9 Days of Adventure in Central America

9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Uncover the Mayan Mysteries of Guatemala

With over a thousand years of history and culture, Guatemala is a destination that will captivate your sense of adventure and curiosity. As the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization, Guatemala offers archeological treasures around every corner.

Start your journey in Guatemala City and make your way to the old capital, Antigua. This UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with colonial architecture and surrounded by volcanoes. Walk the cobblestone streets and visit grand churches and convents that date back to the 16th century. Make sure to climb to the Cross of the Holy Trinity for stunning panoramic views.

From Antigua, head to mystical Lake Atitlan, referred to by Aldous Huxley as the "most beautiful lake in the world." Surrounded by volcanoes and Mayan villages, a boat ride on the lake is a must. Go hiking to Indian Nose for breathtaking vistas, and explore the traditional villages around the lake.

Next, venture into the heart of the Mayan world at the ancient city of Tikal. Dating back to 600 B.C., Tikal contains over 4,000 structures and monumental temples rising above the jungle canopy. Climb steep steps to the tops of temples for views across the sprawling ruins and surrounding rainforest. Listen for the call of howler monkeys echoing through the ancient plazas.
Finish your Mayan adventure at the impressive ruins of Yaxha. Set on a hilltop overlooking Lake Yaxha, this lesser-visited site lets you imagine life in a Mayan city. Wander through the expansive palaces, pyramid temples, and ballcourts. Watch the sunset over the jungle horizon and take in the mystical energy of the ruins.

What else is in this post?

1. 9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Uncover the Mayan Mysteries of Guatemala
2. 9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Sip and Savor: Exploring Costa Rica's Vibrant Coffee Culture
3. 9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Diving into Nicaragua's Breathtaking Volcanic Landscapes
4. 9 Days of Adventure in Central America - From Beaches to Rainforests: Panama's Diverse Natural Wonders
5. 9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Belize's Eclectic Cuisine
6. 9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Discovering the Rhythm and Resilience of El Salvador's Colonial Towns

9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Sip and Savor: Exploring Costa Rica's Vibrant Coffee Culture

Costa Rica is renowned for its delicious coffee, which has become an integral part of the country's culture and identity. Start your exploration of Costa Rican coffee culture in the capital of San Jose, where you can visit cafes serving artisanal roasts and coffee shops dating back over a century. Cafe 1910 is a historic gem with dark wood interiors and excellent coffee sourced from local farms.

Head to the fertile Central Valley to learn first-hand how coffee is grown and produced. Tour the lush hillsides blanketed in coffee plants and visit mills to see how the beans are processed. At Britt Coffee Tour outside San Jose, you can go birdwatching amid the coffee fields, sample different varieties like Tarrazu, and roast your own beans.

Don't miss the opportunity to buy coffee directly from local growers. Visit family-owned farms like Doka Estate and sip coffee on the veranda overlooking the plantation. Some farms also offer horseback tours of their sprawling properties.

In rural communities, you can experience the tradition of "beneficios" where locals gather for several days to pick, pulp and dry coffee cherries. It's a festive atmosphere with music, food and drink. Attend one of these community events to dive deep into Costa Rican culture.

9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Diving into Nicaragua's Breathtaking Volcanic Landscapes

Beyond Guatemala's ancient Mayan ruins and Costa Rica's captivating coffee culture, Central America offers another jewel - the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Nicaragua. This underrated destination boasts a diverse tapestry of towering peaks, glittering lakes, and smoldering craters just waiting to be explored.
Begin your Nicaraguan adventure in León, the country's intellectual and cultural capital. Wander the city's colorful colonial streets, admiring the ornate neoclassical churches and bustling plazas. Then, venture out to the nearby Isla de Ometepe, an hourglass-shaped island formed by the colossal Concepción and Maderas volcanoes rising from the shimmering waters of Lake Cocibolca. Hike through lush cloud forests to reach the rim of Maderas, where you'll be rewarded with panoramic vistas across the serene lake below.

Further north, the Cordillera de los Maribios mountain range is home to some of Nicaragua's most dramatic volcanic landscapes. Venture to the San Cristóbal volcano, the country's tallest at over 5,700 feet. Challenge yourself with a strenuous hike to the summit, where you'll peer down into the active crater and watch as plumes of sulfurous smoke drift skyward. For a less arduous option, explore the otherworldly Cerro Negro, a young black volcano known for its thrilling sandboarding descents.
No visit to Nicaragua would be complete without experiencing the awe-inspiring power of Volcán Mombacho. This sleeping giant looms over the colonial city of Granada, its lush forested slopes crisscrossed with hiking trails. Embark on a guided trek through the volcano's cloud forest, keeping an eye out for the endemic Mombacho salamander and chattering howler monkeys. At the summit, gaze out over the glittering waters of Lake Nicaragua and the picturesque Isletas de Granada - 365 tiny islands formed by past volcanic eruptions.
For a truly unique perspective, board a small boat and explore the otherworldly Isla de Ometepe by water. Glide past the twin volcanic cones reflected in the still lake, keeping an eye out for giant river turtles and wading birds along the shoreline. As the sun dips below the horizon, witness the mesmerizing sight of Volcán Concepción belching billows of smoke against the fading light.

