Belize City
Set in a secure middle-class suburb, this guesthouse and its charming hosts will smooth away any stresses that Belize City's rougher edges might induce…
Must-see hotels in Central America
Portobelo
This chill photographer’s home has been adapted for guests but maintains a very personal touch. Three small apartments and two ample waterfront houses –…
Copán Ruinas
This magical place some 3km south of town enjoys sweeping views from its wonderfully maintained gardens. It's a rustic yet charming experience with adobe…
To Corcovado via Puerto Jiménez
Midway between the Los Patos Ranger Station and La Palma, this low-key lodge is a fantastic base to visit Corcovado and explore the surrounding forest…
Panamá Province
Near the Panama Canal and Río Chagres junction, 9km past the turnoff for Canopy Tower on the road to Colón, is this US$30 million spot. It's not an…
Nosara Area
Completely transformed by a recent renovation, 'the Lizard' now offers 26 stunning suites overlooking the ocean and rivers, at the northern end of Pelada…
Central Valley & Highlands
Feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale at this over-the-top lodge, with its exquisite villas boasting majestic valley views, fireplaces, private decks…
Caye Caulker
A lovely guesthouse on the north side of the island, Sea Dreams offers a rare combination of easy access and sweet tranquility. Spend the day lounging…
El Refugio La Brisa del Diablo
Highlands
Overlooking a coffee plantation with views of Boquete, Volcán Barú and the Pacific, this tiny B&B punches way above its weight. The main building is built…
Arenal & Around
Part resort lodge, part organic farm, Rancho Margot is 61 hectares of cinematic loveliness, set along the rushing Río Caño Negro and surrounded by…
Caye Caulker
Jungle-shrouded and dripping with character, this octagonal bungalow has to be Caye Caulker's most romantic stay. The bedroom is spacious, with lovely…
Central Valley & Highlands
A short walk southwest of Orosi's bus stop, this welcoming, chilled-out budget option has three tidy dorms and private rooms with twins, doubles or a…
Lívingston
Casa Rosada is a one-stop spot that manages somehow to do it all, and do it well. The owner, Ismael, is a wealth of knowledge about the area and can…
Península de Azuero
Far and away the nicest place to stay in Pedasí, this hospitable and quite chic B&B screams getaway. The seven rooms are named and themed; our favorite is…
Highlands
Just under 3.5km north of Bambito is this sweet highland retreat set in a garden of anthuriums and hummingbirds. Owned by a friendly Panamanian-American…
Highlands
Have we died and gone to heaven? Sleep in one of six rustic retreats, or dormitories sleeping between two and 10, tucked into the rainforest; your nose is…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
An imaginative treetop glamping experience involving geodesic dome tents on platforms overlooking the cloud forest. Kids will love the family tents, which…
The Road to Chirripó
Just 50m from the Chirripó trailhead, this adorable hostel is built into the side of the mountain and is characterized by the warmth and knowledge of…
Panamá Province
Overlooking lovely Playa Cacique, this delightful property caters for romantic escapes. If you want to be right on the beach, it's your best option. The…
Coclé Province
The perfect seaside destination, Togo occupies a renovated beach house and outbuildings where recycled materials are used to create a sleek and stylish…
Santa Catalina
The crazy dream of a Neapolitan football player, these octagonal thatched huts are a tropical masterpiece. Bamboo huts feature traditional two-tier roofs…
Arenal & Around
About 22km west of the dam, this lovely, laid-back lodge overlooks a magnificent 58m ceiba tree. Seven spacious Spanish-tile rooms are hung with original…
Puerto Jiménez
Here are the most architecturally alluring cabins in the area: two-story bungalows with breezy decks, bamboo furniture, orthopedic beds draped in mosquito…
The Road to Chirripó
The most elegant place in San Gerardo, this upscale lodge consists of lovely stucco bungalows with colorful Colombian architectural accents. The leather…
Comarca de Guna Yala
Accommodations at this lodge are simple but comprise 10 lovely octagonal thatched-roof cabins with cold-water bathrooms; a half-dozen of the cabins sit…
Playas del Coco
Near the entrance to town, this private estate is on a hillside about 600m off the main road (mostly paved), with ocean views to remind you where you are…
San José
This formerly drab hotel is now a glorious boutique stay, right on Avenida Central. The lobby offers tons of inlaid brick and antique adornments, and a…
León & Northwestern Nicaragua
The breezy 2nd-story dorm is one of the coolest spots in all of Central America, with a giant view to the ocean. Camping in pre-set-up tents or staying in…
Estelí
This excellent hotel is a real find. It offers eight rooms over two floors surrounding a small tree-filled courtyard, including two rooms for mobility…
San José
It's easy to see why honeymooners love it here. Built around a sprawling early 20th-century Victorian mansion, this elegant inn has 39 demure ‘Tropical…
Semuc Champey & Around
Set on a hillside overlooking the small village of Semil, 3km from Semuc Champey, this is the most impressive setup in the area. Every type of…
Cahuita
This fine lodge on the edge of the park has spacious landscaped grounds that attract howler monkeys and birds. Four palm-thatched, raised bungalows (two…
San José
A 1936 vintage art deco manse houses this cozy, welcoming spot on the northeastern edge of Parque Nacional. Five large, basic private rooms (two are…
Quepos
By far the best budget-to-mid-range option in Quepos, this large, rambling building just out of town offers various configurations of bright simple rooms…
Isla Colón
This lovely B&B on Playa Bluff boasts six rooms in a house and two bungalows constructed with gorgeous tropical hardwoods, with sensational balconies and…
Honduras
This fantastic place is definitely a splurge, but it's well worth it: spacious, attractive and clean wooden cabins sleeping up to four people each face…
Southern Caribbean
Korrigan is a Breton word for a fairy or gnome, and maybe that was the impetus for this otherworldly lodge, nestled into a patch of Talamanca jungle. Four…
San José
This boutique stay is comfy, close to good restaurants and the airport, reasonably priced and decked out in Costa Rican artwork. It doubles as a gallery,…
Western Honduras
This memorable, Dutch-run place boasts immaculately clean and good-value rooms set off shady paths that meander through the hotel’s leafy plot, perched on…
The Pacific Slope
Set on the grounds of a working farm 2km past the entrance to Takalik Abaj (and on top of a large, unexcavated section of it), this is by far the most…
