Bodies of Water of Central America

The Azuero Peninsula is in southern Panama, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Panama. Panama City, the Panamanian capital, is the main urban center on the gulf shore. The Pearl Islands are an archipelago in the Gulf of Panama.

Golfo Dulce lies between the Osa Peninsula and the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Coronado Bay lies to the northwest. The peninsula contains a complex of national parks and protects one of Central America's most significant stands of the virgin rainforest.

The Gulf of Darién is the southernmost extension of the Caribbean Sea, situated off the northwestern coast of Colombia and the southeastern coast of Panama. The Gulf of Urabá, a long, wide inlet located on the coast of Colombia, is the southernmost portion of the Gulf of Darién.

The Gulf of Fonseca, located between El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, boasts notable islands and is a biodiversity hotspot featuring mangrove swamps, wetlands, and various climatic zones. Despite territorial disputes and international resolutions, the Gulf is a testament to the balance between environmental preservation, geopolitical cooperation, and sustainable practices.

Lake Atitlán and Volcán Atitlán lie in a spectacular setting in the Guatemalan Highlands of the Sierra Madre of southwestern Guatemala. The lake is the deepest in Central America and is renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world. As a result, it is the country's most important tourist attraction.

Nestled in the heart of Nicaragua lies Lake Managua, also known as Lago Xolotlán. It is a vital body of water for the region and a source of livelihood for local communities. The vibrant capital city of Managua graces its southwestern shore, making it an essential economic lifeline. The lake's abundant aquatic resources play a crucial role in sustaining the livelihoods of the people in the region.

Lake Nicaragua is the largest of several freshwater lakes in Nicaragua as well as the largest in Central America. Located in southwest Nicaragua, it is the dominant physical feature of the country. There are more than 400 islands in the lake.

The Nicoya Peninsula lies along the northern section of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The Gulf of Nicoya separates the Nicoya Peninsula from the mainland of Costa Rica and encompasses a marine and coastal landscape of wetlands, rocky islands, and cliffs.

Nestled within the captivating Gulf of Honduras, a wide inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lies a tropical paradise – the Bay Islands. Among these islands, Roatán stands out as a jewel, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich natural heritage. This region, indenting the coasts of Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, boasting a unique ecosystem with a diverse array of coastal marine waters, including estuaries, barrier beaches, lagoons, salt marshes, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, keys, and barrier reefs.