Central America Yacht Charters Guide

Central America is home to an eclectic mix of exotic and colorful countries mostly of Spanish descent. From the dense jungles of Costa Rica to the idyllic beaches of Belize to the smouldering volcanoes of Guatemala, you’ll discover an overabundance of colorful cultures and an endless array of natural wonders.

SCUBA diving and snorkelling in protected reefs, climbing active volcanos, screeching through the jungle on a zip-line, white water rafting a mountain river, sight-seeing among Mayan ruins, and sampling the spice-infused local cuisine are just the entrées. Coupled with superb sailing in pristine waters and literally thousands of idyllic islands to explore, one visit is never enough. From well visited Mexico in the North to Panama in the south with its world-famous Canal. In between are the yacht charter destinations od Costa Rica, Belize and Honduras. The choices for comprehensive and unique itineraries here are limitless.

Here are just a few of the highlights of the most popular Central America yacht charters:

Costa Rica Yacht Charters

The world’s most biodiverse nation is an extremely popular vacation destination for North Americans, offering top-notch infrastructure and modernity, with bountiful nature, adrenalin-packed activities and plenty of adorable wildlife. A world class destination for sport fishing and surfing. 

Of all the Central American nations you could visit on a yacht charter, Costa Rica is arguably the easiest…in every sense. With an economy that’s set up primarily to satisfy tourist needs, attractions and easy-to-arrange activities abound. This is one of the world’s premier whale-watching meccas and a wonderful place to see nesting turtles, almost all year long. Renowned as an eco-friendly and adventurous playground, this is a country that’s almost entirely designated as a protected national park. Anchor off the Nicoya Peninsula and snorkel with turtles, or hike across the base of Arenal Volcano for spectacular jungle views. Learn to surf on the wild breaks off the beaches of Corcovado National Park, before diving into the heart of the jungle in search of jaguars, monkeys, sloths and a gazillion birds, mammals and insects. If it’s a premier natural haven you seek, Costa Rica is where you need to be.

Panama Yacht Charters

An under-the-radar yachting destination, Panama is incredibly surprising, and as rewarding a place to visit as any of her neighbors. Aside the famous Panama Canal, which you can cross aboard your own yacht, you’ll have the best of the Pacific and the Caribbean at your fingertips. Modern, bustling yet still very enticing in the south, Panama’s pacific side boasts the vibrant and cosmopolitan capital, Panama City, as well as the archipelago of Las Perlas Islands. This 200-island cluster of incredible natural beauty is a sanctuary for snorkelers, divers, kayakers and anyone who relishes the fertile wilderness and wildlife that inhabit volcanic isles. Over on the Caribbean side of the Canal is tropical, relaxed and laid-back Panama, where a coconut cocktail served from a “blink-and-you‘ll-miss-it” beach hut is luxury personified. Here too you’ll find an archipelago of 365 stunning islands called San Blas, where you’ll find a reason to come back and visit…every day of the year.

Mexico and the Sea of Cortez Yacht Charters

The Sea of Cortez was once dubbed the “Galapagos of the North” by Jacques Cousteau because of its vast array of underwater marine life – manta rays, dolphins, sea lions, and migratory whales call this place home. The sea is sheltered by the 900-mile long Baja Peninsula that extends south from California and boasts secluded coves, pristine reefs, white sand beaches under the desert sun, and world class fishing, especially for marlin. The colonial port of La Paz, with its thriving markets, museums, world class golf courses and bustling restaurants, is the perfect port for casting off in this land of peace and plenty.

Belize Yacht Charters

The serious SCUBA diver’s destination of choice, Belize offers the very best of all Central America has to offer, minus any of the bling. Filled to bursting point with world-class dive and snorkel sites at sea and Mayan temple ruins on land, Belize is that pocket of Utopia one seeks when one wishes to sail in a lesser-developed, lesser-modern destination. Sailing here is like sailing in a time-machine and if you’re lucky enough to have time to include Belize to your itinerary then you’ll have the priceless opportunity to experience an exceptional vacation. Why else come here? Because Belize boasts the world’s second largest barrier reef, because diving here is like diving in marine-life paradise, because here you’ll find the 100,000-year-old Blue Hole. Because at Placencia Lagoon you can kayak on see-through waters in the morning and explore Mayan ruins in the afternoon, and because there are thousands of simply perfect islands to discover.