Central America · December to April
Central America: which countries to visit
Volcanoes and rainforests between two oceans, Maya cities in the jungle, lakes ringed by volcanoes, coral reefs and colonial towns: Central America packs some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Americas into a small space.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Nature
- Central America and the Caribbean
Costa Rica
Volcanoes like Arenal, cloud forests, beaches on the Pacific and the Caribbean and incredible wildlife.
Costa Rica travel guide -
Central America and the CaribbeanPanama
The canal, the old quarter of the capital and the San Blas islands.
Panama travel guide -
Central America and the CaribbeanBelize
The second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Great Blue Hole and Caribbean cays.
Belize travel guide
Maya and colonial culture
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Central America and the CaribbeanGuatemala
Tikal in the jungle, the colonial town of Antigua and Lake Atitlán among volcanoes.
Guatemala travel guide -
Central America and the CaribbeanHonduras
The Maya ruins of Copán and the Bay Islands, with reefs for diving.
Honduras travel guide -
Central America and the CaribbeanNicaragua
The colonial city of Granada, volcanoes and Ometepe island in Lake Nicaragua.
Nicaragua travel guide -
Central America and the CaribbeanEl Salvador
The Route of the Flowers, volcanoes and surf beaches on the Pacific.
El Salvador travel guide
Frequently asked questions
Which countries should you visit in Central America?
Costa Rica, Panama and Belize for their nature; and Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador for their Maya and colonial culture and their volcanoes.
When is the best time to travel to Central America?
From December to April, in the dry season. From May to November it rains more, especially in the afternoons.
Which country should you choose for a first trip?
Costa Rica if you are after nature and wildlife; Guatemala if you are interested in the Maya, markets and volcanoes.
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More travel ideas
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- All ideas
Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Tikalphotos (CC0), Wikimedia Commons.