What to do in Central America

Activities, attractions and tours

The famous pink lakes of Mexico, Rio Lagartos. A magical sight! Pink waters and blue sky, It was like sunset reversed; a feast for eyes! There are plenty of colorful salt lakes near Las Coloradas/Rio Lagartos in the Yucatan peninsula. It is just 2 hours drive away from Chichén Itzá and around 3 hours from Cancun. Public transport is scarce in this part of Mexico. We took a rental car and it was an easy and comfortable journey for us :) Once we reached Las Coloradas, we were welcomed by giant white salt mountains. After driving around the salt mountains for some time, we finally found someone local who took us to this beautiful private salt lake. #nature
The famous pink lakes of Mexico, Rio Lagartos. A magical sight! Pink waters and blue sky, It was like sunset reversed; a feast for eyes! There are plenty of colorful salt lakes near Las Coloradas/Rio Lagartos in the Yucatan peninsula. It is just 2 hours drive away from Chichén Itzá and around 3 hours from Cancun. Public transport is scarce in this part of Mexico. We took a rental car and it was an easy and comfortable journey for us :) Once we reached Las Coloradas, we were welcomed by giant white salt mountains. After driving around the salt mountains for some time, we finally found someone local who took us to this beautiful private salt lake. #nature
A lovely waterfall near Arenal Volcano. I skipped the volcano hike and rode a horse to this spot. #blue
Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya civilization. Here you have the serpent from the ball court and the Kukulcan temple in Chichén-Itzá Maya site, Yucatan, Mexico
Central America

Central America Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Central America has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Central America is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Central America to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Central America Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Central America.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Central America attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Xcaret Eco Theme Park

Part theme park, part wildlife sanctuary and part archaeological site, Xcaret Park has dozens of attractions and activities to keep the whole family occupied. So many, in fact, that it’s almost impossible to see everything with just one visit.
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Xcaret Eco Theme Park featuring a coastal town, general coastal views and a luxury hotel or resort

2. Lake Atitlán

Visit the Lake Atitlán area to explore indigenous villages, trek through volcanic highlands and dive, kayak or swim in Central America’s deepest lake.
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Lake Atitlan which includes a lake or waterhole, landscape views and boating

3. Angel of Independence Monument

Mexico City’s Angel of Independence Monument stands as a tribute to the heroes of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. From 1521when Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztec nation, until the early 1800s, the vast country of Mexico was a colony of Spain, separated by the wide Atlantic Ocean. Learn about the decade-long battle that started in 1810 and finally led to Mexico’s status as an independent monarchy and then a republic.
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The Angel of Independence in Mexico City

4. Zócalo

The Zocalo is the epicenter of Mexico’s capital city. The massive square can hold more than 100,000 people, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. Officially named Plaza de la Constitucion, the Zocalo was once the heart of Tenochtitlan, an ancient Aztec city. You can see the square’s history in the wide variety of architecture, which ranges from pre-Hispanic ruins to palatial structures and modern buildings. Make sure to step into the Zocalo Metro Station, where you can see models of how the square has changed over time.
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5. Paseo de la Reforma

Paseo de la Reforma is likely to be one of your daily reference points as you travel around Mexico City. See many historic buildings and monuments along the lengthy stretch of this wide and beautiful tree-lined avenue. Notice the important modern buildings that have been constructed over time as Mexico and Mexico City have grown internationally as important financial markets.
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Paseo de La Reforma avenue and Angel of Independence Monument - Mexico City, Mexico

Recommended things to do in Central America

Number of things to do
2
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Baton Rouge Bar Hunt: Baton Rouge Goes Rogue: CA $17
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Central America

Discover the most popular places to visit in Central America

Xcaret Eco Theme Park featuring a coastal town, general coastal views and a luxury hotel or resort

Xcaret Eco Theme Park

4.5/5(118 reviews)

Commune with nature, explore ancient ruins and learn about Mayan culture at this popular theme park, home to a natural underground river.

