I've traveled to every country in Central America. There are 5 places I can't wait to return to.

I've traveled to every country in Central America and have narrowed down my list of favorite places.

Jackie Carbo After traveling to every country in Central America , there are a few places I'm dying to return to.

When I'm looking to relax, I love heading to Tobacco Caye, an island off the coast of Belize.

For an adventure, I love hiking volcanoes in Antigua, Guatemala, or scuba diving in Utila, Honduras.

After studying in Costa Rica for a semester in college, I fell completely in love with Central America.

My host family taught me about the Costa Rican lifestyle, as embodied in the phrase "pura vida." Its direct translation means "pure life," but its true meaning is more of a mindset of living in the moment and embracing life's simple joys.

Since graduating in 2013, I’ve returned to the region every year and have now traveled to each of Central America’s seven countries.

From quiet islands to cloud forests, volcanoes, and historic cities, every trip has given me another reason to come back.

Here are the seven places in Central America I’d return to in a heartbeat.

When in Belize, I love to relax on Tobacco Caye.

Jackie Carbo I've visited Belize twice now, and I always love spending time on Tobacco Caye, an island that's the perfect retreat when I need quiet, nature, and relaxation.

There are only a handful of small hotels and guesthouses on this tiny, 3-acre island off the coast of Dangriga, but its small size is part of its charm.

I spent my week relaxing, snorkeling, taking walks around the island, and enjoying the delicious meals prepared at my guesthouse, Tobacco Caye Paradise.

Here, I stayed in one of the over-water cabanas.