Backpacking through South and Central America – planning a trip

In the last year, backpacking through South and Central America has moved much higher up my bucket list, I’ve seen more people going there on backpacking trips, more female travellers going solo, and it’s been painted in a much more positive, safer light than I’d always known it as growing up. Obviously, I know it hasn’t completely changed and that you still have to be vigilant, but not necessarily more than you would in other places.

I have devised a rough trip plan for a 6-7 month trip backpacking through South and Central America, for Reilly and I, working our way down, that we hope to take when Covid settles down, with three to five top bucket list things for each country we visit (but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it solo!). You will notice we have left some off and I will explain why as there are a few reasons.

You may also notice a theme of national parks, hikes and waterfalls. This is because that is what we’re into but it’s not to say that’s the only things on offer, there’s so much to do to suit every travellers passion. (If you want to know where else we wish to go along our trip, keep an eye out for my google maps itinerary as I will be releasing it soon!)

Belize

Belize is one of the best diving and snorkelling destinations in the world, and hopefully when we visit I’ll have my PADI, or at least travel there with the intention to get it, although I’ve heard it’s not the cheapest when it comes to learning there. If we don’t have our PADIs we’ll definitely be going snorkelling.

1. Hol Chan Marine Reserve – This is often better know for ‘Shark-Ray alley’. Yes that’s right, this is where people come to swim with Sharks and Rays. Swimming with any marine animal is right up my street, my top 5 bucket list ambitions include this in some way to give you an idea, and after seeing so many videos on youtube of people going here, it’s taken the number one must see spot on my trip!
2. Cave tubing and zip lining – this seems like such an awesome experience. From reviews I have read from different places, it can be on the pricier side, but I feel like because most of the things we wish to do across this trip are either free or under £8 ($10) I feel like it would definitely be worth it.
3. Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary – this is one of the only places you can ethically snorkel with Manatees and be guaranteed to see some. There are also loads of other activities to do here like kayaking, river tours and opportunities to see a wide array of wildlife. If you do also decide to do this please make sure you chose a reputable tour company and avoid any that promote touching Manatees or swimming with them in captivity.
4. Guanacaste National Park – with hiking trails, gorgeous swimming holes, and a vast array of wildlife you could spend the whole day here for less than £2 ($3)!
5. The Great Blue Hole – If we have our PADIs we’re going here, and if we don’t we’ll be coming back to dive here. I saw a picture of this years ago and ever since I decided it is something I will do at some point. The great blue hole is a sinkhole in the ocean famed for it’s unique diving experience.

Guatemala

I always thought Guatemala was somewhere I could never go, due to how the media has made it appear, however this is not the case! It’s a stunning country rich with history and beautiful landscapes, and I wouldn’t give it a miss!

1. Tikal Mayan Ruins – The expansive jungles of Tikal National Park are home to some of Guatemala’s most spectacular Mayan ruins, and personally, I really want to watch the sunrise over these 900 BCE temples, it is guaranteed to be an experience we’ll never forget.
2. Hike up an active volcano – Two Wandering Soles (check them out for awesome travel content) recommend Volcan Fuego and Volcan Pacaya the latter of which you can actually roast marshmallows on. How bizarre and cool is that? Hiking up an active volcano was something I never thought would be possible (or safe) but now I’ve seen the beautiful sites to be seen from the top, I’ll be happy to pay more than I normally would for a unique experience like that.
3. San Marcos La Laguna – a town on the edge of Lake Atitlan, San Marcos has a lot to offer. With a ‘hippy vibe’ that some may find over the top, it’s known to be a great place to relax and go for a dip. With lake lookout points with diving platforms and cliff jumps it’s almost likeable Salagdoong Beach, and despite being terrified of heights, I love cliff jumps (I work at a swimming pool with diving boards that I make full use of when I’m home). This will definitely be some where featuring on our socials when we go on our trip.
4. Semuc Champey – I know someone who recently went to the turquoise pools here and it made me so incredibly jealous and I knew it was somewhere we would be visiting. Rich with wildlife and sweeping jungle views, the hikes and naturally tiered swimming holes are the perfect place to disconnect from the world.
5. Shop in local markets – like many backpackers, I like to buy clothes from the places I visit that I know will be great for all future trips. Therefore you will most certainly catch me in the local markets buying clothes and presents for everyone back at home. Knowing me, I’ll probably end up buying so much along the whole trip that I’ll have to send a package home and pack any other overflow into other bags (sorry Reilly!).

