![6 Countries in 10 Weeks: Do Again or Skip](https://cdn.slatesource.com/5/c/f/5cf73a48-2bee-4cdb-ae5d-334c5f382947.webp) # 6 Countries in 10 Weeks: Do Again or Skip - [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/@steph/6-countries-in-10-weeks-do-again-or-skip) - By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/@steph) - Travel & Exploration - Created on Feb 9, 2026 ## Introduction After traveling for 10 weeks in Central America through 6 countries, here's my "Do Again or Skip" list. ## 1\. Mexico ❌ Skip: Parque Ecológico Kabah, Cancún ✅ Do again: Snorkeling in Bacalar 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. ![Gallery image 1](https://cdn.slatesource.com/5/9/d/59d84e8f-d775-442d-b289-745de1f8360b.webp) ![Gallery image 2](https://cdn.slatesource.com/b/3/9/b396ac2e-4dff-4ea6-9f28-fd9222517dc5.webp) ![Gallery image 3](https://cdn.slatesource.com/3/1/8/3182e4f8-4066-4e70-b2c1-560a1bc26b01.webp) 1 / 4 ![Gallery image 1](https://cdn.slatesource.com/9/e/5/9e58f181-824d-412a-816b-89f43b052d59.webp) ![Gallery image 2](https://cdn.slatesource.com/a/e/3/ae332804-7ffb-4832-b697-5f491bd5e3e7.webp) ![Gallery image 3](https://cdn.slatesource.com/5/a/9/5a91dda8-96d1-4e87-959b-f1e6af1a6b94.webp) 1 / 4 Bacalar offers calm, warm waters offer excellent visibility over vibrant microbial formations, small fish, and underwater springs, making it ideal for relaxed exploration. ## 2\. Guatemala ❌ Skip: San Marcos La Laguna ✅ Do again: Ixpanpajul National Park, Flores 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. ![Gallery image 1](https://cdn.slatesource.com/0/4/4/044bafe2-0c9f-436f-af3b-615a7515e865.webp) ![Gallery image 2](https://cdn.slatesource.com/7/9/8/798016ab-c294-4eb0-b441-1ca6cafd70f9.webp) ![Gallery image 3](https://cdn.slatesource.com/2/c/b/2cb9be2a-da23-4e22-8466-66166e20b8ff.webp) 1 / 4 Empty Gallery 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. ## 3\. El Salvador ❌ Skip: Lac de Coatepeque, Santa Ana ✅ Do again: Santa Teresa Hot Springs, Ahuachapan Beautiful to look at, but the experience is mostly limited to lakeside restaurants and viewpoints. The best view was from the volcano. Empty Gallery Empty Gallery Relaxing, affordable, and surrounded by nature, the hot springs offer a much more rewarding and memorable experience (especially having a mud bath after hiking). ## 4\. Nicaragua ❌ Skip: San Juan Del Sur ✅ Do again: Kayaking, Ometepe Empty Gallery Out of season, the town felt quiet and limited, with many tours closed or canceled and not much to do beyond the beach. Kayaking around Ometepe was peaceful and scenic, offering a unique way to experience the island's nature and wildlife. Empty Gallery ## 5\. Costa Rica ❌ Skip: Monteverde Reserve more than once ✅ Do again: Carillo Beach Empty Gallery 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. Quiet, beautiful, and uncrowded, Carrillo Beach is perfect for relaxing, swimming in the waves, snorkeling, and enjoying Costa Rica's coast at its best. Empty Gallery ## 6\. Panama ❌ Skip: Feeding Tour, Gatun Lake ✅ Do again: Diving in Bocas del Toro The tour feels staged and repetitive, with wildlife encounters centered around feeding rather than natural behavior. Empty Gallery Empty Gallery Clear water, colorful reefs, and abundant marine life make diving here an exciting and genuinely rewarding experience.