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central america
Take a trip of discovery through Central America, a tiny land mass bursting with treasures. From the steamy jungles of Costa Rica and the misty peaks of Honduras mountains all the way to the sunny beaches of the Caribbean, uncover landscapes of stunning extremes: snorkel over marine parks, hike up a volcano or wander through cool cloud forests. Come face to face with the rain god Chac while exploring ancient ruins, pyramids and crumbling towers at stunning Mayan sites. Relax into the unhurried lifestyle of the tropics in a region that abounds with colourful traditions, vibrant festivals and bustling markets. Experience the contrasting faces and places of this incredibly diverse region and make memories that last a lifetime. Whether youre at a noisy celebration in Guatemala or eating chili from a street cafe in Mexico, youll make new friends and be welcomed by smiling locals. See a few of our favourite real life experiences on the following page...
When to go&
wet season Summer is hot and rainy in Central America, especially along the coasts, but theres always a fun and festive atmosphere. Although its muggy, temperatures dont get too high, remaining steady at about 30 degrees, or 20 in the cooler interior. Showers are likely to be short and sharp, with occasional tropical storms. Take shelter from the wet in bustling cities, exploring museums like San Joses Gold Museum or the Museum of Mexico City. In more rural areas, head to inviting swimming holes and waterfalls to join locals. When the humidity soars and life slows down due to the sweltering heat, head to the Caribbean or Pacific coasts to chill-out under swaying coconut palms, a revitalising margarita in hand. Its always lush and spring-like in the Caribbean, where tropical rains keep flowers and grasses in vibrant bloom. Guatemala is known as the Land of Eternal Spring and is especially lovely in this season, though the temperatures remain hot and humid. Spot wildlife galore in Costa Ricas jungle-like national parks where its often possible to cool off with a dip in the ocean, or head to the cooler highlands in Honduras. In Mexico there is a big Carnaval bash right before Lent, with parades, music and lots of fun. Central America celebrates Semanta Santa Holy Week at Easter, so youll find colourful parades and festivities in many cities and towns.
Virtually indistinguishable from spring, autumn is also a time of great beauty and bounty, with sultry tropical weather and warm days. In Costa Rica this season is known as temporada verde the green season and Nicaragua is similarly lush, with thriving watermelon, coffee, banana and citrus plantations. In certain parts of the region away from the coasts, which remain sunny, the temperature is a bit cooler so seek out the interiors and highlands to do some comfortable exploration of ancient architectural marvels. Markets will be bustling at this time of year so get your pesos or quetzals out to snap up a colourful bargain. dry season Winter is dry and warm, so head to amazing Mayan ruins like Tikal or the pyramid of Palenque to get a feel for this regions ancient cultures and traditions. When its a little cooler and the humidity drops, whet your appetite for exploring the great outdoors. Hike in the beautiful region of San Ignacio to discover hidden caves and waterfalls, mountain bike through the lush cloud forests of Monteverde or even trek up the steaming Concepcion Volcano. Guatemalans celebrate the burning of the devil, a spectacular festival of bonfires and fireworks. In Costa Rica the period between Christmas and New Years is lively and locals celebrate the holidays with bullfights, equestrian events and, of course, lots of dancing.
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