5 destinations in Central America that everyone should visit at least once

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Central America has always been the dirty underdog of the travel world. For years, travelers skipped the “middle parts” to head straight to Mexico or Costa Rica.

Big mistake.

Right now, this might be the most exciting region on the map. It has undergone a huge “glow-up”: we are moving away from just cheap backpacker hostels to something edgier, cooler and more advanced. You can still find that raw, Jurassic Park energy – smoking volcanoes, black sand beaches and deafening howler monkeys – but now you can do it with super-fast WiFi and a mezcal cocktail in hand.

It’s the best place: wild enough to feel like an adventure, but comfortable enough to really enjoy it. Every time I visit, I feel like I’ve unlocked a secret code to travel. Enough off-path that I feel true to my nature, but mainstream enough that I can still sit back and turn off my brain when I need to.

Here are 5 places that define this new era:

(PLUS: I’ve created a quiz at the end of this article to help you find your perfect match, so stick around!)

1. San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

The comeback kid

San Juan del Sur (SJDS) used to have a reputation. It was the place for backpackers to lose their minds during the ‘Sunday Funday’ pool crawls. And of course you can still do that if you want.

But the city has matured in a really cool way. Now it feels less like a frat party and more like a scruffy, colorful surf town where everyone knows everyone. The Victorian houses are painted neon pink and turquoise, the sunsets are legendary and the energy is just… infectious.

We enjoyed our time here and it was my first attempt at surfing. It went better than I expected! We also rode horses through the jungle and could even see nearby Costa Rica from the coastline. It was adventure, relaxation and culture all packed into one city. Looking forward to going back!

@journeypad An incredible day out from @lsmresort with @tribusurfnicaragua. One of our first times out and we got up! . #surfing #lsmresort #lasantamaria #sanjuandelsur #visitnicaragua ♬ Let’s go surfing – the drums

The strategy:

• Escape the city: The town is nice for a drink, but the magic is in the ‘satellite beaches’. Take the $5 shuttle bus to Playa Maderas (for the cool, artsy crowd) or Playa Hermosa (where they filmed Survivor because it looks so untouched).
• The sunset walk: You can see the massive Christ of Mercy statue from all over the city. The walk up is steep and sweaty, but standing at the base and watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean? It beats any rooftop bar view hands down.

2. Mizata, El Salvador

The coolest place you haven’t been yet

El Salvador is currently experiencing an important moment. The security situation has completely changed and travelers are pouring in again. But while everyone else is pouring into El Tunco, the “in the know” crowd is heading to Mizata.

It feels refined. We’re talking high-end designed treehouses, infinity pools overlooking the break, and an atmosphere that feels more ‘Tulúm’ than ‘backpacking’. Plus, paying for your pupusas with Bitcoin is a surreal, futuristic twist.

We loved our stay here, and our favorite part was hiking the nearby Tamanique Falls. Your legs will be shaking like crazy by the time you get all the way down, but it’ll be worth it!

@journeypad The perfect adventure during our stay at MIZATA 🤩. #visitmizata #mizata #travel #waterfall #hiking #adventure #elsalvador ♬ I Don’t Like It, I Love It (feat. Robin Thicke & Verdine White) – Flo Rida

The strategy:

• Respect the sand: This is serious: the beach here is jet black volcanic sand. It absorbs heat like a cast iron skillet. If you try to walk barefoot in the afternoon, you will shall regret it. Plan your beach time for early morning or late afternoon.
• The Temazcal: If you want to balance the modern vibe with something old, look for one Temazcal ceremony. It’s an indigenous sweat lodge ritual that’s intense, sweaty, and quite frankly, life-changing.

A note about safety

El Salvador has tackled crime in a BIG way in recent years. Now they have a Level 1 designation from the US Department of State, which is quite an achievement considering just a few years ago it was Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

We felt completely safe while we were there, and the locals talked about how much things have changed. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back in a heartbeat.

Been recently? Tell other travelers about your experiences using our real-time safety index below!

3. El Paredon, Guatemala

The capital of the ‘lazy days’

If you don’t want to do anything at all and feel good about it, go to El Paredon.

This place used to be difficult to reach, but a new road opened, and now it is the surfing capital of Guatemala. The rhythm here is determined by the sun. It’s dusty, barefoot and incredibly relaxed. Since the midday heat is no joke, the entire city basically takes a mandatory siesta from noon to 4 p.m. It forces you to slow down.

The strategy:

• Mangrove magic: The ocean here is a powerful surfing area, but just behind the beach lies a huge, quiet mangrove reserve. Taking a Stand Up Paddleboard tour at sunrise is peaceful in a way that is hard to describe.
• Turtle season: If you’re there between June and December, ask about the baby turtle release. Seeing hundreds of little ones rushing across that huge black beach towards the ocean is one of those core memories that you keep forever.

4. Santa Catalina, Panama

The end of the road

Santa Catalina is special because you have to earn it. It’s a brisk 5-6 hour drive from Panama City, which naturally filters out the weekend warriors and cruise ship crowds.

What remains is a place that feels like a border post. There are no high-rises, just surf camps, roaming cows and some of the best divers in the world. It feels raw and unfiltered.

The strategy:

• The underwater safari: You come here for this Coiba National Park. It used to be a prison island (think “Tropical Alcatraz”), which accidentally kept the reef alive because no one came near it for a hundred years. The diving and snorkeling here is breathtaking: sharks, rays, turtles, everything.
• Whale watching: If you can time your trip between July and Octoberdo it. Humpback whales migrate here to have their calves. Seeing a 40 ton whale wreck next to a jungle island is something you just can’t put into words.

5. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

The Caribbean VibeCheck

Most people go to the Pacific side of Costa Rica (Tamarindo, Santa Teresa). And that’s fine, but it can feel very Americanized.

Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side is a completely different world. The atmosphere is Afro-Caribbean, the soundtrack is Reggae and the food is spicy and coconutty. The jungle grows to the water’s edge; you can swim and look up to see a sloth or a toucan in the trees.

The strategy:

• The animal rescue: You must visit the Jaguar Rescue Center. It’s not a zoo; it is a rehabilitation center for injured wildlife. Seeing baby sloths and monkeys up close – and knowing that they are being helped back into the wild – is truly heartwarming.
• The “secret summer”: Here’s a pro tip: Costa Rica is usually rainy in September and October… except on the Caribbean side. It is their dry season. The water becomes flat and crystal clear. If you want to hack the weather, this is the move.
• The chocolate: You are right next to the native BriBri territory. Don’t just buy any chocolate bar; take a tour where you grind the beans on a stone metate. It will give you a whole new appreciation for your dessert.

Now for the fun part: pick the one that fits your vibe right now… and start building the list for the next four.

Tyler Fox

Tyler is our editor-in-chief and writer. After years of reading, writing, and obsessing about travel (while traveling as often as possible, of course!), he wants to give readers the best and most balanced experience possible when exploring the site.