Is Central America different than South America?

Yes, Central America is a distinct region from South America. Central America is located between Mexico and South America and consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. South America is a continent located in the western hemisphere and consists of 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.