This stunning location is about to have a moment - get there before the crowds

If I'd googled Guatemala before travelling there, I would never have gone. At a conference in the US, I met a charismatic, warm-hearted new friend who invited me to visit his home country. He offered to show me around and introduce me to his family.

The Guatemala that Abner spoke of in glowing terms really appealed to my adventurous spirit. The round-trip price for the five-hour flight from New York to Guatemala City was only $US200 ($306), so I booked first and googled later.

When I finally did some research, what I read gave me pause. "Exercise a high degree of caution"; "Crime is common, including carjacking and extortion"; "Be aware of dangers of robbery, roadblocks, strikes and demonstrations".

Deeper digging online revealed a more balanced picture. Most trips to Guatemala are safe and trouble-free for tourists who take sensible precautions and avoid the high-risk areas controlled by gangs.

Abner assured me that I'd be safe and have a wonderful time in Guatemala City and the old colonial capital, Antigua Guatemala. He was right. I'm so glad I went.

As well-travelled Aussies look for the next big destination, curiosity about Central America is at an all-time high. There's vast diversity in the adventure-rich region, usually defined as consisting of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Flight Centre global managing director Andrew Stark says adventure-seeking tourists and those looking for an "overseas reset" are finding it in Central America.

"The region offers up rich experiences including hiking volcanoes, exploring Mayan ruins, scuba diving in pristine waters and the opportunity to put your feet up on some of the most postcard-worthy beaches in the world," Stark says. "The Panama Canal is also a popular choice, particularly with cruisers, with its incredible biodiversity and feats of engineering."

G Adventures, a small-group travel company that offers tours on all seven continents, says traveller numbers from Australia are up 23 per cent from last year. Due to demand, 13 new trips in Central America have been added for 2025.

"These trips have been traditionally more popular with younger travellers who typically have less money and more time, but we now have a growing segment of customers who are getting older, yet still looking for a more 'rugged' and exploratory style of adventure," says Sean Martin, managing director, APAC, for G Adventures. "Our new trips are perfect for them, and the prices can't be beaten."

Travellers to Central America can spend a week, a month or longer exploring rainforests, beaches, volcanoes, wildlife encounters, Mayan culture and historic towns built in the Spanish colonial era. The food is great and Aussies generally receive a warm welcome from local residents.

Although not technically part of Central America, Mexico and Colombia do share borders with Belize and Panama, a tempting excuse to stay longer and see more. Enticing Caribbean and South American destinations are also within easy reach.

"It's a compact region that's easy to travel across with no real visa restrictions, so it's a great option to get many varied experiences in a relatively short space of time," says Chris Ellis, Americas programme manager at Explore Worldwide, an adventure travel company that offers small-group trips designed mainly for travellers in their 40s to 60s.

Ellis says the Costa Rica wildlife tour is the stand-out bestseller in the region, and one of the operator's bestselling trips around the world. The Central America Explorer trip visits six countries in 25 days.

Acknowledging the safety issues that still plague parts of the region, Ellis says many countries have considerably changed for the better.

"Many countries within this region have really transformed themselves into safe, welcoming destinations," he says. "A great example of this is El Salvador."

Ellis says joining a group tour gives you the safety, security, and peace of mind that you're travelling in the comfort of a small group of like-minded people with an expert tour leader who can speak the language and knows all the local customs and regulations.

With Abner as my personal guide, the stories and flavours of Guatemala came to life. Breakfast at InterContinental Real Guatemala, an IHG Hotel, was a delicious introduction to the region's cuisine. The day began with arepas, pan-fried plantains, salsa verde, guacamole and tamales.

Later, wandering the aisles of the Central Market, Abner insisted I taste fruits I'd never seen before, much less tasted. Joining a tour of the National Palace, an avocado-green museum and the former headquarters of the president of Guatemala, I was the only foreigner in the group.

We made plans for the following days, to drive from the city to Antigua Guatemala. Its 200-year reign as Guatemala's colonial capital ended with a massive earthquake in 1773 that destroyed homes, churches and buildings. Many of them are now restored, including El Convento Boutique Hotel, beautifully combining historic charm and modern luxury behind ornate wooden threshold gates.

