Central America

Central America is a humid, mountainous and volcanic isthmus stretching like a bridge from Mexico to Panama.

After decades of internal strife, drug scandals and rampant corruption, Central American nations have shaken off their dangerous reputation and emerged as culturally-rich, affordable eco-tourism destinations.

Guatemala beckons with ancient Mayan ruins, Honduras and Belize are gateways for spectacular diving on the world's second-largest barrier reef, Mexico tempts surfers to its boho beach towns, Costa Rica raises the temperature with its steaming active volcanoes, Nicaragua's Caribbean coast comes thick with virgin tropical rainforest, El Salvador charms with its Spanish colonial architecture and Panama rarely fails to impress with the modern construction marvel of its canal.

The Caribbean

Palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear sea, blazing sunshine and reggae beats are the order of the day in the laid-back Caribbean islands.

Lying southeast of North America and east of Central America, the region is a collection of more than 7000 islands, islets and reefs.

The most popular tourist destinations include Anguilla, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Martinique, St Barts, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands.