The Best Beaches in Central America

One of these fabulous beaches is in Santa Tresa, Costa Rica. This place has long stretches of pale sand covered with palm trees as well as almond trees. You have to take some rough roads to get there. There is a Flor Blanca resort that has 10 villa located on a 7- acre property. You get complimentary yoga classes ,and bike, surfboard, and snorkeling equipment rentals included. To get there , you will need to fly to San Jose, then the resort will arrange a flight for you or a 6 hour ground shuttle to the resort. Cost is about $675 per night which includes air transfers. Go to www.florbanca.com for more information.

If you love reggae, you will love Ambergris Caye, Belize. They are English speaking natives who reside off the northeast coast. The island is 35 miles and car- free. The Matachica Beach Resort is known for its seclusion. The cabins have porches so you can enjoy the breeze. the island has turquoise waters. You can snorkel right off the dock. Cost is about $265 per night which includes breakfast, and airport transfers. Go to www.matachica.com for more information.

Barra de Santiago, El Salvador's tourism is kind of new. This country's coast is known as a surfers paradise. If you want solitude try the northern Pacific coast of Berra de Santiago. The La Cocotera Resort & Ecologe. They have bungalows that are surrounded by coconut palms. You'll be able to see thousands of Olive Ridley turtles hatch in the park's sanctuary if you come during August and September. You can even help release them into the ocean. There is a complimentary 15 hour car transfer from San Salvador, or you may like a chartered plane or helicopter at an extra cost. Th cost is $115 per night which includes all meals. airport transfers, and Kayak use. For more information go the www.lacocoteraresort.com.

Roatan, Honduras has more than 60 miles of living ref. It is considered one of the most affordable places in the world where you can learn to scuba. They have open-water certification courses that last three to four days then the divers can troll for whale sharks. At the Reef House Resort there are three daily dives. The non-divers can swim with the sea turtles in the saltwater pool. The best visiting time is during February through June. You can fly directly to Roatan from many U.S. cities such as Houston and Miami. Cost is $290 per night which has an all inclusive dive package. For more information go to www.reefhouseresort.com.

Bocas del Toro, Panama, has white sands and an accessible rain forest. It's just an hour flight from Panama City. At the Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge the guests enjoy the two story cabins looking over the sea. It has a long wooden boardwalk. The cabins have French doors that open up to private decks. They have solar panels for generating power. They also have an organic garden used to serve vegetables at meal time as well as the seafood caught daily. Cost is $374 per night which includes breakfast, dinner, and airport transfer. Go to www.puntacaracol.com for more information.

In Mal Pais, Costa Rica, there are amateur and professional surfers on this Southwestern coast of Nagoya Peninsula. At the Beija Flor resort there is a villa and 11 guest rooms set in a tropical garden. Guest can enjoy spa treatments, yoga classes, and horseback rides. Their open air restaurant serves French-Asian cuisine. It is possible to drive to the resort ,but you may want to fly from San Jose to the nearby Playa Tambor. Costs are from $60 per night. Go to www.beijaflorresort.com.

In Hopkins, Belize, there is a resort called Hamanasi Adventure & Dive which is a 20 minute flight travel from Belize City. It is surrounded by black orchids with tree house accommodations. You can Kayak and bike. There are also Mayan Pyramids, water falls, caves and a jaguar preserve nearby. The divers can see manatees, sharks, and eagle rays underneath the waters through their own dive facility. Cost starts from $275 per night which includes breakfast . Go to www.hamansi.com.