"The spike we're seeing in travel to Guatemala is being driven by several factors, with some travellers interested in surfing on its famous black sand beaches, while others visit its coffee plantations, take on the challenge of summitting a volcano, or seek cultural immersion in the country's ancient Mayan history," says Flight Centre's Stark. "Flight bookings are up almost 10 per cent, compared to 2023."

The most popular country - and one of the safest - to visit in Central America, Costa Rica's motto is Pura Vida. It means "pure life", imbued with positivity, gratitude and a stress-free approach to living.

English is widely spoken. You'll also notice Costa Rica's government has its eyes firmly on the environment, making significant efforts to protect the wildlife and biodiversity found in national parks and the surrounding oceans.

Tourists will feel welcome in Costa Rica, as I did when exploring the Caribbean coast on the eastern side of the country. At Playa Bonita beach, I kicked back with locals drinking cold beer as we watched soccer finals on big screens, before body-surfing the gentle waves for hours. In Tortuguero National Park, I spotted sea turtles and cheeky monkeys.

"Costa Rica offers so much, from pristine rainforests and incredible wildlife encounters to beautiful natural scenery," says Explore Worldwide's Ellis. "It's great for activities like surfing, cycling and zip-lining. Importantly for us, it is a leader in sustainability, with the entire nation working towards carbon neutrality."

No surprise that the Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, is the most-visited attraction in Panama. The 77-kilometre engineering marvel has been called the world's greatest shortcut, constructed to connect the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

On a relaxing NCL cruise transit of the canal, I spared a thought for the estimated 22,000 workers who died during its construction more than a hundred years ago.

Avid cruisers should consider adding the Panama Canal to their wish-list of destinations. It's unlike any other cruising itinerary I've ever experienced, and is often combined with stops in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Fly in a few days ahead of embarkation to enjoy Panama City. That's what I did, staying in the old town, home to lively restaurants, bars and stylish hotels. Pick up a Panama hat which, funnily enough, will have been made in Ecuador.

You can expect to hear a lot more about Belize, as Australian travellers discover what Americans already know: the second-smallest country in Central America is an affordable paradise for lovers of tropical islands, diving, Mayan ruins and hiking trails. If you don't know where to go first, head for Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island, home to 124-metre-deep dive site the Great Blue Hole.

Smaller than Belize, tiny El Salvador punches above its weight in appeal and attractions. The Land of Volcanoes is beloved by surfers, history buffs and admirers of colonial architecture.

Travelling on a tight budget? Nicaragua is one of the least expensive countries in Central America. Surf down an active volcano, chill on a beach in the Corn Islands, taste the local coffee or take some Spanish lessons in a nation that is making great recovery strides from a war-torn past.

While Honduras faces serious safety issues, especially beyond the tourist hotspots, there are hopes the situation will improve so that more visitors can enjoy its vibrant festivals, 3000-year-old Mayan culture, unspoiled beaches and lush, green mountains.

Read more on Explore:

1 Join divers from around the world at the Great Mayan Reef, stretching more than 1100 kilometres along the coasts of four countries. In Honduras, colourful marine life sightings include whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles. The island of Roatan is a good place to start.

2 Do an active jungle trek in Costa Rica and spot jaguars, monkeys, sloths, frogs and birds in their natural habitat. Some say this is the best country in the world for wildlife adventures. Head to Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio or dozens of other national parks, where guides are available.

3 Enjoy the Caribbean vibes and island life in Belize. Caye Caulker, in particular, looks like the pretty-as-a-picture tropical island most of us imagine when planning a carefree escape from the daily grind. The island's easy-to-follow motto is "go slow". Beach, bar, sunset, sleep. Repeat.

4 Shop at a traditional market for handmade arts, crafts, clothing and jewellery. In Guatemala's busy market town, Panajachel, vendors sell hand-sewn textiles in dazzling colours and patterns. Tiny "worry dolls", a traditional craft of the highland indigenous people, make lovely souvenirs.

5 Eat and drink like a local. Full of flavour and colour, local food is also easy on the wallet. Try pupusas (round corn cakes stuffed with tasty fillings), rice and beans, empanadas and seafood ceviche. Sip on fruity agua frescas and the milky cinnamon taste of a cold glass of horchata.

