Beautiful cobblestone streets and well-preserved Spanish Colonial architecture await you in Antigua Guatemala. One popular attraction in town is the ChocoMuseo, where you can learn about the history of the cacao bean in Guatemala, take a workshop in chocolate-making, or just sample artisanal chocolates produced in the factory on-site.

Tamarindo is a prime spot for surfing and sportfishing, diving and sunning. Nesting leatherback turtles do their thing along the beaches from October to May and, for some nesting of your own, gorgeous beach houses, B&Bs and luxury hotels line the sunny sands. Shopping and dining options are superb and plentiful, perfect for sampling the true flavors of Costa Rica.

A diverse multicultural city of almost 1.3 million, Panama City offers a lot more than an up-close view of the Canal. Shantytowns slink up alongside shiny high-rise condos. The Old City is an atmospheric labyrinth of churches, plazas and palaces. Fifteen miles from downtown Panama City, Soberania National Park is an excellent destination for hiking and birding. For a fascinating look at the canal, take a taxi or local bus to Miraflores Locks Visitor Center and look down on the traffic below.

Vibrant and packed with Victorian mansions, Costa Rica's rowdy, bustling capital was built on the profits of the coffee trade and working "golden bean" plantations still surround the city. Try freshly roasted local beans at Mercado Central. For shinier gold, visit the Museo del Oro. Many renovated landmarks now house stylish hotels. Usually viewed as a hub, rather than a destination, nightlife is concentrated in Spanish village-inspired El Pueblo. Don't miss the elegant 1897 National Theater.

It’s true: parts of Belize are getting touristy. But San Ignacio remains rustic, making it a great base for budget-friendly tropical adventure travel. Canoe on the Macal River, or walk to Mayan ruins at Cahal Pec (just be warned: it's uphill).

San Pedro is "La Isla Bonita" that Madonna made famous. Now it's a tourist mecca, but still boasts great beaches and plenty of dive shops so you can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. Plan a side trip to Caye Caulker while you're here; it is less developed and more laid back, and has its own splendid swimming areas.

Grab your surfboard and catch a wave in Jaco. Jaco is the closest beach town to the capital, San Jose, so you're sure to meet many locals and travelers on the black sands. Take surfing lessons at one of the local surf schools, try your hand at sport fishing or roll a Segway down the beach. You're just a short drive away from unbelievable wildlife reserves, waterfalls and more.

Quieter than nearby Jaco, Quepos invites you to explore the beautiful scenery and wildlife of Costa Rica. Plan a full, busy day at Manuel Antonio National Park, where countless animals and birds make their home. Don't forget your swimsuit, as there are beaches you can reach from the park. Travelers say a canopy tour, ziplining through the rainforest, is a must in Quepos.

Drawn by year-round warm weather, colonial-era architecture and the freshwater Lake Nicaragua, travelers from around the world are flocking to Granada. Eco-tourists will love visiting the dormant Mombacho volcano, sailing on the lake and ziplining through the trees. Fans of spa treatments and shopping will find plenty to do, too.

Surf’s always up in the Costa Rican beach town of Santa Teresa. Bright sun and gleaming sands make the perfect backdrop to hang ten in the crystal-clear waters, and fishing, snorkeling and kite-surfing are popular among vacationers. Yoga and spa services are a must for the ultimate relaxation, and, at night, you can catch a glorious sunset on the same beach where earlier you caught a wave.

Choose your own adventure! With La Fortuna as your home base, the rainforest is yours to discover. Visit Arenal Volcano National Park, go bird watching (you might see monkeys!), ride horses or just relax at the thermal spas. There are trails for every level of hiker, and a waterfall you can reach from La Fortuna.

Located on the east coast of Belize at the mouth of the Belize River, Belize City sits on a peninsula jutting into the Caribbean Sea. As the nation's main port, the city is a hub for cruise ships and is often a jumping-off spot for excursions to other parts of Belize, including the Cayo District's caves and Maya archaeological sites along the Macal and Belize rivers. Belize City boasts the only manual swing bridge in the world and the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America.

Bring the whole family to Playas del Coco—there truly is something here for everyone. Hike to the top of a volcano or take a boat down the river. Choose from four national parks to enjoy the wildlife and scenery of Costa Rica. See if you can spot a sea turtle or dolphins playing in the Pacific Ocean. Then unwind on the beach and drink a toast to this beautiful part of the world.

