The Culture Trip - Central America - Best of Travel, Art, Books, Films

Our most popular Central America articles

A Collective Offering from Costa Rica at the Venice Biennale.

We explore the diverse range of media by four artists selected to represent the country of Costa Rica at this year’s 55th Venice Biennale event.

Gauguin in Panama: A Forgotten Journey

French painter Paul Gauguin is famous for his impressive output of warm hued scenes of Polynesian natives.

Franck de las Mercedes: Born in Nicaragua/Made in the USA

Through the use of abstract expressionist language, photography and collage Franck de las Mercedes creates a lasting account of his emotive vision of the world.

Federico Herrero: The Colour and The Shape

Costa Rica’s capital city is sunny San José, the inspiration and occasional theater for the work of Federico Herrero, a painter who enjoys international success both commercially and critically.

Jorge Restrepo in Conversation with Federico Rosa

With degrees in agronomy and public administration, Jorge Restrepo is truly a multimedia artist whose work blurs the boundaries between areas as diverse as education, environmental issues, animal rights, and relational aesthetics.

Miguel Ángel Asturias: Preserving Guatemalan Roots

Miguel Ángel Asturias introduced the richness of indigenous Guatemalan culture to the world through his works as a writer, poet, playwright and diplomat. In 1967 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Victor Vega’s Revolutionary Cinema

Victor Vega is considered one of the most important exponents of Costa Rican cinema, he belonged to a generation of directors that tried to make the world aware of the reality of Costa Rican life through their powerful social-realist documentaries.

Reggaeton: Panamanian Hip Hop

One of the most popular musical genres in Latin America, Reggaeton is an expression of the diverse mixture of cultural influences which contribute to life in South America, and particularly in the home of Reggaeton, Panama.

Central America Galleries

The Fancy Fish Art Gallery | Honduras

The Fancy Fish sells artworks and gifts specially chosen by owner Judy La Roche from local artists.

Galeria Valanti | Costa Rica

Valanti Gallery was inaugurated in 1974 with an exhibition of the recognised Costarrican artist Rafael Fernández. Although for the first ten years the gallery promoted only Costarrican artists, the gallery added Latin American artists to their repertoir.

Carlos Woods Gallery | Guatemala

After several generations of focusing on antiques and classic artwork, this family-run gallery moved into a larger space and began adding contemporary works to their repertoire.

Galeria Huellas Pintor Santos Medina | Nicaragua

Galeria Huellas Pintor Santos Medina is dedicated to showing the work of local established artists Santos Medina and Karmen Garcia. Each working in paint, their art depicts the colour and traditions of their Native Nicaragua.

Allegro Galeria | Panama

Allegro took its first steps in 1991 with group shows that featured some of the best-known artists of Panama, such as Brooke Alfaro, Isabel De Obaldía, Teresa Icaza, Olga Sinclair, Eduardo Navarro, Tabo Toral, and Juan Carlos Marcos.

Central America Museums

The National Art Gallery | Honduras

Located in the heart of the capital Tegucigalpa in a 350-year-old building, the museum presents artworks from Paleolithic cave paintings to Contemporary Honduran art.

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica | Costa Rica

Located in the capital San José, the museum features artifacts related to Costa Rica's geological, colonial, archaeological, religious and modern history and is housed in the Bellavista Fortress, a crenellated, ochre colored building.

Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno Carlos Mérida | Guatemala

This museum focuses largely on the work of Carlos Mérida, Guatemala’s most celebrated artist. The collection includes examples of his cubist art and large murals.

Mi Museo, Granada Collection | Nicaragua

Mi Museo, Granada Collection, is a private collection of Nicaraguan Pre-Columbian ceramic. The collection contains more than 5000 pieces which originate from the period between 2000 BC to 1550 AD.

Bio Museo | Panama

Designed by Frank Gehry the museum is his first work in Latin America. The mission of the Bio Museo is to act as an agent of change and to attract global attention for the exploration, knowledge and protection of biodiversity.

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Victor Vega’s Revolutionary Cinema
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Reggaeton: Panamanian Hip Hop
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Noriega Finally to Face Justice in Panama
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Central America Tours

Eco Honduras Tour | Honduras

On this 11 day excursion, visitors experience breathtaking beaches, coral reefs and archeological sites along the Bay of Tela, home to many Garifuna communities.

Dominica Eco Adventure Culinary Tour | Costa Rica

Dominica is called the nature island of the Caribbean and is home to some of the regions most fabulous tropical flora, tropical birds with waterfalls and rivers flowing through the islands cloud cover mountain make's it a haven for hikers.

