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The Wonders of Central America: "
It's incredible how much can be packed
in so relatively small a territory. World's best diving spots,
pristine beaches, ancient Mayan temples buried in thick jungle vines,
wildlife at your fingertips, and multicolored colonial towns
spreading at the foot of ominous volcanoes – that's Central America
in a nutshell. Let's have a look at some of the most amazing sights
to behold on a trip along this narrow strip of land joining North and
South Americas.
Belize
Sandwiched between thick jungles and the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a mecca for both beach bums and adventurous souls. Encounters with wild animals and creepy treks to the cobwebbed Mayan sites will appeal to fearless explorers, while the less intrepid ones will find delight at palm-dotted shores and in the splendor of the underwater world.
Around a quarter of a mile (0.4
km) across and 480 feet (145 m) deep, the hypnotizing Great Blue Hole
is one of the most astounding dive sites in the world.
Make sure you don't miss Caracol. Hidden in a high-canopy forest, this
largest known Mayan site in Belize covers around 30 square miles and
makes for a truly unforgettable trek into the heart of mystery.
Sun-kissed and laidback Placencia is
the best place to stretch your hammock, sip ice-cold drinks, frolic
in the azure waters and get a taste of Belizean village life.
Costa Rica
26 national parks on an area of less that 20,000 square miles (51,000 sq km) say it all. Costa Rica is a place to go if you crave close rapport with nature in all its variety. Divine coves, creepy jungles, smoldering volcanoes, crater lakes, rambling waterfalls and exuberant wildlife explain all too well why the country is called 'Rich Coast'.
The youngest volcano in Costa Rica is
at the same time one of the most active and threatening ones in the
world. Silent for hundreds of years, Arenal erupted violently in 1968
and destroyed the small town of Tabacón. Yet in its power rests
irresistible beauty … to be best admired from a distance.
Located on the wild Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park belongs to one of the most biologically versatile places on Earth, with fantastic rock formations, pristine beaches, majestic waterfalls and thick rainforest teeming with more than 600 animal species.
Tiny but definitely worth visiting, Manuel Antonio National Park preserves a series of charming beaches fringed by an evergreen forest. Just dig your feet into the warm, snow-white sand and watch dolphins playing in the azure waters.
El Salvador
Small, plagued with cataclysms, and
quite ill reputed when it comes to safety, El Salvador may not have
the best PR, but beyond the screamy headlines (often exaggerated in
fact), there lies a country full of raw beauty, colonial ambiance,
unmatchable surfing opportunities, fabulous art and the warmest of
hearts.
Surrounded by green pinegroves and coffee plantations, the little town of Perquin is home to the Museum of the Revolution, which tells the stories of El Salvador's civil war era.
Thanks
to El Sunzal and a couple of other fabulous beaches, El Salvador is
slowly transforming into the surf capital of the world.
It's a pretty good workout to climb up, but the view you can get through the famed Devil's Door over the extensive countryside is worth every sweat drop on your forehead.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a place that caters to all
tastes. If you want to make it rough, days long treks to ancient Maya
sites abound. If you don't feel like parting with luxury, top-notch
hotels line the fabulous coast. On the one hand, the country is
totally immersed in the pre-Columbian history, and on the other, it's
successfully trying to catch up with modern standards.
Take in the perfectly preserved colonial architecture and authentic flair in one of Guatemala's loveliest cities. Don't forget two snap a picture of Antigua's most recognizable landmark: the majestic Volcan de Agua that appears in a delightfully orange framing of the equally famed Santa Catalina archway as you're looking south through it.
Set off on a trek of a lifetime, make
your way through jungle vines and stay in primitive bamboo huts to be
eventually rewarded with the amazing experience of the wondrous
Tikal, one of the greatest urban achievements of the pre-Columbian
Maya civilization.
Lake Atitlan is the jewel of
Guatemala's highlands. It is here that you find the Maya culture at
its liveliest. About a dozen of tiny villages are scattered in the
astounding landscape of monumental volcanoes and calm, sparkling
waters that reflect the towering shapes.
Honduras
Although its share of turquoise waters,
ancient ruins, green slopes and untraversed jungles is sufficient a
reason to pick Honduras for a vacation, the true measure of its
awesomeness is in fact the people who call it home. A trip through this rather overlooked spot in Central America is virtually an experience of fabulous artistic expression,
inspiring folklore, simplicity of life and the kindest of hearts.
Dolphins frolicking in secret bays, howler monkeys dangling from mossy branches, and the Garifuna village of Miami built directly on the beach make a visit to charming Punta Sal National Park an thrilling natural and cultural experience.
If you love all sorts of water-related activities and don't mind crowds of holidaymakers, Roatan will truly make your day. With some of the most gorgeous white beaches and the best diving spots in all of Central America and the Caribbean, no wonder it has turned into a tourist magnet.
Unbelievable artistic heritage is to be
found in the ruins of Copan, one of the preserved centers of Maya
civilization and a major tourist attraction in Honduras. Gigantic
face sculptures are the major highlight here.
Nicaragua
Poor tourist infrastructure and
unstable political situation don't make Nicaragua a likely holiday
pick. But if you're ready to look beyond the headlines and do without
even basic comforts, the country will enchant you with its raw beauty
and make you dizzy with the opportunities for extreme experiences.
Swimming in a crater lake, climbing an active volcano and diving with
sharks are only a handful of options to test your nerves. And if that
sounds too adventurous, there are a number of spots to wind down and
take in the authentic quality of Nicaraguan seaside life.
Rising from sparkling Lake Nicaragua
and forming Ometepe Island with a twin cone Maderas, Volcán
Concepción has been frequently erupting since 1883. The
best part is that you can climb it, although it takes a lot of
stamina to complete it.
Nicaragua has its own spot of paradise as well … or two spots to be exact. Once a haven for pirates and buccaneers, today the Little and Big Corn Islands pamper the senses of adventurous visitors with exotic smells, turquoise waters, delicate sand, splendid diving, and fabulously simple hospitality. And all this for less than a song.
21 volcanic cones, of which 5 remain active, make the awesome crown of Nicaragua - Cordillera de Maribios. Climb a few of the country's fire mountains on a single trek and your life will erupt in a totally new quality.
Panama
Of all the extreme experiences you may
have in Central America, Panama provides for a good share of the most spine-tingling
ones. The roughest of rainforests, frequent guerrilla fights and
deadly animals scare away comfort-seeking tourists and leave ground
for the most adventurous ones. Of course, if you wish to go but steer
clear of dangers, Panama has plenty to offer. Friendly national
parks, lush hills to trek and adorable islands, to mention just a
few, are perfect representations of the country as well.
The Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro may
be Panama's main tourist magnet, but it somehow still manages to
resist the temptation for growth and remains quite authentic. Anyway,
if crystal clear waters, swaying palms and idyllic atmosphere are
your things, Bosas del Toro is the right place to head to while in
Panama.
The fact that the 38 islands of Coiba
National Park have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site speaks
volumes of how amazing the place really is. Both the forests and
adjacent waters are teeming with life, making Coiba a haven for
explorers, bird watchers and divers.
Another world heritage site of Panama, Darien National Park is a harsh but magical realm of remarkable wildlife, a staggering variety of flora and indigenous tribes, who will be happy to show you into the reality of life in the heart of the jungle.
So, where are you heading first?
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