Unique experiences for a trip to Central America

Central America is a dream destination for those looking for jungle trails, sparkling coastline, and the temple-bound thrills you’d find in adventure books. From the toucans and sloths of Costa Rica to Panama’s uniquely blended heritage; the ancient Mayan ruins of Guatemala to the forest-fringed beaches of Nicaragua’s islands—there is so much culture, beauty and wonder to behold here. For those that seek adventure beyond the usual highlights itinerary, nurture your travel bug with our pick of unique experiences and things to do in Central America…

Ancient Mayan ruins to discover

If you fancy yourself an Indiana Jones type, there are temples galore in this history-rich region, once inhabited by the ancient Mayans…

Explore Tikal at dawn in Guatemala

Tikal is an incredible ‘lost city’ of the Mayan civilization, once thriving around the turn of the first millennium in 200-900 AD. Today, the UNESCO-protected structures of this mega civilization sit amidst the Guatemalan jungle, hinting at the mystical life of the ancient Mayans.

A fascinating side note is that after Tikal collapsed around 900 AD, it became swallowed by the jungle, only to be recovered during 20th-century excavations. Today it’s truly an experience to explore the city at dawn; as the sun casts its early glow on glories such as the Temple of the Great Jaguar, Temple of the Masks, and the towering Temple V.

Visit hidden ruins at Quiriguá, Guatemala

Another once-hidden monument of the ancient Mayans, Quiriguá in Guatemala is a UNESCO-protected archaeological ruin, home to some of the most amazing stelae (stone pillars) and hieroglyphs in the Mayan world.

Some of the most intricately carved stelae are up to 10m tall—the hieroglyphic inscriptions feature zoomorphic figures, which gave insight to historians into Maya history, rulers and cosmology. This place draws fewer visitors than the afore-mentioned Tikal, and sits among a peaceful riverside setting.

Discover the underground world of ATM Cave in Belize

The magical ATM Cave is one of the most memorable experiences in Belize. ATM stands for Actun Tunichil Muknal, ‘The Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre’; and it’s a cinematic archaeological site full of millennia-old skeletons, ceramics and stoneware.

It’s truly magical to consider the age of these artefacts; ceramic pots complete with ‘kill holes’ used to release spirits, altars for ceremonial offerings, and intricate decoration in the upper passages.

The most famous of the cave’s contents is the Crystal Maiden, the whole skeleton of what’s thought to be a 17-year-old boy, possibly a sacrifice victim. The skeleton is so calcified that the bones sparkle in the dim cave light.

Read more: Explore the Maya Mountains of Belize

Unique things to do in Central America for nature lovers

The biodiversity in Central America is immense—with extensive flora and fauna that is endlessly alluring, whether on land or at sea.

Climb inside a dormant crater at El Valle de Antón, Panama

El Valle de Antón is a scenic town situated inside a 300,000-year-old caldera, and wandering through it is one of the best and most unusual things to do in Panama. Surprisingly the crater is extremely fertile, making it rich in biodiversity and a treat for nature lovers to explore.

To fully experience the crater jungle, hike its 6km trail, encompassing the town, waterfalls and cloud forests within its rim. Only in 2024, the World Tourism Organization recognized El Valle de Anton for its natural and cultural significance to Panama.

Float through glowing bioluminescent waters in Panama

There are natural gifts galore in Panama—as those brave enough to venture into the sea after dark will immerse themselves in a glowing swathe of bioluminescent plankton. These microscopic sea life emit a blue light when disturbed, meaning the water actually glows blue under movement.

It’s not as visible as you may have seen in footage, especially if the moon is up—but it’s still magnificent to see the water streak with light as you swim and splash. One of the most famous spots to see it is Isla Canas, on the Pacific Coast—but you can also spot it at Bocas del Toro and the Gulf of Chiriquí.

Go cave tubing through an ancient underworld in Belize

For those craving a bit of floating fun amidst the temple-hopping and jaguar-tracking, cave tubing is a novel way to explore Belize’s intriguing cave systems.

Don a headlamp, sit tight in an inflatable tube, and drift along a river that enters limestone caves, once sacred to the Mayan people. As sunlight filters through gaps in the cave roof, it’s a surprisingly peaceful way to experience the tunnels, despite the strangeness of floating!

Explore Nicaragua’s dramatic Somoto Canyon

Formed over millions of years, the geological wonder of Somoto Canyon is an underrated spot in Nicaragua. Carved out by the Río Coco, the canyon stretches for about 12m, flanked by towering cliffs reaching up to 70m high.

Guided tours are recommended—you can go hiking, swimming and rappelling through its pools, waterfalls and narrow passages as the cliff faces get more and more impressive. This is one for the adventure-seekers and nature-lovers on a trip to Nicaragua.

Volcano board down Nicaragua’s Cerro Negro

Adrenaline-seekers can satisfy their need for speed while careering down Nicaragua’s Cerro Negro. Boarding down the volcano’s ashy slopes is one of the most unique experiences you can have in this part of the world, but it’s not for the faint of heart—after a one-hour hike, you’ll cover the 728m downhill in less than five minutes!

The towering Cerro Negro is nearest to the welcoming city of León, and though it’s an active volcano (making this even more memorable), you needn’t fret—it hasn’t erupted since 1999.

