Central America is finally coming into its own: For too long a time, it was justifiably considered to be a dangerous location for students and tourists alike. At least, that is, for some of the constituent countries. El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama were all sites of some sort or another of civil unrest or crooked governments or foreign military intervention. But now, finally, things have not only calmed down but also become quite appealing to travelers, students, and adventurers. Which is to say nothing about perennial favorites Costa Rica and Belize.

Because of a number of failed governments and equally unsuccessful policies of non-Central American countries, the region had fallen into disrepute. But today, the fascinating blend of cultures, gorgeous tropical weather, and famously friendly people have put Central America back on the map.

Historically, Central America is a fascinating mix of indigenous cultures and influences from the European colonial powers that occupied the region, most famously, of course, Spain. "In pre-Columbian times, most of modern Central America was part of the Mesoamerican civilization. The Native American societies of Mesoamerica occupied the land ranging from central Mexico in the north to Costa Rica in the south...[This civilization] gave rise to a group of stratified, culturally related agrarian civilizations spanning an approximately 3,000-year period before the European discovery of the New World by Columbus. [They include] the Olmec, Zapotec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Mixtec, Huastec, Pipil, Totonac, Toltec, Tarascan, and the Aztec."

It is the coexistence of the Pre-Columbian cultural remnants with the colonial and modern ones that makes Central America so fascinating. And as for the individual countries, none is as popular among tourists and students as Costa Rica. The combination of its unmatched biodiversity and support of students and researchers from all over the world make it a must-see destination even for those who choose not to attend college there. It is "[o]ne of the most stable countries in Latin America...[and] has a long democratic tradition, a literacy rate of over 90%, and no army." Also, it's official language is Spanish, which makes it easy for many students to study there, as more and more Americans are either being brought up in Spanish-speaking homes or learning the language in school.

Belize, too, has become quite popular. Indeed, it is "an adventurer's paradise...: Mayan temples tower above rainforest canopies while an incredibly colorful array of marine wildlife find protection in Belize's Great Barrier Reef." For those with an interest in the natural world and a penchant for the outdoors, Belize is the perfect country in which to study. In the rainforest alone there are more than 500 species of birds-more than even the most dedicated ornithologist could track in years.

As for the educational institutions of Central America, they are improving. Many American colleges and universities run study abroad programs in Central America, and they are consistently among the most popular ones. And though full-time study by Americans has not been traditionally popular, it is certainly gaining in this regard.

Schools like the National University of Costa Rica and the Technological University of Panama have helped raise the reputation of collegiate education in the region.

So though Central America is not traditionally one of the most popular destinations for full-time collegiate study, it should not be discounted. The region is in the middle of a bit of a renaissance, and full-time college students will have a front-row seat. Education doesn't get much better than that.