Honduras

If we don’t manage to get our PADI in Belize, we’ll be getting it in Honduras as it’s one of the cheapest countries in the world to get it, specifically Utila. Honduras, like Guatemala, is somewhere I never thought I could safely travel, but that’s not necessarily the case. The country is rich with dive spots and historic landmarks, as well as backpacker paradises dotted everywhere.

1. The Bay Islands – as I mentioned above, we’ll be visiting Utila for the diving, but we’ll also explore the other Bay Islands as they’re one of the best diving spots in the Caribbean. Guanaja is known as the ‘Venice of the Bay Islands’ for its canals and waterways, but it’s also the only island in the archipelago with a natural waterfall so obviously we have to go! We also hope to visit the Cayman Trench as it’s a common site to spot and swim with Whale Sharks, much like Utila (if we’re qualified enough!)
2. Cayo Cochino Menor – sat on the worlds second largest reef system, here you can find some of the best swimming and snorkeling spots in Central America. And if that’s not for you, the beaches are some of the most Instagram worthy you’ll see so it’s excellent for getting that perfect picture, or just spending the day sunbathing.
3. Copan Ruins – we love soaking up the history at places like this, so we couldn’t give it a miss. This beautiful archeological site is the worlds most studied Maya city. There’s definitely a lot we can learn on a visit here.
4. La Tigra National Park – this unspoilt park 2270 metres above sea level is said to be one of the most beautiful places to visit in Honduras. You can arrange for a guide or follow a map yourself along the well marked hiking trails
5. Lake Yojoa – there’s so much to do around this lake, but the main attractions for us would be the many waterfall hikes, kayaking on the lake and exploring the surrounding national parks. Lake Yojoa is known for being a wildlife haven, birds especially, and one of the safest places to stay in the country.

Nicaragua

Again, Nicaragua has a reputation much like Honduras and Guatemala. However, I’ve seen more and more people visiting and seen increasing amounts of videos and photos of amazing things to here and feel we have to check it out ourselves.

1. Cerro Negro – this is one of the only places in the world where you can volcano surf. Yes, it’s a real thing. The hike up the volcano takes around 40 minutes and is usually done through an organized tour, and from the top you can either take a traditional ‘sledding’ approach or, for more adventurous people, stand and ‘surf’ down the side reaching speeds upwards of 60 miles per hour. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is definitely for you.
2. Mombacho Volcano Nature Preserve – this is a hikers paradise with so many possible routes of varying lengths and difficulties. You can also find one of the last remaining cloud and dwarf forests in the country (the other being the Maderas volcano on Ometepe Island) and many unique species can only be found here for this reason.
3. Somoto Canyon National Monument – this is the perfect destination to go canyoning and white water rafting. The prices online start from around £60 per person (which won’t be in everyone’s budget) but I’ve heard it can be cheaper in person.
4. Bosawas Biosphere Reserve – this rainforest is second in size to the Amazon, and just as bountiful in terms of wildlife. Here’s you can find Baird’s Tapir, Harpy Eagles and even Jaguar, although much of the reserve is unexplored, so who knows, there could be lots of undiscovered species!
5. Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve – is known for being a hotspot for watersports as well as an idyllic spot to relax on the beach with a drink in hand, soaking up the sun. We’re interested in kayaking the 6 km across and scuba diving here, but I’m sure we wouldn’t say no to a few drinks on the beach.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for being more expensive than other countries in South and Central America. Not compared to the UK, USA and Australia, but still more than you might expect when visiting. However, there is SO much to do for free as well as paid activities and it’s probably the country on this list I’ve had the hardest time narrowing it down to just 5 destinations!

1. Cherro Chirripó – this is Costa Rica’s highest mountain covered in wildlife rich forests, hiking trails and spectacular cloud forests and views. If you’ve read some of my other posts, you’ll know I’m into hiking and wildlife, so really, it’s the perfect place for me to visit! Although the hike can take between 13-15 hours, the views will be 100% worth it!
2. Rio Celeste y Los Teñideros – this is a hike to an insanely blue waterfall. Some people claim the hiking is intense and others claim it’s fairly simple (I’ll let you know when I visit!) but every review I have read says it’s all worth it, but not to forget bug spray!
3. Monteverde cloud forest biological preserve – these cloud forests are incredibly unique and have been predicted to disappear within this century so it’s a must see before time runs out! The preserve offer many things for visitors from canopy tours, ziplining, suspension bridges and animal spotting tours. This is not the only place who offer some of these activities as there are lots of rainforests and tour companies who offer things like ziplining.
4. Playa Manuel Antonio – this beach is perfect for avid surfers, beach goers and people wanting to see wildlife. There are also festivals and parties hosted here often and many tours through the attached National Park.
5. Pacuare River – this is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations for water sports as well as hiking and mountain biking. The most popular water sports are white water rafting and kayaking, and there are lots and lots of companies that offer these nearby.

