Central America has a diverse landscape, offering much more than just a sun, sea and sand holiday.  But if that’s what you’re looking for, then you won’t be disappointed either.  Discover beautiful white sandy beaches and crisp clear waters perfect for sunbathing and snorkelling. 

Your Central America cruise holiday will take you to a variety of fun and exciting destinations.  Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama are all on the list of exciting Central America cruise hot spots, while El Salvador, Nicaragua, Belize and Honduras can be reached on some cruise lines.  Visit this mix of countries in style on your luxurious cruise ship.

Get your adrenaline pumping with white water rafting and other water sports. Enjoy hiking around the rainforests, mountains, volcanoes or even cities to see breathtaking sights.  Explore the culture and history of Central America by guided tours of towns and museums. Discover plants and animals that you’re only ever heard about in the lush and colourful vegetation.

Soak up the atmosphere and watch Central America sail by…Sail through the locks of the 50 mile long Panama Canal and discover its incredible history and engineering design when you reach land.  Panama City itself is a highlight of any cruise itinerary; the walled city that lies between two oceans is vibrant and cosmopolitan, with French, Spanish and American colonial houses.

Soak up the lively atmosphere and watch the world go by, or if you’re a history buff, you’ll love a guided tour to learn of the city’s extraordinary past.  If your cruise ship docks at Colon, you’re in for a treat, as it’s the largest duty-free zone in the Americas – perfect for buying souvenirs for you and your loved ones back home. 

There are many ways to see the sights, from treks to river boats to swinging through the jungle canopy on zip-lines.  Whereas Guatemala is a historical haven where you can explore lost Mayan cities.

What’s more, you will start you Central America cruise in an exciting destination of its own – Florida or San Diego are just two of the many to choose from.  You can also do a round trip, or as is more common, start and end in different US cities.  Try LA to Miami, with great Central American destinations in-between.

Activities & Excursions

Nature lovers will go wild with joy for Costa Rica – where nearly a quarter of land is made up of national parks designed to conserve the 8,000 species of plants and 10% of the world’s butterflies. One of the favourite adventure excursions in Costa Rica’s Puerto Limon is the jungle boat trip.

Travel through the waterways on a peaceful journey, listening to the sounds of the rainforest and spotting the magnificent flora and fauna which inhabits it.  Alternatively, see the jungle from the higher perspective of the Rainforest Aerial Tram ride for awe-inspiring view from the air. If Puntarenas is on your Costa Rica destinations list, then try something different with a relaxing dip in the Tabacon Resort Hot Springs of the active Arenal volcano.

From Colon, Panama, you can also explore the rainforest at Gamboa, or take a canoe ride to an authentic Embera Indian Village.  A railway journey alongside the canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic is a relaxed adventure with stunning views.

Guatemala is steeped in history going back to 12,000 BC.  The Mayan ruins at Tikal are a must-see.  Get lost in the magical atmosphere of this archaeological site, as you imagine how life once was in the palaces, temples and pyramids that remain.

While shore excursions are not to be missed (and it will be hard to choose between the many exciting ones available), take some time out to sit in a local café and soak up the buzzing atmosphere of Balboa, sampling some of the delicious seafood on offer.

Culture

Enjoy a cruise holiday with a Spanish flair in Central America.  Heavily influenced by its colonised history and locally grown ingredients, expect delicious cuisines ranging from tapas to Caribbean spiced foods.  Your taste-buds will go on a voyage of delicious discovery.

Music and dance are a huge part of Central American culture, so get ready to shake your hips and tap your feet to the rhythm of the samba and Costa Rican swing.

Weather

Costa Rica is tropical year round, so prepare for a paradise of sun, sea, sand and fascinating wildlife.  Rainy season is from May to November.  Some view a tropical downpour as an exciting sight to see in its own right, but if you’d prefer to leave the poncho at home, pick a December to April cruise.  The Panama Canal cruise season runs from October to April, with the best time to visit being after the rainy season ends in November.

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