drinkable and quite delicious in places, especially in the mountains, and not good for drinking in most of the bigger cities. Always ask first if you want to drink tap water.

Central America itinerary by country

We did our best to draw our itinerary through Central America. You can go to the map and explore where we went .

Mexico, Yucatan itinerary

Cancun – Chichen Itza , Valladolid, Ik Kil cenote – Playa del Carmen – Cozumel – Akumal beach – Tulum – Coba ruins – Laguna Bacalar – Isla Mujeres (on the way back)

Belize itinerary

San Pedro – Caye Caulker – San Ignacio – ATM cave – Xunantunich ruins

Guatemala itinerary

Tikal ruins and park – Flores – Antigua – Lake Atitlan (many different villages) – Antigua

El Salvador itinerary

El Tunco – Ruta de las Flores – Santa Ana – Santa Ana volcano

Honduras itinerary

Copan ruins and town – Utila island – a day in the countryside

Nicaragua itinerary

Leon – Telica volcano – Granada with island hopping – Masaya volcano – Ometepe island – San Juan del Sur

Costa Rica itinerary

Monteverde – Manuel Antonio national park – Corcovado national park

Panama itinerary

Boquete – Bocas del Toro – Panama City – Panama Canal – San Blas islands

Unbelievable experiences

This section will be an ever-growing part of this article. We’ll help you become part of our unbelievable breathtaking experiences in Central America.

Like the time we set foot in Chichen Itza , one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Or when we first encountered sharks while snorkeling in Belize . Or when we greeted the sunrise in Guatemala like true rebels from Star Wars. And when we climbed a volcano in some of the “most dangerous countries in the world” – El Salvador .

When you hike the countries in the middle of nowhere and realize locals are so friendly and you’ve been missing when you listened to second-hand advice on Honduras . When you go diving in Utila and survive your husband’s attempt to drown you. If you managed to conquer another volcano in Nicaragua . Or if you survive the heavy rain in the rainforest of Costa Rica . Or when you become friends with locals who live on their own paradise islands in Panama .

The guide to Central America for the independent traveler

We hope you enjoyed this guide to Central America and found it useful. Do let us know what you think and give us your suggestions on how to expand it. Especially if you’ve already discovered this amazing land, those friendly people, and that mesmerizing atmosphere in the center of the American continent!

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13 Responses

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Looks like you had a great time! I would love to go one day, although probably need to work on my Spanish first! Thanks for the helpful tips.

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Bistra Yakimova

You’re welcome! Fluent Spanish might not be necessary, but at least cover the basics – numbers, food, very small talks – it will be helpful!

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Great comprehensive guide! Also I love your panda bag!!!

Thank you! Panda goes with us on every faraway journey – she’s a real globetrotter! 🙂

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Kevin Wagar

Awesome post, and so detailed! I’ve seen quite a bit of Central America, but not nearly as much as you guys! Love all the inspiration, tips and suggestions. I’ll be using these when I go back to hit the rest of the region.

Thank you, Kevin! The region is so full of… everything so it inspired us to put plenty of articles . Hope you return for further exploration!

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What a comprehensive guide! At the moment I can only dream about these destinations, but when/if I make my way to Central America, I’ll definitely make use of your tips. And yes, you’re right, sometimes it’s a bliss not to know what’s going on 🙂 Luckily, I do speak some Spanish, and I try to keep it alive by watching lots of Almadovar’s movies 🙂

Hey, Tonya! We hope one day you’ll get to that part of the world and you’ll enjoy it! Watching movies is one of the best ways to keep the language alive! One of the main reasons we travel to Spanish-speaking countries so much is that we want to keep it alive in us, too. 🙂

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Crossing all of the borders sounds like a hassle, we will keep it in mind for our travels! Sorry you didn’t get to visit Isla Mujeres because of the hurricane, but it seems like you still had a great time.

Yes, crossing borders can be a frustration… We actually managed to visit Isla Muheres on our very last day, on our way back – we loved it! Although there was a tiny storm coming…

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Travel to Central America: How to Plan an Amazing Trip

Central america, destinations.

Traveling to Central America is one of the most rewarding things to do, a unique, vibrant, and diverse destination, with many different landscapes, activities, tours, and food to try . Whether you are looking for adventure, culture, nature, history, or relaxation, you will find it here.

I have been traveling and living in Central America as an expat for over 20 years, and I have learned a lot along the way. Here are some travel tips and useful information that can make your trip more enjoyable and avoid any problems.

Woman in front of arenal volcano while traveling central america

Planning a Trip to Central America? Check Out These Helpful Services:

Find the best flight deals

This is the site I recommend , you can check all the different prices.

Best accommodation prices

I highly recommend this one , it’s the best option right now for Central America

The best way to get around is by car

Check out this site to rent a car and go at your own pace.

Table of Contents

Countries to visit

mountains, trees and lake atitlan

Reasons to Travel to Central America

There are a ton of reasons to travel to Central America, like the amazing architecture you can find, from colonial houses to Mayan buildings , or the desert islands and amazing beaches , just to name a few.

A region that has something for everyone and yet is undiscovered by many, here are some of the reasons why you should visit:

  • It’s rich in natural beauty.  The natural diversity is amazing, you can do different tours and visit, rainforests, volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, mountains, caves, beaches, and coral reefs. Check out all the nature tours you can do .
  • A paradise for animal lovers.  It’s home to a highly diversified wildlife. You can spot different kinds of monkeys , toucans, turtles, dolphins, whales, sloths, and more. One of the most popular ways to spot animals is by doing a wildlife tour, check it out here .
  • It has a unique culture and history.  Learn about the lifestyle of the Mayan civilizations, the colonial era, and how it blends with the modern days on a cultural tour, most countries have different tours, so find one that suits you the most .
  • A colorful and vibrant cuisine.  The food in Central America is an amazing blend of traditional and Mayan food with colonial flavors , you can taste dishes like pupusas, tortillas, gallo pinto, or tamales.
  • It’s accessible and affordable.  One of the few destinations you can travel on a budget without putting aside comfiness, you can find affordable places to stay , food, activities, and transportation.

Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your trip —get coverage for: • Medical emergencies • Stolen or lost goods • Canceled flights and more I’ve been using VISITORS COVERAGE for years and highly recommend it!

How to get to Central America

There are several ways to get to Central America, but the fastest and easiest way is by flying . Fortunately, there are a ton of international airports scattered around different countries, that connect with major cities in the world, from North America, to Europe and Asia.

Some of the main airports are:

  • Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (Belize)
  • La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala)
  • El Salvador International Airport (El Salvador)
  • Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (Honduras)
  • Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (Nicaragua)
  • Juan Santamaria International Airport (Costa Rica)
  • Tocumen International Airport(Panama)

Another great option to travel to Central America is by bus. Depending on where you are located, there are several companies that offer bus rides across the region with a reliable and comfy service.

You can book your tickets online here , it’s the site I use most of the time, or look for the bus stations and ask there.

Note: You must be aware of and research about the borders you’ll be crossing beforehand, some may require an extra fee, proof of travel, or extra paperwork.

guatemalan chicken bus

How to get around Central America

Each country in the region has its unique ways of getting around, for example, in Belize it is popular to use golf cars but a common way that you’ll find across several countries is chicken buses, as well as other conventional ways like taxis or shuttles.

But overall, the best way to get around in Central America is by car, I recommend renting a car here , since it’s one fo the most comfortable ways and you can save some bucks at the end of the day.

Chicken buses

By far the most affordable way to get around are chicken buses. They were school buses, which were converted into public transportation, painting them in different colors and giving each one a unique touch.

They are called “chicken buses” since, it’s a common thing to see people carrying live animals, mostly chickens, but you can see pigs and goats too.

If you want an authentic and fun way to explore a country, take a chicken bus. It’s also a good way to experience the local culture. But be aware, that these buses are well known for being noisy, uncomfortable, and crowded.

Need to Rent a Car?

Rent a car here , it’s one of the best options to go for if your car stops working or is stuck at the mechanic getting services.

Shuttles and tourist buses

A more comfy, faster, and safer way to get around is by shuttles, and you’ll find plenty of companies in each country. Most of the vehicles are modern vans, with air-conditioned and other amenities that offer services between popular places, many of them even offer rides to other countries’ attractions.

This is the best option for visitors who want to save time and all the hassle that public transportation entails. The service is overall better, so, you can expect to pay more for it.

Each country has its own companies for shuttles, you should research online or check out this website and spot the different options before heading there.

Taxis and ridesharing

Besides shuttles and local transportation , another amazing way to get around is by ridesharing or taxi. The fastest and most convenient way to get from one city to another, or to other attractions that are closer.

Not only that, but taxis are the safest way to get around at night in Central America. They are fairly easy to find in most cities, but always try to get a registered or official taxi.

It’s hard to pinpoint if they are cheap or expensive, a taxi ride is definitely more expensive than chicken buses, but cheaper than shuttles. Of course, it depends on the distance.

Essential Travel Resources

❗Don’t forget travel insurance

This company is the one I trust, it’s one of the most essential things for any trip. It has your back in case you get sick abroad, or have an accident.

🎒Pack smarter, not bulky

Check out this vacation packing list , including all the essentials you need to pack when traveling, from travel clothing to backpacks and more.

🏡Where to Stay – Here are Suggestions

This is my favorite place to look for accommodations , it offers different types, a ton of locations, and good price options.

🗺️Get Around Hassle-Free

This one is the perfect option to look for different transportation options between cities, from flights, buses, and taxis to minivans and more.

🛫Find Cheap Flights

Whenever I need to fly, I head to this website for low-cost flights.

Where to stay in Central America

Most countries in Central America offer a wide range of accommodations, depending on the country and area you can find resorts, hotels, guesthouses, vacation rentals, and more.

Hostels are one of the most affordable and popular options to stay in Central America. You can find an affordable room to stay for a few days, with common areas like lounges, kitchens, gardens, and bars, where other like-minded travelers gather

This is the best option for people who are traveling on a budget or want to save money. You’ll find a lot of backpackers staying in hostels, it’s a good way to socialize and share ideas.

But you should be aware, that sometimes hostels can be crowded, noisy and dirty. Check the reviews of the place you choose before booking it .

I recommend this website , which is the one I use, you can search hostels between most counties in Central America, with over 1,000 places listed, each one with detailed information, like photos, reviews, and ratings.

pool porta hotel antigua antigua guatemala

Maybe hostels are not suitable for you, and a more comfortable and private option to stay are hotel. You can rent a room and enjoy a ton of amenities you won’t find in hostels. From having your own bathroom to services, like including breakfast, laundry, parking, and Wi-Fi.

Hotels are an amazing option for travelers who want more privacy, security, and comfiness. But keep in mind they are often more expensive than hostels.

This website is the one I mostly use to check out and book hotels, it offers options all over the world and has fantastic prices for Central America.

