Things to do in Central America
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FEATURED
Central American Adventure
32 days (Playa del Carmen)
by Intrepid
Find many ways to play on Mexico's Playa del Carmen , Swim over underwater worlds in Caye Caulker, Marvel at the magnificent Tikal pyramids, Experience lakeside…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,595 - All things to do
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Restaurante Don Rodrigo
The food's up to scratch here - lots of meat and seafood with light Guatemalan twists. The real draw is the setting, a gorgeous courtyard with plenty of wrought iron, blossoming flowers and tinkling fountains.
reviewed
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Probigua
A highly regarded, nonprofit school helping Guatemalan children by donating the school's profits to establish and maintain libraries in the many rural villages where there is no access to books.
reviewed
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Limoncillo [closed]
Panamanian chef Clara Icaza Angelini cooked at some of the best restaurants in New York before returning to her roots and opening one of Panama City's best restaurants. The menu changes every few months, but you can always count on a fresh and creative assortment of plates with delicate spices, such as pan-roasted grouper with grilled asparagus or sautéed sea scallops with Thai red curry sauce.
Incredibly stylish and decorated with an eye for detail, Limoncillo benefits from Angelini's family of artists - many of the paintings, photographs and sculptures in the restaurant were made by her relatives (some are for sale).
reviewed
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D
Ixchel Spanish School
Comfortable, welcoming school with enjoyable group activities and lush garden. Has information on more than 50 volunteer projects in the area, ranging from helping in hospitals and orphanages to working as an assistant teacher in a local school as well as construction work and reforestation projects.
reviewed
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Guatemala Ventures/Mayan Bike Tours
This outfit offers volcano ascents and mountain bike tours. Volcano ascents take you to Agua, and for those a bit more adventurous they offer hike-and-bike tours to Pacaya volcano. They also offer some interesting cloud-forest, bird-watching and ridge-hiking options. You can rent out good mountain bikes here too (by the hour or by the day) and there are some tasty bike tours, from intermediate to expert levels, on offer.
This outfit also does bike-and-kayak trips to Lago de Atitlán and Monterrico (both two days). Another, lazier option is its trip up Cerro Alto in a minibus with a coast back down on mountain bike.
reviewed
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Finca Santa Margarita
A working coffee farm, Finca Santa Margarita offers stellar guided tours. From propagation and planting to roasting and exporting, the 45-minute tour will tell you all you ever wanted to know about these powerful beans. At tour's end, you're treated to a cup of coffee and can purchase beans straight from the roaster for around US$3 to around US$6 per pound (0.45kg). The talented guide speaks English and Spanish.
reviewed
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El Quetzal
One of the few indigenous-run businesses in town, plenty of activities and a reading room with more than 300 books.
reviewed
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El Pavo Real
A mix of Panamanians and expats gather over games of darts or pool at this British pub-restaurant made famous by John le Carré's thriller The Tailor of Panama. (The British Foreign Service employee/best-selling novelist spent a lot of time here while conducting research for his book. The pub-restaurant's owner, Sarah Simpson, is also an ex-BFS employee. Coincidence?)
The pub grub here is tasty and filling, and offerings include burgers, chicken-breast sandwiches and fish 'n' chips. There is also occasional live music and there's never a cover charge.
reviewed
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El Panorama
This Swiss-owned restaurant (a 10-minute slog up the hill at the south end of town) does good set meals and raclette. The view is amazing and it's a romantic spot for that special night out.
reviewed
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Cuevita de las Urquizas
Sumptuous tipico food is the draw here, all kept warming in earthenware pots out front - a very dirty trick as the smells wafting out are impossible to go past. Hugely popular with locals, it's worth getting here early to avoid waiting for a table.
reviewed
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Casa del Tejido Antiguo
This is another intriguing place for textiles; it's like a museum, market and workshop rolled into one. It claims to be the only place in Antigua managed by indigenous people.
reviewed
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Café Ruíz Coffee Plantation
Located on the main road about 600m north of the town center, Panama's most famous coffee-grower offers a tour that includes transportation to a nearby coffee plantation, a presentation on the history of coffee in Boquete, a tour of a roasting facility and the obligatory tasting session. Tours depart at 09:00 daily except Sundays and holidays, but you have to make advance reservations.
reviewed
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Buddha Bar
An excellent place to hang out - downstairs there's a pool table, upstairs a restaurant doing convincing versions of Thai, Indian and other Asian dishes.
reviewed
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Antigua Tours
Elizabeth Bell, author of books on Antigua, leads three-hour cultural walking tours of the town (in English and/or Spanish) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. On Monday & Thursday, the tours are led by her colleague Roberto Spillari. Reservations are suggested and can be made through Antigua Tours which is inside the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel.
