Costa Rica is a good choice. It has rain forests, cloud forests, volcanoes, beaches, etc. It doesn't have a lot history and culture type sites though. It is more based around the land, wildlife, birds.

You may also want to consider Nicaragua. Granada is a lovely colonial city and very easy to get from there to other places to visit, such as Mombacho volcano, Masaya volcano and the island of Ometepe (with 2 volcanoes).

How much time do you have? Guatemala is my favorite place to visit in the region; my photos with blog, travelogue, and review links are below if you're interested. Have a great trip, whatever you decide!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

I adore Costa Rica, but for the things you describe, I would also choose Guatemala, and Belize, if you can fit it in. Tikal offers both history and monkeys!

We're heading to Nicaragua for the first time next month. Although we will be spending some beach time, we're also heading to Granada and Ometepe for a week. If we weren't heading for the beaches, we'd also be heading to Leon and some other sites around that area. It sounds as though there will be lots to see and do in and around Granada.

Thanks for all the replies! We will be going for 6 days (end fo Jan or beginning of Feb). Hopefully that will be enough time.

Hopefulist, the pictures on your blog are fabulous! You are a great photographer. How lucky you are to have been able to visit all those places multiple time. Thanks for the advice and sharing your pictures with me!

Thanks - I hope they help instead of making your decision harder.

I would look at Tikal first and foremost--there is no better combination of ecological and archaeological/cultural importance and wonder.

Another possibility--Mexico, which resembles Central America in places, for example:

Chiapas: Palenque+Yaxchiland and Bonampak are the best Mayan ruins in the country, and perhaps anywhere outside of Tikal including lush jungle and good wildlife/adventure dynamic, plus San Cristobal and surrounding villages in the highlands for a taste of indigenous culture.

Yucatan: Everyone knows about Cancun and the beaches and the diving, not so many know about the amazing biosphere at Sian Ka'an, or the numerous cenotes you can explore, or colonial era cities like Merida, Campeche, and Valladolid, along with the ruins at places like Chichen Itza, Coba and of course Tulum.

Those areas have been largely spared the drug violence--indeed, between the Mexican army and the Zapatistas, there's no room for the drug lords to operate in Chiapas.

Based on your preferences for history, culture, and great food, I have to ask- like RAC above - have you been to MEXICO???

To be honest, I never really considered Mexico. We have never been there. From what RAC says, it definitely sounds like something I should be considering. Thanks for the great suggestions of possible Mexican cities to visit. I will have to research them

I also think that Mexico - either Chiapas or the Yucatan (you don't have time for both) would suit your expressed interests well. With only one week, Chiapas (Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas) might make most sense.... Enjoy!

I agree that with 6 days, it would likely be either/or Chiapas or the Yucatan.

Airport for the Yucatan would be Cancun, for Chiapas you could do some combination of Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa (the latter is the closest airport to Palenque).

In the Yucatan you can also fly into Merida, which is an interesting city and makes a great base. An hour and a half to Chichen Itza. An hour and a half to Uxmal. No need to go near Cancun.

I still like the idea of Guatemala though. With your limited time, front-load your travel so you go all the way to Tikal on your first travel day. Stay in the jungle for 2 nights and see the ruins. Then fly to Guatemala City and get a cab or shuttle directly to Lake Atitlan for a couple of days. Then a shuttle to Antigua.

That might be a little tight for just 6-7 days though. Maybe just Tikal and Antigua. But you really have to see Lake Atitlan to believe it.

You don't need resorts, but sometimes it's nice to have a pool. The Jungle Lodge at Tikal has a very nice one.

I actually just got back from Guatemala and Belize travel. I was so hyped about Antigua, thinking that it will be rich in culture and very colonial, however I was disappointed. Antigua is a touristy place, which means there are McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, and etc. So I would just probably stay in Antigua 1 or 2 days.
In Guatemala, I recommend Lake Atitlan, Tikal, and Semuc Champey.

If you have enough time, you can also check out Belize. I loved Belize especially Caye Caulker Island. You should check out Belize cave tubing, zipline, and ATV. Here's the website http://www.cave-tubing.com/

I visited Yucantan, Mexico and yes highly recommend this country too. There are a lot of beach activities in Isla Mujeres, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Holbox. And if you are looking for rich culture such as more infos about the Mayan cultures, go visit Merida. I loved Merida because you get the vibes of the local people and its communities.

Anyways, since you only have 6 days, just go to Yucatan, Mexico. Cause Guatemala is a big country and you will not have enough time to see a lot of places and being on the road to go to your next destination is such a killer. I did this when I went to Costa Rica and basically spent a lot of my time on the road rather than stop, look, explore, and meet people.

Good luck and have fun!

If food and culture are the most important, go to Mexico or Guatemala.