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals are a more personal and unique option to stay at and have gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Nowadays, you can rent an entire house or a cozy room in many cities and towns in Central America .

Most of them usually offer all the amenities you would have in your own home and a lot of spaces like kitchens, balconies, gardens, and living rooms.

Vacation rentals are the best option for travelers who want to get a true feel of the local culture and lifestyle. However, many times homestays a more unpredictable and variable than hotels, which is why having good communication with the host and checking out reviews is a must.

This is the best vacation rental booking platform for Central America , make sure to check it out. It has a wide range of properties in Central America, from houses, and apartments to cabins and villas. It offers verified hosts, great customer support, and other options.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Find the best hotels, resorts, villas, and villas in any place around the world and the best prices.

House Stays

Get the best prices for houses, condos, apartments, villas, and a ton of other options.

Budget Options

If you’re looking for cheaper options, check out Hostel World and browse budget-friendly accommodations.

What to see and do in Central America

Depending on the time you choose to visit Central America , it can offers endless options when it comes to exploring places, as well as a wide range of activities to do. It’s a paradise for outdoor travelers or people who just want to relax and enjoy the beach on a budget.

Here are some of the best activities and places to see in Central America:

Explore the volcanoes

A woman and two kids next to a horse with a volcano on the background.

One of the most adventurous and thrilling activities to do in the region is to explore volcanos. Many countries have a ton of mildly active and highly active volcanoes you can explore and even see them erupt.

It may not be for the faint of heart, but it’s a one-in-a-lifetime experience and really worthwhile. You’ll be able to check out stunning views and complete challenging hikes.

Some of the most impressive volcanoes in Central America are:

  • Pacaya (Guatemala):  There are many volcanos in Guatemala , but by far the most popular is Pacaya, it’s not only close to Antigua but it’s also super accessible, you can sit on a day trip and hike or horseback ride to the top of the volcano and roast marshmallow on the hot lava rocks.
  • Arenal (Costa Rica) : Arenal was the most active volcano in the country, but it has been dormant since 2010. It’s actually illegal to hike or climb to the top but there are a ton of activities to do in the Arenal National Park area. You’ll be able to enjoy the waterfalls , lake, hot springs, and a lot more.
  • Masaya (Nicaragua):   This one is considered one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the whole world, you can actually drive to the top and park near the rim and see the fumes and lava glowing inside. On the way up you check out the museum and the bat cave that’s nearby.

📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for more useful information, check out a complete guide about Acatenango Volcano Hike .

Check out the Mayan ruins

copan honduras

Another popular activity to do in Central America is to check out the impressive Mayan ruins and learn about their history . A long time ago, the region used to be the core of an advanced and one of the most influential civilizations in this part of the world. You can check out the art, religion, stunning architecture, and other things right there at the ancient sites.

The presence across the region is strong, leaving the sediments for today’s culture. You can still find in some old practices and a strong Mayan presence, as well as influences in the local food.

Some unmissable Mayan ruins in Central America are:

  • Tikal (Guatemala):  It’s one of the most impressive and largest Mayan cities in the region and you’ll be able to explore it entirely, from the temples, and plazas, to the pyramids and monuments. The place is also great for checking out Guatemala’s wildlife and spotting monkeys, macaws, and other animals.
  • Copan (Honduras):  This one is the most artistic Mayan city, with a ton of figures, and other draws carved into rock. You’ll be able to check out all the sculptures, altars, stelae, and buildings. Make sure to check out the town located nearby and the museum.

Enjoy the paradise beaches and islands

manuel antonio beach costa rica

Embark yourself on the most relaxing and musing activity to do in a Central America trip and enjoy the islands and beaches. The region is home to endless kilometers of coastline that provide warm water, sandy shores, stunning views, and a ton of water activities .

Many of the countries enjoy a fair share of the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, offering some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the world .

Some of the most stunning beaches and islands in Central America are:

  • Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica):   This is one of the most scenic beaches in the region, where you’ll be greeted with golden and white sand, and turquoise water surrounded by green trees and vegetation. Not only that, but you can explore the national park, raft in one of its rivers, and check out the diverse Costa Rican wildlife.
  • Caye Caulker (Belize):  This is a two-mile island off of Belize City and without a doubt one of the most stunning places my family and I have ever visited in Central America. The water is calm and turquoise, the sand is white and there are a lot of palm trees. You’ll be able to enjoy a bike ride or swim to check out different animals like sharks, turtles, and rays.
  • Monterrico (Guatemala):  Guatemala has many beaches, and it’s a popular destination for surfers, but one that stands out a lot is Monterrico beach, the sand is volcanic black, and one of its biggest draws is the turtles, you can release baby turtles or check out the turtle lay their eggs at night.

travelling around central america

Don’t leave without this

Anything can happen while you’re on the road. So, BE PREPARED for it!

Get a MONEY BELT before you start your journey

Experience the wildlife and nature

woman standing next to a bull la paz peace lodge

One of the most rewarding and inspiring things to do in Central America is to experience the wildlife and nature , and a complete must-do.

The region has over 10% of the world’s biodiversity and hosts some of the unique and, sadly, endangered species. You can also find some of the most pristine and diverse ecosystems in the world, making it the perfect destination for a wildlife watcher.

Some of the best places to experience the wildlife and nature in Central America are:

  • Monteverde (Costa Rica):  This is one of the most famous and spectacular cloud forests in Central America. It offers many activities to enjoy, like hanging bridges, checking out orchids, waterfalls the sky tram.
  • El Biotopo del Quetzal (Guatemala):  This diverse protected area is one of the last places where you can spot Guatemala’s National Bird, the Quetzal , a stunning exotic bird. Besides that, you can hike two of the main paths and check out waterfalls, and other animals.
  • Semuc Champey (Guatemala):  This natural monument is home to a set of stunning waterfalls and ponds where you can take a swim, you’ll be able to take a hike to its viewpoint, do some tubing, and explore the K’an Ba caves located nearby.
  • Ometepe (Nicaragua):  This is one of the unique and magical islands in Central America. You can hike up its two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas, that rise from Lake Nicaragua. You can also see many types of plants and animals.

Learn about the culture and history

woman sitting and natural dyed threads in Teotitlan del Valle

Another interesting thing to do in the region is to learn about the rich history and vibrant culture. Central America has a diverse heritage that you can still find today, it reflects its indigenous roots, and colonial influences

You’ll be able to experience some of the most colorful and vibrant celebrations, traditions, festivals , music, and art.

Some of the best places to learn about the culture and history in Central America are:

  • Antigua (Guatemala):  Antigua is one of the most beautiful towns in the region, you’ll find old buildings depicting the best of colonial architecture, a ton of churches to explore, and museums.
  • San Jose (Costa Rica):   The capital and one of the oldest cities in the country, you can enjoy its colorful buildings cathedrals, parks, and monuments. You’ll find a lot of history while walking its streets or visiting its many museums.
  • Granada (Nicaragua):  This is the oldest city in Central America, it has a unique charm and boasts with vibrant culture and history. Explore its colorful architecture, cathedrals, and parks, and embark on a time-travel-like journey.

Make sure to check out all the landmarks and monuments a city has to offer, each of them offers something unique for you to learn.

What to eat and drink in Central America

Each country in Central America has a staple food to offer, but its charm is found in the typical dishes, a diverse and flavorful cuisine that does a good job of reflecting its geographical, cultural, and historical influences.

Some of the most typical dishes in Central America are:

  • Pupusas (El Salvador):   Tortillas! You’ll find tortillas across several countries, but a must-try are pupusas, they are stuffed with cheese, beans, pork, and or several other ingredients. Sometimes served with cabbage, salad, and tomato sauce.
  • Gallo Pinto (Costa Rica and Nicaragua):  A dish made of rice and beans cooked with onions, cilantro, garlic, and spices. It’s usually served with eggs, cheese, and plantains.
  • Sancocho (Panama):  This is a type of soup popular across several countries in the region, but it’s even more popular in Panama. It’s like a meat stew spiced with different vegetables, garlic, and onions.

You can check out all the food and tours here , I also recommend you do some workshops or take cooking classes.

Street Food and Snacks

One of the most interesting sides of the food scene in Central America is street food, which is what most of the locals eat on their busy days. It’s often affordable, tasty, and accessible. You can find a food stand almost in every corner.

Here are some of the most common street foods:

  • Tostadas (Guatemala):  The street food in Guatemala is amazing, tostadas are like large nachos, and crispy tortillas that make the perfect bed for different toppings, usually beans, sauce, avocado, and fresh cheese.
  • Baleadas (Honduras):  On the same way as the previous but usually thicker and softer, you can eat it folded and have several different fillings, from beans, and cream to eggs and cheese.
  • Quesadillas (El Salvador):  These are baked or fried cakes made of rice flour stuffed with cheese and topped with sesame seeds.

woman selling street food in guatemala

Drinks and beverages

Drinks in the region are as unique as the food, with several unique beverages for you to try, covering different flavors. You can find drinks and beverages that are made of water, milk, coffee, tea, chocolate, fruits, sugar, herbs, or alcohol like Zacapa Rum from Guatemala.

As you can see the variety is wide but here are some unique and popular drinks to try:

  • Agua Fresca:  This is basically juice and water mixed with different fresh fruits, sugar, and ice. You’ll find a ton of flavors, like lemon, tamarind, strawberry, and pineapple.
  • Horchata:  While this beverage is originally from Spain, it’s really popular in Central and Latin America is a drink that can be served cold or hot and is made of rice milk flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar.

How to stay safe in Central America

Many Central American countries have a bad reputation, and while you do need to be on your guard, it’s really no more dangerous than any other city in a developing country, so don’t get paranoid.

However, you can avoid most of the risks by following some general tips:

  • Research and check the travel advisories
  • Leave expensive jewelry and watches at home, or hotel.
  • Carry purses and camera bags close to your body or better yet, consider not carrying them at all.
  • Take along only as much cash as you need.
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport, leaving the original in your hotel safe,.
  • At night stick to well-lighted and transited areas.
  • Travel with insurance and documents.
  • Use caution and common sense

📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for more useful information, check out Is Central America Safe?

Register Your Trip!

The US government has a great feature called STEP that EVERYONE who is traveling must take full advantage of it! Travel Registration! No matter where you travel to in the world, head to the Travel Registration section of the US Department of State website, and register your full trip!

This way if there is any sort of travel emergency, they’ll know exactly where you were and can assist you better. All you have to do is give them your travel dates and destinations, other people you are traveling with, your passport, and emergency phone numbers.

Blend with the Crowd

This is a pretty simple one and means don’t dress like a Tourist. If you do you become a target for scams and theft.

You know what I mean: leave the Hawaiian shirt or crop top at home! This serves two purposes: to avoid becoming a target for scams and theft by not looking like a tourist and to show respect because in certain places exposing too much skin can be offensive.

central market san jose city costa rica

Chicken Buses – Go At Your Own Risk!

