A skinny belt of countries and islands connecting two much larger continents, Central America and the Caribbean don’t look like much on the map. But looks have never been more deceiving: enveloping rainforests teeming with all manner of wildlife; cloud-shrouded volcanoes; charming colonial towns; mysterious Mayan ruins; and mile upon glorious mile of white-sand beaches await travellers curious enough to come looking for them. And as much fun as they are to explore by day, these lands truly come alive at night – often to the beat of salsa, calypso or reggae. These places may be unfamiliar, but now’s the best time to get introduced.