What to do in Central America

Activities, attractions and tours
Costa Rica which includes tropical scenes and a pool

Central America Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Central America has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Central America, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Central America with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Central America

Central America is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Central America, and make it a breeze to explore Central America and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Central America to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Central America, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Central America.

Central America attractions

Central America has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Central America to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Central America.

Looking for things to do in Central America can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Central America or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Central America attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Xcaret Eco Theme Park

Part theme park, part wildlife sanctuary and part archaeological site, Xcaret Park has dozens of attractions and activities to keep the whole family occupied. So many, in fact, that it’s almost impossible to see everything with just one visit.
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Xcaret Eco Theme Park featuring general coastal views, a luxury hotel or resort and a coastal town

2. Zócalo

The Zocalo is the epicenter of Mexico’s capital city. The massive square can hold more than 100,000 people, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. Officially named Plaza de la Constitucion, the Zocalo was once the heart of Tenochtitlan, an ancient Aztec city. You can see the square’s history in the wide variety of architecture, which ranges from pre-Hispanic ruins to palatial structures and modern buildings. Make sure to step into the Zocalo Metro Station, where you can see models of how the square has changed over time.
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Zocalo featuring night scenes, a city and heritage architecture

3. Paseo de la Reforma

Paseo de la Reforma is likely to be one of your daily reference points as you travel around Mexico City. See many historic buildings and monuments along the lengthy stretch of this wide and beautiful tree-lined avenue. Notice the important modern buildings that have been constructed over time as Mexico and Mexico City have grown internationally as important financial markets.
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Reforma which includes a monument, a garden and a city

4. Angel of Independence Monument

Mexico City’s Angel of Independence Monument stands as a tribute to the heroes of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. From 1521when Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztec nation, until the early 1800s, the vast country of Mexico was a colony of Spain, separated by the wide Atlantic Ocean. Learn about the decade-long battle that started in 1810 and finally led to Mexico’s status as an independent monarchy and then a republic.
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The Angel of Independence Monument featuring a monument, heritage elements and central business district

5. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

More than 12 million people visit the Basilica de Santa Maria each year. They come to see the site at which the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a poor Indian, and to see the cloak with her image that is displayed there.
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Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe showing a church or cathedral, religious elements and a square or plaza

6. Tulum Mayan Ruins

The Tulum Mayan Ruins are some of the most mysterious and picturesque pre-Hispanic ruins on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
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Tulum Mayan Ruins showing a ruin

7. Rosarito Beach

Rosarito Beach is one of the city’s main draws. This broad sweep of sand fronts the city center and is a hive of activity day and night. Spend the day exploring the sandy shoreline and enjoying the range of fun-filled adventures on offer. Relax under the shade of a beach umbrella while sipping the juice from a freshly cracked coconut.
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Rosarito showing a sandy beach

Recommended things to do in Central America

Number of things to do
6
Things to do from
£6
Cheapest thing to do
Baton Rouge Historic City centre Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

Popular places to visit

Image for Xcaret Eco Theme Park

Xcaret Eco Theme Park

4/5(7 reviews)

Commune with nature, explore ancient ruins and learn about Mayan culture at this popular theme park, home to a natural underground river.

Xcaret Eco Theme Park
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Zócalo

4.5/5(40 reviews)

This is the heart of Mexico City with wide-ranging architecture, cultural events and a lively arts scene.

Zócalo
Image for Paseo de la Reforma

Paseo de la Reforma

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Like the Champs Elysées in Paris, this famous wide avenue provides a distinctive elegance to the historic plan of this huge global city.

Paseo de la Reforma
Image for Angel of Independence Monument

Angel of Independence Monument

4.5/5(15 reviews)

Gaze upon this tall and majestic structure that symbolizes for the whole nation’s citizens the country’s long struggle for independence.

Angel of Independence Monument
Image for Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe

4.5/5(18 reviews)

Mexico’s patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, is believed to have appeared on the site of this church, making it an important pilgrimage site for many Catholics.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Image for Tulum Mayan Ruins

Tulum Mayan Ruins

4.5/5(24 reviews)

Visit one of Yucatan’s most impressive Mayan ruins, perched high on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum Mayan Ruins
Image for Rosarito Beach

Rosarito Beach

Experience the buzzing atmosphere of the resort city’s main beach and spend the day playing on the sandy shores, swimming or relaxing with an icy-cold drink.

Rosarito Beach
Image for Africam Safari

Africam Safari

Bring the whole family for an entertaining day out. In the car or on foot, spot lions, giraffes, elephants and more roaming together.

Africam Safari
Image for Xel-Há Park

Xel-Há Park

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Have a fun-filled day at Xel-Há Park and see why everyone loves this theme park in Tulum. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Xel-Há Park

Explore areas of Central America

Escenica Tower featuring a luxury hotel or resort, a beach and general coastal views

Zona Hotelera

4/5(130 area reviews)

Relax on white-sand beaches or poolside at luxury hotels, dive at an underwater museum, swim with dolphins and visit archaeological ruins.

Zona Hotelera
Polanco which includes heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and a park

Polanco

5/5(6 area reviews)

Visit the most diverse section of Mexico City for sophisticated shopping, dining, accommodations and sightseeing.

Polanco
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Romantic Zone

4/5(9 area reviews)

Are you interested in stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and popular shops? A visit to Romantic Zone might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Olas Altas Street and Los Muertos Pier.

Romantic Zone
Oaxaca showing a city

Oaxaca Centro

5/5(21 area reviews)

Churches, museums and art galleries are some highlights of Oaxaca Centro. Make a stop by Oaxaca Textile Museum or Oaxaca Cathedral while you're exploring.

Oaxaca Centro
La Condesa featuring café scenes

La Condesa

Enjoy 20th-century history in these two sections of Mexico City, with interesting art and architecture reflecting European influences.

La Condesa
Zona Dorada featuring a sandy beach, mountains and general coastal views

Zona Dorada

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Island hopping, wildlife spotting, beaches and nightclubs are among the biggest draws to Mazatlán's lively and eclectic district of fun and entertainment.

Zona Dorada