Land a cheap beach in Central America

IF you love the tropics but are tired of Caribbean islands, consider visiting Central America.

But think outside the box. Instead of a trip to Costa Rica -- where prices have risen along with the country’s popularity -- select Honduras, Nicaragua or Belize, where vacations are downright cheap.

Among the bargains:

* Honduras, www.letsgohonduras.com, (800) 410-9608, is a newcomer to mass tourism and lacks the mega-resorts that are sprouting up elsewhere. And yet scuba-loving Americans are increasingly flocking to its ancient ruins at Copan (“Athens of the Mayan World”) and inexpensive diving facilities on the island of Roatan.

Roatan is undergoing development, putting up mid-size condos as well as small boutique properties such as Turquoise Bay, www.turquoisebayresort.com, (786) 623-6121, where doubles rent from $90.

Near Copan, a new airport is about to make the ruins more accessible, and sustainable-development plans for eco-sensitive resorts are underway for the Caribbean coast with its fascinating Garifuna (Afro-Caribbean) communities.

* Belize, www.travelbelize.org, (800) 624-0686, is the region’s only English-speaking country.

Its earliest attractions were the beaches of some 50 offshore islands (such as Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker) and the barefoot charms of coastal Placencia. It is increasingly renowned for its diving (especially at the legendary Blue Hole, 60 miles east of Belize City) and for such Mayan sites as Altun Ha.

High-end resorts are being built, but the tourist board continues to emphasize such budget-worthy attractions as the Toucan Trail, www.toucantrail.com, dotted by more than 160 lodgings that cost $60 a night or less.

* Nicaragua, www.visit-nicaragua.com, (888) 733-6422, is Central America’s largest nation and birthplace of its greatest literary figure, author and poet Ruben Dario. It also just elected former Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega as its president; fortunately, he’s been more conciliatory about tourism recently and the country’s growth seems unlikely to slacken.

Thousands of Americans are moving to Nicaragua to retire; cities such as Granada and Leon are among Central America’s loveliest Spanish colonial towns and Nicaragua’s Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz) still boast a barefoot, castaway vibe.