These 9 Central American Islands Deserve a Spot on Your Bucket List

Get to these underrated beach escapes before the secret is out.

When most of us start woolgather of escaping to an idyllic island nirvana , our minds immediatelyplay the hit . Maybe you ’re picturing the fabled sands ofJamaica ’s Seven Mile Beach , or anall - inclusiveon thewhite sands of Mexico . Perhaps you ’re craving anoverwater bungalow in Tahiti , or the laid - back queerness ofKey West . Each is perfect in its direction , but they also often come with the byproducts of being so damned popular : crowded restaurants , busy waterfront , bodyshot - captivate spring breaker , and more .

Central America is often overlooked as a tropical holiday destination , and that ’s a disgrace . Yes , you might need to forgo a verbatim flight to get there ( not always ! ) and hop on urine hack , ferries , or rickety pool jumper to get to your last destination , but the journeying is part of the adventure — and the rewards are many when you arrive at some of the coolheaded and most unusual islands in Central America .

You ’ll discover humanity - socio-economic class aqualung diving and the wildest of wildlife , laid - back stretches of backbone , eco - tourism , and even poshall - inclusive resorts . So get your passport ready , pack a swimsuit , and prepare for your choice of dreamy lounge smear , adventure - quick jungle , or livelybeach town . confide us — you’ll be happy you made the trip .

bocas del toro panama best central american vacations

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Bocas del Toro, Panama

This mathematical group of Caribbean island on the northeast coast ofPanamais a playground for adventure seekers . There are four main islands : Colón , home to most of the activeness in Bocas , with a small town that has an airport , hotels , shop , and restaurants ; Solarte , a jungle escape with de luxe rentals and hotels ; Cristóbal , where you ’ll witness a few secluded high - end repair ; and Bastimentos , the spot to visit for the area ’s better beach , surfer - chic hotel , and beach bars . you may hire water taxis to take you to any of the island , or bring together an unionised tour to spotsea turtlesand dolphins . The variety of accommodations in this region is amazingly various , from affordable eco - student lodging to$1,000 - a - night opulence suites , with stacks of coolheaded rental in between .

To get to the main townsfolk of Bocas del Toro on Colón Island , you ’ll either need to hop on a puddle jumper from Panama City or take the ferryboat from nearby Almirante . you could also visit by sail ship if you ’d prefer ; Bocas del Toro is one of the period onHurtigruten ’s outing to the Caribbean and Central America .

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Calala Island, Nicaragua

Ever wanted to turn tail toyour own private island ? This tiny island in Nicaragua is dwelling house tojust one hotel — and useable for a full buyout for you and several of your best friend . With just four beachfront casitas , the deluxe accommodations here make this a seriously private escape . The hotel bill itself as ultra all - inclusive , mean everything from the formal savouring carte and craft cocktails to snorkel digression and drome transfers are included in the toll . It ’s the perfect place to relax in style as you let your real - world vexation melt into the sand .

Caye Caulker, Belize

Just to the south of the more famous Ambergris Caye , Caye Caulker is the hippie younger sib of Belize ’s island culture . While Ambergris is home to advanced resorts and string hotels , Caye Caulker is domicile to hostels andinns . Take a stroll through the colorful town , made up of brightly painted bungalow right on the pee , and handle yourself to a fresh cocoa palm or a pupusa at one of the stands in town .

It ’s easy to claver Caye Caulker as part of an organized day trip from Ambergris Caye , but the island is best live as an nightlong stop ( via airdrome or ferrying ) . And catch to Belize City is shockingly simple too : flight are less than three hours and often under $ 300 fromAtlanta , Houston , Miami , and other hubs , which makes falling in passion with Caye Caulkerover a prospicient weekendmore than realizable .

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Corn Islands, Nicaragua

Nicaragua ’s Corn Islands — or Islas del Maiz — are truly a picture - sodding tropical island goal situated about 40 miles off the mainland . Of the two islands , Big Corn is where you ’ll obtain most of the activeness ( and the only drome ) . Do n’t let the name fool you , though , because Big Corn is still tiny , with no real townspeople to speak of and a only route that encircle the island . Once you come , hop on a golf game go-cart hack to visit beach legal profession andchill ecolodges . The pace of life is slow and comfortable here , ideal for those who want to spend days lazing on snowy backbone beaches or reading in a hammock at the hotel .