They are great for photographs but I wouldn’t trust them for transportation. They are too crowded, not always safe, and might take a long time for you to get to your destinations because they stop a hundred times along the way to let people in or out.

Buses are by far the cheapest and most efficient way to get around the Central American region but let me tell you, not all of them. here I have some more reasons to avoid them:

  • You are pushed and pulled the whole way
  • They tend to stop very frequently
  • Because of all the stops, it takes forever to get anywhere
  • The door is always opened
  • They are usually crowded

Emergency Numbers

Luckily in Costa Rica and other countries of the region, the emergency number is 911, but other countries have a different. So, just as a precaution, take notes of the emergency number of the country you’re traveling to and learn the address of the place you are staying at.

Here are some emergency numbers in Central America:

  • Belize – 911
  • Costa Rica – 911
  • El Salvador – 911
  • Honduras – 911
  • Guatemala – 110
  • Panama – 104
  • Nicaragua – 118

Use a Money Belt or Bra

If you want to be even safer, why not carry a money belt or money bra when traveling? In it, you can carry all your money, along with your photo, ID library card, and some other papers, while keeping just a few bucks in your pockets.

Just make sure to not open it in public or crowded places, never revealing your hidden spots.

📖 Recommended Reading: If you’re looking for more useful information, check out Essential Tips to Avoid Pickpocketing While Traveling .

Health and hygiene

Central America has some health issues that may affect travelers, such as food poisoning, water contamination, insects and lot of them, or altitude sickness.

However, you can prevent most of the problems by following general tips:

  • Eat and drink safely.  Avoid eating uncooked or undercooked meat or meat that is not cooked just prior to serving. You should also stay away from foods that require a lot of handling before serving. This is because even if the food is good the hands of the people handling it may not be 100% clean.
  • Protect yourself from insects.  Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned room. Also, is recommended to get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, cholera, and rabies
  • Prepare yourself for the altitude.  If you plan to visit high-altitude areas, such as volcanoes or mountains, take it slow and easy. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and rest frequently. Also, take medication or oxygen for altitude sickness if needed.

General Travel Tips for Central America

I have been traveling in Central America for several years, it was my home for a long time and I know exactly what mistakes I made before and can teach you how to avoid them.

Season Matters When Traveling to Central America

I figured out a way to enjoy traveling without spending too much but most importantly without having to spend my vacations locked up in a hotel room.

And this is my conclusion: Late April, May, and October offer good weather with lower rates. June to September and November offer good rates but not very nice weather.

For example, April to October is Guatemala’s Green season, this is when you can get the best prices. But it’s also the time of the year when you can do almost nothing because it rains almost every afternoon and sometimes all day long. So visiting it from November to May is highly recommended.

Change Money or Not to Change!

I advise you to use your credit card in as many places as you can instead of carrying cash around for safety reasons but in case you do need to use cash here are some safe methods:

  • Do not change money anywhere, except for BANKS, and always bring a passport for this. DO NOT CHANGE MONEY WITH PEOPLE ON THE STREETS
  • ATMs are plentiful, you’ll get the best rates however, you’ll pay a small ATM fee.
  • Very few places exchange traveler’s checks these days, and even fewer give good rates, plus they charge 1-2% on top of it.

Is the Water Safe to Drink in Central America?

Water is generally not safe to drink from the tap in Central America. So carry around a water bottle with a filter at all times.

Most people traveling around Central America are very concerned about how clean the water really is. While, for example, Costa Rica has a fairly safe water supply, I still recommend you avoid drinking directly out of the tap.

Looking for More Inspiration?

I have been traveling and living in Central America for over 25 years Check out these Hand-Tested GUIDES

Central America has a huge variety of food, check out the guide with top dishes in the region

For more travel ideas to add to your bucket list, check out the best places to visit in Central America and extra tips

Enjoyed this post? Pin it! 

My Top 34 Central America Travel Tips

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission for any purchases made through the links. Your trust is important to us, and we ensure that all products or services we recommend meet or exceed our editorial standards .

Last Updated on February 7, 2024

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Need more? Try these

  • Best Time to Visit Guatemala
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4 thoughts on “ Travel to Central America: How to Plan an Amazing Trip ”

A lot of good tips here, but really why would anyone in their right mind would want the government to know exactly what you are doing and where you are going??? Why don’t they just recommend putting on government issued gps ankle bracelets. Safety, nope, it’s about control, they want to know who is going where..

3. Register Your Trip! The US government has a great feature that EVERYONE who is traveling must take full advantage of! Travel Registration! No matter where you travel to in the world, head to the Travel Registration section of the US Department of State website and register your full trip!

A lot of people still believe the government will help them when in need. I don’t really think the government cares too much when low profile people take trips, and still are there for us.

Is there such a thing as: government issued gps ankle bracelets?

It is a pity that after so many years that the European Union’s good will for trying to accomplish the Central American integration in order to aid the region it has been a failure. It started in the 90’s when first Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua came out with the idea of these 4 countries to be a save path for traveling without the hassles of having to be checked in with immigration and customs in every one of these tiny developing poor countries. All this was the result out of the selfishness of every country politician for protecting them self from criminal persecution for their wrong doings that this dream for the Central American people is becoming again apart. No wonder Costa Rica never wanted to be part of the integration deal because they knew corruption and regimens has been a persistent problem in those countries. Therefore, been Costa Rica the only through democratic country in Central America. The original idea that the European Union was supporting was to have a Central America united as one sort of federation that would make it easier to help in order to get them out of poverty. Now a days, all the good work that politicians did in the 90’s is already gone. Currently, when you travel between these countries, El Salvador has build a station which was supposed to work for controlling merchandise passing by their country, but instead it is harassing tourist and local traveler examining them as if they are delinquents or drug traffickers. My recommendation to every traveler who enquires me for a good destination in Central America is no longer to visit the countries member of the SICA (Central American Integration System), but to go instead to Costa Rica for tourism.

Excellent points. We had our most horrible experience on the Honduras Nicaragua border where Nicaragua doesn’t even bother hiding the corruption and horrible way they treat people. It makes me sooooo angry that innocent good people of their countries are the ones that suffer the most.

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Central america trip planner: 4 of the most exciting routes.

Whether you’re channelling your inner Indiana Jones in ancient temples or spotting wildlife in lush rainforest, plan the perfect trip with these stunning routes through Belize, Costa Rica and beyond...

1. Jetting in

travelling around central america

Best for: A taste of Central America

Route: Antigua (Guatemala) • Chichicastenango • Tikal • San Ignacio (Belize) • Lowland Belize • Ambergris Caye  

Why do it?  Because you want to pack all you can into 10 days without feeling rushed.

Two women are praying in front of Santo Tom&#225;s Chichicastenango (Shutterstock)

Two women are praying in front of Santo Tomás Chichicastenango (Shutterstock)

Short on time? Belize and Guatemala offer the best combination for a whistle-stop trip. And it won’t feel like a rush. Belize is tiny (packing jaguar-filled forests, coral cayes and wild wetlands into an area less than a third of the size of Scotland), while Guatemala has the pick of Central America’s romantic ruins and colourful markets.  

Colonial street in Antigua, Guatemala (Shutterstock)

Colonial street in Antigua, Guatemala (Shutterstock)

Begin with two nights in Guatemala’s old capital Antigua – whose atmospheric cobbled streets, Spanish balconies and 18th-century bell towers sit in the shadow of two fuming volcanoes.

Take a morning side trip to either Chichicastenango or Sololá village markets, where Mayan villagers pour in from the highlands to sell delicately embroidered huipil shirts, woven shawls and festival masks. Then fly to Tikal for those pyramid-top forest views (be sure to visit at dawn or sunset).  

A monkey in Belize (Shutterstock)

A monkey in Belize (Shutterstock)

It’s only a short two-hour hop across the border from Tikal into Belize. Travel with Adrenalin Tours , then base yourself at the Black Orchid resort (pick-ups are from San Ignacio), where there are wild howler monkeys in the hotel gardens, toucans in the trees and all Belize’s key attractions are within easy reach.

Black Orchid offer a huge choice of day trips throughout the country – from fly-fishing, diving or snorkelling on the Belize Cayes to boat trips to the remote Lamanai ruins, set in pristine rainforest on the shore of a crocodile- filled lagoon.   Fly back from Belize City, or for a bit of Caribbean beach, add on a few extra nights in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. 

2. Passing through

On the way to Pacuare Lodge (Pacuare Lodge)

On the way to Pacuare Lodge (Pacuare Lodge)

Best for: Wilderness and Mayan sites

Route:  Pacuare Lodge (Costa Rica) • Tortuguero • Granada (Nicaragua) • Mombacho • León • Jiquilisco Biosphere Reserve (El Salvador) • Suchitoto •  Antigua-Sololá (Guatemala) or Chichicastenango

Why do it? Because you have time to spare and want to see as much of the region as you can – on and off the beaten track.  

Granada in Nicaragua (Shutterstock)

Granada in Nicaragua (Shutterstock)

Prepare to get wet. The quickest way in to Pacuare jungle lodge in the Costa Rican rainforest is by whitewater raft – on a rushing river that cuts through a deep canyon in the heart of a pristine private reserve (bags take a dry route).

You’ll need two nights to take in the trails and abundant wildlife. Then transfer to the coast (around three hours) for two more days boating around the crocodile-filled rivers and turtle nesting beaches of Tortuguero NP.

Climb the steep stairs to the cathedral roof for a view over tumbling terracotta and streets of ochre and whitewash to Momotombo’s smoking cone. Then ascend the ash slopes of Cerro Negro itself for sunset vistas over an avenue of volcanoes extending into El Salvador.

Gulf of Fonseca from Conchagua Volcano (Shutterstock)

Gulf of Fonseca from Conchagua Volcano (Shutterstock)

That country is a two-hour journey away – reached on a boat across the dolphin-filled Golfo de Fonseca, a vast bay dotted with tiny fishing villages. Jiquilisco at the northern end is protected as an internationally important wetland reserve.  

After a night here, cut inland to Suchitoto, a pretty village near the Honduran border. You’ll pass the Mayan Pompeii – Joya de Cerén, a pre-Colombian village fossilised by volcanic ash over 1,400 years ago. Then make for Antigua in Guatemala – the most beautiful Spanish cathedral city in Central America – and the craft markets in Chichicastenango and Sololá.

3. The Maya world

The Grand Plaza in Tikal (Shutterstock)

The Grand Plaza in Tikal (Shutterstock)

Best for: Temples, ruined cities and modern Mayan culture  

Route: Chan Chich (Belize) • San Ignacio • Tikal (Guatemala) • Lake Atitlán • Antigua • Suchitoto (El Salvador) • Joya de Cerén • Copán (Honduras)  

Why do it? For a mix of the best Mayan sites, wildlife spots and stays in modern Maya villages.  

