Central America

To fully grasp the beauty and diversity of the Panamanian culture, simply hop in the car and go. With some of the best roads in Central America and a rapidly-changing landscape, taking a road trip through Panama is the perfect way to discover the country’s unexpected culinary delights. From beach restaurants to mountain refuges, here’s […]

A cruise. To a certain kind of traveler, the mere suggestion sounds like a dirty word. It conjures up images of conga lines. Of endless buffets. Of hairy chest contests. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. There are many cruises that provide a 360-degree view of a country and its culture, offering

Legions of love letters have been written to Panama. The narrowest part of the isthmus connecting North and South America, Panama may be small, but it impresses in a big way. And with more than 1000 islands floating off its tropical shores, it’s easy to find your own piece of paradise. Blindingly beautiful and biodiverse,

Flush with life and tropical color, the isthmus of Panama is a tangled hothouse of ecological wonders. An emerald cloak adorns the lowlands, filling coastal areas with rainforest wildlife. Ethereal cloud forests envelop the highlands, steeped in mist, moss and delicate orchids. And offshore, beyond a fringe of sandy beaches and languid wetlands, lie hundreds

From city jungles to steamy rainforests, thundering waterfalls to mist-covered cloud forests, in Panama you’re never far from a wild hiking adventure and the chance to get up close to some fascinating flora and fauna. Whether you want an easy day hike or an epic jungle expedition, you’ll find a trail to suit your fitness

Panama City is a fast-paced urban dynamo that’s quickly becoming a Central American powerhouse. The city’s spruced-up historic quarter of Casco Antiguo invites endless strolling while soaring skyscrapers overlook the Pacific and the so-called banking district is a hive of buzzing restaurants, luxury shopping malls and nightclubs. But with pristine nature and sunny beaches on

Panama spoils its visitors with cosmopolitan cities, incredible stretches of sand and wild countryside that is a gift to adventure tourism. But this doesn’t mean it’s only for those with deep pockets – prices here are cheaper than traveling in Europe, Canada or the United States, but a little pricier than Guatemala, Honduras or El

Few destinations can boast a variety of outstanding geographical diversity as Panama. Driving here is less about cruising through wide-open spaces and more about taking winding roads to hidden, jungle-shrouded enclaves. On an isthmus otherwise poorly served by public transport, having your own car means easy (or at least easier) access to a slew of

Turquoise waters, seaside hideouts, thick jungles where the elusive jaguar resides, it’s no wonder Belize bills itself as the perfect “Caribbean” getaway. But to truly appreciate what this Central American country has to offer, listen to the Garifuna drums, indulge in Mayan chocolate and immerse yourself in the culture these two groups bring to the

A seldom-visited corner of Belize offers writer Alex Schechter a fresh perspective on his battle with cancer. A month before I flew to Belize last fall, I called my oncologist. I was planning to visit a national park named after Don Elijio Panti, a famous Maya healer, where I hoped to learn about native medicinal