Central America

Costa Rica Travel Guide

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Costa Rica mountains and hillside was amazing.  view into valley was unbelievable. It was so much green for miles, and miles. cloud formation.

Costa Rica mountains and hillside was amazing. view into valley was unbelievable. It was so much green for miles, and miles. cloud formation.

Why visit Central America

With cerulean seas and verdant forests, magnificent Maya ruins and smoking volcanoes, Central America is like a tropical fairy tale except all of it is real.

Top places to visit in Central America

Discover the best attractions in Central America from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Travel Guides

Central America travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Colonial cities, adventure treks, scuba diving, surfing: all there is to do in Central America can be overwhelming. Here’s our guide to the region’s best.


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Things to Know

It's easy to zip around Central America by bus, boat and plane, hopping from Mayan ruins to jungles and tropical beaches. Here's what you need to know.


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Transportation

It's easy to zip around Central America by bus, boat and plane, hopping from Mayan ruins to jungles and tropical beaches. Here's what you need to know.


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Best Road Trips

Driving the Pan-American Highway is the tire-testing, gas-guzzling road trip of dreams. Here's what you need to know.


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Traveling with Kids

Sure, city trips with kids may involve fewer cocktails, leisurely meals and lazy mornings than they might do otherwise, but that’s not to say they can’t…


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Central America and beyond