A jaguar in the rain forest of Belize (Shutterstock)

A jaguar in the rain forest of Belize (Shutterstock)

A ruined Mayan city where guests can stay in comfort and see jaguars, spider monkeys and ocelots? It exists – at Chan Chich in the heart of El Petén, Belize and Central America’s largest forest.

You’ll need at least two days here, after which it’s a few hours’ drive to San Ignacio – where there are small Mayan ruins in the centre of town, and huge ruins a 90-minute drive away (by 4x4) to the east at Caracol. This vast pyramid-filled ruined city in the rainforest sees more toucans than tourist visits, making it one of the few major Mayan site you can have pretty much to yourself.

Lake Atitl&#225;n in Guatemala (Shutterstock)

Lake Atitlán in Guatemala (Shutterstock)

Tikal, the most impressive of all Central America’s Mayan ruins, is across the Guatemalan border from San Ignacio. Fly from here to Lake Atitlán (via Quiché Airport), a shimmering blue volcanic lake ringed with mountains and dotted with modern Quiché Maya villages. Stay with a local family through Pure Tours , shop for colourful handicrafts in the local markets, and then leave for Antigua.  

A carved face in Cop&#225;n (Dreamstime)

A carved face in Copán (Dreamstime)

Transfer from this small city to Suchitoto in El Salvador for Joya de Cerén, where you can take a long day trip or overnight stop to Copán across the border in Honduras.

With vast temples and corridors of   rooms – as well as four-metre high stele slabs decorated with rather eerie, elongated faces of priest-kings, surrounded by a rococo filigree of swirling foliage and hieroglyphs – Copán is one of the most spectacular sites of all and a fitting end to a journey through the Maya World.  

4. In the rainforest

A quetzal in flight (Shutterstock)

A quetzal in flight (Shutterstock)

Best for: Wildlife, beaches and pristine reef  

Route: Arenal (Costa Rica) • Monteverde • Corcovado NP • San Blas Islands (Panama)  

Why do it? For Central America’s best wildlife watching with beautiful beaches and unspoilt reef thrown in.

A hanging bridge in the Monteverde Cloud Forest (Shutterstock)

A hanging bridge in the Monteverde Cloud Forest (Shutterstock)

It’s an easy three-hour drive from the airport in Costa Rica’s capital San José to Arenal – a perfectly conical volcano flowing with hot springs and shrouded in forest. Take two days to wander  Mistico Park 's canopy walkways to spot birds and monkeys, trek the trails to the myriad waterfalls and soak in the hot volcanic rivers.

A scenic two-hour journey then takes you from the volcano to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where trees are covered in bromeliads, orchids and lichens. Opalescent resplendent quetzals float from branch to branch as silently as falling petals and margay cats pad along the mossy paths.

Sunset on a beach in Corcovado National Park (Shutterstock)

Sunset on a beach in Corcovado National Park (Shutterstock)

Allow at least a day before flying south (via Puntarenas Airport) to Bahía Drake for Corcovado National Park. This is perhaps the best location in Central America to see large mammals. Jaguar, puma, ocelot and endangered Baird’s tapir all live here, alongside metre-tall harpy eagles (which pluck sloths from trees).  

Aim for around two days in Corcovado before spending the last part of your trip in Panama’s San Blas archipelago. These tiny Robinson Crusoe islets are fringed with pristine coral reef. Accommodation is simple and there’s little to do but snorkel, sunbathe and spend time with the local indigenous Kuna people.

Nowhere in the region has more pristine reef, whiter sand and starrier night skies. Bring a mosquito net, water bottle and plenty of insect repellent.  

Plus… the writer’s own route

Sunset over Tikal (Shutterstock)

Sunset over Tikal (Shutterstock)

Some memories will never fade... Late afternoon. A path at Tikal in the Guatemalan rainforest.   A shimmering-blue butterfly as big as a handkerchief floated out of the shadows into a beam of sunlight. Spider monkeys rustled in the tree canopy.

Looking up, I met their pebble-dark, peering eyes, as curious as a cat’s. The trail brightened ahead – opening onto a grassy square surrounded by towering stepped pyramids. Each was topped with a small platform, and a single cave-dark chamber decorated with an elaborately carved roof comb.  

I followed the path behind one of the temples. It climbed steeply up the building’s back – which was covered in an Indiana Jones tangle of roots and vines. I pulled myself over a piece of ancient, tumbled masonry and hauled myself up. By the time I reached the top I was sweating, out of breath and transfixed by the view.

Scarlet macaws in Tikal (Shutterstock)

Scarlet macaws in Tikal (Shutterstock)

After the closeness of the forest, all was space and light on the temple top. I was above the canopy. The bright sun was buttery yellow and sinking over endless trees – which stretched green and semi-silhouetted to every horizon. A toucan perched a few feet away on a moss-covered kapok branch. A pair of scarlet macaws cawed and cooed and flew off in a clamour. An eagle soared.

As the sun fell it deepened into orange, then dropped red behind the tree line, leaking colour into the sky. The day thickened into tropical twilight. And a chorus of tree frogs and crickets serenaded a full moon, which rose to the north-east – yellow in a violet sky.  

A local market in front of Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala (Shutterstock)

A local market in front of Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala (Shutterstock)

Central America floods my mind with memories. Dawn over the smoking volcanoes of central Nicaragua. Iridescent quetzals in Costa Rica’s misty cloud forests. Snorkelling over a stingray and turtle-filled sandy alley, cut like a valley in Belize’s barrier reef. I can hear the bustle of street markets and marimba music.

And smell roasting coffee, mango blossom, the heavy perfume of the rainforest, the copal-scented air in the mystical Mayan mountain temples.... And from far away they draw me back to Central America. Inevitably.

More Latin American trip planners:

South america: the ultimate trip planner, 5 of the best routes through peru, how to plan the perfect trip to chile, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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Girl about the Globe

Making solo travel easier.

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Solo Travel in Central America

Belize

Types of Girl about the Globe (GatG) – Adventure GatG, Cultural GatG, Nature GatG, History GatG

Central America is a fascinating continent to explore. It's a destination full of adventure, nature, history and culture and I feel really blessed to have spent a few months on several occasions travelling to nearly every country of this region (except El Salvador).

In this article, I cover the best places to visit in Central America if you're travelling solo, with a brief description of each country, budget, safety and how to travel around.

If you are unsure how to travel within Central America or which country to travel to, read the full Central America travel guide below or just go to the section that you need. You'll find the full individual country guides in the related posts section. 

Solo Female Friendly Star Rating – 3 out of 5  

Budget – $30 – $70 a day  

Cheapest – Nicaragua  

Most expensive – Panama and Costa Rica  

Did you know? That the term gringo is used for English-speaking foreigners, so don’t be surprised if you’re referred to as a gringa (for females).  

Language Spoken in Central America – Central America is mainly Spanish speaking except for Belize which is the only English-speaking country in the whole of Latin America.

Creole is also spoken on the Caribbean coast. Panama and Costa Rica are the most international countries due to the amount of expats living there, meaning that English is spoken in some of the tourist areas.

Spanish speaking countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.

English speaking countries – Belize.

If you're planning on travelling to Central America, below is a summary of each country to help you choose the right destination for you. Click on the images at the end for the solo destination guides. 

Solo Travel in Central America

Why Visit Central America?  

Central America is made up of: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. I’ve also included Mexico within this region, as it is easy to add on to a Central America itinerary if you are travelling overland.  

Central America solo travel has it all; Mayan temples and Aztec ruins, great nightlife, crystal waters, the world’s second-longest reef, active volcanos and lush vegetation, not to mention big cats and an abundance of wildlife.

Its history dates back thousands of years, and evidence of the Maya civilisation can be found in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. But if indigenous tribes and barely trodden rainforests are more your thing, then this continent will not disappoint.  

With 10% of the world’s biodiversity, Central America has one of the richest ecosystems on Earth, with hundreds of species of plants and birds. You can trek among a mystical cloud forest, climb one of the many volcanoes, enjoy some of the best surfing in the world or just simply relax on the white-sand Caribbean beaches.  

Sail through the Panama Canal or visit Big Corn island off the coast of Nicaragua – the largest country in Central America. With zip canopies, jungle lodges and adventure sports, Central America is one big adventure.  

Solo Travel in Central America

Antigua in Guatemala

The region isn’t known for its safety, so you do need to exercise some caution here, but you won’t be singled out because you’re a solo female.

The safest countries here are Panama and Nicaragua, and the ones to be careful in are Honduras and Guatemala. However, the cities do have a reputation for crime, especially Guatemala City, Belize City, and San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa in Honduras.

The main bus station in San Pedro Sula has armed security guards and is safe inside; just don’t go wandering around the streets by yourself and especially not to cashpoints (ATMs).  

You can pretty much wear what you want within this continent, especially in Costa Rica and Panama. The worst you’ll hear is men shouting “linda” (meaning beautiful). Don’t take valuables with you on the beach if you’re alone, and be careful of your belongings on public transport. Travel during the day instead of at night.  

Don’t have your valuables on display, especially in Costa Rica, where muggings can occur. Just use your common sense and be careful at night. If you research your trip and stick to the tourist areas, you should be fine. Every country is different, but if you can speak a few phrases of Spanish, it will really help when you’re solo.  

Volcano boarding in Nicaragua

Safest Central American Countries for Solos

If you are planning to solo travel Central America, the region doesn't have the best reputation for safety, especially in some of the capital cities. Below is my solo travel rating for each country (out of 5 stars for ease of travelling around and safety. 5 is the highest)

  • Safest countries – Panama, Costa Rica
  • Most dangerous – Honduras
  • Belize – 3 stars
  • Costa Rica – 3 star
  • El Salvador – 3 stars
  • Guatemala – 2 stars
  • Honduras – 2 stars
  • Nicaragua – 3 star
  • Panama – 4 stars

Budget For Central America

These budgets are based on daily spending, including accommodation (staying in a dormitory room in a hostel), food, water, transport (using local transport only), and leisure. You will need to add an additional cost if you prefer to stay in a private room. 

The most expensive countries here are Costa Rica and Panama. The cheapest countries are Nicaragua and Guatemala. Depending on where you go in the region, b udget from £40 ($50) to £75 ($92) a day. 

  • Belize – £55 / $80
  • Costa Rica – £75 / $92
  • El Salvador – £55 / $80
  • Guatemala – £45 / $55
  • Honduras – £45 / $55
  • Nicaragua – £40 / $50
  • Panama – £70 / $86

Solo Travel in Central America

Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

Travelling Around Central America

If you’re travelling through countries in Latin America, overlanding is the cheapest and best option. As there isn’t a proper train system here, taking a bus is the only way to get across the land.

Chicken buses are prominent in Latin America, so expect to be sitting with livestock (even though it’s not permitted to take chickens on the buses anymore, some locals still smuggle them on). They’re really unique, and you’ll find sellers coming onto the buses offering food and drink for sale.  

Coach travel is the free-spirited backpacker’s favourite but you’ll usually find local buses are old, slow and packed with people, although these problems are offset by the low cost. The coaches running between major cities are a better option and tend to be cleaner and newer, and long-distance journey’s, such as from Mexico to Panama, are available.

Private shuttles between major cities are becoming are more common option but are usually operated through tourist agencies or via hotels, which can be expensive. Flying might actually be less expensive.

In less-developed countries, not only do the roads not have the same infrastructure as you may be used to (hence a bumpy ride), but bus timetables don’t hold the same importance.

Make allowances for this when you need to get somewhere fast. Giving yourself enough time to miss one is a good tip, especially because buses can sometimes be a free-for-all as locals shove their way on, and you could find yourself waiting for the next bus (this often happens in Belize). But you can be guaranteed that your bus journey will be accompanied by the driver’s favourite music, whether reggae or 80s love songs.  

Central America is a fairly compact region, but in certain places, the roads can be atrocious, and bus travel can take what seems like an eternity to reach one country from another. Car hire is an option and thousands of tourists do use this method, but travelling across borders in a rental car isn’t permitted.

One available option is to drive to the border where your hire company representative will be waiting to meet you, then you need simply walk across the border and your rep will provide you with your new rental car.

You don’t have to go overland either, as some borders here can be crossed by sea: Mexico to Belize, Belize to Honduras, Panama to Colombia and vice versa. The seas can get a bit rough, so if a three-day sailing trip through the San Blas Islands from Panama to Colombia makes you feel a bit seasick, you can take the smoother option of a speedboat instead or just a leisurely ride along the Panama Canal.  

Traveling around this beautiful part of the world is definitely an adventure, especially if you have plenty of free time. But make sure to thoroughly check your transport options before departing and booking well in advance, especially if you're travelling during peak times.

If you’re feeling a bit hesitant about travelling around Central America by yourself, then consider a tour . Not only can this help you plan your route, but you can avoid the stress of local transport and meet others too.   Below is a brief summary of each country and how to get around.

Central America Tours

  • Explore – Tours for 40+ year-olds to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras & more
  • G Adventures – Group tours throughout Central America for all ages
  • Green World Adventures – Personalised sustainable tours to Costa Rica
  • TruTravels – Costa Rica tours & multi-country trips in Central America

Solo Travel in Central America

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Solo Travel Mexico  

Mexico does have its issues, but if you don’t venture north of Mexico City or into certain neighbourhoods known for drug cartels, the rest of the country is amazing and easy to travel around.  

Many mature travellers come here – except during Spring Break on the Riviera Maya – where you’ll be sharing Cancun with college students. Because of its proximity to the United States, the country is also popular with Americans.  

In Mexico City, La Condesa and Regina are the nicest and safest areas in Mexico City. They have an outdoor dining and coffee culture, and you can walk around feeling safe.

Explore the many museums of Mexico City, then journey east to Chichen Itza, Mexico’s most famous Mayan temple. If you love nightlife, Cancun and the Riviera Maya will not disappoint. There is also an abundance of cenotes (sinkholes) and beautiful beaches to see.  

Mexico has a great bus network, with large reclining seats and air conditioning. If you are limited in time, look at Viva Aerobus, Mexico’s low-cost airline, which flies throughout Mexico and can save you hours on a bus.   * Related Post: Solo Travel in Mexico

Solo travel in Belize

Ambergris Caye

Belize Solo Travel

Belize is the only English-speaking country on the continent, and this former British colony is brimming with diversity. Head to the cays for Caribbean islands and the Great Blue Hole, or inland for the jungle, big cats and Central America’s largest cave system.  

Belize is a relatively safe country. It has a Caribbean feel and is so multicultural that you’ll find Rastas, Indians and Chinese among the African descendants. There is a gang culture in Belize City, so steer clear of Southside and head to the rest of the mainland or the cays, which are perfectly safe.  

Buses aren’t the only way to get around in Belize, as there are water taxis which take you from Belize City to the cays. Tropic Air operates internal flights around the country, and you’ll find tiny airstrips everywhere for their 12-seater planes.   * Read: Solo Travel in Belize

Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica

Solo Travel To Costa Rica  

No other country does eco-tourism, as well as Costa Rica. This biodiverse country is teeming with tropical birds, waterfalls and lush vegetation, making it one of the most popular destinations on the continent. But, although it has some beautiful landscapes, some of the bus stations can be sketchy, so be careful at night and in the capital, San Jose.  

Getting around Costa Rica is via public buses, shared shuttle services and 4×4 jeeps. The bus routes aren’t very extensive, and you may find yourself having to backtrack to visit each corner of the country. Ferries operate from Puntarenas to Paquera and Naranjo. If you are travelling across the land border to Nicaragua or Panama, taking an early bus is recommended.   * Read: Post: Solo Travel in Costa Rica

El Salvador

El Salvador

Solo Travel El Salvador  

El Salvador is the smallest country and its remnants of a past civil war make it an interesting country. It is also known to have the best surf in the continent, but with so much conflict and the risk of being robbed, check the situation before you travel there.

Solo Travel in Central America

Guatemala Solo Travel

Guatemala has a lot to offer and is home to active volcanoes and the jungle Mayan temples of Tikal. Take a trip back in time to the World Heritage Site of Antigua, meander around the colourful town of Flores or explore Lake Atitlan, one of Guatemala’s many lakes.

If you can avoid Guatemala City, then do, as there are other regions in the country which are safer and also much nicer.   Public buses operate in Guatemala, or you can choose tourist buses, which drop you off at your chosen hotel. There is also an overnight bus to Flores.   * Read Solo Travel in Guatemala

Solo Travel in Central America

Honduras Solo Travel

Honduras, on the other hand, isn’t that great for solo females. There is a high level of crime, and you need to be comfortable with armed security guards, whose presence is felt in tourist areas. Honduras is a macho society, so you may receive unwanted attention.

Take a taxi if travelling at night and be really careful in the cities, which are known for their dangerous areas. If you are backpacking in Honduras and don’t want to be the only traveller within local towns, head to the friendly Bay of Islands or Roatan for the comfort of other travellers and friendlier locals.  

Although Honduras is also sketchy, you’ll find many solos that come for the diving. Head to Utila for a hedonistic island where you can party and dive for all hours.

If it’s culture that you need, Copan has the country’s Mayan ruins, but you may prefer to see the ruins in Belize or Mexico instead, where you’ll feel more comfortable. Honduras does require extra vigilance, so it is wise to team up with others or take a tour for this country.  

Express buses operate between the two major cities in Honduras, but if time is an issue, consider internal flights instead.

If you’re travelling to the Bay of Islands, there are ferry routes from the mainland and between the two islands.

Consider paying extra for the speedboat instead of a traditional fishing boat if you get seasick. The ferry from La Ceiba to Roatan is a roller, and they give you a seasickness tablet when you buy your ticket. You can buy drinks and snacks onboard.   * Read: Solo Travel in Honduras

Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua. The Cathedral of Granada

Granada, Nicaragua

Nicaragua Solo Travel

There are so many places to see in Nicaragua that you could easily spend two weeks here just scratching the surface. Volcanoes, lakes and Spanish colonial cities are some of its charm. Add volcano boarding to the mix, and you have a country that is not only cheap but is ideal for the nature and adventurous solos.  

Managua, the capital, has the least to do, so head for the coffee region of Matagalpa for coffee farms and river rafting, visit Leon for a stunning white cathedral and volcano boarding, or swim in a volcanic crater lake at Laguna de Apoyo.  

Do expect some attention here though, especially in Leon, where young boys will make it clear that they want your attention. If you are comfortable with cat calls, then you won’t have a problem in this country.  

The best way to travel around Nicaragua is by bus. Minibuses here tend to leave when they are full, so don’t expect to hop in one and just go. The road infrastructure is okay in the west of the country, but other roads may not be what you’re used to.  

If you are planning on adding Caribbean islands to your itinerary, local flights operate from the mainland to Big Corn Island – called La Costena – or you can take the rocky boat ride from Bluefields which leaves once a week and takes 6 hours. From Big Corn, you can take a boat to Nicaragua’s smallest island: Little Corn.

Birdwatching in Panama

Solo Travel Panama  

Panama is the furthest country south in Central America and connects to the continent of South America. Panama is a relatively safe country for solo female travellers.

There are areas that you need to take care of, but on the whole, it is safe. Panama City has the most amazing skyline, and the promenade at night is safe for females with many families, runners and cyclists.

Over a third of its land is protected, and the country is great for bird spotting with hundreds of different species, including the colourful toucan in Soberania National Park. Take a jungle walk through remote wilderness at Cerro Pirre or if time is on your hands, trek the Camino Real. If you love the ocean, dive at Isla Coiba, one of the largest coral reefs on the Pacific Coast.  

Panama is the country for adventure: sail across treetops on a forest zip wire or try rafting through the many grades of rapids. And when you’re adventuring out, enjoy the nightlife at Santa Catalina or the islands of Bocas del Toro, a popular surfing destination with a Naso Indian village to explore.

Then relax on the San Blas Islands, white sand Caribbean islands and learn the culture of the Kuna people: a huge contrast to the skyscrapers of Panama City.  

Panama is quite well connected, and the easiest way to get around Panama is by bus. The country has a good bus system, but you may need to change to a hub such as David. The buses are also known for having very cold air conditioning, so take a fleece if you are travelling at night.

Ferries take you from David to Mirander if you are going to Bocas del Toro, or you can take a tour to San Blas. 

If I've inspired you to travel solo in Central America, click on the photos below for the solo destination guide for your chosen country. * Read: Solo Travel in Panama

Best Time To Visit Central America

If you’re wondering the best time to travel to Central America, they do have a rainy season between May to September/October, and the hurricane season can affect Belize and Honduras during the months of October and November .

But with the climate constantly changing, just research the weather in the country that you want to travel to before you book. Below is the best time to visit each country. Weather2Travel is also a great site to check the best time of year for each destination. 

  • Belize – February to April.
  • Costa Rica – December to April.
  • El Salvador – November to April.
  • Guatemala – October to April.
  • Honduras – December to April.
  • Mexico – All year round.
  • Nicaragua – November to May.
  • Panama – December to April.

Rio Frio Cave. Travelling solo in Belize

If you are planning on backpacking Central America but don’t feel very confident with basic Spanish, then consider taking one of these Central America tours. Both G Adventures and Intrepid Travel are sustainable travel companies and have their own foundations. 

G Adventures

If you feel more comfortable in a group for either part of your trip or the whole duration, G Adventures is a responsible tour company that mainly caters for budget travellers. Most tours have an average of 10 people, and there is no upper age limit. Once you book your trip, you pay extra for any excursions you want to do when you’re there.

