Top 7 Spots In Central America

With epic coastlines, lush jungles, and towering volcanoes, Central America is an adventure playground waiting to be explored, but if you’re more into chilling out than thrilling out – soak up the region’s laid-back Caribbean beach vibes or brush up on your salsa dancing in the colonial cities. If we were to list every reason you should visit, we’d be here all day! So here’s seven reasons why you should add Central America to your bucket list:

1. WHALE SHARKS – MEXICO

The Whale Shark is an epic beast, measuring up to 66 feet long, and swimming alongside these gentle giants is an ultimate ‘do before you die’ experience. There are only a few destinations left on the planet where you can still spot them… and Mexico is one of them! Take a 25-minute boat ride south of Cancun to Isla Holbox for the best diving spots. We’d recommend visiting the island between June and September when the whale sharks arrive to feed, and it could be you in that picture!

2.SANTA FE TULUM – MEXICO

Be sure to visit Santa Fe beach just 10 minutes south of the Tulum ruins for rustic, bohemian beach-camping. It’s crowd-free, unspoiled, and downright beautiful! The beach is pretty basic; there’s a snack bar serving refreshing coconut cocktails and a few boatmen offering snorkeling tours along the coral reef. We don’t think you need much more; it’s minimalism.

3. TURTLES – MEXICO

The little beach town of Akumal in Mexico is one of the most incredible spots for snorkeling with turtles, and it’s completely free! All you need to do is swim short from the shore, and you’ll find yourself floating amongst beautiful sea turtles—no need to hire a boat or pay for a guide. Akumal Bay’s ocean floor is covered with sea grass, which the turtles LOVE. So they spend hours every day munching on it. Trust us, they’ll hang around for ages grazing – they’re pretty chilled, so you can get up close and personal with these beauties!

4. THE LAZY LIZARD – BELIZE

The Lazy Lizard is a beach bar and grill at the split on Caye Caulker, a picturesque island off Belize. Spend the day snorkeling and fishing in Belize’s turquoise waters, then head back to the bar and watch the sun go down with a bucket full of Belkin beer. The Lazy Lizard is all about good times, Caribbean vibes, and tasty cocktails – try the infamous “Lizard drink,” which is delicious but seriously lethal. Not that we’re speaking from experience!

5. RIO DULCE HOT SPRINGS – GUATEMALA

A hot waterfall? Yeah, it’s a thing. At first glance, you’ll think it’s just like any other waterfall, but look closer and see the steam rising from the water beneath the falls. Swim closer to the falls, and you’ll feel the heat radiating from the cascades. The water is boiling, so don’t try to be seductive under the falls. The best time to visit is before noon to miss when the local tourists arrive; you’ll avoid the crowds and have this natural jacuzzi all to yourself.

6.LAKE ATITLAN – GUATEMALA

It’s the deepest lake in Central America, and as soon as you arrive, you’ll never want to leave. Just look at it; it’s gorgeous! It gives Central American sunsets a whole new meaning. Take your pick from one of the three towering volcanoes surrounding the lake and hike to the top for mesmerizing views. The Mayan villages’ lakeside are a hub of hippies, backpackers, and travelers. Panajachel is the most popular backpacker village; you can spend the day kayaking, exploring local markets, or simply bar-hopping. Mayan pub crawl, anyone?

7.ANTIGUA – GUATEMALA

If you’re heading to a city in Guatemala, make it Antigua. It has a colonial history, beautiful architecture, and a buzzing bar scene. If you had to pick a few architectural gems, check out Las Capuchinas, San Francisco, Santo Domingo, and La Merced. When you’re done looking at buildings, head to “Las Vibras de la Casbah” for a night of drinking and fantastic salsa dancing. If you’re feeling particularly up for it, try Reilly’s Irish Tavern; that place goes off! But then again, you are in Antigua, so promise us you won’t spend every night in an Irish bar. Enjoy!