The gorgeous main attraction in West End is offshore and underwater. Scuba divers and snorkelers rave about the beauty and diversity to be found in the reef system just off the beautiful island of Roatan. Back on dry land, you'll find a busy nightlife scene with countless international restaurants and cuisines.

A tiny village with two miles of pure white sand and fabulous conditions for swimming, Uvita might become your favorite place in Costa Rica. It's part of the Marino Ballena National Park (Whale Marine Park), named for humpback whales who meet and mate here every winter and spring. Take a boat ride to Caño Island, a nature reserve with incredible marine life.

Mangroves and palm trees sway gently over the carpet of bright white sands of Placencia beaches. Strap on a snorkel or suit up in scuba gear to explore intricate coral reefs, or kayak gently amid peaceful lagoons. Sailboats and catamarans are available for day and night rentals, which range from sail-it-yourself to full-staffed vessels. Don't forget to wave hello to the manatees—they're the pride of Placencia.

Horseback riding, fishing and yoga are just a few of the myriad things to do on the gorgeous Playa Samara. The white-sand beach is the perfect place to relax with a book or run wild with the kids, offering a fabulous setting for any beachside activity you could dream of. Offshore, a coral reef rewards snorkelers with active, beautiful marine life.

Your morning in Nosara: Wake to the sounds of the jungle. Walk two minutes to Playa Guiones and do a few yoga poses at sunrise while surfers ride the waves. Wander north to Playa Pelada for a swim and spectacular views of the Pacific. Sound idyllic? Nosara, with its beaches free of developments, its tide pools, plus ziplining, wildlife rescue and more, is perfect for your extended holiday.

Guatemala City draws visitors whose interests range from Maya history to contemporary culture. Two museums house Maya artifacts, some of which were discovered on a nearby archaeological site. Other museums exhibit indigenous and modern art. In Mercado Central, an underground market, shoppers bargain with vendors selling local handicrafts. Additional attractions include a botanical garden and a scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. A night out in bustling Zona Viva caps off a day of sightseeing.

Travelers say the beach at Playa Flamingo is one of their all-time favorites in Costa Rica: pure white sand, amazing Pacific Ocean views. You'll never run out of activities to try, whether it's surfing, sailing, snorkeling, fishing or ziplining. With every kind of lodging from all-inclusive resorts to private rental homes, it's easy to design the tropical holiday of your dreams here.

You can easily fill a week with activities in and around the mountain village of Boquete. Tours of every sort—jungle tours, coffee estate tours, hiking tours. Adventures for every age—ATVs, zip lines, white water rafting. Or just relax and let your traveling companions do all the adventuring. Boquete's good for taking it easy, too.

Imagine white, soft sands, and a sea as clear as glass. Now open your eyes: You're on West Bay Beach, at the far west of the island of Roatan. You can snorkel just a few feet out from shore and view the fragile reefs and their marine life. The town of West Bay is best known for its many resorts and restaurants; it's a wonderful place to try fresh local seafood.

Abandoned in the 10th century, the stunning Mayan ruins at Copan deserve as much time as you can spend there, a full day or more. Travelers recommend that you hire a guide; you'll learn so much more about this World Heritage site and its history and people than you ever could on your own. After your adventure, sip a cup of strong Honduras coffee and people-watch in the main square or just enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.

Six thousand years ago, human footprints were left in the volcanic mud along the shores of Lake Managua. Preserved over centuries, these footprints can be seen at The Museum of Acahualinca in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. In addition to the footprints and impressive collections of pre-Colombian artifacts in the city's museums, Managua has much more to offer. The Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve is a watery retreat within the city, with bars, shops, ziplines, and a canopy ride with views of downtown.

This is the relaxed side of Costa Rica: a small village you'll love for its laid-back attitude, tasty restaurants and irresistible scenery and wildlife. Walk to Montezuma Falls, then reward yourself with a refreshing swim. Costa Rica's first nature reserve, Cabo Blanco, is a short drive out of town. For snorkeling and fishing, travelers recommend an expedition to nearby Tortuga Island, with its sugar-white sand and crystal-clear water.