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Beyond the islands that were early baptized as the Antilles –both lesser and greater- we find a portion of land that belongs to the Caribbean, though its cultural borders are not always that precise and include regions in North America, Central America and South America with an assortment of names: terra firma, Caribbean basin or continental Caribbean.

This is no doubt a splendid natural scenario where travelers will find amazing mountains, volcanoes, valleys, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, flora and wildlife. A region where deep-rooted peoples and cultures settled down, where traditions and modernity melt into each other and deserve to be put on the map. The region has been inhabited by a mosaic of civilizations: aboriginals, Europeans (mostly Spaniards), Africans and Asians who have left their prints to date. It’s possible to stare at eye-popping monuments built by long-gone civilizations, like the Mayans, rubbing elbows with well-preserved colonial towns.

This brief inventory of places that can be reached by air, sea or land gathers the most outstanding aspects for any trekker eager to splash into fabulous adventures and willing to take a closer look at this side of the Caribbean. Believe me, you won’t be let down in any way.

México, Is more than just a destination Mexico is more than just a destination. It’s the multiplicity of destinations that comprises the majesty of its cultural past as the great modern nation it is today. The Mexican Caribbean offers excellent places where variety and colorfulness are the name of the game. Folklore, typical flavors in a rich cuisine, music, bustling daylight and activity and a superb nightlife, combined with sun-and-sand choices, water sports, archeological sites, entertainment centers, shopping malls and a whole lot more. The Yucatan Peninsula is home to Cancun, one of the world’s most sought-after cosmopolitan cities; Cozumel, home of the world’s finest diving spots; Islas Mujeres or the island of dreams, Playa del Carmen, a major Mayan Riviera enclave; Chetumal, a modern coastal burg; Campeche, Valladolid and Villahermosa, a trio of colonial cities; Merida, Yucatan’s oldest settlement, as well as Progreso and Veracruz, a couple of towns marked by top-rated archeological sites.

Guatemala 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. Its territory is mostly covered by jungles and an array of ecosystems, volcanoes, caves, rivers and forests. Next to the archeological sites and natural beauties, picture-perfect cities built by Spaniards during the colonial rule stand tall. Traditional arts and celebrations are also worth taking notice of, not to mention its music, cuisine, dancing and other manifestations linked to the half-breeding process. 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 in the province of Izabal: Livingston, Puerto Barrios and Rio Dulce, plus many other options to make your stay in Guatemala an adventure to remember.

Belize, It’s an ideal location for nature lovers Belize offers the best of both Central America and the Caribbean. Colonized by British and Spanish settlers, it once belonged to the Mayan kingdom. It’s an ideal location for nature lovers eager to explore its marvelous lands and waters. 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 and sun tanners. The Lighthouse Reef boasts the Blue Hole, a perfect blue circle of nearly 330 yards wide and 133 yards deep hedged by a atoll with a cave teeming with hard-to-believe-your-eyes stalagmites and stalactites. Ambergris Key, Belize’s largest offshore island, counts on 40 sightseeing sites for scuba divers, featuring wreckages and astounding corals. Near Shark-Ray Alley, travelers could sight sharks and devil rays at less than 13 feet deep. Don’t miss out on archeological sites in Actun Tunichil Muknal, Altun Ha, Barton Creek Cave and Cahal Pech.

Honduras, A history as fascinating as its romantic colonial spots The Republic of Honduras is blessed with a prodigious nature, a vast cultural heritage and a varied archeological wealth. However, the Honduran Caribbean also stands out. Tegucigalpa –the nation’s capital- treasures a history as fascinating as its romantic colonial spots. Not far from there, the towns of San Juancito and Valles de Angeles are worth paying a visit to. Moving to the northeast, travelers will happen on San Pedro Sula, the country’s second-largest city. Its strategic location eases access to such major sightseeing sites as Puente Cortes and Omoa; the Yojoa Lake and the Pulhopansak waterfalls are to the south and the west, respectively.

The Caribbean shoreline is equally marked by natural reserves and wildlife havens, especially in the cities of La Ceiba and Tela, both in the province of Atlantida. There you’ll find nature parks, beaches, mountains, rivers and abundant wildlife teaming up with the rich ethnic heritage of the Garifuna people. Don’t forget to drop by the national parks of Pico Bonito and Punta Sal, embracing a superb and vast subsystem of protected areas. Far to the west lies archeology-rich Copan, by far the most important cultural and tourist choice Honduras has to offer. The most important municipalities are Santa Rosa and Ruins of Copan –the latter showcasing the finest dregs of the Mayan civilization’s classical era. Bathed by the Caribbean Sea, the Islas de la Bahia (Roatan, Guanaja and Utila) are famous for their beaches and great scuba diving sites brimming with countless varieties of sponges and corals. The National Marine Park is perched on in the vicinity of the world’s second-largest coral reef.

Nicaragua 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. Flora and wildlife are abundant, and so are its colonial towns, archeological wonders, its music and dancing, its nightlife and cuisine. . The Mayasa Volcano National Park is a must-see for all visitors, especially the lava formations in the surrounding woods that hem in the Mayasa and Nindiri volcanoes. You can sail down the jaw-dropping San Juan del Norte river, rowing through jungles brimming with thousands of animal species. A stop at Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas reveals the existence of coral-reefed beaches that meet the eye. Don’t forget to swing by a few hamlets that stand out for their amazing baroque architecture and colonial relics, nor to drop in on beaches reserved for water sports and nautical activities.

