Central America is a multifaceted visitor destination that offers a range of experiences for travellers. Among the most important of those are the many community-led tourism projects that bring Central American culture, history, nature and gastronomy to the fore.

Sustainability has been touted as one of the biggest travel trends of 2019 and community-based tourism provides an outlet in which the collective industry can exercise a more conscientious and responsible approach to travel. These community tourism projects are owned and managed by local communities and intended to deliver wide-reaching benefits. These may include the preservation of local customs and traditions, a consistent source of income, and training and development opportunities for local people. 

Here, the Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) lists the latest and most exemplar models of community-led tourism projects: 

Chiriqui Coffee Circuit and Emberá Querá – Panama

Panama is a pioneer in establishing community-based tourism models and in January 2019 inaugurated the Chiriqui Coffee Circuit made up of 18 farms in the districts of Boquete, Tierras Altas, and Renacimieto. This route combines the gastronomy, history, nature, culture and craft activities of the region and offers them to travellers in a sustainable and responsible way. Guests have the opportunity to learn more about the coffee production process, from planting to harvesting and then to packaging. Aside from coffee, the circuit offers activities for visitors such as boating, exotic bird watching, horse-riding, hiking, interaction with farm animals, canopy walks and abseiling. A Finca Dos Jefes Coffee Tour is priced from £22.50 per person. Children 11 and under go free. www.boquetecoffeetour.com/coffee-tours.

Emberá Querá is another community-based tourist attraction in Panama in the province of Colón on the banks of Lake Gatún. Emberá Querá is a tourist community of around 60 inhabitants from different villages across the country which has adopted a number of regulations that consider social welfare, healthy coexistence, and the conservation of customs and traditions. Guests participate in the culture by getting involved in craftsmanship, wearing traditional garments, and partaking in ancestral dances. Emberá has made tourism not only a way to ensure the steady running of the local economy and society, but also a way to protect their ancient traditions and customs. Emberá Village Tours offers tour of Emberá Querá priced from £165 per person. www.emberavillagetours.com

Nahuizalco – El Salvador

Nahuizalco is a municipality renowned for its rich cultural history and strong indigenous customs such as ancestral cooking techniques passed down from generation to generation. The town is famous for its night market when the streets are lit only by candlelight and artisanal craft products fashioned from wicker, wood and cotton are available to purchase until 10 pm. The town also forms part of the 'Ruta de las Flores' (Route of Flowers), a famous tourism circuit named for the abundance of flower that blossom in the surrounding area in spring time when the town comes alive with colourful murals, artisanal wares and traditional festivals. A full-day Flower Route Tour is priced from £30 per person. www.getyourguide.co.uk/san-salvador-l1495/the-flowers-route

Uaxactun– Guatemala

Guatemala is another Central American nation that puts a strong emphasis on community-led tourism projects. Uaxactun is an archaeological site and Maya Biosphere Reserve managed and operated by one of Petén's communities. Part of Uaxactun's originality comes from the local community that accompany guests on tours and provide not only information, historical facts and translations of ancient inscriptions, but also an insight into local Guatemalan life. These tourist activities mean the local people are given a platform to educate visitors on their heritage, customs and traditions. Guatemalan Adventure offers a Uaxactun day tour visiting the site with a guided tour and lunch with the community, priced from £110 per person. www.tikaladventure.com/en/daily-tours/79-tikal-uaxactun

Maleku Reserve – Costa Rica

The Guatuso Indigenous Reserve in northern Costa Rica is home to the country's smallest tribe of indigenous people, the Maleku. The Maleku people have been in the area for around 4,000 years and have recently developed tours, walks, and sunset theatre productions of their traditional dances. They also take travellers to their gardens to admire an array of medicinal plants as well as the native wildlife including toucans, frogs, and monkeys. Guests are treated with genuine hospitality as they are invited to try the traditional Aiqui Lica Chicha, a cocktail prepared from fermented corn, water and sugar. This opportunity educates travellers about the way of life of the Maleku and allows them to preserve their language and even teach it to those willing to try learning. The Maleku Traditional Tour is priced from £49 per person. www.malekuindianscostarica.com

Altamira Chocolate Tour – Dominican Republic

The Altamira Mountains in the Dominican Republic are home to a local community that gives visitors an insight into their artisanal chocolate production. Guests travel through the cocoa plantation before being taught by the local women how to make a variety of products derived from cocoa, around 17 in total. Visitors are even lucky enough to try the products in a tasting session following the tour. Prices are available upon request. www.chocalaltamira.wordpress.com/contacto-2/

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CATA – the promotional agency for the seven Central America countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic – is represented by LOTUS.  For editorial and marketing enquiries, please contact Georgina Oakley, Lucy Keenan or George Leonard at LOTUS – georgina@wearelotus.co.uk / lucy@wearelotus.co.uk / george@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470