Northern Highlands
The lovely lake that gives its name to the entire area has an attractive position surrounded by farmland. Sadly, however, the use of chemicals by some…
Must-see attractions in Central America
San José
One of downtown San José's most striking buildings, this century-old two-story metal edifice on Parque España's western edge was prefabricated in Belgium,…
Granada
North of Parque Central is Plaza de la Independencia, also known as the 'Plaza de los Leones.' The obelisk is dedicated to the heroes of the 1821 struggle…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This badly maintained, privately owned collection of Guna artefacts over two floors includes the usual baskets, molas and gammu burwi (bamboo flutes),…
Panajachel
The Town Hall (Municipalidad), which stands behind the church in the center of town, is Panajachel's seat of government and handles administrative…
Northern Highlands
This modern concrete church has a high, rectangular bell tower that looks at first glance like a water storage facility. It's a popular reference point…
Cayo District
In Douglas D'Silva (Augustine), on the way to or from Caracol, look for the signed turnoff to Río Frio Cave, less than 1 mile away. The river gurgles…
Central El Salvador
The pupusas here are famous in San Salvador. Can you make it to double figures? If you're not hungry, it's still a pleasant place to hang out, with…
Caribbean Coast
Bluefields' best green space is a popular meeting point with impressive 25m-high trees sprouting bromeliads in the canopy and a monument to the six ethnic…
Managua
This not-particularly Japanese park, nestled in the back blocks of the Metrocentro area, is a great place for a bit of time out. There are plenty of trees…
Estelí
In the bullet-hole-marked former home of a high-ranking Somoza official, the Casa de Cultura offers a range of art, dance and music classes to locals …
Northern Belize
At the center of town, this fort was built in 1849 by Caste War refugees for protection from attacks by hostile Maya. Only the remains of the brick corner…
Western El Salvador
El Calvario has undergone numerous hardships and catastrophes since its initial construction in the early 19th century. Today it's an imposing place that…
Belmopan
This local history collection is mainly a reading room and research facility with computers for public use. You can stop by and chat with the researchers…
San José
Costa Rica's congress meets in this grand structure – known as the 'blue castle' – in the center of San José. It's scheduled to be replaced by a…
Northern Highlands
This simple monument is a popular teenage hangout at night, but also remains a vessel for many an abuelita’s (grandmother’s) humble prayers. The views…
Western Highlands
This immense new church with two basilicas dominates the centre of Soloma – its immense gaudy statues on the exterior of the Virgin, St Peter and recent…
Western El Salvador
Santa Ana's trifecta of Catholic churches is rounded out by El Carmen, which was damaged during the 2001 earthquake after nearly two centuries of…
Panama City
INAC is responsible for maintaining the country’s museums and other cultural institutions. There is a small gallery on the 1st floor that displays works…
Panama City
There's not much left of Panamá Viejo's sole hospital, Hospital de San Juan de Dios. Much of the remains were scattered when Av Cincuentenario and a side…
Caribbean Coast
The beautiful wooden church has been replaced by a concrete structure, but it's still worth swinging past for Saturday-morning services to listen to the…
Belize City
Battlefield Park is on the right across from the Court House. It's always busy with vendors, loungers, con artists and other slice-of-life segments of…
Belize City
A narrow graveyard between two roads where you'll see the graves of early citizens of Belize who were not prominent enough to be buried in the nearby St…
Quetzaltenango
A neoclassical structure near the northeast corner of Parque Centro América, the Edificio Rivera has been handsomely renovated (complete with fast-food…
Liberia
This old municipal building is little more than a landmark in the center of town, but it occasionally hosts interesting exhibitions or live music…
San Ignacio
In the former hospital behind the town hall, the House of Culture has regular art, history and cultural exhibitions, as well as being a local meeting…
Managua
The Managua branch of Nicaragua’s oldest university (the original is in León, the former capital) was founded in 1958 and has more than 24,000 students.
El Salvador
The Iglesia de Chalatenango, with its squat bell tower and bright chalky facade, sits on the east side of the Parque Central, near the military garrison.
San José
This bronze statue of the 1930s Costa Rican president stands regally at the eastern entrance to La Sabana park.
Belize City
This diminutive lighthouse guides boats into Haulover Creek and was constructed with funds from the estate of Baron Bliss, who is buried at its foot.
Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción de María
Liberia
There’s not much to see here, but the big white church is a useful landmark. It's opposite Parque Central.
Panama City
Museo de Ciencias Naturales has sections on geology, paleontology, entomology and marine biology, as well as an impressive display of taxidermy.
Northern Belize
A small plaza behind the Town Hall that was once the site of Fort Cairnes, a British military post during the War of the Castes conflict.
David
The Church of the Sacred Heart, facing downtown's central Parque de Cervantes, has a bell tower and dates largely from the 19th century.
Managua
The grocery store called 'La Vicky' doesn't stand here anymore, but locals still use it as a point of reference for navigating the town.
Little Corn Island
On the southern side of the island, this remote beach faces the open water, which has quite a few rocks. Scenic rather than idyllic.
Quetzaltenango
The Altiplano's signature instrument is given pride of place at the center of this iconic traffic circle on the east end of town.
Caye Caulker
The island's Latin roots can be observed at the simple Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion church which serves the Catholic community.
Darién Province
Cross the Río Sábalo bridge to reach Sambú's twin indigenous village of Puerto Indio.
Corn Islands
This diminutive church with its singular tower was founded in the 1850s and is a local landmark on the north side of the island.
