![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_1756.jpg\")
Here are 10 Reasons Why South Africans should Backpack Central America!<\/strong><\/h2>\n1. No visa applications required<\/h2>\n
The right to explore the world is unfortunately determined by which country we are born in and the passport we were given. South Africans do not need to apply for visas prior to visiting any country in Central America, the whole region is accessible on nothing but a passport.<\/p>\n
According to the passport index<\/a>, the South African passport is ranked 99, with 63 visa-free, 36 visa-on-arrival and 99 countries where a visa is required. Vacationing where you won’t need a visa is a good way to save some cash and spare yourself a whole lot of admin.<\/p>\nGuatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua all share a visa called the CA-4. This entitles South Africans to a 90-day stay across all four countries, NOT 90 days in each. As it is a visa on arrival, you don\u2019t need to obtain one prior to visiting any of the above-mentioned countries.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 The cost to visit Central America<\/h2>\n
It’s very affordable to travel in Central America, it’s certainly cheaper than North and South America but travel costs can vary quite a bit from one country to the next.<\/p>\n
These are the suggested daily budgets for a low budget traveller:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Mexico \u2013 R400 or less<\/li>\n
- Guatemala \u2013 R300<\/li>\n
- Belize \u2013 R700<\/li>\n
- Honduras \u2013 R300<\/li>\n
- El Salvador \u2013 R300<\/li>\n
- Nicaragua \u2013 R400<\/li>\n
- Costa Rica \u2013 R600<\/li>\n
- Panama \u2013 R600<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Affordable accommodation<\/h2>\n
There are multiple accommodation options available in Central America. Depending on your preference and budget, you can stay anywhere from a cheap hostel in Nicaragua, a luxury hotel along the coast of Mexico or a beautiful villa in Costa Rica. The cost of accommodation can be as low as R50 per person per night.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re travelling alone and looking to make friends, Hostels usually have a common area which offers you a chance to meet other travellers, this makes hotels or guesthouses a good option for your next trip to Central America.<\/p>\n![\"Affordable](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dineozonke.com2_.jpg\")
Photo Credit: @Dineo_Zonke via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n4. Affordable Transport<\/h2>\n
Flights will cost you about 10 times more than travelling on a bus. Bus travel is common in Central America and offers one of the cheapest ways to get around. Long bus rides from one country to the next are generally between R 100 \u2013 R 200.<\/p>\n
5. Beautiful Ancient Mayan Ruins<\/h2>\n
The Maya of Central America had one of the greatest ancient civilizations in the world. It consists of hundreds of large and rich cities spread over the south of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. Chichen Itza, Palenque ruins, Tulum ruins and the Ruins of Tikal are the most famous ruins in this region.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DJI_0527.jpg\")
Photo Credit: @Dineo_Zonke via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n6. Beautiful beaches and islands<\/h2>\n
With both Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Central America is a great holiday destination for beach lovers. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea are home to hundreds of islands which are waiting for you to live the life of your dreams.<\/p>\n![\"Beautiful](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dineozonke.com6_.jpg\")
Photo Credit: @Dineo_Zonke via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHere are 6 top beaches and islands:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Cozumel Island \u2013 Mexico<\/li>\n
- El Tunco Beach \u2013 El Salvador<\/li>\n
- Roatan Island \u2013 Honduras<\/li>\n
- Caye Culker Island \u2013 Belize<\/li>\n
- Utila Island \u2013 Honduras<\/li>\n
- Corn Island \u2013 Nicaragua<\/li>\n
- San Blas Islands – Panama<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7. World class diving<\/h2>\n
The best dive spots are in Honduras, and also one of the best in the world is in the Bay Islands \u2013 Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Out of the three, the island of Utila has the added advantage of being one of the cheapest places to take a PADI Open Water Course and has ideal diving conditions. The dive sites in Central America are first class; if you know anything about diving, you’re bound to have heard of the Blue Hole in Belize.<\/p>\n
8. Volcanoes<\/h2>\n
Because Central America is full of volcanoes, which helped shaped the geological features of the area, you’re likely to find a volcano also serves as the backdrop for many of the popular tourist destinations in the region. Volcanoes are hard to miss in Central America and nothing will get your heart racing like the feeling of being on an active volcano. There are a lot of hikes to be done, ranging from volcanic lagoons to camping right next to active volcanoes.<\/p>\n
These are the top 5 volcanoes you must see in Central America:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Fuego volcano \u2013 Guatemala<\/li>\n
- Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica<\/li>\n
- Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua<\/li>\n
- Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala<\/li>\n
- Santa Ana Volcano in El Salvador<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
9. Amazing waterfalls<\/h2>\n
There are few things in this world that are more mesmerisingly awe-inspiring than a waterfall. If you are an adventure lover, you\u2019ll be happy to know that Central America offers some of the prettiest and most varied waterfalls in the world.<\/p>\n
