With cerulean seas and verdant forests, magnificent Maya ruins and smoking volcanoes, central america is like a tropical fairy tale - except all of it is real.
Lonely Planet’s Best of Central America is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you.
Best of Central America travel guide
Laze over dinner in a beachfront thatched hut on Bocas del Toro, Panama; explore remarkable jungle temples in Tikal, Guatemala; and stroll the picture-perfect cobblestone streets of Granada, Nicaragua. All with your trusted travel companion.
Central America's TOP 10
1. Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala
Central America's most picturesque crater lake
2. Northern Cayes, Belize
Belize's ultimate tropical-island getaways
3. Bocas del Toro, Panama
A dreamy Caribbean island chain
4. Mérida, Mexico's Yucatán & Chiapas
The Yucatán Peninsula's undisputed cultural capital
5. Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
Lago de Nicaragua's twin volcano centerpiece
6. Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
Iconic volcano and bubbling hot springs
7. Tikal, Guatemala
Guatemala's remarkably restored jungle temples
8. Bay Islands, Honduras
A backpacker's Honduran island dream
9. Panama City, Panama
Panama's seaside and high-octane capital
10. Palenque, Mexicos's Chiapas
Some of the Maya worlds finest ruins
Inside Lonely Planet’s Best of Central America:
- Full-color images throughout
- Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
- Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
- Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
- Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
- Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, art, food, drink, sport, landscapes, wildlife
Coverage Includes: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and more
Writers: Ashley Harrell, Isabel Albiston, Ray Bartlett, Celeste Brash, Stuart Butler, Paul Clammer, Steve Fallon, Anna Kaminski, Brian Kluepfel, Carolyn McCarthy
Discover the best of Central America and begin your journey now!