Panajachel
You'll feel right at home at Jenna's place, just outside Pana proper, with seven uniquely decked-out hard-standing 'yurts' (all with bathrooms) that are…
Must-see hotels in Central America
Boquete
Surrounded by orange groves with private trails winding through gardens and forest, this stunning property is run by a Panamanian-Californian couple…
Cahuita
This relaxing spot on Playa Negra offers six well-constructed bungalows. Some have Jacuzzi tubs and oceanfront terraces; all have air-con. The grounds…
Boquete
On the edge of the Río Palo Alto, this garden inn with a dozen rooms in six red-mud cottages is run by a welcoming Briton. The grounds overflow with…
La Mariposa Spanish School & Eco Hotel
Masaya & Los Pueblos Blancos
Just out of San Marcos, on the road to Ticuantepe, is one of Nicaragua's prettiest Spanish schools. Set on the rolling hillside at the base of Volcán…
Northwestern Costa Rica
This friendly hotel offers marvelous views over Playa Papaturro from every room on its terraced hillside. Lodgings range from simple and comfortable rooms…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Just 100m from the surf, this is the perfect base for anybody looking to 'relax to the max.' Rustic teak bungalows are creatively decorated, while…
Central Valley & Highlands
For sophisticated, contemporary class in an idyllic rural setting, stay at this high-altitude property. Suites combine rusticity and elegance; the best…
El Petén
Ensconced in a paradisaical lakefront setting within the Cerro Cahuí biosphere reserve, this jungle-style lodge offers a bank of rooms with full-wall roll…
Nicaragua
Just south of San Diego village, this rustic ecolodge has great food and some of the best surfing in Nicaragua, just steps from your hammock. Owners offer…
Antigua
The Antigua branch of the Israeli-run hostel on Lago de Atitlán translates well to Antigua's colonial setting: sparsely furnished dorms surround an open…
Playa Tamarindo
This attractive yellow hacienda has a great vibe that welcomes all comers. Private rooms (mostly with shared bathroom) are excellent value, with Spanish…
Caye Caulker
A dreamy new addition to the southern stretches of Caye Caulker, with just a few hotel rooms and cottages offering a highly personalized experience. The…
Panamá Province
Looking more Santa Fé than tropical, this comfortable inn is one of the island's best options. Eight spacious rooms have French doors and prim decor, with…
El Petén
This amiably managed little lakefront hotel is on the incredibly idyllic Peninsula San Miguel, just a five-minute passage over from Flores by lancha (Q15,…
Tikal
Nearest of the hotels to the site entrance, this was originally built to house archaeologists working at Tikal. Self-contained bungalows, plus a bank of…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This 17-room wonder features tiled walkways winding through gardens hosting tidy accommodation, each with high ceilings, stained-wood furniture, folk-art…
Southern Caribbean
Six tastefully spaced 'tropical contemporary' bungalows bring guests close to nature with natural ventilation (super-high ceilings, screen walls) and open…
Northwestern Costa Rica
Near the village of Curubandé, this serene, epiphyte-hung, hammock-strung oasis has six rooms with polished hardwood floors, open bathrooms, colorful wall…
Playa Tamarindo
This secluded B&B on Playa Langosta is set in a stunning faux-adobe Spanish-style posada (guesthouse). The rooms have four-poster beds, artfully placed…
Isla de Ometepe
At the southern end of Mérida, a bumpy road leads uphill to this Edenic property where cabins peek out from between the fruit trees. Swing in a hammock at…
Flores & Santa Elena
This island hotel sports an understated tropical style that's highly appealing. Hardwood beams frame bone-white walls with floral motifs that are echoed…
Southern Caribbean
Buried in the jungle, this beachfront spot is popular with honeymooners (splurge on the master suite!). Its 24 green palm-roofed bungalows with netted…
The Road to Chirripó
Named for the sly tayra (tree otter) spotted on the grounds, this cutesy B&B is run by a lovely, chatty expat couple. There are five spacious, light…
Península de Nicoya
This sweet spot is a collection of spacious, stained-wood A-frame bungalows renovated in 2019 by a new set of owners to feature balconies, kitchenettes…
Península de Azuero
With the feel of a rural hacienda, this lovely red-tile Spanish colonial just up from the beach has three smart rooms with colorful weavings, antique…
Ambergris Caye
A wonderful antidote to bland condos, the Cocotal has just half a dozen apartments offering a cool, colonial atmosphere with fans hanging from high…
Central Valley & Highlands
With spectacular bird's-eye views of the Central Valley, this romantic spot is set on a 40-acre plantation with 24 spacious villas (sleeping two to six…
La Fortuna
A smart, modern property on the edge of the Río Burio. This location combines the convenience of town with the rusticity of the forest – meaning lovely…
Quepos to Uvita
Just down the mountain from the eponymous wildlife sanctuary, this gorgeous place has a posh collection of seven villas perched on the hillside, each with…
Península de Nicoya
It's ingenious: a vertical hotel. All five huge suites – fully equipped and impeccably decorated – face the glorious sea. Climb to the top floor to cool…
Lago de Atitlán
Perched high on a cliff at the east end of the bay with astounding views, this semi-luxurious property features conventional cypress cabins and a…
The Pacific Slope
El Paredón's undisputed party hostel, the Driftwood was quick to arrive in the town and set the pace with its beachfront location and swim-up pool bar…
Flores & Santa Elena
Near the northern tip of the island, this is an old-fashioned establishment (check the lobby for a portrait of the founder) with rocking chairs scattered…
Guatemala City
A little island of glamor amid the rough and tumble of 6a Av, this place offers most comforts. The style is modern-reconstruction, with plenty of dark…
Coclé Province
This delightful inn set in lovely gardens lies just 4km north of La Pintada. Each of the eight spick-and-span rooms has its own bathroom, cable TV and…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
In the midst of a 13-hectare private reserve, this ecolodge is a birdwatcher’s paradise; guests can opt for unlimited birding and herping packages. Liz…
Granada
This elegant and expansive Spanish colonial mansion – once a hospital – is now a chocolate-themed hotel with a lovely pool (available for day use, US$6)…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
Emphasizing rejuvenation, this intimate oceanfront retreat center attracts those looking to unwind, through yoga, swimming in the chemical-free pool or…
Panama Canal
This overnight houseboat offers the novelty of a jungle retreat with canal ships passing by. Captain Carl hosts guests on a charming wooden three-story…