Costa Rica, A natural sanctuary 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. The Arenal Lake is right at the base of the fire-spitting mountain, next to the small town of Nuevo Arenal. In case you’re looking for the Caribbean side of the country, you should try the city of Limon. Costa Rica is a geographical place in perfect state of preservation, featuring a whopping 13,000 registered plants, over 16,000 butterfly species –of both nightly and sunlight habitat- 162 amphibians, 220 reptiles and crawlers, 1,600 freshwater and marine life species, plus 850 different bird species. All this stock is sheltered in 17 national parks, 8 wildlife havens and many other biological and nature reserves in the heart of the woods. And to top it all off, there are numerous options for swimmers and sun tanners, hikers and trekkers, horseback rides, mountain bikers and people willing to scour the unexplored jungle.

Panamá, A land blessed with great natural riches, hospitable and jaunty people Known worldwide for its inter-oceanic canal, today Panama makes a strong case for the promotion of tourism. This land blessed with great natural riches, a varied flora and wildlife, hospitable and jaunty people and indigenous populations, also show perfect waters for scuba divers and anglers alike, conditions that make this small nation an ideal ecotourism destination in the Americas. Pay a visit to San Blas, home to the local tribe of Kuna Indians and to many of the country’s best-known travel destinations, including the Taboga Island, just a one-hour boat ride from Panama City; Bocas del Toro, an archipelago where visitor can take a firsthand look at egg-hatching turtles down at the beach, take a swim, do some snorkeling, practice scuba diving or taste traditional dishes of the Panamanian cuisine. Panama City, the nation’s capital, offers a multitude of attractions, museums, shopping malls, superb nightlife and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit the museums of natural sciences, history, religious art and mankind, as well as the Cathedral (1673-1760), one of its most emblematic landmarks.

Colombia Colombia is the Caribbean, but it’s also part of the Pacific. It’s Andean and it’s Amazonian. A little bit of everything with a blend of well-balanced ingredients that include whites, Indians and Negroes. This mixture stands out even taller when it comes to cultural traditions. If you really want to know the Caribbean side of the nation, visit its marvelous destinations that will for sure make you catch your breath. You’ll be forever drawn to such cities as Cartagena de Indias, Barranquilla, Santa Marta and the islands of San Andres and Providencia. The country’s many sightseeing spots take you on a grand tour around its rich history. Get to know the architectural values of Colombian churches, monuments, museums, theaters, castles and fortresses, both in Santa Fe de Bogota and in other cities. If unearthing the nation’s natural wonders is what you’re actually in for, then head for its beaches, national parks and archeological sites. Don’t pass up the chance to visit the aquarium of the Sea Museum in Santa Martha, the El Prado neighborhood in Barranquilla, the House of the Marquis of Valdehoyos in Cartagena, the Big Swamp, the Lost City in Santa Martha, the La Popa Monastery, the Las Bovedas Barracks and the Santa Clara Convent in Cartagena de Indias.

Venezuela, Gorgeous share of landscapes Venezuela is some kind of geographical mosaic. Located in the Atlantic side of the Caribbean and part of the Andean nations, it has gorgeous landscapes with a multitude of shades that sometimes go beyond the boundaries of its federal states. It’s marked by rugged shorelines, huge rivers, abundant flora and wildlife. Its population and economy are conspicuously heterogeneous, former realm of Arawack, Teque and Caraca Indians. Touring Venezuela implies the pleasure of watching its beautiful coasts, mountain ranges, plains and beaches. Margarita Island, in the state of Nueva Esparta, is a really wonderful place. The historic regions scouted by Simon Bolivar, the national hero, will also be part of your touring plan. Many of his personal belongings and other historic artifacts are cherished in local museums, monuments and old-timed cities. Caracas, the nation’s capital, comes together with major bugs like Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto, Ciudad Guayana and Maracay. Pick a travel destination and you’ll surely find a good reason to stay there. A growing economy is the result of an oil-rich country that also boasts many other natural attractions, such us several archipelagos and scattered islands with everything it takes to make you feel like a million bucks!

Surinam Called until the proclamation of the independence as Dutch Guyana, Suriname is an original cultural and extraordinarily varied ethnic enclave that came into being as a result of both Dutch and British colonization, laborers brought from India and Indonesia and the early trade of slaves from Africa. Visitors will be surprised to see some of the world’s loveliest natural habitats and feast eyes on lavish vegetation and abundant wildlife in the heart of the Amazonian jungle. Paramaribo, the nation’s capital, is marked by colonial building harking back from the Dutch and British rules, while the local cuisine reflects the traditions of many parts of the globe that played a part in the formation of the national identity. A southbound trip from the capital reveals sixteen reserves and national parks, including wetlands and swamps that lead to the mountainous Amazonian jungle. The whole area can be toured on foot or rowing down the river to catch sight of some of the 400 mammal species that live there hand in hand with countless birds, reptiles and amphibians. The botanical diversity is so huge that scientist haven’t been able to label all plants and shrubs.

Guyana As a privileged point of the Caribbean Basin, Guyana was nicknamed “the land of plentiful water” by native residents, a feature highlighted by the country’s lavish forests, prairies and varied wildlife that make it a fantastic paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, and snare visitors with its monumental Kaieteur Waterfalls, one of the most spectacular of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. You’ll also see the larger-than-life capital of Georgetown, its puzzling tropical jungle and one of the planet’s most curious ethnic blends. Among the best-known destinations along the Caribbean shoreline, you’ll find the city of Georgetown, hemmed in by snazzy hotels, fancy restaurants and other sightseeing spots. The woods and the abundant wildlife that inhabits there captivate tourists at the Kaieteur National Park. Guyana’s geography has 276 waterfalls and a system of rivers and creeks that resemble fine veins on any map, as well as huge watercourses like the Essequibo River that runs down 371 miles.