There are no direct flights from Australia to Central America, but there are plenty of easy and slightly more creative ways to get there. "Most people opt for a connection through the US, and with multiple airlines servicing a range of routes, it's a great way to create a stopover and enjoy two distinctly different destinations as part of one trip," says Andrew Stark, Flight Centre global managing director.

Travel within and between Central American countries is convenient and relatively affordable. Airlines operating in the region include Copa Airlines, Volaris, Aeromexico and Avianca. Flights from the US are available on major American carriers, including Delta, United and JetBlue.

With enough time and patience, you could explore all seven Central American countries by long- and short-distance bus and scheduled minivan. It's how most locals get from A to B.

Taxis are cheap and plentiful, and Uber is now available in major cities. Hail one in an urban centre in Panama or Guatemala, for example, and you can normally negotiate with the driver to take you anywhere in the country.

Cruising in Central America is increasingly popular, a fun way to see the region's highlights while unpacking once and leaving logistics to the professionals. Not to be missed: A port stop in sunny Costa Rica and a beach day on Belize's Harvest Caye, the private island that can only be visited if you're on an Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises or NCL voyage.

Aussie-based tour operators organising trips to Central America report strong and growing interest in the region. Explore Worldwide says Costa Rica is the best-selling destination for Australian travellers. Bookings are up 44 per cent, year-on-year.

You can choose from more than 400 suggested itineraries with Chimu Adventures, join an Intrepid group tour or let Intrepid's experts tailor-make a dream trip for your group.

G Adventures has launched 13 new Central America trips for sale in 2025. Their most popular itinerary is the Mayan Adventure: Mexico, Guatemala and Belize; also popular is the Central America Escape, a 17-day affordable adventure from Guatemala to Costa Rica.

Some parts of Central America are much safer and more stable than others, so it's advisable to do your research before planning a trip. Costa Rica and Panama are relatively peaceful and safe compared to Nicaragua and Honduras. In Guatemala and Belize, there are certain precincts to avoid in the big cities due to gang crime, while others are as safe as major American metropolises. Check the latest updates on smartraveller.gov.au and follow the advice.

Always be aware of your surroundings, don't venture out late at night and try to stay in busy areas where there are plenty of other tourists.

To hedge against unforeseen mishaps, theft, illness and injury, travel insurance is a must.

Always have multiple options for managing your money needs. Take some cash in US dollars, which is more easily exchanged for local currency than Aussie dollars and in some parts of Central America is accepted as payment by vendors. Smaller notes are more convenient, so aim to carry nothing larger than $20 notes. Singles and fives can be handy for tipping and small purchases.

ATMs are plentiful, though not always in working order. Find one attached to a bank and withdraw some local currency. An ATM withdrawal will usually offer a much better exchange rate than what you'll get for cash brought from home.

Take more than one credit card, and keep them separate (one in the suitcase, one in your wallet, for example). I take three; a Visa debit card, a Mastercard credit card and an American Express that is not always accepted overseas. Most hotels and restaurants, especially in larger cities, accept payment by credit card.

Australian passport holders don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in most Central America destinations (up to 30 days in Belize), but there are a few exceptions. You may be asked to show proof of onward travel or a return flight home. In Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, you'll have to purchase a tourist card at the airport on arrival in order to enter for up to 90 days.

Remember to apply online for an ESTA visa waiver from the US Department of Homeland Security if you'll be flying through the US, even if it's just a stopover.

To be on the cautious side, assume you can't drink tap water in Central America. While that's not true in every country, better safe than stuck in a hotel room for days with diarrhea.

Visit your doctor at least a month before flying out to get the vaccines and medicines you'll need. It's highly recommended to pack your own medical kit containing travel essentials (ask your pharmacist for advice).

The World Health Organisation recommends the following vaccinations for travel to Central America: Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, influenza, cholera and rabies. Some countries, such as Panama, require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you have recently been in countries where the virus is present. Zika virus and malaria are risks to guard against.

Pictures: Getty Images; Shutterstock