#WanderlustandWifi guide to travelling Central America
After recently wrapping up two months of travelling Central America on an adventure i like to call #wanderlustandwifi, i wanted to share a high-level roundup of my route so you can have as epic of an experience as i did!
Central America feels pretty off the beaten path compared to backpacking hotspots like Southeast Asia or Europe, and the travellers you’ll meet here are absolutely unreal — adventurous, chill, unpretentious, awesome. My favourite backpacker crowd so far. Even though there are less backpackers, the travel route is very straightforward and there are like 1-2 go-to hostels per place, usually with an obvious transport route or a shuttle organized through your hostel, so it’s easy to get around. also yes i felt safe!!
so here i am sharing my top recos for where to stay, what to do, and what to expect in the magical land of Central America.
don’t hesitate to reach out if you have ANY questions and i will update this blog post accordingly. also if you know anyone who’s going, i would love it if you would share this post with them too! :)
Belize
I’ve never seen/felt water like this — bathtub warm and vivid turquoise. Also the best marine life/diving I’ve ever experienced. A dreamy vacay spot.
Stay on Caye Caulker, a teeny island where the motto is “Go Slow”, fresh lobsta is grilled up on the street, and everything is Insta-worthy AF.
Stay at Iguana Reef Inn if possible (it’s a splurge but worth it if you can swing it). At least come here for sunset to see the pelicans and rays.
Blue Hole dive is cool but not mind-blowing, but the 2 dives that come after around Half Moon Caye are AMAZING - sharks, spotted eagle rays, so many fish. one of the dive sites is called The Aquarium and it literally is… an aquarium.
Do the 3-day sailing tour with Raggamuffin. You’ll sleep on islands so small you can throw a coconut end to end, snorkel in the bathtub Belize calls an ocean, go spearfishing, eat fresh ceviche, drink all the rum punch. One of the best things I’ve ever ever done!
Can stay in San Ignacio (Bella’s Backpackers) by the border if road tripping to Belize, it’s cute and a nice change of scenery. also Hopkins is cool with Garifuna drumming and culture but was slow when I was there (September — everything was slow).
Details in my posts:
Guatemala
So diverse, lush, perfect. Everything was prettier than the pictures. This place is magic and super easy to backpack around.
Flores - cute island town and a good stop after the Belize border, Tikal ruins are cool, check them out at sunrise when it’s all mystical and the howler monkeys are goin’ at it. If you come stay at Los Amigos Hostel, it’s so cool and funky. Temperature here is also hot and humid (same with Belize)
Lanquin - Stay at Zephyr Lodge in the jungle — this hostel was the reason I came to Guatemala. It’s a freaking jungle oasis. The tubing tour is fun and Semuc caving is cool but not easy (you’re holding a candle wading through shoulder-deep waters)! Heads up the road to Lanquin is about 9 hrs (whether you’re coming from Antigua/Guatemala City or Flores) but so worth it once you arrive. Wifi shuts off at 8pm here. This is one of my TOP recos.
Antigua - Hike Acatenango with Tropicana. The most epic sunrise summit ever. Dress WARM.
Go to Antigua Brewing rooftop for sunset, DEFINITELY eat or drink at Por Que No? it’s adorably quirky, drink at Cafe No Se. Also get shrimp + bacon tacos and sangria at Fridas, and Eggs Florentine at Rainbow Cafe. ugh the food in Antigua is sooo good. stay at Bigfoot if you wanna party or Selina for something more chill.
Lake Atitlan - 4 hours from Antigua - so gorg, prettier than what Insta had led me to believe, definitely glamp at Free Cerveza hostel. They do family-style dinners and the food is delish omg get the brownie. plus unlimited beer from 5-7. There’s also La Iguana Perdida next door if you’re not feeling a hostel. Can catch a boat taxi into San Marcos (zen, yoga, hippie) or San Pedro (tourist hub) for the day for Q. 15k-20k.
El Paredon - one of my faves. A black sand paradise. Stay at Paredon Surf House, it’s a dream and has private cabanas if you wanna splurge or dorm beds if you’re on a budget. Amazing sunrises where you see baby turtles released to the sea (6am from Sept-Dec) and unreal golden sunsets while surfing. Beware of sand flies though!
Details in my posts:
El Salvador
Only went to El Tunco, kinda a stopover between Guate and Nica, I stayed at Papaya, it was good but i think La Guitarra is best. It’s a super touristy surf town, the beach sucks (aka there is none, it’s rocks) but it’s a cool chill surf vibe.
If I had more time I would’ve hiked Santa Ana volcano, it has a beautiful turquoise lake in the middle of the crater — so you should go do it and report back, k?!
Nicaragua
Volcano central, more rugged and off-the-beaten-path than Guate, Sunday Funday.
Leon for volcano boarding, do it with Bigfoot they’re the best. I almost had a panic attack cause that drop looks so steep but it ended up being a super fun ride. Also loved hitching a ride to the beach for sunset.
Granada - cute colonial town, ate at Garden Cafe x2, go see lava at Masaya Volcano it’s awesome. Stay at Oasis Hostel. Can also go to Lake Apoyo, it’s so warm and pretty.
San Juan del Sur - Sunday Funday is a giant pool party at Pachamama and Naked Tiger so go if you like to party, it’s a bit aggress though. The beach is pretty and looks like a less touristy version of Koh Phi Phi. Stayed at Casa Oro, it was nice but so hot. i’d recommend it but get an a/c room.
Ometepe - wasn’t my fave but I think you have to either rent a scooter or ideally a motorbike to enjoy this island to the fullest. It’s comprised of 2 volcanos set on a lake — don’t hike up Concepcion it is death. i cried most of the hike down. lol.
If I had more time I would’ve gone to the paradise-esque Corn Islands and surfing at Popoyo.
Details in my post Volcano Vixen takes on Nicaragua.
Costa Rica
Cloud forest, sloths, beach, and pura vida, baby.
Make sure you have proof of departure or they won’t let you in.
I only did 4 days here and know there is so much more to see! but i was itching to get to Colombia and really just wanted to see a sloth (check!). plus it’s more expensive than the other places i went.
Monteverde is cloud forests, ziplining, nature, I did a night walk with Finca Trails and saw a mama and baby sloth 😭. Couple days is enough. it’s chilly here.
Jaco - came to get some beach time before flying out of San Juan, stayed at Selina (sososo nice), I know there are nicer beaches in CR (Tamarindo, Santa Teresa) but for me it was perf!
Details in my post Sloths and pura vida: A dose of Costa Rica.
i skipped Panama although i’ve heard sailing the San Blas islands is a life highlight so do that and let me know how it goes :)
That’s my Central experience — HAPPY TRAVELS, AMIGOS!!