Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama are far less developed for tourism than their neighbours in Central America. This means that their coasts are frequently wild and untouched, even where there are superb beaches and shoreline scenery of rich subtropical vegetation or wildlife-full mangroves. Costa Rica, Mexico and Belize have many resorts and hotels of all categories, while the others may offer only one or two beach destinations.
But these may be among the best. Panama has a chain of coral islands inhabited by indigenous tribes; the Bay Islands of Honduras host some of the world’s top diving sites; and Nicaragua has virtually uninhabited, lush and unspoilt hilly Pacific coast scenery.
Honduras:
The Bay islands, off the Caribbean coast, are famous for their coral reefs, the sea is warm and clear, creating ideal conditions for diving and snorkelling. Roatán is the largest island and a popular destination for water sports lovers. Some of the reef here is just a few metres off shore. Families will enjoy the tranquillity and tangerine sunsets, but beware of undertow off the inviting white sand beaches.
Roatán: Palmetto Bay Plantation
Panama:
For a get away from it all experience on genuinely unspoilt island beaches, head to the isolated Caribbean archipelago Bocas del Toro and meet the Kuna indians who live in isolation in their autonomous homeland on the coral atolls of the San Blas archipelago. There are 365 islands, many of which are tiny with just the odd palm tree while others host modest Indian villages. The sea here is as clear as cut glass and pollution-free. Facilities are few and there isn’t much in the way of entertainment but if you decide to come here you won’t be after that.
Alternatively, you can stay on the Pacific side of the country on one of the Pearl islands. These pepper the Gulf of Panama just south of the capital. Some places are relatively developed for tourism nowadays but we have chosen a hotel on a private island well-endowed with empty white sandy beaches. Also on the Pacific side, the island of Boca Brava lies in the remarkable Gulf of Chiriquí, a remote marine park of coral reefs, sandy atolls and mangroves.
Boca Brava: Cala Mia
Gulf of Panama: Hacienda del Mar
Nicaragua:
Nicaragua’s Caribbean Corn Islands, Little Corn and Big Corn, have fine, healthy and undisturbed coral reefs. The smaller island remains as nature intended it and is without electricity while the larger island is popular among local holidaymakers as well as foreign travellers: notwithstanding this, the pace of life is slow and the atmosphere extremely relaxed.
Over on the Pacific coast is a well-regarded eco-lodge, located next to one of a series of thickly-wooded craggy headlands embracing white beaches touched only by the surf-tipped waves of the aquamarine ocean. The forest is inhabited by howler monkeys and a huge variety of tropical birds.
Pacific Coast: Aqua Wellness Resort
Corn Islands: Casa Canada
Pacific Coast: Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Eco-Lodge
PS: While we are in Central America, there is lovely accommodation on the Pacific coast of tiny El Salvador
La Cocotera Resort and Ecolodge
| |  The Bay Islands, Honduras
 The Corn Islands, Nicaragua
 The Bay Islands, Honduras
View more images |