Adventures range from 9 days exploring Belize to an epic 33 day Best of Central America: Ruins & Remote Beaches trip travelling through Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua. Explore Costa Rica in two weeks, or take the Mayan Sun Southbound or Northbound over 16 days covering Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. 

They also have specific adventures for under forties. If you're aged 18 to 39, join the Volcano Trail: Waves and Local Ways, for 17 days and travel from Antigua, Guatemala to San José, with a group of like-minded travellers. I have personally used G Adventures and recommend them as a solo female friendly company.

*  Click here for all itineraries, prices, and start dates

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is similar to G Adventures with an average of 12 people on each tour. Over 50% of people who book their trips are solo travellers. They tend to use hotels instead of hostels and have a more comfortable style of accommodation hence the trips can appear a bit more than G Adventures.

Their tours range from an 8 day Guatemala Expedition on the Carmelita El Mirador jungle trek (for the adventure GatG) to an epic 47 day Central America Explorer of the land of toucans, tacos and tamales, journeying through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

If you only have a week to spare, you could cycle your way through the countries on an 8 day cycle adventure through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, or Costa Rica and Panama. 

With both tour companies, you share a room with someone of the same gender, or you can pay extra for your own room.

*  Click here for the full itineraries, prices, and start dates

Best Things To Do in Central America

  • Explore Tikal, Guatemala
  • Stay with a Mayan family in San Jose, Belize
  • Volcano boarding at Cerro Negro, Nicaragua
  • Explore the colonial town of Antigua, Guatemala  
  • See the Mayan ruins of Copan, Honduras
  • Enjoy the peace at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
  • Go underground at the ATM cave, Belize
  • Get dive-certified in Utila, Honduras
  • Marvel at Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
  • Sightsee in Leon, Nicaragua
  • Take a short cruise along the Panama Canal.

  Seven Wonders of the World  

  • Paricutin Volcano in Mexico
  • Chichen Itza in Mexico.

Central America Itineraries  

You could easily spend a month or more exploring this continent. Either start from Panama and work your way up or start from Belize and work your way down. Below are some example itineraries. 

One Week Central America Itinerary  

  • Explore many places within just one country
  • Nicaragua – Leon, Granada, Ometepe
  • Mexico – Mexico City, fly to Cancun, Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen, Tulum
  • Costa Rica – San Jose, Playa Samara
  • Panama – Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, fly to Panama City.  

Two Week Central America Itinerary  

  • Guatemala to Honduras – Antigua, Lago Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Tikal, then Copan in Honduras.  
  • Mexico – Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Merida, Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen (or Tulum).  
  • Guatemala and Belize – Belize City, Flores, Tikal, San Ignacio, Hopkins, Caye Caulker, San Pedro, fly from Belize City.  
  • Panama, Costa Rica,  
  • Nicaragua – Granada, Ometepe, La Fortuna, San Jose, Orosi, Turrialba, Cahuita, Bocas del Toro, Boquete, Panama City.  

3 Week Central America Itinerary  

  • Mexico, Guatemala & Belize – Cancun, Chichen Itza, Merida, Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Rio Dulce, Flores, Tikal, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, San Pedro, Belize City (only to fly from).  
  • Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala – Antigua, Copan, Roatan, fly to Tegucigalpa, Leon, Granada, Ometepe, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, San Jose.  

1 Month Central America Itinerary  

If you are planning on backpacking Central America, here is an example of a Central America backpacking route.

  • Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua.
  • Costa Rica – San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Ometepe, Granada, Poneloya, Suchitoto, Concepcion de Ataco, Copan, Antigua, Rio Dulce, Flores, San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, Chetumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen.  

Related Post: Places to Visit in Central America

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Traveling to Central America: a guide to money-saving, safety and more

Everything you need to know about traveling to Central America, from how to save money, how to get around, to how to stay safe.

travelling around central america

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Jan 08, 2024

traveling-to-central-america

Traveling to Central America is an amazing idea! It is the perfect place to go if you want to experience Latin American culture without spending too much money.

Nestled in between North America and South America , Central America is a relatively small space that is packed with unique cultures and landscapes.

There are ancient Mayan ruins and traditional Mayan towns . There are also big cosmopolitan cities, surf camps, yoga retreats, backpacker towns, language schools, coffee plantations, high-end restaurants, humble local eateries, and so much more.

Outside civilization you’ll find diverse wildlife, hot springs, waterfalls, tropical rainforests, dense jungles, active volcanoes, crater lakes, deep valleys, mountains, and more.

travelling around central america

A guide to traveling to Central America

Let’s dive into our ultimate travel guide for backpacking Central America.

This article will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Central America, including when to go, how to get around, how to stay safe, and where to visit.

We’ll also touch on some Worldpackers work exchanges available in Central America , and how these can help you save money while learning about the culture.

Why should you travel to Central America?

Central America is very diverse, so there is something for everyone.  

Those who love history can check out the ancient Mayan ruins of northern Guatemala . Those who love adventure can zipline in Costa Rica , hike a volcano in Guatemala , or sandboard in Nicaragua . Those who want to relax on the beach and snorkel or scuba dive will have a blast in Belize.

But honestly, in most Central American countries, you’ll find delicious food, beautiful beaches, historical monuments, and opportunities for adventure.

Traveling to Central America is also very cheap . Prices for accommodation , food, and public transport in Central American countries are all usually very cheap.

In general Central America is cheaper than South America, and it’s a lot cheaper than North America. So if you’re heading over to the Americas, this area is the most affordable to visit.

If you’re traveling from the USA , flights to Central America are super cheap as well because it is so close. You can fly to and from Central America for half the price of flying to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, or Spain.

So if you want to practice your Spanish and learn about Latin American culture on a budget, traveling to Central America is a great idea!

When to go?

It’s hard to know exactly when to visit Central America because the geography and temperatures may vary from country to country. Generally speaking, Central America has a dry season and a rainy season . Dry season is usually November to May, and rainy season is June to October.

Dry season has the best weather. You’ll see sunny skies most days and have clearer waters for snorkeling. If you plan on doing some hiking, dry season is ideal. But dry season means more crowds and higher prices . If you want to save money, don’t hesitate to visit Central America during rainy season!

During rainy season, it does rain a lot , particularly in September and October. But you can still enjoy yourself, and you may have some nice weather as well. You’ll also save money on flights and attractions , and there won’t be many crowds at all.

Just remember that higher altitudes have cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather . So if you’re hiking or visiting places in the mountains, be prepared for all types of weather!

But overall, there is no bad time to visit Central America!

travelling around central america

How to get around?

There are a few ways to get around Central America. Aside from flights, all ground transportation can be booked the day of or the day before at a local ticket office.

Flights: If you’re traveling far distances, a domestic flight is the quickest option. Though you can find cheap flights from Florida to Central America, flights within Central America aren’t usually that cheap. Only take flights if you’re short on time!

Buses: Buses are the cheapest way to get around Central America. You can even take overnight buses if you’re traveling long distances. But bus travel is slow, and the buses aren’t always the most comfortable or reliable. Take buses if you want to save money and you’re not in a rush.

Shared taxi/minivan: Shared taxis are great for traveling medium to long distances in Central America. There is usually a pickup spot where you can meet the bus and share a journey with a few other travelers. These are more expensive than public buses, but they are quick and comfortable.

Taxis: For quick transport within a small area, taxis are quick and easy. They aren’t that expensive because it is Central America and everything is cheap! But if you’re trying to save money, avoid taking taxis too much because the costs can add up.

travelling around central america

How to stay safe traveling in Central America?

Overall, traveling to Central America is very safe . Violent crime against tourists is rare, and the worst that may happen is getting robbed.

So if you’re wondering how to stay safe traveling in Central America, your best bet is to just use common sense.

Avoid exploring alone, and definitely don’t go out alone at night. If you’re traveling alone, try to make friends through your hostel or work exchange so you have some buddies to explore with.

Always check with your hostel staff about safety. Chances are they are locals or they’re been there for a while, and they will tell you where is or isn’t safe to go.

Also just be smart about your belongings. Use luggage locks, keep everything stored away safely, and keep your valuables on your person while traveling on buses.

Don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothes that can make you a target for pickpockets.

If you use these safety tips , you should have no problems traveling in Central America!

Check out these useful articles: Is Nicaragua safe? and Is it safe to travel to Guatemala?

How to travel around Central America for cheap?

It is really easy to travel around Central America cheaply. Though it is easy to spend a lot of money if you’re staying at nice resorts, eating out, and partying, it is easy to save money with the right mindset.

Do a work exchange: Working in exchange for accommodation is the best way to save money while traveling! There are lots of amazing work exchanges in Central America where you can live and work with locals and have a cool cultural experience, all while saving money on accommodation.

And that's what Worldpackers is here for! With Worldpackers, you can search through all the volunteering positions available in the country you want to visit and choose whatever fits you best!

You can check the positions for Central America here !

Eat and drink local: Local eateries in Central America have the best food and the cheapest prices. The same goes for local bars. Eat and drink the local stuff and you’ll save money!

Take public transport: As mentioned in the transportation section, public buses are the cheapest ways to get around. Limit taxis and flights if you can.

Enjoy free attractions: Central America has lots of free attractions, from gorgeous beaches to hikes in the wilderness. Fill your days with free fun and you’ll save money.

Shop around when booking tours: Though it’s good to save money, definitely treat yourself to some fun tours and activities in Central America. Some companies overcharge, so check prices at multiple locations and find the best deal before committing to an expensive tour.

travelling around central america

Best Places to Visit in Central America

There are so many incredible countries to visit in Central America . It’s a relatively small area of the globe, so you can visit all the Central American countries in a few months if you want.

But we recommend spending more time in one place so you can really get to know the locals and the culture.

Belize has an enticing culture, as it is a melting pot for people of Spanish, Mayan, African, and East Indian descent. Aside from enjoying the music, food, and art of Belize, you can enjoy world-class scuba diving and explore the government-protected rainforests.

Known for its lush rainforests and biodiversity, Costa Rica is a nature lovers' paradise. Visit hot springs, swim in waterfalls, watch sea turtles hatch on the beach, zipline through the jungle, hike in the cloud forest , and more.

Check the  work exchanges in Costa Rica :

  • Help with childcare at a spiritual holistic center 
  • Work at an eco-lodge in the jungle and help with building, gardening, animal care, and more 

travelling around central america

Located just south of Mexico, Guatemala is a small but diverse country. Visit the gorgeous crater lake, Lake Atitlan, or visit the tropical pools in the jungle known as Semuc Champey. Hike volcanoes , visit the beaches, see Mayan ruins, or explore the charming town of Antigua.

Here are some of the top work exchanges in Guatemala :

  • Help take care of the horses at this stunning guest house 
  • Teach english for 3 to 6-year-old children  

Another underrated Central American country is Honduras . On the Caribbean side of the country, there are gorgeous beaches, islands, and coral reefs that are perfect for diving and snorkeling. There are also Mayan ruins, coffee farms, national parks, and more.

