-
Ambergris Caye, Belize
-
Caye Caulker, Belize
-
San Ignacio, Belize
-
Flores, Guatemala
-
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
San Pedro - most visited, backpackers
San Juan - quieter
San Marcos - pretty, meditation vibes
-
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Also good place for Spanish lessons/homestays:
Proyecto lingüístico quetzalteco de español
Escuela de la montaña
Centro de estudios de español pop win
El quetzal Spanish school
-
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
-
Acatenango, Guatemala
-
El Paredon, Guatemala
-
Ipala, Guatemala
-
Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Red macaws and Mayan ruins
-
Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
Beautiful series of villages - mix of colonial architecture, indigenous tones. Feast on local food, weekend markets, browse craft stores, coffee plantations.
Bus 249 runs frequently between Sonsonate and Ahuachapan stopping in all towns along the way (Juayua, Apaneca, Atacó).
-
Ahuachapan, El Salvador
-
Concepción de Ataco, El Salvador
Brightly coloured murals and artisan markets, cobblestone streets, colonial era buildings, mountain setting and cheap dining/sleeping options
-
Apaneca, El Salvador
E Salvador’s second highest town (1450m). Pretty cobbled streets, colourful adobe houses.
-
Juayua, El Salvador
Weekend food festival
Waterfall hikes & hot springs
-
Salcoatitan, El Salvador
Cobblestone streets
Art galleries
-
Santa Ana, El Salvador
-
El Zonte, El Salvador
-
El Tunco, El Salvador
Surf spot
-
San Salvador, El Salvador
-
El Cuco, El Salvador
-
Jiquilillo, Nicaragua
-
León, Nicaragua
Volcano boarding
- Tierra Tour
-
-
Los Brasiles, Nicaragua
-
Las Peñitas, Nicaragua
Good beginner surfing
Mano a mano ecohostel - LP “everything a stellar hostel should be”
Further south - Puerto Sandino - world class monster waves at river mouth.
-
Matagalpa, Nicaragua
From Beth - more off grid in the north east - Matagalpa and Jinotega for coffee plantations, jungle walks and no other tourists!
-
Granada, Nicaragua
To do:
- pueblo blancos (white villages) - nearby historical towns
- San Juan de oriente pottery
- colonial explorer walking tour
-
Isla De Ometepe, Nicaragua
-
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur - party vibes
North of San Juan del sur:
Playa Maderas - backpacker and surfer hangout
Playa Marsella - chill out. Sunset.
Playa magajual- good for swimming
South of SJDS:
Playa Hermosa - surfing. Setting for 2x seasons of Survivor. Cool lost in paradise vibe. Playa Hermosa Ecolodge.
Playa yankee - powerful point break
Playa el Coco - world class beach. Tortugas Hostel - infinity pool.
-
Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua
-
Corn Islands, Nicaragua
-
Monteverde, Costa Rica
To do:
Bosque nuboso Monteverde
Coffee tours
Reserva santa Elena
Eating:
Orchid coffee
Taco taco
D’sofia
Bar amigos
Monteverde beer house
-
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
To do:
- trails in park
- hot springs
- Arenal ecozoo
Stay La Fortuna or nearby
Or stay El Castillo
-
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
To do:
- parque nacional manuel António
- kayak through mangroves of park
Quepis is gateway town to park.
-
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Caribbean islands
Isla carenero- picture perfect island. Wild yet pristine.
- snorkeling
- can circumnavigate in 2hrs hiking Carenero Island Trail
- sunset at Aqua Lounge
- surfing Isla carenero- black rock (beginners). Old man’s (intermediate/beginner)
Isla bastimentos- probably stay here.
Place to dodge the crowds and sprawl out on the golden sand.
sea turtles nest. Strawberry poison-dart frogs.
Surfing - wizard beach (playa primeria) + red frog beach - both for beginners and intermediate
Isla colon - bocas town. Main island.
-
Boquete, Panama
Highland adventure hub/ mountain retreat known for cool, fresh air and pristine natural surroundings.
Local mountain grown coffee
Forest hikes
Birdwatching
Trekking and rafting
Hot springs
Lost waterfalls trail.
Coffee plantation tour
-
Santa Catalina, Panama
Uber mellow beach town.
Bus here from Boquete (change at Sona, 1 hour north). Sona for groceries/supplies and to wander a “typical” untouristed Panama town
Playa Santa Catalina - main beach. As good as it gets for surf. Rock bottom. Power.
Playa el Estero - 15min walk, usually gentle waves. Popular for beginner surfers at low tide. (Sand bottom)
Surfing - Panamas best breaks. Best waves December to April but action here year round.
Parque Nacional Coiba - UNESCO recognised.
-
Cambutal, Panama
Greener and wilder than Playa Venao. Surf, swim, yoga, casual drinks. Hikes. Sea turtles and humpback whales.
Surfing:
- main beach break is just offshore Hotel Playa Cambutal, best surfed mid-high ride.
- 411 (Quattro once) RH point break best at high tide
- corto circuito - rivermouth point break ideal at low tide.
Yoga classes
- Sansara Resort
- breath healing and wellness.
Hotel Playa Cambutal - unrivalled seafront bar for happy hour.
Turtles : Fundación tortuguias- July to Dec - nonprofit looking after hatcheries / turtles. Night tours to see nesting sea turtles and release babies in mornings.
Swim in ride pools at Las Piscinas.
-
Playa Venao, Panama
-
Panama City, Panama
Stay in old town
-
San Blas Islands, Panama
Sail to Colombia - Blue Sailing