What Central American islands visit?

It's not always easy to find that perfect island paradise, full of wildlife, beaches and adventure. And while there are plenty of beaches in the Caribbean and Mexico that offer a quick and easy route to relaxation, they can also get too crowded. Skipping the crowded restaurants and crowded boardwalks of some of the most popular island retreats means working a little harder to get there, but it just makes the whole experience more rewarding.

It's worth forgoing direct flights through these tropical destinations and taking water taxis, ferries, or little puddle jumpers (and sometimes a combination of all three). You'll be rewarded for your efforts in the form of some of the coolest and most unusual islands in Central America, from a scuba diving paradise, to a laid-back hippie spot, to a collection of islets scattered across a massive lake. So get your passport ready, pack a bathing suit or several, and prepare for your choice of dream location, adventure-ready jungle or bustling beach town. Trust us, you'll be glad you made the trip.

Corn Islands, Nicaragua

The Corn Islands of Nicaragua, or Islas del Maíz, are truly a perfect tropical island destination. Of the two islands, Big Corn is where you'll find most of the action (and the only airport). Don't let the name fool you though, because Big Corn is still small, with no real town to speak of and a lonely road circling the island. Once you arrive, hop in a golf cart taxi to visit the beach bars and relax in the ecolodges. The pace of life is slow and easy here, ideal for those who want to spend days lounging on perfect white sand beaches or reading in a hammock at the hotel.

From Big Corn you can make the trip to nearby Little Corn for an afternoon or stay longer. You won't find lavish mega-resorts in the car-free getaway, but once you've gone the extra mile to visit, you'll be rewarded with affordable luxury at hotels like Yemaya Reefs, with casitas right on the beach.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

This group of islands off the northeast coast of Panama is a playground for adventure seekers. There are four main islands: Colón (home to most of the action in Bocas, with a small town that has an airport, hotels, shops and restaurants), Solarte (a jungle getaway with luxury rentals and hotels), Cristóbal (where you will find some secluded high-end resorts) and Bastimentos (the place to visit the area's best beaches, surfing hotels and beach bars). You can hire water taxis to take you to any of the islands, or you can join an organized tour to spot sea turtles and dolphins. The range of accommodation in this area is surprisingly diverse, from affordable eco-hostels to $1,000-a-night luxury suites,

To get to the main town of Bocas del Toro on Isla Colón, you'll need to hop on a puddle jumper from Panama City or take the ferry from nearby Almirante. You can also visit on a cruise if you prefer; Bocas del Toro is one of the stops on the Hurtigruten expedition to the Caribbean and Central America.

Utila, Honduras

Utila is a laid-back bohemian island that attracts divers from all over the world. Here, it's less about the beaches (although the small island is home to some good ones) and more about what lies beneath the waves: colorful corals and sponges, schools of rainbow-colored fish, sea turtles, nurse sharks. For experienced divers willing to descend 100 feet, it is also about the ghostly shell of a wrecked freighter, with a ruined hull that has been reclaimed by nature. Back on land, Utila is known for its casual beach bars, ATV rides through the jungle, and a small town with a charming and welcoming atmosphere. But beware, traveler: if you spend any time here, you will surely meet someone who came for a five-day vacation and decided never to leave,

To get to Utila from the mainland, you can fly from San Pedro Sula or take a ferry from La Ceiba. Many travelers will combine a trip to Utila with a visit to the nearby island of Roatan (a popular cruise ship destination), which is just a short plane or ferry ride away.

Caye Caulker, Belize

Just south of the more famous Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is the hippie little brother. While Ambergris is home to sophisticated resorts and hotel chains, Caye Caulker is home to lodges and inns. Stroll through the colorful town, made up of brightly painted huts by the water, and enjoy a fresh coconut or pupusa at one of the town's stalls.

It's easy to visit Caye Caulker as part of an organized day trip from Ambergris Caye, but the island is best experienced as an overnight stop (via airport or ferry).

Holbox, Mexico

While nearby Cancun and Tulum are some of the most popular Mexican vacation destinations, Isla Holbox is still relatively under the radar. Accessible only by ferry from Chiquila, about 2 hours and 20 minutes from the Cancun airport, this car-free island is surprisingly cosmopolitan, with chic boutique hotels, great shops and restaurants, and fun (but laid-back) nightlife. Holbox is also known for its population of flamingos, which wade through the shallow lagoon between the island and the Mexican mainland.

You can opt for a hotel or rental further from town for some solitude, but unless you also want to rent a golf cart, your best bet is Hotel Punta Caliza or Aldea Kuka, where you'll be within walking distance of town. but far. far enough from the bustle to enjoy the white sand beaches and turquoise waters. While getting here is a bit more difficult than heading straight to an all-inclusive hotel in Playa del Carmen, you'll be rewarded with laid-back luxury, authentic Yucatecan cuisine, and miles of beaches—all for a fraction of what you might pay on the mainland.

The Islets of Granada, Nicaragua

While you won't be enjoying the warm, crystalline waters of the Caribbean during your visit to these Central American islands, Las Isletas del Granada offer a unique experience. Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, is home to hundreds of islets that are easily accessible from the colonial city of Granada. Hire a boat to take you on a tour of the islands and explore mangrove mazes, monkey hideouts, and impressive private homes as part of a day trip from Grenada, or you can stay overnight at the luxury ecolodge on the Jicaro Island.

San Blas Islands, Panama

The San Blas Islands are part of an autonomous region of Panama that is also known as Guna Yala, named after the indigenous Guna community that lives there. Mostly uninhabited, this 300-island archipelago is a rustic paradise, where visitors enjoy pristine Caribbean waters and abundant wildlife. The laid-back, low-tech environment gives travelers a real castaway feeling (many of the guesthouses don't have electricity). Relax on the beach, snorkel, and dine on fresh fish as you spend the night in an overwater bungalow. Or, you can charter a liveaboard sailboat to take you across the islands, spending the night on deserted beaches. For the traveler who craves an adventure off the grid, Guna Yala is the perfect escape.

Calala Island, Nicaragua

Have you ever wanted to escape to your own private island? This tiny island in Nicaragua is home to just one hotel, and it's available for outright purchase for you and several of your best friends. With just four beachfront casitas, the luxury accommodations here make this a truly private escape. The hotel bills itself as "ultra all-inclusive," meaning everything from the formal tasting menu and craft cocktails to snorkeling excursions and airport transfers are included in the price. It's the perfect place to kick back in style while letting your real world worries melt into the sand.

Flores Island, Guatemala

A small island in Guatemala's Lake Petén Itzá, Flores is made up of a few winding streets lined with hostels, restaurants, and shops. A backpacker haven, this island lined with colorful houses is a great jumping-off point for exploring nearby Tikal, one of the largest pre-Columbian Mayan sites in the Americas, as well as Ixpanpajul Natural Park, where you can go hiking, zip-lining, and horseback riding. on horseback through the jungle. You can find great family-run guesthouses on the island, but if you're looking for luxury, plan a visit to La Lancha, the nearby jungle resort owned by Francis Ford Coppola (yes, that Francis Ford Coppola).

Palenque Island, Panama

On the Pacific coast of Panama, the private island resort Isla Palenque is where adventure meets five-star luxury. Once you arrive at the port of Boca Chica (usually via David airport), the staff will take you to a private island paradise, where you can enjoy a luxurious array of spa treatments and wellness programs, daily excursions to explore the Gulf of Chiriquí, and a sophisticated contemporary cuisine made with fresh ingredients. At night, a peaceful slumber awaits in private beachfront cabanas, equipped with modern amenities and deluxe amenities.