Affordable, exotic and warm are perhaps the most important attributes
about Central America. This region between Mexico and Colombia is
formed by 7 countries, each one with its unique food, traditions and
places to explore.
We’d like to kickstart your interest in visiting this amazing region
by sharing 5 iconic places that will make you explore beyond.
Paradises worth the visit, we’re sure you’ll find some great
inspiration for your next trip.
For those traveling through Central America, Lake Atitlan is a great
place to relax and recharge. The little towns around the lake are
packed with international visitors and offer everything and anything
one may need, including some of the best sunrises and sunsets in the
world!
Although the towns around Lake Atitlan are connected by land, the most
efficient way to get around is by hopping on a quick 30-minute boat
ride. But these boats only run from 11 am to 6 pm so depending on what
type of activities you are looking to do during your time at Atitlan,
it’s best to choose your “home base” wisely.
If you’re only planning on stopping by for a few days, a hike to the
Indian Nose near San Pedro is an activity that you shouldn’t miss.
This overlook is very popular for sunrises when visitors can see the
sun slowly rise over illuminating the lake and 7 different volcanoes
in the distance.
For those interested in the Indian Nose hike, you must arrange a tour
guide in San Pedro the day before. The hike passes through private
land but tour agencies have permission to use a section of the trail
for sunrise hikes.
For those who love sun, surf and jungle adventures, Costa Rica is one
of the best places in the world for just that, offering some of the
best hotels, restaurants, and amenities for international visitors
making it a top vacation destination for couples and families.
While lounging by a pool in a jungle eco-lodge is certainly one
relaxing way to spend a vacation living the “Pura Vida” life in Costa
Rica, make sure to leave some room for a jungle adventure or two.
Along with zip lining, rafting and animal sightseeing, Costa Rica is
home to some of the most beautiful waterfall hikes in the world. When
it comes to Costa Rica you DO want to go chasing waterfalls.
One of the most popular waterfall hikes that visitors can do in Costa
Rica is the Rio Celeste trail. This moderate yet straight forward hike
leads through a magical forest in the Tenorio Volcano National Park
and ends at Rio Celeste waterfall. Add 250+ stairs into the mix and
this will land you at the base of the Rio Celeste lagoon where you
will be able to see the insanely blue waterfall color up close.
The entrance fee to the Rio Celeste waterfall is $12 USD per person
and while you certainly don’t need a guide to do it, there are tours
that you can arrange from La Fortuna like this one. It can get quite
crowded unless it starts pouring (which it does all the time in Costa
Rica) and you might even score the entire place empty for an hour or
two like we did.
With perfect weather, remote beaches and ocean breeze, Bocas Del Toro
is a little slice of paradise on Earth.
Bocas Del Toro is a province consisting of beautiful tropical islands
in northern Panama where visitors can snorkel in crystal clear waters,
lounge on white sand beaches and purchase tropical drinks from wooden
shacks that are made just a bit too strong.
Bocas Del Toro culture and lifestyle revolves around living the
chill Caribbean island life. Inviting restaurants, colorful drinks,
laughter, and grilled food scents drift through the streets day and
night. It’s a place where life just seems to gravitate towards slowing
down the pace and just enjoy living in the moment.
This gorgeous little island cluster is also known for stargazing, but
not the type that you would expect. While its pristine beaches attract
travelers from all over the world, the main attraction here is the
starfish. Located an hour bus ride away from the main city hub on
Colón Island, The Starfish Beach is where visitors can see giant red
starfish scattered along its shorelines.
If you’re looking for something to do in Central America that’s a bit
unusual and “off the beaten path”, you’ll really enjoy a trip to the
Volcan De Conchagua in El Salvador. Conchagua is a volcano that is
quite popular for the panoramic views that it offers of the
surrounding area from its top, especially the Gulf of Fonseca bay that
borders three countries – Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador
itself.
The most popular place to see the fusion of these three Central
America countries is from the Espíritu de la Montaña viewpoint that
directly translates to mean “The Spirit Of The Mountain”. This
location is privatively owned but has been turned into a beautiful
eco-camp by the owner Luis who has built a beautiful wooden platform
where visitors can watch colorful sunrises, sunsets and even camp
overlooking the Fonseca bay and the neighboring islands.
Due to the poor road conditions driving in a personal car to this
overlook is not recommended but a ride in a truck can be arranged with
Luis twice a day from the nearby town La Union. The ride to the
viewpoint itself is quite adventurous zig-zagging up steep mountain
roads while holding on to assistance ropes in the back of an old
truck.
Tikal Ruins is one of the largest and oldest of Mayan archeological
sites, dating back to 1000 BC. As the capital of the Mayan kingdom,
Tikal complex consists of around 3000 different buildings, although
much of Tikal still remains buried underground and only about 30% of
the ruins have been excavated.
These ruins are located deep in the Guatemalan rainforest and just
walking around the Tikal site is an incredible jungle adventure
itself. As you walk through narrow jungle paths you’re likely to spot
howler monkeys in the trees and coatis darting through the forest.
While most ancient ruins were built low and flat, the Tikal pyramids
stand narrow and tall hovering high above the tree line. There are a
few stairs created through the site where visitors can climb up and
see the ruins from the distance – quite the sight, especially for
sunrise.
You’ll find natural marvels in each one of the 7 countries in Central America, and Elife can help you arrange your ground transportation during your visit, with our complete set of transport solutions provided by expert bilingual drivers. The best thing? That is just one of the many advantages you get by booking your trip with us. Avoid dealing with multiple providers and get on board with the best chauffeurs in Central America. Hop abord with Elife, and experience the magic of Central America.
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