Costa Rica
Every region has its treasure and Costa Rica is Central America's. Ecotourism is big business, enabling tourists to explore this tropical paradise with a clear conscience. The stunning coast attracts both sun-worshippers and surfers, while the jungle areas are prime for wildlife-viewing, offering up everything from mischievous monkeys and crocs to colourful birds and butterflies - Totugero National Park is a real favourite. Towns and cities offer ample opportunity to appreciate the Spanish heritage and while capital San Jose is a busy urban hub, its mountain backdrop, café and arts scene make it an appealing stopover. Central Valley is home to Costa Rica's most impressive volcanoes such as the Volcán Poás crater and Volcán Irazú while on the Pacific Coast, Monteverde's cloud forest is the big draw, along with lovely beaches.
Belize
Infinitely more Caribbean than Central American, laidback Belize is often known as an English-speaking tax haven - but there's more to it. As well as impressive Mayan sights, there's The Cayes, the world's second-longest barrier reef at 290km long. Diving is spectacular with visibility often reaching 60m! Other attractions include Lamanai, a stunning Mayan site in its own archaeological reserve; Xunantunich (Stone Maiden) near the Belize River with one structure, El Castillo, towering 40m above the jungle; and The Community Baboon Sanctuary in tropical rainforest, home to around 1200 rare Black Howler Monkeys.
This is a mere taster to South and Central America. There's so much more, from Gautemala's Mayan treasures to the rainforests of Honduras and Panama; from Bolivia's La Paz, the world's highest capital to Ecuador's fantastic Galapagos Islands and Venezuela's Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall. You'll never see it all but you can try - go once, then again and again and again...