Bell's book, Antigua Guatemala: The City and Its Heritage, is well worth picking up at a bookstore: it describes all the city's important buildings and museums, and neatly encapsulates Antigua's history and fiestas. Writer Elizabeth Bell also gives a fascinating one-hour English-language slide show about Antigua called Behind…
reviewed
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Ancon Expeditions of Panama
Ancon Expeditions of Panama is the for-profit arm of ANCON (National Association for the Conservation of Nature). This unique model enables a portion of all proceeds from ecotours to be used in the ongoing fight to protect Panama's natural heritage.
Because of its conservationist aims, Ancon Expeditions has been able to recruit the country's foremost nature guides, all of whom are avid birders, speak flawless English and are extremely enthusiastic about the environment. They are excited about their occupations and offer a level of service that is simply superb. In Panama, the standard for nature guides and tours is set by Ancon Expeditions.
Ancon Expedition's tour…
reviewed
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Academia de Español Antigueña
A highly recommended school, only hiring experienced teachers. They can arrange volunteer work in hospitals for social workers, lab assistants and child care workers on request. Also supports an educational project in San Antonio Aguas Calientes.
reviewed
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Zanzibar
Nightlife in Boquete is about as common as a bad cup of coffee, though this low-key jazz bar has the cure for what ails ya'. Your best chance of hearing live music is on weekends, though most of nights of the week you'll find a friendly face sitting at the bar.
reviewed
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Supermercado Romero
Supermercado Romero, a block east of the plaza, has all your basic groceries.
reviewed
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Language & International Relations Institute
Located in the suburban El Dorado neighborhood, ILERI offers four hours of one-on-one instruction per day, five days a week. Costs start at around US$300 for the first week (with lodging, meals, trips and activities), and then decreases with each subsequent week. The weekly rate without lodging starts at around US$200.
reviewed
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Bistro Boquete
This handsome yet casual bistro in the center of town serves a range of eclectic cuisine ranging from grilled mountain trout to chili-rubbed filet mignon. For those with lighter appetites, Bistro Boquete also offers a variety of gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as a rich dessert selection.
reviewed
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Cenie's Deli
You'll get hearty, low-priced meals and friendly service here. At breakfast, fry-jacks (lightly fried pancake slices), eggs, bacon, sausage and a fresh juice are yours for under BZ$8. Lunch is served cafeteria-style from 11am until the food is gone. Rice-and-beans dishes are the stock in trade.
reviewed
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Waluco's
If you're wondering where everybody is on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, they're probably out at this big, breezy palapa a mile northeast of town, swimming off the pier, enjoying the BBQ and knocking back a few Belikins. It's normally open Tuesday to Saturday evenings, too, and Garifuna drummers often play here.
reviewed
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Belizean Sun
Based in San José Succotz, Belizean Sun provides personalized caving experiences to some of Cayo's lesser-known caves, including Actun Chapat and Halal Cave. Whether your interests are flora, fauna, archaeology or cave geology, Belizean Sun guides will be sure to provide you with as much information and adventure as you desire.
reviewed
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Riverside Cafe
This funky urban cafe is hidden behind the Commercial Center on busy Regent St. The bamboo building is furnished with a tin roof and picnic tables – a decidedly pedestrian setting in which to quaff a beer and watch the activity on Haulover Creek. If you are hungry, there is always some spicy curry or stewed chicken on the stove in the back. Loud music and lots of local character.
reviewed
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Wadini Shed
One thatched roof, no walls and a mainly local clientele make this a great spot to have a stout and get down with Dangriga culture. Though busier at night, you'll find a good crowd here during the day as well.
reviewed