Budget Planning

Central America is a great budget destination. If you're traveling from North America, it's quite easy to find round trip cheap plane tickets. This easy accessibility is a big part of the appeal. The area is impressive with national parks, great beaches, and scuba diving. It's a great place to head during North America's cold winter months, when most Central American countries are in their dry season. Generally, it is easy to travel independently in Central America and the countries are actually quite diverse and unique. If you have several weeks you can hop through a few countries, because the are each quite small.

Things to Do

National Parks: You really shouldn't visit Central America without visiting at least one national park. Some of the most popular parks are in Costa Rica and include Monteverde, Costa Rica, known for its ziplines and cloud forest and Arenal, Costa Rica, with a famous active volcano. Most national parks have a small town nearby with plenty of accommodation and restaurant options.
Beaches: Central America has some beautiful, and surprisingly affordable beaches. Even the most expensive beaches in the area, such as Placencia, Belize, tend to have backpacker options. Some of the most pristine beaches are close to national parks, such as those at Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Belize is perhaps the most popular beach destination in Central America. If you're looking to get a little more off the beaten path, consider visiting San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, which is affordable and great for surfers. In Panama, Bocas del Toro is a great choice, with many affordable options as well.
Historic Temples: The ruins in Central America are quite impressive. Some of the most famous Mayan ruins in the area include Tikal, Guatemala and Copan, Honduras. If you're on a budget it's very possible to explore the area without a guide. Bring along a guidebook that has detailed information and read as you go. Alternatively, you will get some interesting insight if you do choose to hire a guide.
Wildlife: Central America is known for its wonderful wildlife, from the monkeys to birds, to the fish in the ocean, there are many opportunities to see unique animals. National Parks are usually the best places to see animals, but if you're looking for snorkeling or diving opportunities, places like Cahuita in Costa Rica are ideal.

Budget Travel Destinations

All of the countries in Central America are quite affordable. The most expensive is either Panama, whose currency is locked to the US dollar, or Belize, with its beautiful beaches that put it in high demand. Costa Rica is a popular destination and has options for travelers of all budgets. Perhaps the most affordable countries in Central America are Nicaragua and El Salvador, where you can easily get by on a shoestring budget and see a lot.

Transportation Budget

You have a range of transportation options in Central America. The infamous chicken buses in Nicaragua and elsewhere are the most entertaining and cheap option. Everyone should ride a chicken bus at least once during their travels. For longer trips, there are options like TicaBus, which offers air conditioned buses with televisions. These buses are more expensive and cater specifically to tourists. On the high end of the spectrum, some travelers with limited time choose to rent a car in countries like Costa Rica. This option allows you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and stop wherever you want. It's convenient, but can definitely cost you more.