In the beginning there was nothing. In the silence of the dark only the gods Tepeu, Gucumats and Huracan lived. They made the light, pushed the sea back and let the land show up, where trees grew and flowers bloomed.

The gods thought those trees were not to be left unguarded, so they loaded the branches and twigs with all sorts of animals, ordering them what to do. However, their silence didn’t please them much, thinking that muteness was synonymous of desolation and death, so they eventually gave them voices, but none of them talked. Only screams went out of their throats and snouts.

That’s how the deities whipped the body of the first man into shape, using clay, but those beings had no feelings, so they decided to do them in. Then the gods huddled once again in an effort to create a new being made of flesh and blood, and gifted with wisdom.

This time around, they resorted to corn. They shaped the body with a yellow-and-white paste, inserting pieces of wood to make them much tauter. These beings were called Balam Quitze, Balam Acab, Ma Hucutah and Iqui Balam. To prevent them from being lonely, the gods created women. Sooner rather than later, men developed and formed the Quiche tribes, doomed to live in the land created by the gods they were supposed to serve.

And even when the ancient Mayan legend on the creation of the world seems fabulous, it’s hard not to believe that it was the hands of the gods that shaped all this magical piece of land that bridges the two Americas, a splendid natural scenario where travelers will hit upon mountains, volcanoes, rivers, lakes, breathtaking beaches and amazing flora and wildlife, home to peoples and civilizations that deserve recognition.

Central America –inhabited from the onset by the mysterious and ancient Mayans, Olmec, Toltec, Aztecs and other aboriginal tribes- has since then been populated by an astounding human mosaic, from aboriginals all the way to Europeans, Africans and Asians. And as a result of all this, its cities and towns make up a motley jigsaw of constructive styles that rub elbows with jaw-dropping monuments during the Mayan civilization’s golden era, well-preserved colonial cities and modern-times buildings and condos.

From southern Mexico, walking past Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, trekkers will chance upon a place that stick to two different calendars; the official 365-day calendar and a ceremonial one of only 260 days. The region is blessed with tropical jungles and semi-deserts, featuring sweltering temperatures of 104 degrees or bone-freezing cold of 42 to 46 degrees.

Travelers may take a swim in the Pacific or the Atlantic ocean, but also dip into a hidden lake some 1,312 feet under sea level, or maybe gaze at animal species you’ve only seen in books, or just hit on a high-tech highway packed with zipping cars, or watch a peasant grow his own patch of corn, just like the Mayans did some 3,000 years BC.

The Mayan world is by far Guatemala’s number-one attraction. In a territory of roughly 193,000 square miles, the Mayans built one of the oldest civilizations ever recorded in history over 2,000 years ago. Major archeological ruins and a considerable number of indigenous communities still remain. A visit to Tikal, a major example of Mayan mysticism, is an unforgettable experience. This old-timed city built circa 600 BC, currently hosts a National Park that UNESCO declared World Cultural Heritage. The Caribbean Sea bathes wonderful destinations like Livingston, Puerto Barrios and Rio Dulce.

Belize, colonized by British and Spanish settlers, once belonged to the Mayan kingdom. One of the most noticeable landmarks is the magnificent coral reef, the second largest in the world, that runs almost uninterrupted along the coastline somewhere between 12 and 24 miles. Its protective effect guarantees exceptionally crystal-clear waters for scuba diving buffs and sailing enthusiasts, let alone unexplored beaches for swimmers. Don’t miss out on archeological sites in Actun Tunichil Muknal, Altun Ha, Barton Creek Cave and Cahal Pech.

Honduras is blessed with a prodigious nature, a vast cultural heritage and a varied archeological wealth. The Honduran Caribbean also stands out. Tegucigalpa –the nation’s capital- treasures a history as fascinating as its romantic colonial spots. The towns of San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and Tela, whose main allures are nature parks, beaches, mountains, rivers and abundant wildlife teaming up with the rich ethnic heritage of the Garifuna people.

El Salvador, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, boasts breathtaking beaches and small volcanic-origin lakes scattered across the entire national territory in places like Llopango, Coatepeque, Olomeca and Güija. The national parks of Monte Cristo, El Imposible, Cerro Verde and Nancuchiname are the right spots to gaze at the endemic flora and wildlife. Ruins of the former Mayan civilization are preserved, and so has been the local folklore, one that combines elements inherited from the Indians, the Spaniards and the Britons.

Nicaragua is penciled in as a perfect and original travel destination. The Atlantic coast is ideal for those who love nature, full of unexplored patches of land that in all comprise over 173 square miles of breathtaking mountainous scenery, astonishing volcanoes, huge lakes and lagoons, majestic rivers, lavish forest and long sun-basked beaches. The Masaya Volcano National Park is a must-see for all visitors, especially the lava formations in the surrounding woods that hem in the Masaya and Nindiri volcanoes.

Other sightseeing sites are the Managua Lake, the Solentiname Island –featuring a picturesque artist colony- the so-called “white towns” of Matagalpa, Jinotepe, Diriamba… and the Poneloya beaches.

Costa Rica is a natural sanctuary that has lately panned out to be a role model in terms of development in the face of increasing demand for one of the world’s most coveted tourism modalities of today: ecotourism. It’s by far the favorite spot of those who prefer nature as the perfect getaway from the tribulations of daily life. The Arenal Volcano is one of its top allures, whose emissions of incandescent lava pack a wallop among visitors. There are great beaches ands nature parks in Guanacaste and Poas, in the outskirts of San Jose. You should try the city of Limon to get the taste of the Caribbean region. Costa Rica is a geographical place in perfect state of preservation, featuring a whopping inventory of natural riches.

Last but not least, the beloved Republic of Panama, the star of this Excellencies’ special issue. Known worldwide for its oceanic canal and the Colon Free Trade Zone, Panama is currently revealing its tremendous tourist, economic and financial potentials.

A land teeming with natural resources, superb flora and wildlife, hospitable and jaunty people, waters that are perfect for scuba diving and rank among the world’s finest for fishing, this is a launching pad for ecotourism in the Americas. Its modern capital –Panama City- gives visitors countless cultural, leisure, commercial and business opportunities, painting a picture of the burg that’s both cosmopolitan and mundane, yet reflecting –perhaps like no other city- the magic of the Central American realm with its blend of nature and civilization, traditions and modernity.