Travelling in the Caribbean and Central America
Travelling in the Caribbean and Central America means pairing white-sand beaches and coral reefs with rainforests, volcanoes and colonial cities. Islands such as Puerto Rico, Cuba and Jamaica, and countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Guatemala, offer very different cultures, rhythms and food within a few hours' flight of each other.
When to go
The dry season, roughly December to April, is the sunniest time on most islands and on the Pacific side of Central America. May to November is the green season, with frequent afternoon showers and lusher landscapes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November and is usually most active between August and October. In winter, humpback whales gather in the Dominican Republic's Samaná Bay.
Where to go
Puerto Rico
Old San Juan keeps blue cobblestone streets, colourful houses and the forts of El Morro and San Cristóbal. Elsewhere on the island are El Yunque rainforest, beaches such as those on Culebra, and bioluminescent bays like the one on Vieques.
Dominican Republic
Beyond the beaches of Punta Cana, the country offers Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial, the first European city in the Americas, the Samaná Peninsula with its waterfalls and whales, and the mountains around Jarabacoa in the Cordillera Central.
Cuba
Old Havana, with its squares, classic cars and the Malecón, is only the start. Trinidad keeps its colonial layout beside the Valley of the Sugar Mills, Viñales has limestone mogotes and tobacco fields, and Varadero is its best-known beach.
Jamaica
The island of reggae combines the cliffs and sunsets of Negril, Dunn's River Falls near Ocho Rios, the coffee-growing Blue Mountains and the quiet coast around Port Antonio, all seasoned with the flavours of jerk cooking.
Costa Rica
A country of national parks, Costa Rica brings together Arenal Volcano and its hot springs, the Monteverde cloud forest, the beaches and monkeys of Manuel Antonio and the canals of Tortuguero. Its motto, pura vida, sums up a nature-focused trip.
Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala, ringed by volcanoes, is a colonial city of Baroque churches and cobbled streets. Lake Atitlán, surrounded by Maya villages, and the ancient city of Tikal in the Petén jungle complete the classic route through the country.
What to do
Dive the Belize Barrier Reef
Belize has one of the hemisphere's great reef systems, with cayes such as Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye as bases. Snorkel with turtles and rays at Hol Chan or, for experienced divers, explore the Great Blue Hole.
Explore the Maya city of Tikal
In Guatemala's Petén jungle, Tikal's temples rise above the treetops among howler monkeys and toucans. Arriving early or staying nearby lets you see the site more calmly and in the soft light of early morning.
See the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo
In Panama City, the Miraflores Locks let you watch large ships pass through the canal. Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combines colonial squares, rooftop terraces and views of the skyscrapers across the bay.
Unwind in the Guna Yala islands
The San Blas archipelago on Panama's Caribbean coast is the territory of the Guna people, who manage tourism with simple lodges and their own boats. Its sandy, palm-fringed islets are ideal for switching off and snorkelling.
Taste the region's cooking
Jerk chicken in Jamaica, mofongo in Puerto Rico, ropa vieja and moros y cristianos in Cuba, gallo pinto in Costa Rica and pepián in Guatemala. Tropical fruit, rum and highland coffee accompany almost every stop.
Watch turtles in Tortuguero
On Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park is a key nesting area for green turtles. With licensed guides you can watch them at night in season, and by day you explore its canals by boat or canoe.
Practical tips
- If travelling between June and November, take travel insurance that covers cancellations and follow weather advisories during hurricane season.
- Combining several islands or countries usually means flying, as regional ferries are few; choose two or three places so you do not spend the trip in airports.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and mosquito repellent, especially in jungle areas and around dusk.
- Spanish is spoken in most of the region, while English is the official language in Jamaica and Belize.
- In Costa Rica and Guatemala some rural roads are unpaved or very steep; drive in daylight and consider a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
As a couple, family or with friends
For couples, Puerto Rico or Costa Rica combined with a beach stay works well; for families, Costa Rica's wildlife and the calm beaches of Samaná or Belize suit every age. Friends can pair Guatemala and Belize for adventure and sea. In the Gata app you can save ideas and stays together and agree on the route.
Save ideas and stays and decide as a group with the Gata app.
Frequently asked questions
Which Caribbean or Central American destination should I choose first?
It depends on what you want. For beaches and colonial culture, Puerto Rico, Cuba or the Dominican Republic; for nature and wildlife, Costa Rica; for Maya ruins and Indigenous towns, Guatemala; for reefs, Belize. Panama combines a city, the canal and islands.
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the most activity between August and October. Not every year or every area is affected, but it is wise to keep plans flexible and have insurance that covers changes during those months.
Can I combine several countries in one trip?
Yes, especially in Central America, where overland routes such as Guatemala and Belize or Costa Rica and Panama are common. Between Caribbean islands you almost always need to fly, so it is better to limit yourself to two destinations in one or two weeks.
Which destination works well with children?
Costa Rica is a very complete option thanks to its wildlife, national parks and gentle activities such as hanging bridges. Puerto Rico is easy because distances are short, and the calm beaches of Samaná in the Dominican Republic or of Belize suit young children.