Central American Flags (& Game Quiz)

Central America may be small in size, but its countries have flags full of history and shared symbolism.

There are seven countries in Central America. These countries are: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Did you know several Central American flags share a common design origin? After independence from Spain, the region briefly formed the Federal Republic of Central America. Its blue-white-blue stripes still live on today in the flags of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

The Central American Flags

Curious about the colors, symbols, and designs that represent Central America’s diverse nations?

Here are the seven country flags of Central America. When you are finished, be sure to check out the North American and South American country flags.

It’s worth noting that Costa Rica has two versions of their flag, one with a national emblem for official use and one without for less formal settings.

And interestingly, Honduras’ flag has no official shade of blue, so it appears in both light and dark blue versions across different sources.

Common patterns in Central American flags

Even with just seven countries, Central America’s flags show some clear themes:

Blue-white-blue stripes

Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua all use the white-blue-white design, inherited from the old Federal Republic of Central America.

The two blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white represents peace.

Detailed coats of arms

Several flags include intricate emblems: Guatemala’s quetzal bird and scroll, El Salvador’s volcanoes and triangle, and Nicaragua’s rainbow and Phrygian cap.

These details highlight independence and unity.

Outliers with unique styles

Belize stands out with one of the most detailed national flags in the world, featuring two human figures.

Panama is also unique with its red and blue stars and quartered design, symbolizing peace between political parties.

Tips for learning the Central American flags

Because there are only seven flags, learning them can be easier than tackling an entire continent. Here are a few strategies:

Group the lookalikes

Start with the four blue-white-blue striped flags (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua). Focus on the details of each emblem to tell them apart.

Spot the unique ones

Belize’s detailed shield and Panama’s red-and-blue stars stand out instantly from the others. Memorizing these two first can help.

Practice on a map

Use a blank Central America map and match each flag to its location. This ties geography to the designs.

Test yourself

Online quizzes and flashcards are great for quick recall and making sure you don’t mix up the striped flags.

Take our American flag quiz to see how many you get correct, or, if you prefer, watch this short clip and guess the flag before the timer runs out!

Once you’ve learned the Central American flags, continue with the Caribbean flags or explore the South American flags to complete Latin America. Each region’s flags carry their own unique history and symbolism.

For the ultimate challenge, see if you can master all 198 country flags of the world.