Central America provides adventurous travellers with the perfect blend of natural beauty, exotic wildlife, ancient & colonial history and vibrant culture.
You’ll stand in smoky awe of the giant, towering and smouldering volcanoes of Guatemala and Nicaragua. Trek through the lush, green jungles of Panama and Costa Rica like the explorers of old to discover exotic wildlife.
Unearth the fascinating history of hidden Mayan and Aztec ruins in Mexico before you thrum and rumba to the decadent and heart-pumping rhythms of Cuban dance. The sheer beauty of the Caribbean beaches of Mexico and Cuba provide the ultimate backdrop for relaxation at either end of your itinerary.
Who goes to Central America
With so many diverse experiences on offer, Central America provides for a range of different traveller types, budgets and interests.
Mexico’s famous architecture, culture, food and mezcal (tequila is only part of the offering!) are undoubtedly one of the biggest drawcards for the region for foodies and culture buffs, and there is more than enough here to fill a 2 or 3 week itinerary. Digging a little deeper will unearth unexpected treasures like Mediterranean style cobblestoned villages, outstanding local cheese and even wineries – great for clients who have a love for Europe but looking for something a little different.
The timeless allure of Cuba’s unique culture including dance, rum, 1950s classic cars and infamous cigars appeals to many travellers. Add in pure white sandy beaches, charming colonial towns and spectacular landscapes and you’ve got the perfect destination for adventurous couples and groups of friends.
Nature lovers will marvel at the exotic wildlife of Costa Rica and Panama, including some of the best bird watching in the world. Belize is home to the Western Hemisphere’s largest barrier reef, teeming with sea life and endless water-based activities.
How to get to Central America
There are no direct flights from Australia to any country in Central America, Mexico or Cuba, which means flights via the USA (usually Los Angeles) are required. There are also alternatives to fly into some countries via South America, although this is typically longer and more expensive.
This makes it even more important for clients to book with an agent to ensure flight connections and crossing multiple time zones doesn’t placed unexpected stress upon them.
Top 10 things to do in Central America
- Visit Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. These magnificent ruins set in a dense jungle are Mexico’s most famous archeological site and the best restored of Yucatan’s Mayan sites. Highlights include the pyramid of Kukulkan with its striking geometric design, the Great Ball Court – the largest and most impressive in Mesoamerica – and the Sacred Cenote, a natural well used for human sacrifice.
- Explore the ancient palace and temples of world heritage-listed Palenque, where five hundred buildings are spread over 15km2 with only a few being excavated. The site, surrounded by rainforest where toucans and howler monkeys live, flourished between AD600 and 800 when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River.
- Volcano boarding at Cerro Negro Volcano in Nicaragua is the ultimate adventure activity. Start with an hour’s hike up this 728m volcano before an exhilarating slide back down – in less than three minutes!
- Marvel the ruins of Tikal in Guatemala, where towering pyramids rise above the thick jungle canopy and monkeys and other wildlife roam. In the tropical lowlands of the Petén Jungle and the home of the ancient Maya, you will learn how the city thrived as an important religious, scientific, and political centre for fifteen hundred years.
- The Blue Hole at Ambergris Caye in Belize offers some of the cheapest scuba diving in the world. The beautiful sandy islands of the world’s second longest barrier reef are renowned for spectacular snorkelling too.
- Explore the stunning coastlines in Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico. Surfing is a way of life for many locals and travellers here, and the hospitality and laid-back lifestyle is hard to beat. There are a great range of accommodation options available from cheap and cheerful to high end luxury resorts.
- Discover the colonial history of Antigua – the colonial capital of Guatemala for over 200 years. Once the third largest city in all of Spanish America, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Antigua today is a peaceful, partially restored colonial city that is a pleasure to explore.
- Witness huge vessels passing through the Panama Canal, an 82 km waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The busiest hours are from 9am to 10am and from 2pm to 5pm, and you can see many ships getting lifted or lowered 16 meters in two distinct steps. For the ultimate experience, why not cruise through it?
- Intrepid travellers can take the path less travelled to explore the caves, waterfalls and underground river of Semuc Champey in Guatemala for an unrivalled and unique experience and the ultimate FOMO inducing photos.
- Explore imposing scenery and meet the exotic wildlife at Arenal Volcano on Costa Rica’s northern plains. The volcano, once quite active, has been dormant since the beginning of 2011 but is still a dramatic backdrop to the town of La Fortuna and home to hot springs, many walking tracks and adrenalin activities.
How to book Central America
The beauty of tailor-made travel to Central America is that once they have an idea of desired experiences, comfort level required, length of itinerary and a budget to work to, Eclipse Travel can perfectly match a client’s needs. Eclipse Travel has a range of suggested packages available on its website for inspiration, as well as handy blogs and other articles with the teams’ own perspective of destinations and product sold. Eclipse Travel quotes are obligation free and once a deposit is paid the total price is locked in, regardless of currency fluctuations.
Send your enquiries through to enquiry@eclipsetravel.com.au, on 1300 575 752 or on the Eclipse Travel website at eclipsetravel.com.au.
How to learn more about Central America
Eclipse Travel has a comprehensive Central America section on its website which is very handy when handling enquiries. Eclipse Travel can also arrange training sessions for agents wishing to learn more about our Central America program either in person or via webinar. Email your travel designer or enquiry@eclipsetravel.com.au to arrange this or ask any questions about the destination.
