Ditch Europe for These Remarkable and Affordable Central America Escapes
Ditch Europe for These Remarkable and Affordable Central America Escapes
SL_Photography/iStock
https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/experiences/news/photos/the-most-affordable-central-american-countries-to-visit-this-summer
From laid-back surf towns to jungle lodges and Caribbean islands, these Central American destinations deliver major value.
Central America packs a lot into a relatively small stretch of land: lush rainforests, volcanic lakes, colonial cities, world-class diving, and both Pacific and Caribbean beaches that often cost a fraction of what travelers might pay elsewhere. Rich in culture, history, and biodiversity, the region is one of the most rewarding—and often overlooked—destinations for travelers seeking meaningful experiences without overspending. Here are 10 spots to add to your list this summer.
PHOTO: WIRESTOCK/ISTOCK
1 OF 10
Roatán
WHERE: Honduras
Set along the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Roatán features turquoise waters and white-sand beaches with a laid-back atmosphere. The Bay Island is especially popular among divers and snorkelers thanks to its calm, clear waters and easy access to reef sites, many of which are just a short boat ride from shore. West Bay is one of the island’s most popular areas to stay, thanks to its walkability, waterfront hotels, restaurants, and dive shops. Families can explore Garifuna culture in Punta Gorda, zipline through Gumbalimba Park, or sample traditional Honduran dishes like baleadas.
INSIDER TIP On a hot day, order the island’s signature frozen cocktail, the “Monkey La La,” which tastes like a boozy chocolate-coffee milkshake.
PHOTO: ARGELIS REBOLLEDO/ISTOCK
2 OF 10
Antigua
WHERE: Guatemala
Take a step back in time as you wander the colorful cobblestone streets of Antigua, Guatemala. A UNESCO World Heritage site and former capital, the city is known for its beautifully preserved colonial architecture and dramatic backdrop of surrounding volcanoes. Its walkable historic center makes it easy to spend a day browsing artisan markets, admiring centuries-old churches, and discovering the city’s culinary scene. For those seeking adventure, Antigua also serves as a gateway to experiences ranging from ATV coffee tours to the challenging overnight hike up Acatenango Volcano.
INSIDER TIP: Bring layers. The city’s elevation keeps mornings and evenings surprisingly cool year-round.
PHOTO: NICOLAS-VANZETTO-PHOTOGRAPHY/ISTOCK
3 OF 10
Lake Atitlán
WHERE: Guatemala
Surrounded by towering volcanoes and spanning more than 50 miles of shoreline, Lake Atitlán is a versatile destination where each lakeside village carries its own distinct personality. Wellness seekers will find their zen in San Marcos La Laguna, home to yoga studios, holistic retreats, and eco-resorts like Eagle’s Nest. Meanwhile, Santiago Atitlán introduces visitors to the traditions of the Tz’utujil Maya people, one of the largest Indigenous communities in the region. From affordable stays to culturally immersive experiences, Lake Atitlán consistently delivers more value than many travelers expect.
INSIDER TIP: Water taxis, known as lanchas, are often the fastest and most affordable way to explore the lake.
PHOTO: WIRESTOCK CREATORS/SHUTTERSTOCK
4 OF 10
San Ignacio
WHERE: Belize
Located in western Belize near the Guatemalan border, San Ignacio is a nature lover’s paradise. Spend your days cave tubing, birding, canoeing the Macal River, or exploring nearby ancient Maya ruins. While Belize’s coastline is best known for its beaches and diving, San Ignacio gives travelers a deeper look at the country’s lush jungle landscapes, which make up over 50% of the country. Accommodations range from riverside lodges to jungle treehouse stays tucked within the rainforest canopy.
INSIDER TIP: Belize is the only country in Central America with English as its official language, making it a comfortable starting point for first-time visitors to the region.