Xcaret Eco Theme Park
Lake Atitlan which includes a lake or waterhole, landscape views and boating

Lake Atitlán

Mountainous treks, artistic pursuits and scuba diving; the towns, villages and volcanoes that surround this picturesque lake in Guatemala's highlands offer adventure and culture.

Lake Atitlán
The Angel of Independence Monument which includes heritage elements, central business district and a monument

Angel of Independence Monument

4.5/5(213 reviews)

Gaze upon this tall and majestic structure that symbolizes for the whole nation’s citizens the country’s long struggle for independence.

Angel of Independence Monument
Zócalo featuring heritage architecture, a city and night scenes

Zócalo

4.5/5(332 reviews)

This is the heart of Mexico City with wide-ranging architecture, cultural events and a lively arts scene.

Zócalo
Insel vor Playa del Carmen, Strand Maroma, Mexiko

Maroma Beach

4/5(130 reviews)

Nothing says vacation like spending a lazy day at Maroma Beach, a popular beach in Playa del Carmen. Discover the lively bars and entertainment choices in this relaxing area.

Maroma Beach
Reforma which includes a city, a monument and a park

Paseo de la Reforma

4.5/5(141 reviews)

Like the Champs Elysées in Paris, this famous wide avenue provides a distinctive elegance to the historic plan of this huge global city.

Paseo de la Reforma
Coco Beach featuring a sandy beach

Coco Beach

4/5(127 reviews)

Explore the depths of the ocean with your snorkel and fly through the treetops of the jungle on a zip line in this picturesque beach town.

Coco Beach
Playa Blanca, Cartagena, Colombia

Playa Blanca

4.5/5(9 reviews)

Nothing says vacation like spending a lazy day at Playa Blanca, a popular beach in Rio Hato. Amble around this romantic area's seaside or experience its entertainment venues.

Playa Blanca
Colorful sunset over Tulum beach, Mexico, Shutterstock ID 664142827, Purchase Order: -

Tulum Beach

4.5/5(152 reviews)

Nothing says vacation like spending a lazy day at Tulum Beach, a popular beach in Tulum. Stroll along the seaside in this relaxing area, or check out its top-notch restaurants.

Tulum Beach

Explore areas of Central America

Escenica Tower showing a beach, general coastal views and a luxury hotel or resort

Zona Hotelera

4.5/5(1,203 area reviews)

Relax on white-sand beaches or poolside at luxury hotels, dive at an underwater museum, swim with dolphins and visit archaeological ruins.

Zona Hotelera
The Cibeles fountain in Mexico City is an exact replica of the Cibeles fountain that is located in the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain

Roma Norte

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Roma Norte. Check out top attractions like Avenida Insurgentes and MUCA Roma, and jump on the metro at Insurgentes Station or Sevilla Station to see more of the city.

Roma Norte
Puerto Vallarta city Old town in the romantic zone

Romantic Zone

4.5/5(553 area reviews)

Playa de los Muertos and Bay of Banderas are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Romantic Zone. Travelers also love the stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife, and popular shops.

Romantic Zone
Polanco which includes a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and a garden

Polanco

4.5/5(39 area reviews)

Luxury shopping along Presidente Masaryk Avenue and upscale restaurants await, while nearby Chapultepec Park houses the National Museum of Anthropology and other cultural institutions. Enjoy a stroll in Parque Lincoln or explore Polanquito's vibrant dining scene.

Polanco
Aerial view, coast and town, Corrohoe Bay and Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio National Park, Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio

The stunning beaches and idyllic natural landscape are just a few highlights of Manuel Antonio. Make a stop by Biesanz Beach or Playa Espadilla while you're exploring the area.

Manuel Antonio
La Condesa featuring café lifestyle

La Condesa

Fashionable and popular with young professionals, Condesa boasts international restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Stroll along tree-lined avenues, admire Art Deco architecture, and visit landmarks like Edificio San Martín and Basurto Building.

La Condesa

 

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