Stephanie is a cherished member of the Sampling America writing team, dedicated to crafting captivating narratives that transport readers to thrilling adventures across the country and beyond.
Most people seeking sun, surf, and sand will stay in a luxurious resort or quaint villa in Mexico, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. While these destinations are certainly worth visiting, many undiscovered gems in Central America are worth checking out.
Situated on either the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea, Central America offers the perfect mixture of beaches and jungle. Follow along to see the top 10 most underrated locations for your next family vacation.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Belize is a small country just below Mexico on the Caribbean Sea. It’s been gaining popularity as a travel destination in the past few years and now offers several luxury resorts and numerous exciting sightseeing and culinary activities.
Belize’s most popular island, dubbed La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island), has every aspect of vacation covered. Go snorkeling with tropical fish and sting rays, then head to the city center of San Pedro after for a five-star meal.
Bocas Del Toro, Panama
While Panama is usually known for its rainforest, this small archipelago on the island’s South side offers some of the best beaches in the world.
The palm trees sway on the beach from the warm Caribbean air to create a stunning location. During the day, snorkel with giant sea turtles and through coral reefs, then enjoy a tropical cocktail on the sand in the evenings with live music.
Tikal, Guatemala
If you’re looking for a more educational location, consider visiting the ancient Mayan city of Tikal.
Tikal is an amazingly well-preserved ancient Mayan city. While there are hundreds of Mayan and Aztec pyramids and buildings throughout Mexico and South America, Tikal is an archeological site that shows an entire city.
Deep in the Guatemalan jungle, you will find this stunning display of ancient architecture and life; consider setting aside a whole day to visit this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ruta de las Flores, El Salvador
This road is known as El Salvador’s best road trip. Sandwiched between Sonsonate and Ahuachapan, the 20-mile drive follows colorful meadows, coffee plantations, and quaint local villages.
Stop throughout the route to experience stunning jungle hikes, cliff jumping, and waterfall-fed swimming holes.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
This location in Costa Rica is a well-known honeymoon spot. The city has dozens of hotels that sit on the cliffs over the ocean, resulting in private rooms with picturesque views.
Costa Rica is also a family-friendly location. They are known for their zip-lining adventures through the jungle, interactions with iguanas and squirrel monkeys, and sightseeing trips in sloth preserves.
Granada, Nicaragua
Granada is Nicaragua’s oldest colonial city. You can see stunning, colorful homes throughout the town and even an old Spanish fortress.
The city offers many outdoor activities, such as boating, kayaking on its large lake, or visiting one of the many volcanic islands just off-shore.
Copán, Honduras
The city of Copán has some of the most impressive chiseled stone sculptures and Mayan ruins. They are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and have human-sized carvings along a scenic river.
This South American city also has hieroglyphics, the oldest Mayan inscription known to man. Stay in a boutique hotel in the nearby town of Copán Ruinas.
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