I’m not sure it’s just me, but it feels like forever since this country’s name came up in here. Blame it on El Salvador’s current regional stardom, especially after Bukele completely crushed criminal gangs, or Belize’s newfound trendiness, but Costa Rica seemed to take a backseat for a while. Not anymore. Central America’s no-brainer, most …

When you think of El Salvador, the first images your brain conjures up are probably those of rioting gangs running amok, crime-ridden streets where the law of the strongest prevails, and, as is the case in Latin America, probably corrupt governments. That used to be the case some five or six years ago, and then …

Central America has always been the scrappy underdog of the travel world. For years, travelers would skip over the “middle bits” to get straight to Mexico or Costa Rica. Big mistake. Right now, this is arguably the most exciting region on the map. It’s having a massive “glow up”—moving away from just cheap backpacker hostels …

What comes to mind when you think of Central America? To many, it’s the second-best to Mexico, given the extra bit of travel time. Others who’ve had the pleasure of visiting put Mexico in the rear-view mirror with countries that are even cheaper and less crowded. We all know by now El Salvador has become …

With visitor numbers dropping in Cancun and airlines already axing flights to Tulum, it seems the once-untouchable Caribbean hotspots tourists used to flock to year after year are finally losing their luster. Who would’ve guessed that overtourism and gentrification would eventually catch up to these hugely popular destinations? As we head into 2026, it’s lesser-known …

Bounded by Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a tiny nation that’s been historically overlooked by vacationers to the region—despite having the same turquoise seas, fascinating ancient ruins, and a culture that’s just as vibrant. That’s quickly changing as momentum builds: this year, it is expected to hit 550,000 visitors. While …

Widespread gang activity, record levels of violent crime, and institutionalized corruption: that’s how mainstream media would’ve summed up the tiny Central American nation of El Salvador just five years ago. It’s no wonder tourists steered clear for decades, choosing instead to play it safe in Costa Rica or even Panama. Fast forward to 2025, and …

A seriously-underrated country in Central America, just south of Mexico, Guatemala is smashing tourism records right now with over 1.6 million international visitors registered so far in 2025, according to INGUAT, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute. It may not seem like a lot, but this is a small country roughly the size of Tennessee, with a …

When I visited El Salvador in 2020, I was constantly side-eyed when sharing my travel plans. This was not only due to the risk of becoming stranded due to rampant pandemic-related flight cancellations but also because El Salvador was notoriously ‘dangerous’. 5 years later, that has all changed, and not without its well-documented share of …

Long gone are the days when Colombia stole the limelight as the fastest-rising destination in Latin America. As the novelty factor expires and crime across the country surges back to the 1990s levels, impacting demand, growth seems to be slowing down. Colombia has been hit with a series of travel warnings since 2022, owing to …

Lush jungles as far as the eyes can see, sprinkled with towering volcanos and waterfalls, and bordering unspoiled beaches yet to be trodden by the masses: Costa Rica is a wonder of nature, and it’s no wonder Americans can’t get enough of it. It received a record-breaking 2.6 million tourists by air in 2024, the …

Normally considered quite literally a safe bet for an epic vacation of amazing beaches, luxe resorts, and endless jungle excursions, according to both the U.S. State Department and, as of this week, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, it seems like the Pura Vida life may not be so ‘pure’ after all… While crime is always a …