Central America – Adventures en Masse

Central America

We've had the pleasure of exploring three Central American countries and hope to explore more of them in the future!

Central America is a region connecting North and South America, composed of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it boasts stunning landscapes, beaches, rainforests and volcanoes. Pure, natural beauty!

Central America is rich in culture and diversity, with a mix of Spanish, indigenous and Afro-Caribbean influences. We loved our trip to Costa Rica a few years ago, with its stunning views, lush rainforests and wildlife adventures. It was amazing to see beautiful macaws flying freely and monkeys enjoying their freedom as well, as nature intended it. Ziplining through rainforests was one of the highlights of our trip!

As for Belize, we loved it so much that, after our first trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize, we returned four months later for a second trip! We spent our time on the island of Ambergris Caye both times so we want to return to explore the mainland of Belize.

Central America is known for its warm hospitality, delicious cuisine and a deep-rooted tradition of music and dance. We sure had a good time when visiting!

Belize

As mentioned above, we were so pleasantly surprised by our visit to Ambergris Caye, Belize! We discovered a place to return to again and again, and we gained life-long Belizean friends on this trip! Enjoy some of our own photos below.

To get to Ambergris Caye, you need to fly into Belize City and then take a short 15-minute flight on Tropic Air or Mayan Air, to Ambergris Caye. The short flight is stunning! There's also the option of taking a ferry from Belize City to the surrounding islands of Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker which takes approximately 1.5 hours. I'd rather get there quick so we opted for the flight.

Ambergris Caye is a popular tourist destination with amazing white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters and vibrant marine life. Everyone enjoys the laid-back island vibe, and it is a haven for snorkeling, diving and fishing enthusiasts, boasting the 2nd largest barrier reef IN THE WORLD!

It is very easy to get around San Pedro Town. There are not many cars on the island and you get around on golf carts. You learn your way around real quick and it's super fun. There's a variety of restaurants, bars, shops and accommodations in San Pedro, catering to all tastes and budgets.

There are all kinds of day trips you can take on fishing, snorkeling, and diving excursions, if that's your passion. We enjoyed our day trips to Caye Caulker, a neighboring very laid-back island, for some great swimming at the Split, drinks at the Lazy Lizard and eating some great grilled fish.

We have not explored the mainland yet and plan to do so on our next visit, but many enjoy going to the mainland to visit ancient Mayan ruins. This is on our list!

You can use my packing tips and see other suggestions on what to bring to Belize specifically below.

Great travel guides:

More suggestions:

Travel size snorkeling gear

(for adults)

Snorkel gear for kids

Water sports shoes

Water camera

Costa Rica

Costa Rica was definitely one of our favorite destinations! We loved its laid-back "pura vida" lifestyle, i.e. enjoying life to its fullest and appreciating the simple joys in life. The people are friendly and welcoming, and the country is committed to peace and democracy.

Location: it's nestled between Nicaragua and Panama in Central America and is known for its stunning natural beauty and its commitment to environmental conservation. The lushness of the forests are breathtaking and beautiful beaches on the both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are amazing.

We began our trip in the bustling capital city of San Jose and explored the lively street markets, gazed upon the colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers. There is so much to see and do in the city, but that is not where we wanted to stay for longer than 3 days. We needed to see the beaches of course!

With a reservation in Playa Tamarindo, in the Guanacaste province on the Pacific coast side, we rented a car and took the 4-5 hour drive. We got lost once along the way, but the friendly locals were eager to help us find our way. Speaking Spanish is definitely an asset in Costa Rica, which none of us speak, but we managed anyways. It was all part of the adventure! The drive was nothing but spectacular, with diverse LUSH landscapes, including picturesque coffee plantations and the stops in various small towns added to the journey. We stopped a couple of times at restaurant huts at the side of the road to enjoy local delights and snacks, and fantastic coffee!

Playa Tamarindo lures beach goers and surfers alike. The beaches were a bit rough but amazing, the small town was fun to explore and buy souvenirs and the eats were good.

After a few days in Guanacaste, we continued our journey to Jaco, located on the central Pacific coast. Once again, this drive was nothing short of spectacular. Jaco is a popular laid-back beach town with surf-friendly beaches and a vibrant nightlife, it offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. From sunbathing, water sports, to hiking and ziplining, there are activities for everyone.

You can use my packing tips here, and see more suggestions below.

We highly recommend a visit to Costa Rica! PURA VIDA!

Great travel guides:

Panama

At the southernmost tip of Central America, Panama, is renowned for its famous canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This canal is crucial maritime route and an engineering marvel. I remember being in awe of the sailing ships and how orchestrated all the movements were. Really amazing to see!

Panama is abounding in natural beauty, from the lush rainforests, pristine beaches and coral reefs, to its beautiful, friendly people. Its indigenous cultures add a richness to the cultural diversity, with beautiful crafts, music and festivals. Panama city is a beautiful city with its gleaming skyscrapers and its amazing food scene. It also has a vibrant nightlife, but we didn't get to personally experience it. We must go back!

Outside of Panama's capital, there are charming towns and villages. For example, Boquete is known for its coffee plantations and outdoor activities, while Bocas del Toro is a laid-back group of islands with stunning beaches.

There is something for everyone and all ages in Panama, for adventure seekers, relaxation and those seeking culinary experiences. Our stay in Panama City was way too short and we hope to return in the near future.