Panama

Panama is super affordable for backpackers, fairly on par with the rest of south and central America, however, many people say that your budget seems to go much further here for some reason. The backpacker scene is thriving and constantly increasing, so we definitely need to check it out.

1. Ride the aerial tram through the Gamboa Rainforest – this is one of the best things to do when you’re near Panama City, and offers a unique view of the rainforest
2. Boquete Tree Trek – walk along the bridges high up among the trees or zipline through the canopy and even spot a sloth or two. You’ll be sure to get some great snaps to share and remember your trip by.
3. Bocas del Toro – this island has something for everyone, surfing beaches, relaxing beaches, ziplining, artisanal markets, snorkeling, yoga and more.
4. Whale watching – this is a huge draw to Panama for me, so much so, I feel like we’d plan a trip that coincides with their migration.
5. Do a street art tour – Panama City has a booming street art culture, and a tour is easy to arrange by yourself as many of these murals are on google maps so you can easily map out your own route, which we’ll be doing to stay on budget. There are also lots of options to book walking tours of the city where you’ll see the art too.

Colombia

I honestly don’t know how this was whittled down to just 5 things, they’re were far too many to chose from! We do want to visit on a second trip and do Colombia in more depth because of this.

1. COFFEE – I love coffee, Reilly doesn’t, but that won’t stop me taking him on a coffee plantation tour where you can do tastings and pick the berries. Colombia is often referred to as ‘the coffee capital of the world’ and unlike most other coffee producing countries, they keep some of their produce to be served in the local cafes, apparently the coffee isn’t great in other places because they don’t use their own produce.
2. Hike through the Cocora Valley – there are many routes you can take through here but to find the best hidden gems and least crowded routes, it’s best to ask the locals. We will probably go with a route in mind, but will ask around when we’re there to see if there’s a route we prefer.
3. Stay the night in Tayrona National Park – this national park allows visitors to stay overnight in either a designated campsite or hostel type accommodation so that you can see more of the park that you may be able to see in one day. Entry can be difficult I have heard as there is a limit to the amount of visitors they let in each day so best to get to there early, some of the reviews even suggest 2 hours early it’s that popular! The park has beautiful beaches, an abundance of wildlife and archaeological remains.
4. Stroll the streets of Cartagena – the colonial history is very present in Cartagena. The best way to see the city is to just wander around a little aimlessly from what I’ve read, the city is walled and pretty easy to navigate so even without a map, you shouldn’t get too lost. The street art here is also a hot attraction and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the beautiful murals.
5. Montaña La Mano del Gigante – ‘the giant’s hand’ is an odd but unique tourist hotspot where you can stand on a giant hand with spectacular views overlooking Huila. There are many options getting here, hiking, taxis or bicycle hire but we’ll probably hike or bike up the hill to the viewpoint.

Ecuador

Sadly, I don’t think our budget will extend to a trip in the Galapagos (this time) but there’s so much more than the obvious attraction to Ecuador and there’s definetly more than 5 places we want to go when there.

1. Cotopaxi – this 6-10 hour hike isn’t for everyone, however, the views from the top look absolutely stunning! If ascending to the peak is not for you, you can ride horses or bikes through the park and experience wildlife that rival even the Galapagos.
2. See the Iguanas in Guayaquil – if the Galapagos are not in your budget, and for this trip I doubt they’ll be in ours, Guayaquil offers you the chance to get up close and personal with land Iguanas as well as the usual hotspots any major city has to offer.
3. Float through the Amazon Rainforest – Ecuador houses lots of amazon river tributaries where you can spot pink river dolphins, anacondas and even fish for Piranha! Might not fancy a dip! According to roamingaroundtheworld.com Reserva de Cuyabeno provides some of the best opportunities to see wildlife.
4. Nambillo Waterfall Sanctuary – houses at least 15 waterfalls, the highest concentration of waterfalls in Ecuador. Located in the Mindo Cloud forest, the waterfalls are easily accessible by hiking, and by riding on the tarabita cableway which is included in the sanctuary’s $5 entry fee.
5. The swings – we’ve all seen the pictures of the swings overlooking forests and rice terraces in Bali, but Ecuador is also known for having some giant swings in idyllic places, here are three we want to visit. Swing at the End of the World (Casa del Arbol), on the side of Pichincha Volcano overlooking the capital city and over the Quilotoa Crater. The first is accessible by bus or a 3 hour hike from Baños, the latter looks more interesting. The second is accessible by riding the TeleferiQo cable car, and the last is accessed by hiking down into the crater, it’s recommended you visit on either a day trip from Quito or as a stop on the Quilotoa treking loop.

