Solo Travelers Shouldn't Miss These Stunning, Highly-Rated Destinations In Central America

A region of seven English- and Spanish-speaking countries that, logically enough, sit between North America and South America, Central America is a realm of great geographic and cultural variety. A curving band of land between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, it's where to find ancient ruins, faded colonial monuments, teeming indigenous markets, and the second-longest coral reef on the planet. 

Travelers could easily spend months exploring the region, kick back on a beach, climb a volcano, or practice their language skills, and many of the countries here are well set up for tourists. For solo travelers, some destinations are more dependable — and some are certainly safer than others. Based on blogs, tourism websites, and our personal knowledge accumulated through trips in Central America, we've put together a list of striking places that single travelers should place on the top of their list for their next trip to this captivating part of the Americas.

In western Panama, not far from the border with Costa Rica, Bajo Boquete has excellent opportunities for hiking and a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The region of Boquete sits in a valley of deep forest, and mountains rise on either side. For outdoor enthusiasts traveling alone, it's a wonderland with trails that lead to hidden waterfalls, volcanic walls for rock climbing, and hot mineral springs to ease your aching muscles. 

The weather is also dreamy — think cool nights and warm days, never sweltering and uncomfortable. The town is dissected by the Caldera River, making it a pretty destination and one that is easy to get around on foot. Tourists looking for something a little unique can visit coffee plantations in the area and experience farm-to-table meals since the land here produces many crops, vegetables, and fruits.

On a trip to the islands of Belize, visitors might look to Ambergris Caye, a long skinny isle that's carved out a name as a destination offering sun, sand, sea, and serious partying. But it's the most touristy place in the country. More relaxed and friendlier than Ambergris, Caye Caulker is a sunny idyll where you'll start to feel at home quickly, even as a solo traveler. The pace of life is slower on Caye Caulker than on Ambergris, and since the island is more compact, it's easier to explore. 

Prices for accommodations tend to be affordable on Caulker, and you'll occasionally find dive operators offering trips to the famous Blue Hole. Solo travelers often head to the Split. A channel that separates north and south Caye Caulker, it's a great place to snorkel, sunbathe, and grab a drink or something to eat at the restaurants and bars that attract many a traveler.

Much has been made of the surfing scene along Nicaragua's Pacific Coast, but on the Caribbean side of this country with large swathes of greenery, there is a solo-traveler island destination that's pure beach-bum bliss. The Corn Islands, or Islas del Maíz, are two blips that sit far off the east coast of Nicaragua. They are most conveniently reached by plane — the ferry takes many bumpy hours, while the flight is a little over 60 minutes — and on arrival, a tourist will find strands of silky beach and beautiful, calm, turquoise seas. 

There are two islands, Big Corn and Little Corn, and while solo travelers can choose either (both are safe), the latter has a more compact core, with a clutch of bars and eateries where single sojourners tend to hang out. The sea is the focus here, from lazing in the shallows to taking snorkeling and diving excursions. The sunsets are also to die for. Pro tip: Bring a flashlight to Little Corn, as the island gets dark at night.

It only takes about an hour to get from the airport of Nicaragua's capital, Managua, to this town with an inviting setting on a lake. A taxi — the easiest way to transfer between the two — costs under $30, and once here, solo visitors will find a sense of serenity. While Managua is a sprawl, Granada has a sense of intimacy and charm, a manageable town that slowly seduces single travelers with its laconic rhythms and gorgeous colonial architecture. 

The anchor of Granada is its main square, the Parque Central de Granada, with its artfully landscaped trees, round gazebo, and stalls that cater to inquisitive tourists. Along one side is the Catedral Inmaculada Concepción de María, a confection in buttery yellow that is especially striking when lit by the sun, seeming to almost glow with life. From here, it's a five-minute drive to the lakefront malecón, a walkway that skirts the water.

A dizzying melange of old and new awaits solo travelers who visit the capital city of Panama, a place that's the hub of COPA Airlines, which services cities all across North, Central, and South America. Wandering around the city, tourists will take in a modern skyline, with fearless buildings like the F&F Tower, a striking skyscraper that looks like a drill bit or inverted tornado. 

The old part of the city, Casco Viejo, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and feels like its own island, with brick streets and fine colonial shapes and forms. Walking around the lanes and alleys feels like stepping back in time, and solo travelers will not only find a wide range of lodging options, from reasonable hostels to pricey boutique properties, but also a selection of museums, like the Panama Canal Museum. On that point, visitors can easily arrange a day trip to the canal from Panama City, and they should.

Connections from U.S. cities to the Costa Rican capital are excellent, so San José can easily be visited as a destination in itself. This city has much to entertain visitors within city limits, from excellent museums to fine performing arts. Rich history is evident in the colonial buildings, and the pretty parks peppered around the metropolis lend the cityscape slashes of nature. That said, nature is hardly lacking — San José sits in a valley and has volcanoes around it. 

For solo travelers, the lodging options seem never-ending, and finding a dorm room under $10 isn't hard. Public buses are frequent and cheap, and getting lost on one is an adventure waiting to happen. Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America, according to Statistica, which makes it a popular destination for single travelers. And when the outdoors beckons, there are incredible day trips close to the city, from volcano hikes to tours of coffee plantations.

At this town on Lake Atitlán, solo travelers will encounter a boho-chic vibe, like that found at another popular, larger, more commercial Guatemalan lakefront destination, Panajachel. San Pedro La Laguna has incredible views of the lake, but it's more backpacker-friendly than Pana, with plenty of single travelers, and has a lively party scene, great for solo sojourners who want to mingle and let off some steam. 

It's an easy place to take Spanish lessons or wander around the alleys to find a bite to eat. Solo travelers can exercise their body and mind with a yoga retreat or tone their biceps with a kayaking trip on the lake. Nearby, volcano hikes will test the calf muscles. While swimming in the lake is an option, some hostels and hotels also have pools with lake views, giving you plenty of opportunities to take a dip. 

In Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo is a beach town with a reliable draw for young solo travelers in search of a lively, fun Pacific Coast idyll. It's eminently walkable, with most lodging within 15 minutes of the beach and plenty of hostels and vacation rentals in addition to traditional resorts. The beach is the focus, with clear turquoise water ceding to deeper blues and gently rolling waves pushing onto sand the color of brown sugar.

The beach vibe pulses through the town, from the brightly colored shacks lining the streets to the restaurants, cafes, and bars sitting right on the sand. Sunsets pull many visitors onto the beach at night, and afterward, following dinner at an Asian restaurant or taco joint, Tamarindo starts to thrum, with live and DJ music fueling raucous revelers. For daytime excitement, book a zip-line adventure in the hills around town.

Perhaps the most striking natural feature of this South Pacific Coast town is its coastline, with sweeps of sand meeting before pushing out to a peninsula, or point, that looks exactly like the tail of a whale — no wonder, then, that this part of the country is known as Bahia Ballena, or Whale Bay. That said, there is dolphin and whale-watching here, just one of the distractions likely to enthrall solo travelers. 

This is a realm of jungles, mountains, and beaches, the trifecta of terrain that makes Costa Rica such a dizzyingly desirable destination. Long strolls on the beach allow solo travelers to take in all that natural majesty, while inland hikes will bring them to numerous waterfalls that drop into pretty swimming pools, among them El Pavon and Nauyaca. For snorkeling excursions where turtles and sharks are frequently spotted, single travelers can book a trip to Caño Island Biological Reserve.