It isn’t always easy to find that perfect island paradise, complete with wildlife, beaches, and adventure. And while there are plenty of beaches in the Caribbean and Mexico that offer a quick and easy route to relaxation, they can also get overly crowded. To skip the cramped restaurants and busy waterfronts of some of the more popular island retreats means working a little harder to get there—but that just makes the whole experience extra rewarding.

So get your passport ready, pack a swimsuit or several, and prepare for your choice of dreamy lounge spot, adventure-ready jungle, or lively beach town. Trust us—you’ll be glad you made the trip.

Nicaragua’s Corn Islands—or Islas del Maiz—are truly a picture-perfect tropical island destination. Of the two islands, Big Corn is where you’ll find most of the action (and the only airport). Don’t let the name ғooʟ you, though, because Big Corn is still tiny, with no real town to speak of and a lone road that circles the island. Once you arrive, hop on a golf cart taxi to visit beach ʙᴀʀs and chill ecolodges. The pace of life is slow and easy here, ideal for those who want to spend days lazing on perfect white sand beaches or reading in a hammock at the hotel.

Bocas del Toro, Panama
This group of islands on the northeast coast of Panama is a playground for adventure seekers. There are four main islands: Colón (home to most of the action in Bocas, with a small town that has an airport, hotels, shops, and restaurants), Solarte (a jungle ᴇscᴀᴘᴇ with luxe rentals and hotels), Cristóbal (where you’ll find a few secluded high-end resorts), and Bastimentos (the spot to visit for the area’s best beaches, surfer-chic hotels, and beach ʙᴀʀs). You can hire water taxis to take you to any of the islands, or you can join an organized tour to spot sea turtles and dolphins.

Utila, Honduras
Utila is a laid-back ʙoнᴇмιᴀɴ island that attracts scuba divers from all over the world. Here, it’s less about the beaches (although the tiny island is home to a few good ones) and more about what’s under the waves: Colorful corals and sponges, rainbow-hued schools of fish, sea turtles, sharks.

Caye Caulker, Belize
Just south of the more famous Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is the hippie younger sibling. While Ambergris is home to sophisticated resorts and chain hotels, Caye Caulker is home to hostels and inns. Take a stroll through the colorful town, made up of brightly-painted cottages right on the water, and treat yourself to a fresh coconut or a ᴘuᴘusᴀ at one of the stands in town.

Holbox, Mexico
While nearby Cancún and Tulum are some of the most popular Mexican vacation destinations, Isla Holbox is still relatively under-the-radar. Accessible only by ferry from Chiquila, about 2 hours and 20 minutes from the Cancún Airport, this car-free island is surprisingly cosmopolitan, with stylish boutique hotels, great shops and restaurants, and a fun nightlife scene. Holbox is also known for its flamingo population, which wades in the shallow lagoon between the island and mainland Mexico.

While you won’t be basking in the warm, clear waters of the Caribbean during your visit to these Central American islands, Las Isletas del Granada offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, is home to hundreds of islets that are easily accessible from the colonial city of Granada.

< Source : https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/under-the-radar-islands-in-central-america >