central america

Travelers experience just about anything here: dazzling waters of the Caribbean to erupting volcanoes, mysterious jungles, mile-high lakes, and forests high in the clouds.

El Salvador: Central America's smallest country. Packed with spectacular volcanoes and scenic lakes, beaches, rain and cloud forests, and unique Mayan ruins. 

Panama: Best known for the man-made Panama Canal; serves as a land bridge between Central & South America.

Nicaragua: Provides a fascinating mix of climates and landscape; tropical savannas and rains forests; mountain slopes. A must see is the Masaya Volcano National Park.

Belize: Reefs, ruins, rain forests; tourists who visit here are interested in ecotourism and nature activities. Activities include diving, snorkeling, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, and cave exploring. Recommended highlights: The Barrier Reef, the Blue Hole, the rain forest jungles, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Costa Rica: rain forest, active volcanoes, and many volcanic black-sand beaches. Recommended highlights: Manuel Antonio National Park, Guanacaste National Park, Irazu Volcao, Poas Volcano, and Arenal Volcano.

Honduras: rain forest, cloud forests, pine-clad mountains, and exotic wildlife and plants. Recommended highlight: Copan, where visitors can enjoy whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and hiking.

Guatemala: known as "the Land of the Eternal Spring"; volcanoes, mountains, jungle, rain forest, and coastal regions. Recommended highlights: the city of Guatemala (the capital); Lake Atitlan; Tikal.