From the jungles of Central America to the glacier laden mountains of South America, travelers can find themselves creating an almost limitless list of things to see and do. This area is also home to some of the largest and most dynamic cities in the world, with places like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Caracas. It is also home ancient ruins, unique cultures, one of the greatest rivers in the world, jungles, beaches, and an unimaginable amount of wildlife. Traveling through South and Central America can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Beginning in Central America, visitors will find a wealth of travel experiences. In Guatemala, gaze out at volcanoes across the waters of Lake Atitlan, explore the colonial architecture of Antigua Guatemala, or see the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal. Surf along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, or step into a world of monkeys, sloths, and toucans in the surrounding hillsides and National Park of Manuel Antonio. In Honduras laze the days away on the beaches of Roatan or dive the stunning reefs just off shore. Throughout Central America visitors will find quaint villages, inland lakes, ocean side beaches, mountains, coffee plantations, and all kinds of wildlife. South America is a whole other experience, with a mix of old and new. Some countries, like Brazil, have seen exceptional development and advancements on a world scale in the past couple of decades. In other areas, like in the small villages in the Andes, life remains much as it has been for hundreds of years. This contrast makes South America an interesting area to explore. Some of the continents top tourist attractions are the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, the beautiful cities of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, the national parks of Chile, particularly the famous Torres del Paine, and Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. Additionally travelers might also consider a cruise up the Amazon River, a flight over Angel Falls in Venezuela, or wet walk around the huge Iguazu Falls on the Argentina and Brazil border.
There is not a whole lot to do in Managua but take time to see the Old Cathedral, the National Theatre and visit some of the local markets.
This is quite an adventurous sport (volcano boarding) but imagine being the tourist with the “I boarded down a live volcano” shirt on. Now that will have some stories to go with it! If you aren’t as into extreme sports, you can book a day trip to the “León Viejo” or the old city ruins which are Nicaragua’s only UNESCO Heritage Site. There is lots to see and do around León!
Enjoy visiting historical buildings, rustic markets, and hanging out in the central park. Granada is so picturesque with it’s brightly colored buildings and old tile roofs. Say “Hola” to some of the locals and have fun shopping for souvenirs! Don’t forget to try some of the local food too! You may be able to arrange a half-day trip to see pottery making!
San Juan Del Sur is a great place to catch some rays, relax, and just enjoy the beach! Rent a surf board and get out in the water for some fun! Make sure you stick around for sunset, it’s pretty beautiful!
Spend the day exploring the town of San Juan Del Sur. You can start out your morning by hiking to the top of the mountain to see the Mirador del Cristo and some of the best 360° views of SJDS. You can also choose to go horseback riding on the beach, go on a sunset catamaran tour, as well as many other typical beach activities.
Drive over to Merida and rent a kayak for the day. Great way to have some fun and get some exercise! Some of the monkeys can be a little agressive and overprotective of their little island so be careful!
Time to head back to Managua to the airport! Plan about 2 hours by car or about 4 hours by bus to get to Managua. Many hotels have pretty cheap shuttle options too that can get you to the airport or bus stop quicker than the local buses.