Would you dare to enter Xibalba, the Mayan underworld, and turn off your headlamp? If you're up for an adventure, caving is easily one of the most popular excursions in Belize. This rich land of natural wonders boasts thousands of cave systems, perfect for hiking, swimming, kayaking, and horseback riding. But for a truly unique bucket list experience, you've got to try it on an inner tube. Not only are the caves gorgeous, but each limestone labyrinth holds historical significance. The Mayans viewed these caves as a sacred place to perform rituals, like burying the departed, drinking hallucinogenic substances, and sending sacrifices to the gods. Today, the subterranean tunnels still hold traces of the past with preserved footprints, pottery, artifacts, and, yes, human remains. Only a local guide can bring you to the underworld and back.

Mexico is well-known for its glorious beaches. So if there's one that's commonly cited as the most beautiful beach in the country, you know it ought to be good. Playa Balandra in Baja California Sur is well deserving of the title, with its calm turquoise waters and sugary sands against a backdrop of red, cactus-covered mountains. Each of the seven beaches is shaped in a crescent moon. The water is so serene and shallow that you can wade from one end to the other, perfect for spotting jellyfish, stingrays, trigger fish, groupers, blue crabs, and brightly colored fish in the mangroves. Never too far from a meal, you'll be sharing the sand bar with herons, ospreys, and pelicans. With so much marine activity, it's no wonder the Gulf of Mexico (also called the Sea of Cortés), is known as the "world's largest aquarium."

Costa Rica is a natural destination for wildlife spotters and adrenaline junkies alike. While many focus their efforts on the rainforests and sun-kissed beaches, the spectacle continues just beneath the surface. With its nutrient-filled waters, the Pacific side of this earthly paradise attracts an exciting array of wildlife, like huge schools of hammerhead sharks. If you think spotting one of these uniquely-shaped predators is exciting enough, imagine seeing them arrive by the hundreds, elegantly cruising the currents in search of food. That's the beauty of Bajo Alcyone, a busy dive site near Cocos Island National Park. Sitting 342 miles off the mainland, this gem was the inspiration for Isla Nublar in the 1990 hit "Jurassic Park" by Michael Chrichton.