The difference makes the difference.

I think that it's the expectation amongst most travelers who are not well versed in Central American countries that all countries are basically the same. Perhaps it's the idea  that Spanish is the general language spoken thus making them one in the same. Central American countries DO speak Spanish however there are several other local/ indigenous dialects that are unique to each country which differentiate one country from the other, that amongst many other factors.

I have traveled to several states in Mexico and have found that the culture and dialects are different in every single state, just as it is here in the United States as well as everywhere else in the world. If you were to visit northern Mexico  you'd have a completely different experience than if you visited the state of Chiapas in the south of Mexico.

The countries of Costa Rica and Nicaragua are vastly different although they share similar landscapes and language, they couldn't be more different. Costa Rica has never known war nor has never had a military so their existence has been relatively free from political struggles. On the contrary, Nicaragua has seen it's fair share of war and struggle The Nicaraguan revolution of the late 1970's  and the Contra war of the 1980's took thousands of Nicaragua lives. One can only expect to see a grand difference in how the neighboring  Nicaraguans and  Costa Ricans  view life. The social culture accompanied with the culture of the country in and of itself  create an over all energy that can be felt simply in interactions with the locals.

I recently came back from my first visit to Guatemala and I couldn't help but see the similarities to that of Mexico.  A common denominator between Guatemala and Mexico would  be that the Mayan influence is profound in many parts of Mexico as it is in Guatemala.  That can also be said for other central american countries where Mayans existed. The Mayans existed in Mexico, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. The influence of the Spanish conquistadors can also be seen in the architecture of some of the colonial towns around Central America.

As I traveled across Guatemala, I couldn't help but make the comparisons between Mexico and Guatemala.  I went into local artisan markets,  I saw similar art as I had seen in Chiapas,  Oaxaca and Michoacan, Mexico. In the zocalo ( center of town) of Antigua, I had the feeling that I'd been there before as it resembled San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico. The location felt similar  and familiar but there was something very different that separated the "feel" and "energy" that is Mexico from what I was feeling in Guatemala.

Rio Dulce, Izbal, Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala

Guatemala has seen it's fair share of injustices with it's civil war that ran from 1960 to 1996. The Mayans have dominated the general population of Guatemala yet have been discriminated against by the Ladino community and had been generally rejected from mainstream social, political and economic activity.  Fast forwarding to current times, there seems to be a sense of peace ( at least from my perspective in what I experienced) amongst the indigenous and the "general" population. Given Guatemala's history one would expect to feel some sort of friction in the air. On the contrary, the energy and vibe in Guatemala is very much peaceful and tranquil. The people in Guatemala are very kind; they are said to be some of the nicest people in all of Central America. I would have to say that their over all sense of being is so pleasant and generous in spirit. The energy within Guatemala can only be described as tranquil,  harmonious and symbiotic.

Tikal, Mayan Ruins

Guatemala is a country that is often over looked in tourism simply for ones misconceptions or ignorance that people carry with them in their knowledge or lack thereof. Guatemala is over flowing with beauty. It is rich in a history that we here in the United States cannot conceptualize. Mayan ruins dating back to 600 b.c that still stand and tell the stories of a people that not only thrived but were master minds at engineering and math. There is so much to be learned from a country that has had such history. There is so much to be learned from it's people about perseverance and survival. Visiting Guatemala will fill your soul and you'll forever be changed. Trust me on this; my experience in Guatemala will forever be carried with me in my heart and soul and I will always have a great respect for the country and it's people.

Volcan de Agua. Antigua, Guatemala