Mayan Ruins, Copan, Honduras

Central America

Sandwiched in between this surreal landscape are pockets of rich colonial splendour and the remnants of ancient civilisations from the Aztecs to the Maya buried deep within the tangled jungles of Central America.

For the wildlife enthusiast, it is worth noting that Central America alone lays claim to 10% of the world’s biodiversity. Costa Rica is a top destination for nature lovers as it has the richest diversity of flora and fauna on the planet. During a Central America holiday, you can dive with nurse sharks and stingrays along the Northern Cayes of Belize, glimpse hummingbirds and resplendent quetzal in the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Panama, and observe thousands of Olive Ridley turtles descending upon the Pacific shores of Nicaragua to lay eggs.

Snorkeling, Belize Cayes, Belize
Belize Cayes, Belize

A slice of paradise

Holiday in Central America and choose your slice of paradise from miles of pristine sandy beaches lining the Caribbean Coast or grab your surfboard and head towards the Pacific Coast renowned for its tremendous surf. Mexico’s Riveria Mayo takes some beating for beach holidays or the Belize Cayes with its wildlife-rich waters offers fantastic snorkelling. These are merely a handful of highlights Central America has to offer. Steppes Travel has the inside knowledge and passion to create a truly thrilling tailor-made holiday to Central America for you.

Need inspiration?
Browse Central America holiday ideas.

Booking a tailor-made trip gives you the flexibility to customise your journey, travelling when and where suits you. Browse our Central America holiday ideas to start planning your next journey.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Casa Las Tortugas £££££

  • Mexico
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Casa Las Tortugas is a family-run hotel on Isla Holbox offering a variety of accommodation from elegant rooms to ocean-view suites and beach bungalows. The 21 rooms are beautifully decorated with bright colours and traditional Mexican furnishings as well as incorporating other South American influences. The hotel has a pool, but just a stretch away is their beautiful white sand beach that rolls away to picture-postcard turquoise waters.

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Calala Island £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Calala Island is a small private island of approximately four acres with just four beachfront suites. British owned this tiny, hidden atoll can be booked exclusively for a group of up to 10 or individually for a romantic holiday. The charming and spacious suites are simply decorated using locally crafted furniture and each one offers complete privacy ensuring a haven to escape the world. The 25 staff aim to make the island home from home with exceptional but unobtrusive service and with facilities including a beautiful beachfront pool and spa, it is easy to while the days away.

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Blancaneaux Lodge £££££

  • Belize
  • Wilderness

Tucked into a remote region of the Maya Mountains and overlooking the gentle rapids of the Privassion River, Blancaneaux Lodge has 20 sophisticated cabanas and villas. Each palm-thatched cabana has an expansive wraparound sun deck, a Mexican-tiled bathroom with a Japanese style bathtub.

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Thoughts. Opinions. Experiences

Whale Shark, La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Stories
Here be Sea Monsters: The Giants of Baja California
John Faithfull
I’m at the half way point of a 12-day whale watching trip that started in San Diego and has just rounded…
Sergeant Major Fish, Belize
Stories
World Heritage in Danger?
Jenn Evans
I had prepared myself for the saddening scene of a marine ecosystem on its knees. A once remarkable coral reef, the…
A leopard on the hunt at night, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Stories
The Story of a Leopard from Kaingo
Illona Cross
A true Kaingo or leopard – bed-time story for the kids. By Derek Shenton – Owner of Shenton Safaris, Zambia As…
Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Stories
Rediscovering Central America
Steppes Travel
I have just returned from a fantastic familiarisation trip to Central America – my home from home, visiting three fascinating countries…
Xpu Ha Beach, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Stories
Swimming with Whale Sharks in Mexico
Steppes Travel
“This is not an everyday experience” reminded our guide when asked if we want to go in again. The last time…
Tikal Ruins, Guatemala
Stories
Jungle Boy Escapes: The Incredible Story of Carlos
Justin Wateridge
Born in 1976, Carlos had an idyllic childhood growing up in the village of Uaxactun in the jungles of northern Guatemala.…
Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Stories
Mighty Mombacho
Steppes Travel
Flying over Nicaragua, it's easy to see why locals refer to it as the 'land of volcanoes'. After all, this is…

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

John Faithfull

My love affair with travel began in a vintage Italian train carriage at sunset on a hot and sticky September evening in 1983. Sardined into a two-bench compartment, I’d spent five hours sharing sweaty thighs, broken-Italian pleasantries and furtive glances while rattling towards Turin, stopping at every wisteria-draped village along the way.

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  • 1 800 571 2985

Sue Grimwood

I was inspired to travel south from an early age. My form teacher when I was nine made us listen to tapes from Shackleton’s expeditions, I didn’t know it at the time, but it obviously left a deep impression on my psyche.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

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