PHOTO: MINDAUGAS DULINSKAS/ISTOCK
5 OF 10
Belize's Offshore Cayes
Belize is home to around 400 tiny islands called cayes (pronounced “keys”), ranging from uninhabited mangroves to Caribbean escapes that feel worlds away from the mainland. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life, these islands are ideal for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, fishing, and spotting wildlife just offshore. Travelers seeking Belize’s signature “go slow” lifestyle will find it on Caye Caulker, while properties like Thatch Caye offer a chance to experience overwater bungalows and private-island living for a fraction of what similar stays often cost elsewhere.
PHOTO: HILDA WEGES/DREAMSTIME
6 OF 10
San Juan del Sur
WHERE: Nicaragua
For those seeking laid-back beach town vibes at a lower price point than Costa Rica, head to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Known for its easygoing atmosphere, the Pacific coast destination attracts everyone from backpackers to first-time surfers. Off the surfboard, explore the coastline by ATV, hop on a fishing charter, or spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach with a cold Toña in hand. While San Juan del Sur remains popular among backpackers, the area also offers boutique hotels, yoga retreats, and quieter beaches just outside the center of town.
INSIDER TIP: Catch sunset from Iguana Bar overlooking Playa Maderas, where surfers often catch the last waves of the day.
PHOTO: PABLO HIDALGO/DREAMSTIME
7 OF 10
Bocas del Toro
WHERE: Panama
Made up of nine Caribbean islands off Panama’s coast, Bocas del Toro makes it easy to customize your ideal tropical escape. Spend the day island-hopping between secluded beaches, hiking to waterfalls, or spotting starfish and dolphins just offshore. The region’s mix of waterfront villas, boutique hotels, and backpacker-friendly accommodations makes it especially appealing for groups, while Bocas Town offers a lively nightlife scene for those seeking a little more energy after dark.
INSIDER TIP: Traveling with friends or family? Splitting the cost of a private villa can often be surprisingly affordable, especially when compared to similar accommodations elsewhere in the Caribbean.
PHOTO: ALIRA VALE/ISTOCK
8 OF 10
Ruta de las Flores
WHERE: El Salvador
Rather than a single destination, Ruta de las Flores is a popular scenic route connecting a collection of colorful mountain towns. The short drive is an affordable way to experience various aspects of Salvadoran culture in a single day or enjoy the route over the course of several days. Sample locally grown coffee and browse murals in Concepción de Ataco, then tackle the region’s famous Seven Waterfalls hike near Juayúa. With cooler temperatures, affordable accommodations, and easy transportation between towns, Ruta de las Flores offers some of Central America’s best value for travelers seeking both culture and adventure.
INSIDER TIP: Many travelers explore Ruta de las Flores by scooter, which can be rented through local vendors and some hotels. Prefer to leave the driving to someone else? Private drivers and guided tours are also widely available.
PHOTO: UNAIHUIZIPHOTOGRAPHY/ISTOCK
9 OF 10
Copán Ruinas
WHERE: Honduras
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important sites of Maya civilization, Copán Ruinas offers far more than archaeology. While spending an entire day at the remarkably preserved ruins is recommended, visit Macaw Mountain to see the country’s colorful national bird, or unwind in the nearby thermal pools of Luna Jaguar Hot Springs. The town itself is compact, walkable, and filled with affordable hotels and local restaurants, making it an easy and family-friendly base for exploring western Honduras.
INSIDER TIP: Thanks to its proximity to the Guatemalan border, Copán Ruinas is often combined with a visit to Antigua. Numerous guided tours and private transfers make it easy to visit both destinations in a single trip.
PHOTO: MAREK POPLAWSKI/DREAMSTIME
10 OF 10
Panama City
WHERE: Panama
Often called the “Miami of Central America,” Panama City delivers a big-city skyline, booming food scene, and old-world charm at a fraction of the cost of many major North American cities. Spend your days exploring the colorful streets of Casco Viejo, sampling ceviche at the Mercado de Mariscos, or watching massive cargo ships pass through the Panama Canal. The city also serves as an excellent base for day trips to nearby islands and rainforest hikes, or as a jumping-off point for exploring more of Panama.