Read more: Exploring the volcanic giants of Nicaragua

Unique wildlife and endless biodiversity

Nowhere but in Central America will you find tapirs, resplendent quetzals, Geoffroy’s spider monkey, or the strawberry poison dart frog. Come wander the place where elusive jaguars, huge sea turtles and sloths roam…

Track jaguars in Belize’s Cockscomb Basin

Belize is known for its elusive jaguar sightings and in Cockscomb Basin, you may get luckier than anywhere else. This is the world’s first protected area for jaguar conservation, and covers 400 sq km of dense tropical rainforest. The hiking trails wind past scenic rivers, waterfalls, and a rich variety of wildlife such as tapirs, ocelots and hundreds of bird species.

Though jaguars are notoriously stealthy, local guides will take you to observation points and track their paw prints. Whether you catch sight of them or not (and many do!), you’ll learn all about these stunning endangered cats while supporting their conservation in Belize.

Witness sea turtle nesting on the remote beaches of Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Most people are familiar with the heartwarming scene of hundreds of baby sea turtles toddling down the beach to the shoreline, and in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, you can watch this spectacle yourself. On a tour with a local guide, small groups are taken to protected nesting sites to watch the tiny babies hatch and make their way to the ocean.

For many sea turtle species, fewer than one in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood, but thanks to conservation efforts in places like Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica, and Güaniquilla and San Juan del Sur in Nicaragua, some regional populations have stabilized or even started to recover.

Read more: The wonders of Costa Rica’s wildlife

Underrated beaches and island escapes

Flanked by the Caribbean and Pacific oceans, the islands and coastline of Central America draw hundreds of thousands, eager for a slice of the beach life. But there’s an intriguing mix of cultures in these archipelagos that offer so much more than tanning and relaxation.

Experience Caribbean culture on the Corn Islands of Nicaragua

This pair of islands off the coast of Nicaragua may be small, but they have big personalities. The Corn Islands have the laid-back atmosphere of a fishing community blended with Afro-Caribbean and Creole heritage—and it feels relaxed and real, not yet tarnished by mass tourism. Be sure to indulge in the local lobster, it’s the star catch here and truly delicious—particularly when tossed into creamy coconut curry dishes.

Most of this lip-smacking cuisine is concentrated on Little Corn, the smaller, car-free island with a beach-based atmosphere, while Big Corn has town-style amenities and the busier bustle of local everyday life.

Relax on car-free Caye Caulker, Belize

Another Caribbean car-free idyll, this time off the coast of Belize; on Caye Caulker you’ll get around by bike, on foot or via golf buggy. The sandy paths and laid-back way of life are addictive—locals and visitors alike hang out eating in beachfront shacks, or diving and snorkeling among rich marine life such as nurse sharks, manatees, stingrays and amazing coral. Get in with the locals at the social gathering and swimming spot, the Split, a channel formed by a hurricane in 1961.

Discover Bocas del Toro’s jungle-beach paradise in Panama

Panama’s gorgeous archipelago, Bocas del Toro, is made up of around nine islands and 50 islets—bursting with glorious beaches, fringed with lush rainforest and mangroves for a satisfying mix of relaxation and jungle adventure.

The identity here is a distinctly diverse Caribbean; a mix of Latino, Indigenous Ngäbe-Buglé, and Afro-Caribbean culture with music, food and festivals (Carnaval occurs every February). People also stop here for the beach life, as the surf is great and ripe for underwater endeavors like snorkeling and diving.

Read more: Take the kids to Central America for a family vacation

Experience colorful and diverse cultures

Central American cultures are shaped by ancient civilizations, Indigenous traditions, Afro-Caribbean heritage and Spanish influence, meaning there is so much diversity to absorb and experience.

Meet Indigenous Guna communities in Panama

Along the Caribbean coast of Panama are settlements of Indigenous Guna people—though you might also see them selling their wares and handicrafts further inland and in the cities. Guna women wear brightly colored skirts and blusas with hand-stitched molas—this is probably their most significant artform as the beadwork and textiles will often tell stories of nature, mythology or daily life.

The men tend to fish or craft dugout canoes, as the Guna is deeply linked to the land. Ask your local travel expert about visiting a Guna community; you can share meals, attend traditional ceremonies, or stop at local villages as well as shop for their artisanal goods.

Learn traditional weaving at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Lake Atitlán is home to much of Guatemala’s Indigenous population; the sparkling, blue lake isn’t only popular for its stunning natural beauty but also for being surrounded by Indigenous Maya communities. Each group is identified with distinct styles, colors and patterns that tell stories of their ancestry, so weaving is a big part of daily life here.

When visiting a family or village you can watch the women at backstrap looms, hand-weaving belts, scarves and ceremonial garments. Why not support the community by buying these pieces, or even have a go at the loom yourself?

Tour coffee plantations in the highlands of Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama

Appreciate coffee in a whole new way by getting right back to the beans themselves. Central America grows some of the world’s best coffee harvests and touring the plantations gives you real insight into what goes into your morning brew.

In Guatemala, visit the fertile highland estates around Antigua; in Costa Rica, the Central Valley and Monteverde farms offer lush tours and tastings; while in Panama, the famous Boquete region produces world-class beans.

Read more: The best things to do in Guatemala: a guide for first-timers

Make it happen

To get to know the scintillating wonders of Central America, get in touch with our local experts today. They’re based on the ground within the destinations of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua, equipped with local knowledge to build you the itinerary you’ve always dreamed of.