Remember that when you\u2019re hiking near waterfalls, take care not to slip on the nearby rocks or stone staircases.<\/p>\n![\"Waterfalls](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_2964.jpg\")
Photo Credit: @Dineo_Zonke via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHere are 5 top waterfalls:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Agua Azul \u2013 Mexico<\/li>\n
- Hierve el Agua \u2013 Mexico<\/li>\n
- Chilasc\u00f3 Waterfall \u2013 Guatemala<\/li>\n
- Semuc Champey \u2013 Guatemala<\/li>\n
- La Fortuna Waterfall \u2013 Costa Rica<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
10. Beautiful colonial cities<\/h2>\n
Central America is filled with picturesque colonial towns and cities that are ideal for travel photographers. Although these towns tell a dark story of oppression and colonization, they also appeal to many travellers because of their authentic beauty.<\/p>\n
Here are 7 colonial cities you must visit:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- San Crist\u00f3bal de las Casas \u2013 Mexico<\/li>\n
- San Miguel de Allende \u2013 Mexico<\/li>\n
- Granada \u2013 Nicaragua<\/li>\n
- Antigua \u2013 Guatemala<\/li>\n
- Leon \u2013 Nicaragua<\/li>\n
- Nahuizalco – El Salvador<\/li>\n
- Panama City (Casco Viejo) \u2013 Panama<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dineozonke.jpg\")
Photo Credit: @Dineo_Zonke via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAre you ready to explore Central America? Book your cheap flights<\/a> and get ready to make the best memories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua all share a visa called the CA-4. This entitles South Africans to a 90-day stay across all four countries, NOT 90 days in each. As it is a visa on arrival, you don\u2019t need to obtain one prior to visiting any of the above-mentioned countries.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 The cost to visit Central America<\/h2>\n
It’s very affordable to travel in Central America, it’s certainly cheaper than North and South America but travel costs can vary quite a bit from one country to the next.<\/p>\n
These are the suggested daily budgets for a low budget traveller:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are multiple accommodation options available in Central America. Depending on your preference and budget, you can stay anywhere from a cheap hostel in Nicaragua, a luxury hotel along the coast of Mexico or a beautiful villa in Costa Rica. The cost of accommodation can be as low as R50 per person per night.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling alone and looking to make friends, Hostels usually have a common area which offers you a chance to meet other travellers, this makes hotels or guesthouses a good option for your next trip to Central America.<\/p>\n Flights will cost you about 10 times more than travelling on a bus. Bus travel is common in Central America and offers one of the cheapest ways to get around. Long bus rides from one country to the next are generally between R 100 \u2013 R 200.<\/p>\n The Maya of Central America had one of the greatest ancient civilizations in the world. It consists of hundreds of large and rich cities spread over the south of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. Chichen Itza, Palenque ruins, Tulum ruins and the Ruins of Tikal are the most famous ruins in this region.<\/p>\n With both Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Central America is a great holiday destination for beach lovers. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea are home to hundreds of islands which are waiting for you to live the life of your dreams.<\/p>\n Here are 6 top beaches and islands:<\/strong><\/p>\n The best dive spots are in Honduras, and also one of the best in the world is in the Bay Islands \u2013 Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Out of the three, the island of Utila has the added advantage of being one of the cheapest places to take a PADI Open Water Course and has ideal diving conditions. The dive sites in Central America are first class; if you know anything about diving, you’re bound to have heard of the Blue Hole in Belize.<\/p>\n Because Central America is full of volcanoes, which helped shaped the geological features of the area, you’re likely to find a volcano also serves as the backdrop for many of the popular tourist destinations in the region. Volcanoes are hard to miss in Central America and nothing will get your heart racing like the feeling of being on an active volcano. There are a lot of hikes to be done, ranging from volcanic lagoons to camping right next to active volcanoes.<\/p>\n These are the top 5 volcanoes you must see in Central America:<\/strong><\/p>\n There are few things in this world that are more mesmerisingly awe-inspiring than a waterfall. If you are an adventure lover, you\u2019ll be happy to know that Central America offers some of the prettiest and most varied waterfalls in the world.<\/p>\n Remember that when you\u2019re hiking near waterfalls, take care not to slip on the nearby rocks or stone staircases.<\/p>\n Here are 5 top waterfalls:<\/strong><\/p>\n Central America is filled with picturesque colonial towns and cities that are ideal for travel photographers. Although these towns tell a dark story of oppression and colonization, they also appeal to many travellers because of their authentic beauty.<\/p>\n Here are 7 colonial cities you must visit:<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you ready to explore Central America? Book your cheap flights<\/a> and get ready to make the best memories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
3. Affordable accommodation<\/h2>\n
4. Affordable Transport<\/h2>\n
5. Beautiful Ancient Mayan Ruins<\/h2>\n
6. Beautiful beaches and islands<\/h2>\n
\n
7. World class diving<\/h2>\n
8. Volcanoes<\/h2>\n
\n
9. Amazing waterfalls<\/h2>\n
\n
10. Beautiful colonial cities<\/h2>\n
\n