INSIDER TIP: Pack a lightweight rain jacket and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning. Afternoon showers are common during the summer months, making it the perfect time to duck into a café or museum.
INSIDER TIP: Many of Belize’s cayes require a short domestic flight or boat transfer from Belize City, so be sure to coordinate transportation with your hotel before arrival.
Rebel Hotel Company targets growth in ultra luxury
Strategy shift reflects investor interest in smaller, higher-end hotels
https://www.costar.com/article/1631270131/rebel-hotel-company-targets-growth-in-ultra-luxury?
By Bryan Wroten
The third-party hotel management space is opening up even more, and Rebel Hotel Company saw an opportunity to grow into the management of ultra-luxury hotels.
At the end of 2025, the U.S. hotel industry saw one of the first years on record outside of a recession where revenue per available room was flat to negative, said Brian Sparacino, president and CEO of Rebel, in a video interview at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum.
“The one segment that has been moving pretty quickly has been luxury, ultra-luxury,” he said. “It has been bucking the trend and showing a positive movement forward.”
Rebel had been approached by a few hotel owners who were looking for third-party options in this space, so the company launched Reserve Collection Resorts & Hotels.
“We saw the opportunity to align with investors who are seeking that type of solution and support and decided now or never to launch the Reserve Collection of Rebel, and it's been exciting so far,” he said.
Rebel has three distinct segments as a company. At its core, there’s Rebel, with branded and independent mostly full-service hotels. Renegade covers mostly focused-service hotels, and Reserve covers ultra-luxury hotels.
The company has a total portfolio of 36 hotels and resorts, and it expects to end the year with more than 40 properties and 5,600 rooms. Among the new and upcoming additions to its portfolio are the Circa 39 in Miami Beach, the Hotel La Jolla in San Diego, and the Coachman in Lake Tahoe.
Most of the company's recent opportunities have come from real estate investors with higher-end hotel projects under development, Sparacino said. They’re just looking for the right operator.
“When you look at the pipeline of deals that transpired in 2025, there’s been a lot of luxury hotels that have been built for that purpose, because they’re seeing the same trajectory that we are, but the project size is smaller,” he said.
Instead of building 250- to 300-key luxury hotels, these investors are building smaller properties because they want some autonomy within their investment vision, Sparacino said. They don’t want to be put into an operating platform that is one-size-fits-all. These types of hotel owners want to be focused on the experience as they see it, but don’t have the institutional infrastructure to pull it off.
For Rebel, that’s not a problem, Sparacino said. It’s able to go in with its team and provide the level of expertise to support the investor’s vision.
“But we're flexible, too, like we're completely going to understand what you're saying, we're going to be a partner with you, and we're not going to force you into specific programs,” he said. “We're just going to do it together and work on it as things continue to unfold.”
When it comes to Rebel’s growth strategy, scale isn’t something Sparacino is worried about. The company doesn’t have any debt, and there’s no pressure to grow to 100 or 150 hotels, he added.
“We just want to be in line with the right people,” he said. “We want to have good partnerships. We want long-lasting partnerships. If it makes sense for us, we’ll take it. If it doesn’t make sense for us, then we won’t take it. We’re not going to pressure ourselves to hit a specific number.”
As the global hotel brands move further into the franchise space, the third-party hotel management space is opening more, Sparacino said. Even so, that requires being a good partner to the brands, as they have a brand integrity piece they want to preserve.
With all the new hotel brands that have launched in recent years, that creates more opportunities for Rebel to work with owners and give them more options, he said. Independent hotels don’t work in every market, so the different brands may fit what they’re looking for and help them plug into the brand’s system.
Presenting Rebel not just as an option but as their solution has been a useful strategy, he said. The company is willing to work with hotel owners on their vision, and it takes on operations based on the investment strategy.