Check the available  volunteer positions for Honduras !

Nicaragua has some super popular tourist spots , even though much of the country is not touristy at all. Party with the backpackers and learn to surf at San Juan Del Sur, or head out to the beautiful islands on Lake Nicaragua. This country is also famous for volcano surfing!

Explore the top work exchanges in Nicaragua .

A thin country that links Central America with Colombia in South America, Panama is packed with things to do. Explore Panama City, go surfing in Bocas Del Toro, or go snorkeling, hiking, bird-watching, and exploring in the natural parks and rainforests.

Here is a top work exchange in Panama :

  • Volunteer at an NGO and help with rainforest conservation 

El Salvador

El Salvador is a small and often overlooked country in Central America. It is home to lots of interesting national parks, archeological sites, and natural landmarks like volcanoes, lakes, and waterfalls.

Here are some of the top work exchanges in El Salvador .

travelling around central america

Thanks for reading our guide to traveling to Central America!

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Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

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Jan 26, 2023

Thank you! You’re inspiring me to get out & be courageous & travel new places, such as South America!

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Backpacking Central America: what I spent and where I went in 3 months.

travelling around central america

Thinking of traveling around central America but not sure how much time and money you need and where to go?

Hopefully this post will help you! Central America is relatively small compared to neighbouring North America and South America. You can get around it easy enough on public buses and shuttles and cover alot of countries in a matter of weeks. Its cheap too, not south east Asia cheap but cheap. Guatemala and Nicaragua being the cheapest countries to travel in, maybe that’s why I spent the longest time in both of those countries but they were also my favourite countries too.

Time of year to visit

The dry season is from Dec to Mar and the high season with dry warm days and cooler than the hotter, wet and humid months from May until October.

How long do I need?

I spend just over 3 months in total in Central America and felt it was the perfect amount of time to explore the highlights of each country, get off the beaten track slightly and emerse fully in the culture of the countries. Of course I could have spent a lot longer and ideally I would have loved a month longer to explore Mexico more, I only skimmed through the Yucutan peninsula.

I spent almost a month in Guatemala which is very easily done but I could have moved quicker by missing out on Spanish school in Xela, where I spent one week.

On average I would say two weeks is a good amount of time to spend in each country. Less time is needed in some of the smaller countries such as El Salvador and more time in Mexico and Guatemala. Here is how I split my time through the eight counties:

  • Mexico (yucutan peninsula): 2 weeks
  • Belize: 2 weeks. Belize is an expensive country, if you’re on a tight budget you could see the highlights in 10 days.
  • Guatemala: 1 month. I did a language school for a week and a multi day trek. Doable in 2.5/3 weeks.
  • El Salvador: 1 week
  • Honduras: 10 days
  • Nicaragua: 2.5 weeks. I could have moved on after 2 weeks.
  • Costa Rica: 2 weeks. I could have spent longer, I missed out on the Pacific coast and some national parks. I would recommend 3 weeks but its expensive so backpackers tend not to spend too long here.
  • Panama: 10 days or 2 weeks including the San Blas islands . I could have spent longer exploring the islands but in the end 10 days is enough or 2 weeks with the San Blas Islands.

What I spent:

In 3 months in Central America I spend €4500.

That doesn’t include my flight to Cancun but that was under €250 from Dublin with baggage.

I had estimated about €1500 a month and some countries and cheaper. For example I spent just under €1000 in Guatemala for a month. I have done everything I’ve wanted to do including diving in Belize and Honduras, ziplining in Costa Rica, language school and multi day hiking in Guatemala, volcano boarding in Nicaragua, meals out, one hotel and a few private rooms along the way.

Only in the past few weeks have I decided to be a bit more thrifty with my money and cook a few meals a week. Mind you I still am spending $7 on churros and $14 on cocktails from time to time.

Ways to make your money go further:

  • Stay in dorm rooms in hostels. Expect to pay about $10 a night in most countries. Up to $20 in the yucutan in Mexico, $15 in Panama and Costa Rica in places and as little as $6 in Nicaragua.
  • Look out for hostels with free breakfast and a kitchen to prepare and store food. Free breakfast is key.
  • Take public/ chicken buses where possible. They are dirty cheap and take longer but that’s half the fun. Some places it’s obviously worth splashing on the shuttle for an easy life. In Guatemala you will have to take tourist shuttles everywhere mostly but they’re cheaper than their neighbouring countries.
  • Make friends in hostels to split tour costs. Also not too much fun on your own.
  • Speak of the lingo, helps you not being fucked over. Sometimes they see you’re a tourist and just make up a price for the chicken buses or things in markets cause they can.
  • Eat and drink local. Local rum is delicious and cheaper than water. Local tradition food like pupusas in El Salvador are 30 cent each. Eat lots of them.
  • Go over land. No need for flights in Central America its so small you can bus it between countries.

10 highlights of Central America

  • Tulum for Mexico’s cenotes. The Grand Cenote, Dos Ojos, Ik Kil and Cenote Zacil Ha are all so different. Go early to have them to yourself.

travelling around central america

2. Caye Caulker, Belize . Snorkelling with whale sharks and mantra rays in Caye Caulker was one of my highlights of Central America.

travelling around central america

3. Tikal, Guatemala . If you do any ruins, pick these. They are spectacular.

travelling around central america

4. Semuc champey, Guatemala . These limestone pools are memorising.

travelling around central america

5. Ruta de Las Flores, El Salvador . Cute mountain towns along a road lined with flowers. One of the towns along the way has incredible waterfalls.

travelling around central america

6. The Bay Island, Honduras . The cheapest place in the world to get your open water diving licence, incredible clear waters and small coconut filled paradise islands a short boat ride away.

travelling around central america

7. Leon, Nicaragu a. Not as pretty as its little sister Granada but volcano boarding was a highlight of my trip here and the white cathedral is the biggest and most beautiful in Central America.

travelling around central america

8. Monteverde, Costa Rica . Hiking, ziplining and free falling in cloud forests was so different to anything else I had done or seen.

travelling around central america

9. Bocas del Toro, Panama. Amazing parties, incredible beaches and wildlife.

travelling around central america

10. Boquete, Panama . Hiking Volcan Baru throughout the night to watch sunrise and seeing both the Carribean and Pacific coasts is something I will never forgot.

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How to plan a trip to Central America on a budget

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In this guide, we want to talk about visiting Central America on a budget.

We’ll cover important things to know about traveling Central America, including the different currencies used, languages spoken, some safety tips as well best practices for getting in and around the region.

What's in this guide?

Before we cover budgeting when it comes to travel in Central America, let’s look at some of these other factors which will ultimately save you money.

Language and Currency

Let’s now look at some important elements of backpacking Central America that most travelers will need to consider at some point during there trip:

Pretty much all the countries in Central America speak Spanish as their main language, with the exception of Belize , whose lingo is English (although many do speak Spanish as well).

Costa Rica and Panama are the more developed nations of the region, and so many of the locals learn English in school which makes communicating much easier for those who haven’t yet learned Spanish.

weather in nicaragua

Whilst there’s many language schools for learning Spanish in Nicaragua and Guatemala, most of the locals don’t speak English. This is even more the case in Honduras and El Salvador.

Learning a bit before you head off can be extremely useful. We recommend that you learn some basic Spanish lingo that’s related to food and getting directions, which are probably the most vital info you’d need when backpacking in a new country.

There are also many indigenous languages spoken throughout Central America, Mayan is the most wide-spread, with around 4.5 million speakers in the northern nations of Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador. Others include the Miskito, Kuna and Embera languages.

Many who’ve traveled through Central America tend to agree that the currency is one of the biggest headaches when exploring this region.

Each country uses its own money, and considering how small and quickly you can pass through each, it can be quite confusing trying to work out a new currency every few weeks!

The easiest is El Salvador, who along with Ecuador, are the only Latin American nations to use the US Dollar as their primary currency.

  • Guatemala uses the Quetzal
  • Belize the Belizean Dollar*
  • Honduras the Lempira
  • Nicaragua the Córdoba
  • Costa Rica the Colón
  • Panama the Balboa

*although Mexican Pesos are accepted in some parts, especially in the north of the country.

You can look up exchange rates online on sites such as XE, who provide the most accurate rates. Be sure to check right before buying to make sure you get the best conversion and value possible.

Transport in Central America

How and where you arrive (plus how you travel around) will have a big impact on your Central America backpacking trip. In this section we will give you some practical ideas.

flying to costa rica

Getting to Central America

Central America can be accessed best by flying, with the most popular and accessible airports being in San José (Costa Rica) and Panama City (Panama).

You can also enter via the north through Southern Mexico. Chetumal in the Riviera Maya region is the most popular border crossing into Belize, and you can also cross into Guatemala through the jungle-swathed state of Chiapas.

The other way is by entering the south via sail boat into Panama from Colombia. This is definitely the coolest option of them all, as you’ll spend days sailing through the Caribbean whilst also visiting stunning islands (as well as the native tribes who still inhabit them).

Last but also important to mention is The Darien Gap. If you look at a map of Central America, you’ll notice that it connects seamlessly onto South America.

However, this extreme-southern region is seldom crossed due to the dangers involved, which includes the presence of FARC rebels, drug smugglers as well as thick and impassable jungle.

Some have done it and lived to tell the tale; however you’d need to do your own research if you’re considering it!

Getting Around Central America

Buses will be your best friend in Central America.

Now you could fly in-between nations, but would you really want to!? Distances aren’t that big between countries, plus as well as being more expensive, you’ll miss out on lots of cool destinations along the way.

Repurposed buses are common modes of transport in Guatemala

Of course if you really are time-strapped then of course you can fly, but even then it would be better to travel to countries that are grouped together.

Popular grouped options include Costa Rica and Panama, or Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. You can check out our Suggested Backpacking Routes for more ideas.

Now if you’ve already traveled through South America , you can breathe a huge sigh of relief in this region.

Distances between major destinations are never really more than 7 or 8 hours, which means a night bus every now and then.

For most destinations within a single country, you’d be looking at buses that take a few hours.

Of course this will be more in some of the longer countries such as Panama and Costa Rica, as well as those that have more remote and tricky terrains such as Guatemala.

Within cities and small towns, your best bet will be using the local chicken buses which run riot around the streets. These are usually very cheap, and the experience itself is a gem in its own right!

Also, with all the movements around the continent, knowing how to stay safe when backpacking is one of your most important priorities whilst on the road.

Travel Costs and Budgeting

Now onto the important and practical part of how much things costs.

Central America can vary in terms of prices on a country by country basis which we’ll explore below.

As well as these, we’ll also look at a realistic backpacking budget so you can plan in advance how much you’ll spend whilst in the region.

The costs we listed here as correct as of October 2021:

Compared with the rest of Latin America, there is a good variety of hostels in Central America as well as food options regardless of where you are.