From Big Corn , you’re able to make the tripper to nearby Little Corn for an afternoon or longer quell . You wo n’t find any voluptuous mega - hangout on the car - free escape , but that ’s also kind of the point . If you ’ve made the extra exertion to visit , you ’ll be rewarded with affordably opulence at hotels likeYemaya Reefs , with casitas properly on the beach .

Flores Island, Guatemala

A lilliputian island in Guatemala ’s Lago Petén Itzá , Flores lie of a few lift streets full of inn , restaurants , and shops . A backpacker ’s harbor , this island full of colorful planetary house makes a big jumping off point for exploring nearby Tikal — one of the largest pre - Columbian Mayan situation in the Americas — as well asIxpanpajul Natural Park , where you could go hiking , ziplining , and horseback riding through the hobo camp .

you may find some great family - run guest houses on the island , but if you ’re await for luxury , project a visit toLa Lancha , the nearby jungle resort owned byThe GodfatherandApocalypse Nowdirector Francis Ford Coppola .

Las Isletas del Granada, Nicaragua

While you wo n’t be savor in the warm , clear waters of the Caribbean during your sojourn to these Central American islands , Las Isletas del Granada offer a one - of - a - kind experience .

Lake Nicaragua , the largest lake in Central America , is dwelling to 365 of islets that are easy approachable from the colonial city of Granada . Hire a boat to take you on a go of the islands and explore Rhizophora mangle mazes , monkey hideouts , and impressive secret homes as part of a day trip from Granada — or you could pass the night at the deluxe ecolodge onJicaro Island .

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

rise from the waters of the enormous Lake Nicaragua , Ometepe Island might be well - known for its staggering volcanic peaks and lush rainforest , but a shockingly low number of holidaymaker make the ferry trip to explore the 197 - solid - mile terminus . Even fewer take vantage of its incredible lodging pick , which swan from hostels to the thatch - cap comforts of eco - lodges .

research the vast island by rental motor scooter or ATV — or just hop a busbar — and you ’ll be reward with one of the most unique experience you ’ll ever have as you call in low village in hunt of fresh seafood and other local flavors en route to arresting falls and near endless wildlife throughout the biosphere . Along the way , you ’ll sleuth ancient petroglyphs , vertiginous waterfalls , and serene lagoons . And if you ’ve set out the lung capacitance , scaling Conception vent offers up the sorts of panoramic vista that will dress up permanent residence in your dream .

San Blas Islands, Panama

The San Blas Islands are part of an autonomous area of Panama that ’s also sleep with as Guna Yala , named after the autochthonic Guna residential area that go there . Mostly uninhabited , this 300 - island archipelago is a rustic nirvana , where visitors are treated to pristine Caribbean weewee and abundant wildlife .

The laid - back and low - tech setting gives traveller an reliable castaway touch ( many of the guesthouse do n’t have electrical energy ) . loose on the beach , go snorkeling , and dine on saucy fish as you pass the night in anoverwater bungalow . Or , you’re able to charter aliveaboard sailboatto take you through the islands , spending the Nox on abandoned beaches . For the traveller craving an off - the - grid adventure , Guna Yala is the perfect escape .

Utila, Honduras

Reachable by aura from San Pedro Sula , ferry from La Ceiba — or either from bustling Roatán — Utila is a lay - back bohemian island that ’s less about the beaches and more about what ’s under the waves . The island is a magnet for scuba loon from all over the existence thanks to its colorful coral and parasite , rainbow - hued schools of fish , ocean turtleneck , and nursemaid sharks . For experienced divers willing to descend 100 foot , it ’s also about the ghostly carapace of a wrecked cargo ship , with a smash hull that ’s been reform by nature .

Back on Din Land , Utila is known for its casual beach bars , ATV tantalize through the hobo camp , and a tiny township with a wizard and welcoming vibration . If you spend any time here , you ’re sure to fit somebody who come in for a five - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. vacation and adjudicate never to leave — whether you see that as inspiration or a cautionary story depend on your disposition .