For a trip full of adventure and fun activities, Central America is a perfect destination. The natural surroundings are ideal for cool activities like zip-lining in Costa Rica or volcano boarding in Nicaragua, but there’s also plenty of options for those looking to relax. Think about sailing among the bounty islands of San Blas in Panama or spotting wildlife in the jungles of Guatemala. You’ll never have to look far for fun parties in Central America either. Dance into the early hours in a treehouse in Nicaragua or at one of the beach parties in Belize. There’s simply so much fun to be had in Central America! Get your bucket list ready because we’re listing the top 10 things to do.
Horseback Riding in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Throughout Central America, you can go horseback riding in various exceptional spots, but the most beautiful place for a horseback ride is in Puerto Escondido. Just a half-hour drive from Puerto Escondido lies a green oasis tucked between a lagoon and the sea. After a short briefing from a Mexican cowboy, you’ll mount your horse and begin your adventure. You’ll cross rivers and traverse the most stunning landscapes. By the time the sun is nearly setting, you’ll reach the sea and gallop along the beach. An incredible experience not to be missed in Puerto Escondido. The sunset horseback riding tour may not be cheap, but it’s worth every penny in our opinion.
Wildlife Spotting in Costa Rica
When you think of Costa Rica, you immediately think of abundant nature and a wide variety of wildlife. And that’s exactly what it’s like! During a trip through Costa Rica, you’ll encounter the most fascinating animals. Colorful frogs, sloths, turtles, tapirs, and even jaguars live here. You’re likely to encounter monkeys because Costa Rica’s jungles are home to many monkeys swinging happily through the trees. There are four different species: squirrel monkeys, white-headed capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys. Costa Rica is also a paradise for beautiful birds. There are approximately 900 different species of birds in this relatively small country! So don’t forget your zoom lens or binoculars and go in search of the toucan, quetzal, macaw, motmot, and hummingbird.
Tip: Many destinations in Costa Rica offer evening tours. With a guide, you venture into the dark jungle, searching for animals that become active at night. This fun nighttime adventure gives you the chance to see frogs, reptiles, and other animals in action that you wouldn’t normally see during the day. Especially the evening tour in Drake Bay and the evening tour in Monteverde come highly recommended.
Climbing Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala
As an adventurous traveler, you’ll want to climb a volcano at least once in your life, right? In that case, you must immediately add Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala to your to-do list! This two-day trek with an overnight stay at the volcano’s summit is a fantastic experience. The trek’s difficulty level is perfect for any adventurer with an average fitness level. The climb will challenge you, but it’s certainly manageable. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view. As an added bonus, there’s a good chance you’ll witness an eruption from the neighboring volcano. This volcano can erupt multiple times per hour. It’s amazing during the day, but at night, you’ll see the red lava shooting through the sky. Climbing Acatenango Volcano will undoubtedly be a highlight of your journey through Central America.
Volcano Boarding in Leon, Nicaragua
Climbing a volcano is already a unique experience in itself, but the true adrenaline junkie can even board down from a volcano! Nicaragua is the only country in the world where you can do this so-called volcano boarding. This is truly something unique! It may sound like an extreme sport and it can also be a bit thrilling. Fortunately, you can control your own speed well as you slide down. Volcano boarding is for many the highlight activity of their journey through Nicaragua. Read all tips for volcano boarding in Nicaragua.
Explore the El Pianista Trail in Boquete, Panama
Discover the jungle as it was meant to be: green, wild, and pristine. During the El Pianista Trail, you venture deep into Boquete’s jungle and become one with nature. Walking through the clouds, you’ll see what a rainforest really looks like, and how lush and shimmering it makes nature. A stunning sight! This adventurous hike can challenge you with muddy paths and steep sections, but the beauty of nature makes it more than worth it.
Take a Flight over The Great Blue Hole in Belize
Nature holds many extraordinary wonders. One of them is The Great Blue Hole in the Belize Barrier Reef. Originally a limestone cave that collapsed about 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. The Great Blue Hole has a perfectly round shape, is 130 meters deep, and has a diameter of 300 meters. The hole is so large that it’s visible from space! Underwater, you can see enormous stalactites as well as colorful corals, rays, turtles, and especially many sharks. Nurse sharks, hammerhead sharks, and reef sharks like to dive deep to cool off.
The best way to view this natural wonder is by diving or taking a flight over it. Because from the air, you can truly see how perfectly round it is. You step into a tiny airplane, where you feel almost sitting on the pilot’s lap. After flying over beautiful turquoise waters and uninhabited islands for 15 minutes, you suddenly see the dark blue hole lying ahead. A flight to never forget. Read our tips for Caye Caulker to learn more about this activity.
Sail at the San Blas Islands in Panama
Close your eyes and imagine: sailing for a few days on a sailboat over azure blue waters, past idyllic islands full of palm trees. You drink milk from a coconut on the pearly white beach of an uninhabited island, and in the water, there are numerous starfish, huge shells, and colorful fish swimming around. After a whole day of sailing, you lie in your hammock, rocking yourself to sleep under a clear starry sky. Sounds like a dream, right?
Yet, it’s your daily reality when you go sailing at the San Blas Islands in Panama. This unique archipelago is definitely worth a visit if you want to relax for a few days in one of the best-preserved pieces of paradise on earth.
Admire the Temples of Tikal in Guatemala
Tikal is perhaps the most fascinating place in Guatemala. This ancient temple complex dates back to the time of the Maya and was one of the most powerful cities of that era. The vast area of Tikal consists of thousands of structures: from temples and palaces to houses and playing fields. The Maya used these structures for their calendar, rituals, and offerings. During a visit, you’ll learn a lot about the life of the Mayan people. Tikal is also one of the best places in Guatemala to spot wildlife. It’s the habitat of toucans, monkeys, anteaters, pumas, and many more animals. As you watch the sun rise from the abandoned kingdom, you’ll hear the monkeys roar and occasionally see groups of parrots flying by. Read here for 10 useful tips for your visit to Tikal.
Swim in Crystal Clear Waters of a Cenote in Mexico
A cenote is a sinkhole with clear blue water and the perfect place for cooling off on warm afternoons. Swimming in crystal-clear cenotes is possible in only a few places in the world, but the Yucatan region has about 3000 cenotes, many of which are open to visitors. Here, you can swim, dive, and snorkel among fish, small turtles, and cave systems. Some cenotes are hidden in the jungle, but the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico are nowadays quite popular. So, it’s best to go early to have these natural wonders to yourself!
Parties in Nicaragua
If you’re looking for fun, Nicaragua is the place to be. Out of all the countries in Central America, Nicaragua has the most backpackers. You’ll find many cool hostels here that often host parties. Almost every week, there’s a legendary party somewhere. From the famous Sunday Funday pool party to all-night raving in a treehouse deep in the jungle—anything is possible in Nicaragua. Since Nicaragua is a very affordable country, a night out doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.
Check out all our tips for Central America |
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