Central America was forgotten for many years, mainly in favour of heading to the mystery of South America and all it has to offer. Whilst South America certainly has plenty to whet the travel appetite and then some, Central America is a veritable playground for travellers, with amazing wildlife, rainforests, beaches, surfing, marine-life, and a huge choice of Mayan ruins to explore.
Made up of seven independent nations, Central America is known as being pretty cheap for those who wish to travel around this increasingly popular region.
Belize
Now, Belize isn’t the cheapest of the Central American nations, however it is arguably the best, so you simply have to visit. Compared to many different destinations in the world, prices are still low, making it a good choice for a budget visit. Scuba divers flock here for the huge barrier reef, with an abundance of colourful and diverse marine life, and bird watching is pretty immense too. Anyone into architecture will love the many Mayan sites to explore, such as Altun Ha, and the beaches are certainly something for the eye to see.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is slowly opening up to tourism again, following years of political unrest and environmental problems. This is great news for those wanting to explore a truly untouched country, in fact Nicaragua is actually the largest of the Central American countries. You can book yourself into a small, family-run hotel quite cheaply, and getting around certainly won’t break the bank. It’s best to head here sooner rather than later, before the tourism flocks arrive.
Panama
The cost of flights to this beautiful and diverse country have fallen over recent years, which means more and more people are heading to Panama for holidays. Bocas del Toro is a popular spot, and because of that you can expect prices to be higher, as well as in Panama City, however if you head away from the more well-known places then you will find typically lower prices, and undoubtedly more amazing scenery to boot. Stick to street food and beer as your alcoholic tipple, and you won’t end up poor at the end of your visit.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is jam-packed with activities, which makes it the perfect Central American destination to visit. Again, keep visits to tourist destinations to a minimum and you will keep costs low. Having said that, Arenal, Manuel Antonio, and San Jose are must visits. Food is cheap in Costa Rica, especially on the streets, and you will get a more authentic experience if you go down this route.
Put these four Central American gems on your visit list.
