Central America

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Introducing Central America

Tiny on a map, Central America packs in more diversity than any similar-sized area on the planet. No matter when or how long you visit, daily adventures are there for the taking. They come in all styles – fun, easy, bumpy, challenging, surprising, fulfilling – the sort you’ll be talking about for decades.

Caribbean white-sand beaches and offshore reefs border lazy backpacker towns while, not far away, coffee-scented mountains reach, Dr Seuss–like, through smoke-ring clouds. Spanish haciendas line the cobblestone streets of 16th-century colonial towns under the ominous gaze of lava-gurgling volcanoes. Wander through dense jungle to find Mayan pyramids that date back a millennium as bulldog-sized rodents scurry past and howler monkeys commute in the treetops above you.

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Calm waters of Lago de Atitlan.
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Calm waters of Lago de Atitlan.

Lonely Planet photographer
  • Damian Turski
  • Lonely Planet photographer
  • Surfer getting air off a wave.
  • Climbers watching lava flowing down Pacaya Volcano.
  • Freighter ship heading to Centennial Bridge (Puente Centenario), spanning Panama Canal.
  • Marbella neighbourhood high-rise buildings at night.
  • Cruising in Half Moon Caye park.
  • Surfers on Playa Carmen beach at sunset.
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