Caribbean & Central America Travel Guide

Like two sets of precious gems, one clustered into the isthmus between North and South America, the other thrown with joyous abandon into the fringes of the Mid Atlantic Ocean, the countries of Central America and the Caribbean have drawn treasure seekers and adventurers to their shores for centuries. Whereas once the lure was gold, spice, and colonial conquest, today the attractions focus on the region’s natural and cultural abundance.

Dwarfed by the neighbouring continents of North and South America, the compact countries of Central America certainly punch above their weight as travel destinations. Each country is a concentrated wonderland of varied landscapes, experiences, and cultures. Take Costa Rica for example, the crown jewel of Central America, an Eden of biodiversity where 25% of the landmass has been devoted to national parks. Walk the Cloud Forests of Monteverde one day, feel the rumblings of Arenal Volcano the next, carve the surf at Salsa Brava by morning, and replenish your sugar levels at a San José churros stall in the afternoon. This is a region of mindboggling diversity and ever-changing vistas. From Guatemala to Honduras, Nicaragua to Panama the story is repeated, each one seasoned with its distinct cultural flavours.

Travelers often come to the Caribbean with expectations that don’t go much further than perfect beaches, golden sunsets, relaxing vibes and perhaps a little calypso. For those who venture beyond the resorts, however, treasure awaits. From the emerald jungles of Cancun to the faded splendor of Cuba, from the rumba and rum of Barbados to the cricket and reggae of Jamaica, no two islands are the same. Pirates and adventurers once sailed to the Caribbean to plunder and pillage; now her greatest treasures are given freely and often unexpectedly. It might come via the predawn bird song of a still-yet-to-be catalogued species, or in an invitation to sit down to a game of dominoes at sunset. A bounty awaits you, and you are welcome to take away as much as your heart can carry.