As a travel advisor with years of experience planning trips to Central America, it’s my philosophy to embrace contrast and similarity between countries—whether that’s culturally, geographically, or both. For example, one of my favorite journeys begins in Panama, transitions into Costa Rica’s lush wilderness, and then shifts into the colonial architecture of Nicaragua. Another go-to itinerary kicks off with a visit to the ancient sites and luxury resorts of Belize before an exploration of the beautiful nature and towns of Guatemala. Here’s an in-depth look at these two personal favorite routes.
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The Panama-Costa Rica-Nicaragua Itinerary
Panama
Begin your trip in Panama City. Walk through the historic district of Casco Antiguo and explore the city’s diverse culinary scene. Then head to Valle de Anton, a small, beautiful village inside of a volcanic crater before continuing northwest to the scenic highlands of Boquete where you’ll find cloud forests, family-run coffee farms, and views of Volcan Baru. There are also plentiful ocean experiences on both sides of the country, whether you’re interested in luxury resorts or amazing marine nature found at destinations like Coiba Island.
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Costa Rica
Cross into Costa Rica overland at Paso Canoas or via a short regional flight. Stay at a secluded eco-lodge in the Osa Peninsula, where howler monkeys and scarlet macaws function as your wake-up call. Then head further north into the misty trails of Monteverde, where you can spot hummingbirds, sip hot chocolate, and experience local gastronomy in a tree-top dining garden. Finally, visit the Nicoya Peninsula, one of only five “Blues Zones” in the world, where people are believed to live longer than the global average.
Nicaragua
Cross into Nicaragua through the Peñas Blancas border and explore the Spanish colonial architecture of Granada. After this, head to Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America, for kayaking, boating, and paddle boarding around a massive body of water that’s rich in biodiversity. If you’re interested in more adventure, hike up Mombacho Volcano for panoramic views and jungle trails.
The Belize-Guatemala Itinerary
Belize
Belize is known for its beautiful islands, but its mainland—with its Mayan ruins, archaeological sites like Caracol and Xunantunich, and underground caves at Actun Tunichil Muknal—is an underrated destination for historical adventures. Visit the indigenous Garifuna people to learn about their traditional cooking and famous drumming. And, of course, if you’re looking for pure relaxation, Belize has plenty of barefoot luxury resorts and private island stays.
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Guatemala
From Belize it only takes a short flight or a scenic ground transfer to reach the UNESCO world heritage site of Tikal in Guatemala. The majestic Lake Atitlán is surrounded by volcanoes, and the villages nestled around the lake each have their own personality. In San Juan La Laguna, meet the weavers keeping old traditions alive. Then spend a night or two in Antigua, walking the cobblestone streets and shopping for beautiful textiles and handmade jewelry and accessories.
Katrin Kirchhoff is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in trips to Nicaragua and Panama. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Kirchoff at [email protected].
