Nestled neatly between the bigger, louder and brasher North and South Americas, it would be quite easy (but unforgivable) to overlook the compact cluster of seven incredible countries that make up the region of Central America.

Boy, are you in for an adventure! Volcanoes, Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins, offshore reefs, colonial towns and dense jungles are ready and waiting for your eager little feet to explore.

Five unforgettable Central America Experiences

So with so much to choose from, wouldn’t it be ideal if you had a neat little list of, say 5, things to do in Central America? Well whad’ya know…

Check out the incredible Mayan ruins

Witness incredible architecture and intelligence from civilisations gone by. You’ll be spoilt for choice as Mayan ruins and pyramids are as common in Central America as black cabs in London (this doesn’t make them any less remarkable!) Set amongst some truly stunning locations, any ruin you visit deserves some quality camera time.

Explore the ancient realms of the Mayan people in Central America

Look after sea turtles in Costa Rica

Who wouldn’t want to help out these little guys? Learn more about sea turtle conservation in beautiful Tortuguero, Costa Rica. This project is a must for nature lovers looking to make a real difference. Your life as a volunteer includes monitoring the baby turtle hatchery where, depending on season, you could be involved in counting newborns and releasing them back into the wild.

Explore the cloud forests of Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s natural beauty certainly knows no bounds. Lush rainforests support a myriad of bird, wildlife and plant species, which have all evolved thanks to 200 volcanic formations spewing out fertile rich lava for the past 65 million years. Don’t worry, only 5 are active today! Don’t forget to try and spot the elusive quetzal bird in the cloud forest… good luck!

In Guatemala, quetzals are the national symbol. Even their currency is called the quetzal.

Swim with sharks and stingrays in Belize

Scare all the folks back home with your tales of swimming with nurse sharks, giant stingrays, barracuda, and other marine life in Belize. You can also dive the blue hole here — reputed to be one of the world’s top dive sites. Failing that, snorkel with beautifully coloured fish, coral and marine life. Finish off by sipping on a rum cocktail and you’ve got yourself a day to remember!

Snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean coast

Crystal clear waters await. A wise crab named Sebastian once sang, “Under the sea, under the sea, darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter, under the sea.” No one knows this, but Sebastian was actually referring to the underwater world that resides off the coast of Caya Caulker in Belize, home to the world’s second largest reef, coral canyons and a HUGE range of tropical fish, manta rays and sharks. Nice!

Has this whet your appetite for travelling to Central America? Check out these cheap fares and adventure tours in Central America!