When sitting down with hotel owners, Sparacino said he talks to them about what they want, not selling them on a long-term arrangement that may not work for them. That approach has worked well so far, given the number of new management contracts that have come from existing owner relationships.
Third-party management is a crowded space, and the bigger companies are getting bigger.
“They continue to occupy space, whereas maybe the smaller companies, such as ourselves, just are that solution that’s not one-size-fits all,” he said. “We’re nimble and adaptable to whatever that investment strategy is.”
Hotel experts express confidence in capital market trends
Most favorable investment opportunities in upscale, lifestyle properties
Emily Feeney (right), of Noble Investment Group, speaks alongside Michael Bluhm, of Jefferies, at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum. (Bryan Wroten)
https://www.costar.com/article/752383874/hotel-experts-express-confidence-in-capital-market-trends?
NEW YORK — The U.S. hotel industry has been waiting for capital markets and transaction activity to pick up in recent years. Experts believe there are positive trends pointing toward this happening, even if there are some macroeconomic pressures lingering.
Emily Feeney, vice president of capital markets at Noble Investment Group, said her company is feeling optimistic about the transaction market in 2026 following a surge of momentum to close last year.
There's been no shortage of outside noise throughout the first two quarters of this year, but revenue per available room has remained strong, Feeney said during a session at the recent 2026 NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum.
The important trend to follow in regard to hospitality in general is that people are investing in hotels and people are traveling, Feeney said. There are tailwinds that continue to grow, such as the desire for workplace mobility, an aging population that prefers experiences over purchasing items, and the ensuing generational transfer of wealth in the next decade.
"While we are expecting debt to remain flat ... we think that transaction volume is going to pick up because of the improving month-over-month, week-over-week positivity in performance and the resilience of the customer," she said.
Michael Bluhm, managing director and global head of real estate, gaming, lodging, and leisure for Jefferies, said private-equity investors are coming back to hospitality because "people's drive for experience has never been greater."
"I do think you're going to continue to see capital formation around the space and a significant pickup in activity across mergers and acquisitions, he said.
Bluhm said it's hard to attract capital in the public markets because reinvesting in the S&P 500 can be a better three-year bet than taking a chance on a hotel's property value growing more in the same time frame. But there are opportunities where it makes sense.
"It's being able to find that extraordinary growth, which again has largely been in situations where maybe there's a little bit more stress, a little bit more pressure, we can buy the replacement cost. On the opposite side, you're buying into the growth algorithm, which is much more on the high-end," he said.
Jeff Stulmaker, partner and chief investment officer at KHP Capital Partners, said his company has shifted its focus toward upscale hotels because of the success of the higher chain-scale segments in recent years. The wealthy are getting wealthier in the U.S., so KHP has made investments that lean into that trend.
"It's that luxury-lifestyle positioning instead of just lifestyle, and that's really what the consumer wants today. It's those hotels that speak to who they are, who they aspire to be, and what we've noticed is at that level, the biggest constraint is time, not money," he said. "They're just going to pay whatever they want for the experience they want, not two-thirds of the experience they want, so you've got to lean in and give them that."
What makes this cycle different than past ones is the level of intentionality required to underwrite a value-add return in a hotel deal, Stulmaker said.
"We like these more challenging scenarios where you need to dig in and really think about how you reposition these hotels, how you create more revenue-generating space, how you take your approach to asset management to effect change, and that's what you have to do," he said.
There's a lot of pressure on costs today, but having a development and construction team in-house helps with navigating a path toward success, Stulmaker said. Instead of worrying about potential renovation costs, they know exactly how much it will all cost and can steer their attention toward minute details such as the cost of a soap pump in a hotel bathroom.
Inflationary pressures have affected new hotel construction more than renovations, which has made renovation projects more intriguing, he said.
"It makes those strategies of renovating an existing asset ... a lot more compelling today," he said.
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