CENTRAL AMERICA. Poised between prime tourism destinations in North and South America, the seven countries that make-up Central America collectively offers their own unique and undiscovered treasure trove of reasons to visit. These include a nearness to major gateways and little or no chance of jet lag for the North American traveller, a year-round warm climate, a virtual playground of places to explore from sun-kissed sea coasts to cool rain-forested mountains, tour operators that make it simple to see the sights, and all the creative comforts from first class hotels to simple bed-and-breakfasts and cuisine to suit every palette.

WHY GO: AWARD WINNING PLACES TO ENJOY

If you're looking for top notch accommodations or those that are ripe with romance, service, luxury, or a bargain price, Central America has it all.

Conde Nast Traveler: 2010 Readers' Choice Awards

Central America - Honored as the region's Top Hotels (and ratings)

• 1. Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, 93.3
• 2. Casa Santo Domingo, Antigua, Guatemala, 93.2
• 3. Hotel Capitan Suizo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 82.6
• 4. Hotel Grano de Oro, San José, Costa Rica, 80.2
• 5. Villa Caletas, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, 79.0

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top Resorts (and ratings)

• 1. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, 91.8
• 2. Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Argentina, 90.5
• 3. Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort, Belize, 90.4
• 4. Xandari Resort & Spa, Costa Rica, 89.5
• 5. Four Seasons Resort Carmelo, Uruguay, 88.8
• 6. Hotel Salto Chico, Explora en Patagonia, Chile, 86.6
• 7. Chaa Creek, Belize, 85.0
• 7. Hotel Punta Islita, Costa Rica, 85.0
• 9. Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort, Costa Rica, 83.0
• 10. Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica, 81.7
• 11. Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize, 81.2
• 12. Turtle Inn, Belize, 81.1
• 13. Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Costa Rica, 80.7
• 14. Arenas del Mar, Costa Rica, 80.4
• 15. JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Costa Rica, 80.4

TripAdvisor Travelers' 2011 Choice Hotel Awards

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top 10 Bargain Hotels

• 1. Villas Hermosas, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
• 2. Aparthotel Vista Pacifico, Jaco, Costa Rica
• 3. Hotel Torre Dorado, Cusco, Peru
• 4. Casa MarBella, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
• 5. Pousada Vila Pitanga, Buzios, Brazil
• 6. Lola House, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 7. Yat B'alam Boutique Hotel, Copan, Honduras
• 8. Hotel Terrasol, Granada, Nicaragua
• 9. Los Tambos, Arequipa, Peru
• 10. Kokoro Arenal, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top 10 Romance Hotels

• 1. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 2. Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala
• 3. Casa Cristal Boutique Hotel, Escazu, Costa Rica
• 4. Cocon Plum Island Resort, Stann Creek, Belize
• 5. Boutique Hotel Varanda das Bromelias, Gramado, Brazil
• 6. Charming - Luxury Lodge & Spa, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
• 7. Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel and Spa, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
• 8. Victoria House, San Pedro, Belize
• 9. The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 10. 1890 Hotel Boutique, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top 10 Bed & Breakfasts & Inns

• 1. The Green House Peru, Cusco, Peru
• 2. Casa Hernandez, Salta, Argentina
• 3. Casa Bella Rita Boutique Bed & Breakfast, Santa Ana, Costa Rica
• 4. Vivenda Paraty, Paraty, Brazil
• 5. Tierra de Suenos, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
• 6. Miss Margrit's Guest House, Granada, Nicaragua
• 7. Hickatee Cottages, Punta Gorda, Belize
• 8. Cachoeira Inn, Buzios, Brazil
• 9. B&B Grecia, Grecia, Costa Rica
• 10. The Riverside Inn Boquete, Boquete, Panama

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top 10 Luxury Hotels

• 1. Mine Hotel Boutique, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 2. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 3. Hotel Royal Corin, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 4. PuroBaires Hotel Boutique, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 5. The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 6. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Liberia, Costa Rica
• 7. Las Terrazas Resort, San Pedro, Belize
• 8. Cavas Wine Lodge, Agrelo, Argentina
• 9. Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 10. Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top 10 Relaxation/Spa Hotels

• 1. The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 2. The Phoenix Resort, San Pedro, Beliz
• 3. Hotel Royal Corin, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 4. Hotel Cumbres Patagonicas, Puerto Varas, Chile
• 5. Los Altos De Eros, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
• 6. Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
• 7. Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Urubamba, Peru
• 8. Bristol Buenaventura, Farallon (Playa Blanca), Panama
• 9. Las Casitas del Colca by Orient-Express, Colca Canyon, Peru
• 10. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Liberia, Costa Rica

Central and South America - Honored as the region's Top 10 Hotels for Best Service

• 1. Hotel Torre Dorada, Cusco, Peru
• 2. Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort, Hopkins, Belize
• 3. Lola House, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 4. Los Tambos, Arequipa, Peru
• 5. Villas Hermosas, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
• 6. Los Altos De Eros, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
• 7. The Phoenix Resort, San Pedro, Belize
• 8. PuroBaires Hotel Boutique, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 9. Hotel Casa do Amarelindo, Salvador, Brazil
• 10. Xanadu Island Resort Belize, San Pedro, Belize

WHEN TO GO

Year-round warm weather is a big draw for many visitors. Most folks travel to Central America during the winter months when snow and cold blanket northern climates. This time, as well as major holidays and school vacations, is when you'll find the biggest crowds and the need to book ahead for many resorts and hotels as well as popular restaurants and tours. The summer months are quieter and discounts may be available on a variety of accommodations and tours. Hurricane season starts in late summer and runs through the fall.

BEYOND A VACATION

Convention & Business. Several Central countries are targeted the lucrative North American business travel and convention business. Many resorts are equipped with conference facilities as well as destination draws such as a seaside location, golf course, spa and fine dining. Business tourism is in fact so important to the region that, for example, Panama is looking at negotiating a special tax exemption status with the U.S. International Revenue Service for conventions. In addition, El Salvador built the second largest convention center in the country, with a capacity of 1500 people, two years ago, and the Costa Rican government has set one of its priorities the building of convention centers to promote this type of tourism.

Medical Tourism. The cost of healthcare in the U.S. has led Americans to look abroad to the emerging number of medical tourism destinations around the globe. In 2010, International Living magazine named Costa Rica as one of the Ten Top Medical Travel destinations in the world. The reason, and what brings nearly 15 percent of visitors to this country, is hundreds of board-certified doctors, surgeons and dentists that practice in San Jose and its surrounding areas. Panama too has a well-established medical tourism industry.

Learn about medical tourism — traveling abroad for medical purposes including clinical, surgical or preventive medicine and treatments such as hair transplants, medical spas, plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry. Locate the hospitals, surgeons and doctors who specialize in medical tourism in Central America.

Second Homes. Central America is a great place to buy a second home whether it's for vacation, retirement or for investment. Costa Rica and Panama are especially attractive destinations where home prices are 30 to 50 percent less than in the U.S., property values are on the rise meaning investments can double and triple in a few short years, and taxes are low due to government incentives for development. Luxury property developers are designing and building master-planned residential communities to meet the growing demand in several countries. For example, a master-planned community at Maya Beach, on the Placencia Peninsula, in Belize, features 110 single family home sites, a twenty-acre boutique resort site with marina, and 12-acre parcel for condominium development all along nine thousand feet of beef and lagoon front. Each residence is equipped with underground power, cable TV, security and its own water treatment and supply system - all the comforts of home.

Read more about Central America history, trade and developments in Focus On.