9 Days of Adventure in Central America - From Beaches to Rainforests: Panama's Diverse Natural Wonders

Famed for the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, this slender isthmus linking Central and South America offers intrepid travelers so much more. With coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, Panama boasts over 1,500 miles of pristine beaches. Relax on the golden sands of Playa Estrella, adjacent to an exotic tropical forest on Isla Coiba. Try stand-up paddleboarding in the calm azure waters of Bocas del Toro, and snorkel amongst coral reefs teeming with tropical fish.

Inland from the beaches, Panama's verdant rainforests await. Hike through the misty cloud forest of El Valle de Antón, home to exotic orchids and hundreds of bird species. Listen for the distant roar of howler monkeys at Soberanía National Park near Panama City. The park's Pipeline Road offers one of the best chances to spot elusive wildlife like toucans and sloths.

For an unforgettable jungle experience, take a multiday trek to Lost Waterfalls in the Darién Gap. This roadless region contains Central America's largest national park, an untamed wilderness brimming with jaguars, tapirs, macaws and countless other species. Traverse rickety suspension bridges over raging rivers and navigate root-tangled trails with the help of an indigenous Emberá guide. Spend nights camping under the jungle canopy, the sounds of the rainforest all around.

9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Uncovering the Hidden Gems of Belize's Eclectic Cuisine

Belize may be small, but its diversity is reflected in an eclectic cuisine with influences from all corners of the globe. As a former British colony, some remnants of English fare remain, but you’ll also discover rich stews, curries, and coconut-infused rice dishes stemming from immigration from India, China, Lebanon and other outposts of the former Empire.

Of course, traditional Garifuna and Mayan ingredients and techniques form the soul of Belizean cuisine. Seek out authentic eateries to try staples like boil up, a hearty stew containing cassava, yams, plantains, and any variety of fish, chicken, or pigtail. For breakfast, refuel withfry jacks—fluffy fried dough—and Johnnycakes, oven-baked biscuit-like bread.
No Belizean meal is complete without Marie Sharp’s iconic habanero pepper sauce. Originally created by Marie Sharp herself on her family farm, this tangy and fiery condiment has achieved international fame. Track down the factory store to sample and purchase Marie Sharp’s full line of zesty sauces and jams.

For the freshest seafood, head to Placencia on the Caribbean coast, where shrimp, conch, and spiny lobster feature heavily on menus. Follow the locals’ lead and order whichever catch of the day is grilled or fried whole, accompanied by rice and beans or salad. In San Ignacio, outdoor food stalls overlooking the town square hawk tasty street eats like garnaches (fried tortillas) heaped with cabbage slaw, beans, cheese, and your choice of meat.

9 Days of Adventure in Central America - Discovering the Rhythm and Resilience of El Salvador's Colonial Towns

Beyond the surf breaks and vibrant art scene, El Salvador entices travelers with a cluster of enchanting colonial towns. At their heart lie historic central plazas, surrounded by pastel buildings and ornate churches that hint at a captivating backstory.

Suchitoto charms with its whitewashed facades and red-tiled roofs overlooking Lake Suchitlán. Cobblestone streets weave past galleries showcasing Salvadoran artisans and cozy cafes spilling onto breezy patios. For panoramic views, climb the 92 steps to the top of Los Arcos, an iconic arched aqueduct built in the mid-1800s. Come evening, live musicians fill the plaza with marimba melodies and strumming guitars.
Further west, the former capital city of San Salvador brims with colonial architecture and important monuments. The expansive National Palace presides over tree-lined Plaza Libertad, while the Metropolitan Cathedral's pastel yellow towers add vibrance. The nearby National Theater's marble columns, grand staircases, and glittering chandeliers evoke the elegance of a bygone era.
But it's Joya de Ceren that offers the most captivating glimpse into the past. Known as the "Pompeii of the Americas," this UNESCO site contains remarkably preserved ruins of a Mayan farming village buried by a volcanic eruption in the 7th century. Wandering the excavated remains, imagine the rhythms of everyday life 1500 years ago. Tactile displays in the museum showcase tools, textiles, and ceremonial artifacts left behind by the inhabitants when they fled the eruption.