Mayan Tikal Tour | Guatemala

With a tour of Tikal National Park visitors discover the history of one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

Sailing Excursion | Nicaragua

On this day long sailing cruise of San Juan Del Sur, guests can relax and watch the pelicans dive and seagulls dance. An afternoon cruise often ends with a breathtaking sunset or moonrise – or both.

Panama City and Canal Sightseeing Tour | Panama

On this tour guests visit both the historical and modern areas of Panama City and visit the world-famous Panama Canal, whose impressive system of locks continues to fascinate visitors.

Central America Hotels

Pico Bonito Lodge | Honduras

Nestled at the foot of the Pico Bonito National Park, the luxury eco-lodge is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The Lodge offers the adventure of the outdoors, the beauty of the rainforest, and the personal service and luxury of a boutique hotel.

Hotel Punta Islita | Costa Rica

Inaugurated in 1994, Hotel Punta Islita bears the design of Ronald Zurcher, a prominent Costa Rican architect. The tiered layout gazes upon Islita Beach and the namesake islet that separates from the mainland during high tide.

Filadelfia Resort | Guatemala

Filadelfia Resort is situated in what was once the plantation house of one of Guatemala’s first coffee plantations. The newly refurbished hotel opened in 2006 and bears testament to its history with its charmingly colonial design.

Morgans Rock | Nicaragua

Morgans Rock features luxurious bungalows made of precious wood and hand carved stones and open to the ocean. They have been designed by an English architect to experience peace, the power of nature and to evoke powerful emotion.

El Otro Lado | Panama

El Otro Lado is a private retreat situated in an exceptional enclave of Portobelo Bay, mixing design, culture, nature and luxury in a unique manner in order to offer its guests authentic, exclusive and custom-made experiences.

Central America Restaurants

Vintage Pearl Restaurant and Wine Cellar | Honduras

Located at the heart of West Bay Beach on the Roatan Island, just steps from the sea, the Vintage Pearl offers an intimate and romantic dining refuge. The meals change daily and the menu includes such delicacies as duck, veal, fresh fish, shrimp, and lobster.

KOKi Beach | Costa Rica

Working with principally local materials, artisans and incorporating mostly reused, reclaimed and repurposed elements, KOKi Beach was created to embrace its environment and community in which it lives.

Tua Restaurant | Guatemala

A small bistro style restaurant, Tua offers dining on its scenic terrace. Diners here enjoy excellently prepared international cuisine.

Los Ranchos | Nicaragua

Los Ranchos offers typical Latin American fine dining. In a beautiful, intimate space, diners enjoy some of the best meat offered in the city of Managua.

Panamonte | Panama

Located in the inn and spa that carries the same name, diners can relax by a fireplace while enjoying a family grown coffee or experience a romantic dinner in the luxurious dining room.

Destination Central America

We think you will enjoy our growing collection of articles on local art and culture and our unique curation of books and films set in or about Central America.

We also recommend some great local travel apps and music for smart phones and tablets; and introduce some delightful local galleries, events, hotels, restaurants and tours.

All of this can already be sampled in Europe and will soon be coming to this page too!

We love receiving your recommendations and articles, so keep sending them in at info@theculturetrip.com

For now, have a great Culture Trip!

Central America Events

La Ceiba Carnival | Honduras

Guests to the Ceiba Carnival can expect music, dancing, food, games, and costume parades at this unique Central American party experience.

Costa Rica Film Festival | Costa Rica

Festival International des Arts is a cultural and arts festival where artists take to the street, theatres and open stages of San Jose for 10 days.

The Santiago Atitlán Music and Arts Festival | Guatemala

The Santiago Atitlán Music and Arts festival is celebrated each year in March. This charity festival has become one of the most interesting music festivals in Guatemala.

The International Poetry Festival | Nicaragua

Granada’s International Poetry Festival takes place for a week, every February. During the festival Granada is transformed into a virtual Capital of World Poetry.

Panama Jazz Festival | Panama

The 2013 edition of this festival featured names such as Herbie Hancock and The Wayne Shorter Quartet (January 14-19).

Central America Blogs

Serendipity | Honduras

Written by an artist living in Honduras since 1997, Serendipity analyses customs, habits and culture with an expat eye.

De la Pura Vida | Costa Rica

Erin is a graphic designer, English teacher, and US expat living in Costa Rica since 2008. She writes about her travels around the country, her adaptations and observations.

Guatemala Solidarity Network

The blog is by an organisation that supports the people of Guatemala who continue to struggle for change after centuries of oppression, violence, racism and exploitation.