Central America
Start your adventure here!
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
This 29,692-acre nature reserve is home to an active volcano, which erupted as recently as 2010. Today, it only emits the odd puff of steam, but the park is still a perfect spot to explore Costa Rica’s lush green wilderness and incredible wildlife. Book into a luxury eco-resort—preferably one where you can take advantage of hot springs created by the region’s geothermal activity—and spend some time hiking and waterfall-spotting in the jungle. Watch for rainbow-colored toucans and macaws heckling from the treetops!
Belize
With its turquoise waters and pristine white-sand beaches, Belize is a postcard-perfect place for a beach vacation. No visit is complete without a snorkel on the stunning barrier reef or a paddle among its coral cayes. But the island is also known for its network of inland caves—eerie, magical spaces harboring deep blue pools, twisting roots, dripping stalactites and scattered Mayan artifacts. Explore them as part of a tubing, rappelling, diving, hiking or spelunking tour.
Colombia’s Coffee Plantations
Ever wanted to see where your morning java comes from? Colombia’s prime coffee-growing region is a swath of hilly terrain between the cities of Cali, Medellín and Bogotá, where the high altitudes, volcanic soil and tropical weather combine to produce some of the world’s best beans. Tour a historic plantation, stay overnight in a hacienda and experience the harvest for yourself.
