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Introduction
After traveling for 10 weeks in Central America through 6 countries, here's my "Do Again or  Skip" list.

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1. Mexico
❌ Skip: Parque Ecológico Kabah, Cancún
✅ Do again: Snorkeling in Bacalar

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Parque Ecológico Kabah is a very nice park but the mosquitoes ruined the experience for us. Even with mosquito spray we couldn't even stop for more than 5 seconds.

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Bacalar offers calm, warm waters offer excellent visibility over vibrant microbial formations, small fish, and underwater springs, making it ideal for relaxed exploration.

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2. Guatemala
❌ Skip: San Marcos La Laguna
✅ Do again: Ixpanpajul National Park, Flores

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While San Marcos is often praised for its spiritual vibe, it can feel overpriced and underwhelming if you’re not specifically seeking yoga retreats or wellness circles.

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Ixpanpajul is in the shadow of Tikal so much less tourists. It delivers a far more memorable experience with its dense jungle, hanging bridges and wildlife encounters.

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3. El Salvador
❌ Skip: Lac de Coatepeque, Santa Ana
✅ Do again: Santa Teresa Hot Springs, Ahuachapan

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Beautiful to look at, but the experience is mostly limited to lakeside restaurants and viewpoints. The best view was from the volcano.

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Relaxing, affordable, and surrounded by nature, the hot springs offer a much more rewarding and memorable experience (especially having a mud bath after hiking).

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4. Nicaragua
❌ Skip: San Juan Del Sur
✅ Do again: Kayaking, Ometepe

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Out of season, the town felt quiet and limited, with many tours closed or canceled and not much to do beyond the beach.

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Kayaking around Ometepe was peaceful and scenic, offering a unique way to experience the island's nature and wildlife.

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5. Costa Rica
❌ Skip: Monteverde Reserve more than once
✅ Do again: Carillo Beach

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Monteverde is a must do once, but repeat visits feel similar, with limited variation beyond the cloud forest trails. Wildlife is very rewarding to see, but also very hard.

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Quiet, beautiful, and uncrowded, Carrillo Beach is perfect for relaxing, swimming in the waves, snorkeling, and enjoying Costa Rica's coast at its best.

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6. Panama
❌ Skip: Feeding Tour, Gatun Lake
✅ Do again: Diving in Bocas del Toro

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The tour feels staged and repetitive, with wildlife encounters centered around feeding rather than natural behavior.

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Clear water, colorful reefs, and abundant marine life make diving here an exciting and genuinely rewarding experience.

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