Average Prices in Central America:

  • Average Dorm Bed = £4-8
  • Private Single Room in a Hostel = £9-17
  • A Street Food Dish = £0.75-1.50
  • A Meal at an inexpensive Restaurant = £3-6
  • Beer at a Local Bar or Dive = £0.50-£1.30
  • Beer at a Touristy Bar = £1.50-3.00

Whilst these may fluctuate (for example, buying food in rural Honduras will be a lot cheaper than along the popular Costa Rican Caribbean coast), these are a pretty good starting point.

Now for one of the more practical parts of this guide.

Central America is mostly quite cheap. In Guatemala, El Salvador , Honduras and Nicaragua you’re budget will range from £15-20 for the economical and (mostly) sensible backpacker.

This includes eating at local restaurants and street food as well as staying in a dorm room at a non-mainstream hostel (some of the chains can be quite pricy in this area of the World).

Belize and Panama is be a more expensive, around the £20-25 mark. Finally, Costa Rica is the most expensive country to backpack in Central America, and here you can expect a daily budget of anywhere between £25-35.

Of course these budgets aren’t strict rules, and there are always exceptions for all the above to go cheaper. However, in general these are what we found and are similar to others’ experiences.

Central America Trip Planning

We believe that your trip starts way before you land in a new exotic country.

Preparing properly before heading-off can make your trip much more relaxed, and you’ll know how to better avoid or manage any slip-ups along the way.

Let’s take a look at our preparation list you’ll need to consider before leaving.

What to Pack for Central America

Central America is quite easy to prepare for in terms of packing. All countries have pretty similar temperatures, with only a few areas getting chilly such as the Guatemalan highlands.

After you know when you’ll visit and the temperatures, it’s now time to look at what you need (NEED not want). One of my best tips that have helped me during planning is to first lay out what I want to take.

Second is to divide into two piles; absolute essentials that I need, and others that I want. Thirdly, add around 50% of the “others that I want” to your essential pile and start filling your backpack. Done.

Remember that whilst your backpack may feel empty this way, this is good as a) You’ll need space for new souvenirs and things you pick up along the way and b) it’s a pain trying to fit everything back in every time you move hostel, especially if in a rush.

For Central America, you’ll mostly want to pack light clothes as well as a jumper, a rain-coat (depending on time of year, but best to take one as you never know…) as well as hiking boots.

You can read our detailed guide on the best time to visit Central America for more ideas on what type of weather to expect depending on where you go.

Toiletries are also very important, although try to pack liquids of less than 100ml, as this way you may be able to fly with just hand luggage saving you some dollar.

Other things to pack include your documents in a safe folder, hiking boots, a sleeping mattress, towels, electronics such as a laptop and some backup wallets and spare credit cards etc.

It’s important to get all your injections before heading off.

We know it can seem like a pain and an unnecessary waste of time, but trust me you’d rather get a jab back home instead of spend days ill in a lesser capable third-world country hospital.

As well as the below, take lots of mosquito-repellent.

Malaria and Dengue are found throughout this region of Latin America, and whilst there’s no preventative injection, you can and should still prepare as best as you can.

Some injections that travelers tend to get before heading to Central America include:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B

Please see your doctor as we are not medically trained or qualified to give advice. They’ll tell you exactly what you need.

Be sure to read our guide on backpacking South America for places to visit.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, you can buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our very best content.

“ Dear traveler! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you . Your support means a lot and helps us to carry on traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”

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COMMENTS

  1. How to get around in Central America

    The easiest and cheapest way to explore Central America is by bus. Central America has a bus for every budget and every kind of traveler. The backbone of bus travel in the region is the 'chicken bus' - these repurposed and gaudily painted North American school buses race along highways, belching black smoke and stopping in every city, town ...

  2. Central America Backpacking & Travel Guide (Updated 2024)

    Central America Travel Costs. Accommodation - Hostel dorms with 6-8 beds cost $8-20 USD per night while private hostel rooms cost $15-30 USD for a single or double bed with private bathroom (in Belize, Costa Rica or Panama, you will pay on the higher end of that range).

  3. Backpacking Central America

    There are eight countries that make up the region of Central America; each one is worthy of exploration! Backpacking Central America offers up the opportunity to experience a vast array of landscapes, cultures, food, and activities. Belize, Costa Rica, and parts of Mexico are more expensive than the other countries.

  4. Backpacking Central America Guide: Routes, Costs & Tips

    The Central American part of the Gringo Trail will take you at least about 2 months, give or take. This informal backpacker trail starts in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, then goes down into Belize and Guatemala, and then through all the other countries until ending in Panama City. San Cristobal de las Casas.

  5. Ultimate Central America Travel Guide (Planning, Tips & Advice)

    Central America is a fascinating place to visit offering lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, hidden beaches, massive preserves and national parks, rich history and indigenous heritage.This Central America travel guide is designed to uncover some of our favorite places and things about this region and help you plan your own trip to this unique part of the world.

  6. How to Get Around Central America on a Budget

    Here are some approximate fares and journey durations for express bus routes in Central America (in USD): Belize City to Flores - $30 (6 hrs) Flores to Guatemala City - $28 (8 hrs) Guatemala City to San Salvador - $25 (6 hrs) San Salvador to Tegucigalpa - $35 (9.5 hrs) Tegucigalpa to Managua - $30 (6 hrs)

  7. 14 best places to visit in Central America

    8. Wander in awe around Granada, Nicaragua's oldest city. Granada is one of the oldest colonial cities in the region, and no trip across Central America is complete without exploring well-preserved architecture. Upon arrival, hop in a horse-drawn carriage and ride around town as you admire the ubiquitous hand-painted tiles and colonial homes.

  8. Central America Itinerary: The Perfect Travel itinerary

    Traveling around Central America by bus can be a good option because it's cheap and easy. Short-distance buses are known as chicken buses. They are inexpensive but not 100% safe, so be careful and keep an eye on your belongings. A colorful repurposed school bus used as a local mode of transport in Guatemala.

  9. 15 best things to do in Central America

    The islands also throw a festival dedicated to crab soup every August. 9. Move-and-shake in Panama City. Welcome to Central America's most hustling, bustling capital city. You could almost mistake the place for Miami with all its steel and glass towers - but the glittering skyline is only the beginning.

  10. The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Central America

    Getting around Central America. A chicken bus. The backpacker trail is well established in Central America, and you won't have any trouble getting around via busses. If you're on a shoestring budget, the best bet is chicken busses, which are retrofitted school busses used to transport locals and goods.

  11. Central America backpacking

    Panama: Food: average meal in a restaurant 7 - 8 $ / simple local food for 4 - 5 $ (more in Bocas) Hotels: around 40 $ for a nice, basic double room (easily more on Bocas) / 15 - 20 $ for a hostel bed in a dorm room. Transport: an 8 - 10 hour trip by local bus around 15 - 20 $, but easily 60 $ by tourist shuttle.

  12. Efficient Central America Itinerary (8 Countries, 1-3 Months)

    Travelling Around Central America. You don't have to take a single flight. You can easily travel around by bus, tuk-tuk, or minivan. ... Our suggested Central America travel route for 1, 2, or 3 months. # Country: City: 3 Months Itinerary: 2 Months Itinerary: 1 Month Itinerary: 1: Mexico: Playa del Carmen: X: 2: Mexico: Valladolid: X: X: X: 3:

  13. The Ultimate 2-Month Central America Road Trip Itinerary

    The views from Casa 1800 in Suchitoto, El Salvador made stopping in El Salvador worth it on our 2-month Central America road trip. The next day, we took a tiny TukTuk to the ex-guerrilla headquarters of Cinquera, a town fraught with death, destruction, and violence. We took a tour into the forested highlands where guerrillas hid, lived, and ...

  14. Our Central America backpacking itinerary for 2 months

    If we were more flexible with dates and booked earlier, prices could go down to 150-200 euros for a one-way ticket between Europe and Central America. All the expenses as accommodation, food, activities, and transport inside Central America, are worth up to 1500-2000 euros per person per month.

  15. Travel to Central America: How to Plan an Amazing Trip

    Traveling to Central America made easy! Learn tips on things to do, getting around, how to stay safe, when to go, and things to see or do. Travel Podcast; ... Most people traveling around Central America are very concerned about how clean the water really is. While, for example, Costa Rica has a fairly safe water supply, I still recommend you ...

  16. Backpacking Central America: Complete Itinerary 2024

    Backpacking Central America by Luciagarciagon (CC0) Welcome to this backpacking Central America itinerary. Lush rainforests, picturesque beaches, ancient temples, and more, Central America is a great adventure just waiting to be uncovered. Whilst each of the seven countries are small and easy to get in and around, each packs a unique explosion ...

  17. Central America Backpacking Route: 1 Month Itinerary (2024)

    The best way to get around Central America is by bus. Whilst you could fly, costs will rack up quickly and may mean you'll need to cut your trip short. Buses are very cheap, and also don't tend to take that long either (most are usually between 2-8 hours each leg). There are some instances where you can consider a flight.

  18. Central America Trip Planner

    This is perhaps the best location in Central America to see large mammals. Jaguar, puma, ocelot and endangered Baird's tapir all live here, alongside metre-tall harpy eagles (which pluck sloths from trees). Aim for around two days in Corcovado before spending the last part of your trip in Panama's San Blas archipelago.

  19. Solo Travel in Central America

    Travelling Around Central America If you're travelling through countries in Latin America, overlanding is the cheapest and best option. As there isn't a proper train system here, taking a bus is the only way to get across the land.

  20. Traveling to Central America: a guide to money-saving ...

    It is really easy to travel around Central America cheaply. Though it is easy to spend a lot of money if you're staying at nice resorts, eating out, and partying, it is easy to save money with the right mindset. Do a work exchange: Working in exchange for accommodation is the best way to save money while traveling!

  21. Backpacking Central America: what I spent and where I went in 3 months

    Tulum for Mexico's cenotes. The Grand Cenote, Dos Ojos, Ik Kil and Cenote Zacil Ha are all so different. Go early to have them to yourself. Dos Ojos Cenote. Ik Kil. 2. Caye Caulker, Belize. Snorkelling with whale sharks and mantra rays in Caye Caulker was one of my highlights of Central America. 3.

  22. The Ultimate Central America Packing List

    Don't forget your SPF when traveling to the around Central America as you're close to the Equator. We recommend ordering some online before leaving the house as you will find much higher prices in Central America. We highly recommend getting an eco friendly sun cream that does not contain harmful chemicals. They're mineral based and ...

  23. How to plan a trip to Central America on a budget (2024 Guide)

    Average Prices in Central America: Average Dorm Bed = £4-8. Private Single Room in a Hostel = £9-17. A Street Food Dish = £0.75-1.50. A Meal at an inexpensive Restaurant = £3-6. Beer at a Local Bar or Dive = £0.50-£1.30. Beer at a Touristy Bar = £1.50-3.00.