Naturally Gifted

Framed by the tides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and sandwiched between continental goliaths North and South America, the seven countries of Central America could be easily overlooked in favor of more popular destinations. And maybe that’s for the best. Because if everyone knew the wild and wonderful secrets these countries contain, they would be more overwhelmed than the only Starbucks at a busy airport.

Technically part of North America, this region has an identity all its own. These are lands of mystical Mayan ruins, rooted cultures, and landscapes so extraordinary they inspired the birth of ecotourism. Smaller in total square miles than Texas, these countries nonetheless boast a diverse collection of volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, beaches, cloud forests, and mountains—a veritable buffet for nature lovers, sun seekers, and the adventurously inclined.

Here we’ll highlight four countries from this narrow strait—Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama— home to some of the greatest biodiversity in the world and cultures that can be traced back thousands of years.

Belize: Small Country, Big Adventure

For such a small country, Belize offers a wide spectrum of natural wonders—from the history-steeped Maya Mountains to the world’s second-largest barrier reef— along with a vibe that blends laid-back Caribbean with Latin American flair and cuisine that pulls from both the islands and the Maya people.

First, head to one of the country’s 200 offshore islands or beyond to the Belize Barrier Reef, a 185-mile-long UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with manatees, sharks, rays, and remarkable marine flora. It’s a mecca for scuba divers and snorkelers alike, drawn by the Great Blue Hole, a 70-million-year-old, 984-footwide circular chasm filled with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites formed when it was an aboveground cavern. Divers here must contend with an army of sharks— nurse, hammerhead, blacktip, and Caribbean reef—as they descend beneath into the dark, cool void.

Belize’s interior is not inferior to the country’s coastal revelations. After the reef, the second most popular destination is the Cayo District along the border with Guatemala. Here travelers can hike along jagged limestone mountains dotted with caves, sinkholes, waterfalls, and underground rivers. This area is home to animals big and small, including jaguars and hummingbirds, as well as the country’s largest Maya archaeological site, Caracol, which is surrounded by a high canopy forest filled with howler monkeys.

Guatemala: Where History and Nature Collide

With ancient ruins, expansive swathes of rainforest and more than three dozen volcanoes, Guatemala is the captivating center of the Maya heartland. Located directly south of the Yucatán Peninsula, it has the topographical variety and biodiversity of a far larger country, all wrapped up in a neat, manageable package. In a matter of days, you could walk the cobblestone streets of colonial Antigua, kayak across a massive volcanic crater at Lake Atitlán, and relax on beaches facing either the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea.

But your first stop should be at Tikal National Park. Few ruins can match the grandeur and steamy jungle setting of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you stroll across the Grand Plaza, through the shadows of the towering Temple of the Great Jaguar (Temple I) and into the vaulted burial chambers, it’s easy to understand how important the site was for the Maya people. Inhabited from the sixth century B.C.E. to the 10th century C.E., the city held up to 90,000 people in its heyday, evident in the diverse architecture found here representing ceremonial, administrative, and residential remains.

Tikal National Park is part of the impressive Maya Biosphere Reserve, which covers one-fifth of the country’s total land area. On any given hike, you can spot spider monkeys, Morelet’s crocodiles, ocellated turkeys, and river turtles along with endangered species such as jaguars and margays (aka very cute “jungle kittens”). If hiking near ferocious animals doesn’t get your blood racing, Guatemala also has 37 volcanoes— only three of them are active, so you can choose your level of excitement.

Costa Rica: The Enchanted Realm

Wedged between the Pacific and the Caribbean, Costa Rica feels like a movie set. Its stunning beaches are nearly too perfect, and the melodies of quetzal birds ringing throughout its rainforests sound professionally composed. Yet it’s real, and everything is really close together—you can drive from one coast to another in about four hours.

Of course, during that drive, you’ll want to stop a lot. Like at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, an otherworldly, 26,000- acre landscape blanketed by constant low-hanging clouds. You’ll also wish to spend time at Corcovado National Park, recognized as one of the most biodiverse places on earth thanks to its 13 distinct ecosystems—featuring everything from mangrove lagoons to a pristine coastline—which you can explore via kayak, foot, or horseback.

Sound like a hot destination? Wait until you hear about the fiery reserve of lava the nation sits upon, creating towering volcanic peaks and bubbling hot springs. Costa Rica has over 200 identified volcanic formations, none so popular as Arenal Volcano. Arenal has a Fuji-esque presence, dominating the skyline for miles around in the country’s northwest. It no longer spews lava, gas, and ash on a regular basis as it did from its infamous eruption of 1968 to 2010, but it’s still one of the most scenic places in the country—and that’s saying something in Costa Rica.

Panama: More Than a Canal

Sure, the Panama Canal, aka the world’s greatest shortcut, is an engineering marvel. But there’s much more to the country than the slice they took out. First off, there’s Panama City; the city houses two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Panamá Viejo and Casco Antiguo—both worthy of exploration to dive into the city’s past. Fun fact: The rocks extracted when the Panama Canal was excavated were used to build the Amador Causeway, a colorful green space and road that extends 3.7 miles out into the Pacific Ocean to link the mainland with the islands of Naos, Perico, and Flamenco.

Outside of the city, strong-legged hikers can climb 11,398 feet to the top of Volcán Barú, the only place in the world where you can see both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans at the same time. Don’t worry—numerous coffee plantations in the area will fuel your ascent. For those exploring the Chiriquí Highlands, steeping your weary bones in the Caldera Hot Springs is a must. And surfers can catch some epic waves at Santa Catalina, where colossal swells can reach heights of up to 30 feet.

Nature big and small, volcanic and oceanic, all across the region. That’s the allure of Central America. The landscape immerses you with unique adventures, wrapped up in deceptively small geographical footprints. It’s not a place to relax (although you can). It’s a place to experience with all your senses on high alert.