Heart of Central America

15 days41 reviews
Explorer
From
NZD $4,350

Journey into the very heart of Central America

Take a wild ride through the heart of Central America – a place of diverse culture, bustling streets laden with delicious food and friendly locals, and a deep history of Maya civilisation and modern religion. Take a 15-day trip starting on Lake Nicaragua, surrounded by active volcanoes. Visit the first and largest national park in the country at Masaya Volcano, and then explore the city of Leon at your own pace. Hit the black coastal sands of El Tunco in Honduras, then enjoy a spot of bird watching in El Salvador. Learn to make some local favourites in a cooking class and then explore the Copan ruins – an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site. Hit the colourful markets of the Guatemalan Highlands and ride on a traditional chicken bus – the source of pride for many locals in Quetzaltenango. Learn about the history and pull of the deity San Simon and find all the hidden gems in Antigua before enjoying a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan.

Map of Heart Of Central America including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
Trip code: QBSKC
Start
Granada, Nicaragua
End
Antigua, Guatemala
Destinations
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador
Meals
6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
Days
15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

Take a guided tour of the Copan ruins and archaeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation.  

Visit an Indigenous artists’ village in Nicaragua to meet with a local artist who makes traditional masks – an important part of the history of the country's revolution. 

See the lava flow and crater at Masaya Volcano National Park – the first and largest national park in Nicaragua and a fascinating place to explore. 

Visit Chichicastenango market – known as Chichi for short – and pick up your very own huipils (a traditional Mayan garment worn by women and girls) or some handmade jade jewellery. 

Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan, with 95% of the population of Mayan descent, and meet the shamanic keepers of Maximon and share a bottle of local spirits with them as they tell you stories of local life.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Map of Heart Of Central America including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Inclusions and activities

Meals

6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Included activities
  • Leon - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Monimbó - Indigenous artists village visit
  • Masaya Volcano National Park - Entrance Fee
  • Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
  • Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
  • Xela - Las Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings
  • San Andres Itzapa - San Simon shamanic ceremonies
  • Western Highlands - Almolonga vegetable market
  • Quetzaltenango - Chicken Bus Experience
  • Chichicastenango market visit
  • Santiago Atitlan - Shamanic Keepers of the Shrine of Maximon
  • Lake Atitlan - Boat to Santiago Atitlan

Optional activities
  • Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD53
  • Leon - Juan Venado Island Kayaking - USD90
  • Suchitoto - War historic walk at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD58
  • Suchitoto - Town tour (it requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD32
  • Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration - USD35
  • Copan - Macaw Mountain Bird Park (entrance fee) - HNL230
  • Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD53
  • Quetzaltenango - Chocolate Museum - USD5
  • Quetzaltenango - Mayan Cooking Class - USD55

Is this trip right for you?

  • As this trip covers destinations across four countries, you’ll make several border crossings. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient while local authorities process papers. 
  • Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning. 

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Granada. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights to Granada; make sure you fly to Managua - Augusto C. Sandino International Airport [MGA]. Managua’s Airport is the closest airport to Granada. Please do not book flights to Granada Airport [GRX] as this is in Spain.
4. Please be careful when booking flights from Antigua; make sure you fly from Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
5. As per updated Nicaragua entry requirements, customers are currently required to supply a copy of their passport front page to their booking agent no later than 15 days prior to departure.
6. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the Honduras pre-registration, your leader will be able to assist on Day 1 of your tour. For more information, visit the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the ‘Essential Trip Information.’

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4 out of 5 based on 1 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Heather · Traveled February 2024
Review submitted 16 Mar 2024
Heart of Central America
From
NZD $4,350