Interested in backpacking through Central America? Curious what the best destinations are, specifically the best islands? We’ve put together an expert list of the top Central America islands and let our audience of backpackers rank them from best to worst.

Central America has coastlines on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, along with Caribbean Sea shorelines in Belize. Basically, you get it all. Freezing cold Atlantic water, if that’s what you like. Pacific Ocean barrel-waves, if that’s what you’re in to. Or, beautiful, calm, crystal-clear Caribbean water. That’s my kind of thing.

Central America Island Life

If you’ve got the chance to take a majestic boat ride to a far-away island then why not take it? Central America has great beach towns and cities but let’s face it. there’s just something different about islands. They just hit differently. ‘You know what I mean?

Island time is slower than time in a city or town. You have time to reflect more. You stare out into the vast ocean and think about life. How does the ocean exist? It’s so crazy. You sit back and feel the waves as you drift along in a small, private-owned boat.

Island life allows you to love life again. To forget about all the bullshit that’s going on in the real world and just enjoy everything.

Appreciate the smell in the air, the color of the water, the sound of the wind.

Smirk at the fact that there are no cars allowed on the island.

Enjoy the fact that there aren’t many tourists on the island because it’s too hard to reach.

Drink the Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daquiris and other island drinks that you don’t get to enjoy too often.

In other words, that’s what this list is about. These Central America islands are your getaway. Your paradise. Your moment of appreciation and reflection…or just party.