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How Many Countries in Central America?

If you’re wondering how many countries in Central America, don’t worry. The answer is simple, and thankfully, non-political! There are 7 countries in Central America. In terms of continents, Central America falls within the continent of North America, which also includes all 13 countries in the Caribbean too. So Canada, USA, and Mexico together with all the 7 countries in Central America, and the 13 countries in the Caribbean make up the 23 countries in North America.

But what are the 7 countries in the region?

List of Countries in Central America

1. Belize
2. Costa Rica
3. El Salvador
4. Guatemala
5. Honduras
6. Nicaragua
7. Panama

What languages do the 7 countries speak in Central America?

Belize speaks English. The other 10countries speak Spanish. In Guatemala, however, they also speak the Mayan Language where Spanish is only spoken by two-thirds of the population.

Me Visiting Every Country in Central America

I spent about 4 months traveling to every country in Central America. I started in Cancun (where I visited Chichen Itza, one of the 7 wonders of the modern world!), Mexico (part of North America). From there I took a bus down to Belize. Hopping on super cheap public transport, mostly chicken-buses, I weaved down through the region. Belize to Guatemala (visiting the Tikal ruins is spectacular), to El Salvador. Then back up to Honduras (home to the Copan ruins). After a week or so on Roatan island, I came back to the mainland and took a bus to Nicaragua where I traveled around for a couple of weeks. Awesome country and volcano boarding in Leon down a live volcano is a wild ride!

After Nicaragua, I continued across the border to Costa Rica. Again by chicken-bus! I spent a few days each time I stopped, from Liberia, Monteverde, to San Jose, and eventually took a bus to Bocas Del Toro in Panama. A kind of famous island for tourists. It was pretty crazy. Panama city was my last stop. All 7 countries in the region done and dusted. On a $30 a day budget. What an adventure.

The best countries to travel in Central America?

Good question! It depends what you’re after. If it’s a cookie-cutter, foreigner-friendly ‘vacation’ you want, then Costa Rica has the most tourist-orientated culture. Personally, I found Costa Rica a bit bland, and way-way too America because of this. Costa Rica does have great packages that you can book, so it makes sense why it’s so popular. You could certainly say the same for Caye Caulker in Belize. I loved it there, and it’s definitely a super fun spot to party and kick-back, but not for real travel. For true adventurers or people who love independent travel, then Nicaragua and Guatemala are both amazing. El Salvador and Honduras are beautiful, but they’re just a bit too dangerous for my liking. So they’d be bottom of the list.