Peru

There was only ever one place I wanted to go to in Peru for some reason, until I watched the BBC series Race Across The World and I realised that there’s so much more to see that what I’d always thought.

1. Inca Trail and Machu Picchu – this 4-day hike is something that’s been on my bucket list for a long time. I will be gutted if we can’t secure places as the numbers are limited, however, the alternative would be either the Choquequirao Trail or the Lares Trek or to horse back ride along the Salkantay Trek which is less known about as it doesn’t have as many ruins, but this means it’s much less busy, and the views of Machu Picchu you get aren’t spoilt by crowds.
2. Rainbow Mountain – the rainbow mountain has very mixed reviews from everyone online. Some say it’s amazing, others say it’s very disappointing. What I’ve learnt is that people go expecting to see the vibrant colours advertised, without realising that these photos are overly edited. However, the unedited views are incredible and still worth the visit, and if you go early enough there’ll be time to do the red valley hike too.
3. Lost City of Choquequirao – similar to Machu Picchu but less traveled to, this tourist-free spot requires a 2-day hike is hidden among the clouds and jungles looks out among imposing peaks will definitely give you a ‘main character’ vibes if that’s what you’re after. If not it’s said to give you an overwhelming sense of self discovery and the hike along will definitely feel like a big achievment.
4. Lake Titicaca – when researching Peru, this stood out to be the highlight of everyone’s trip. The lake is one of the best places to experience age-old traditions that are still practiced by the Uros Indians.
5. Chaparri Conservation Area – remember Paddington’s tales about ‘deepest, darkest Peru’? This is probably where you’ll meet his relatives. The area houses lots of threatened species as well as a rescue centre for animals rescued from illegal trade, but this can only be visited if you spend a couple of days at the Chaparri Eco-Lodge.

Brazil

Brazil is known for being considerably more expensive than other South American countries, this is why I feel I will end here so that I don’t splash out at the start or halfway through the trip and find I must miss somewhere else, or cut my trip short because I’ve run out of money. Similarly, I may skip Brazil entirely this time for this reason, as I hope to return another time to travel it properly with more time and money as it’s such an amazing, beautiful country.

However, If I were to visit, this would where I’d want to go.

1. Cachoeira da Pedra Branca – a beautiful waterfall where you can take a dip. This isn’t a big tourist destination, more of a hidden gem I came across on Instagram and it was saved on my google maps instantly. As a budget conscious traveller, I love exploring the hidden gems as often you find they’re much more stunning and less crowded and you’re more likely to be supporting local businesses.
2. Bom Jardim – this took me a while to find after seeing the recommendation online as there are a few places with this name, however, it was not a place I was going to give up looking for! The waterfalls here are absolutely stunning! There are so many things to do in this little Village, and this company offer so many tours to choose from. Personally, I wish to do the waterfall and snorkeling tours.
3. Copacabana – yes this is partially because of the song, I will admit. However, it’s also the perfect spot to sit and relax, soak up some sun and laze on the beach all day. A good break from the rest of the jam-packed trip.

Where I’ve Missed Out

I’ve missed out a lot of these places simply because it would make my trip too long this time, I don’t think my money would stretch far enough to see everything. I hope to do more trips backpacking through South and Central America, one focusing on central America, one focusing on the northern part of South America and the other focusing on the Southern part of South America (I’ve categorised them below) and hopefully visit these places during these trips. I also know that these aren’t all backpacker hot spots, and have found mixed reviews about safety and have come to the conclusion that we would want to travel to these places when we’re much more experienced and have more knowledge. This is not the case with all of these countries, and if you recommend them and places to go when there, please let me know in the comments!

• El Salvador – Central America
• Galapagos – Archipelago off Ecuador
• Venezuela – South America (north)
• Guyana – South America (north)
• Suriname – South America (north)
• French Guiana – South America (north)
• Bolivia – South America (south)
• Paraguay – South America (south)
• Uruguay – South America (south)
• Argentina – South America (south)
• Chile – South America (south)