Central America

Mexico, its colonial towns, plunging gorges, tropical jungle and blissful beaches possesses a wealth of alluring treats for travellers. Add to this the stunning scenery and colourful cultures of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, and you’d be hard-pushed to know where to start in Central America. There is so much to see here. From dense jungle, towering volcanoes, huge reefs, lakes and magnificent wildlife, to fascinating cities, ancient Mayan ruins, temples and step pyramids, this region is rich with life and spectacle.

Belize, located on Central America's Caribbean coast, is a small and family-friendly English-speaking country that is home to the world's second largest barrier reef, including the famed Blue Hole, making it a fantastic dive destination. Inland are dense jungles, magnificently varied wildlife, and stunning ancient Mayan ruins that will appeal to the adventurer in everyone.

Costa Rica, in Central America is often described as the ’Rich Coast’, thanks to its abundance of flora and fauna, and some great opportunities for wildlife viewing. Costa Rica is known for its scenery which varies from cloud forests, rivers and volcanoes to beautiful untouched beaches.

Guatemala is a fascinating country with a vibrant Indian culture, colourful handicrafts, ancient Mayan ruins, towering volcanoes, and stunning colonial architecture. Highlights in this Land of Eternal Spring include the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, the vivid blue waters of Lake Atitlan, the colourful highland market town of Chichicastenango and the impressive Mayan temples of Tikal.

Honduras, on the eastern coast of Central America, is home to the spectacular ancient ruins of Copan, one of the most impressive of all the Mayan sites. On the northern part of the Honduras coastline there are white sand beaches and great scuba diving opportunities on the Bay Islands just off its coast.

Mexico is perhaps Central America's most iconic destination, and offers world-class resorts and a thrilling variety of cultural and natural riches. Go whale-watching in Baja California, explore beautiful colonial cities, discover ancient Mayan ruins in the Yucatan peninsula, scuba dive the turquoise Caribbean waters or relax on one of its many beautiful beaches.

Nicaragua, in Central America, borders Honduras and is known for its Mosquito Coast; eastern lowlands that are inland from the Carribean. Nicaragua is a country of diversity, with its towering volcanoes, lush forests, beautiful colonial towns and wild beaches. Nicaragua is home to the largest lake in Central America, and its stunning coastline has many surfing opportunities.

Panama is ideal for outdoor lovers, with fantastic opportunites for white-water rafting, and jungle hiking along its dramatic terrain. The rainforests in Panama have extensive and varied wildlife, and the secluded islands off the Panama coastline are idyllic. Home to a great engineering feat, the Panama Canal, this county has so much to offer.