33 Days | Take a rollicking seven country adventure in the tropics
Explore colourful worlds – both on land and underwater – on a vibrant adventure from the sunny beaches of Mexico through jungle and Caribbean coastline to the volcanic mountains of Costa Rica. This 33-day adventure hits Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, snaking through all the best spots and introducing you to local haunts as well as traveller hotspots. Discover a diverse marine playground in Caye Caulker, walk through the steamy cloud forests in Monteverde and visit the famous Tikal pyramids, arguably the most stunning of Guatemala’s ruins. Learn ancient Maya secrets and pass through jaw-dropping scenery on this Central American adventure.
Trip overview
- Start
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Finish
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize
- 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
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- QVRXC
- Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Juan La Laguna, a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family.
- Spend three days in the dreamy Caribbean Caye Caulker. Munch barbecue lobster? Snorkel in coral reef? Nap under a palm tree? It’s up to you.
- Cruise up the Rio Dulce to your waterfront jungle lodge, then maybe grab a beer and relax while the sounds of nature fill the air.
- Explore Suchitoto’s flower-studded balconies, galleries housed in 19th-century buildings and a lake teeming with thousands of local birds.
- Hike, cycle or zip-line through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde – there’s so many ways to experience the lush canopies and unique Central American wildlife.
- This trip uses a mix of private and public transport. You’ll get an authentic look at daily life, but keep in mind that local transport between certain locations on this trip can be basic.
- With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
- Central America is generally hot and humid year-round. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning.
- The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. Conditions are simple and multi-share but comfortable. A hearty homecooked dinner will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.
- There will be times when you have to walk with your luggage, and for this reason, we recommend packing light and using a backpack or something easy to carry.
View the itinerary for departures between 27 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Itinerary
Inclusions
12 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi, Private boat, Ferry
Hotel (29 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
- Playa del Carmen - Cenote Azul visit
- Bacalar - Beach club entry
- Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
- Caye Caulker - Cooking Class
- San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Rio Dulce - Guided jungle nature walk
- Chichicastenango - Market Visit
- Chichicastenango - Shaman Visit
- Panajachel - Leader-led orientation walk
- San Juan La Laguna - Traditional Maya Homestay
- Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
- Santa Apolonia - Traditional Pottery Demonstration
- Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
- Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
- Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
- Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration
- Leon - Leader led orientation walk
- Masaya - Town & Market Visit
- Granada - La Laguna de Apoyo Viewpoint
- Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
- Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guide
- Monteverde - Hands-on breakfast in a local home
- La Fortuna - Leader led orientation walk
- San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
- La Fortuna - Cooking Class
- Playa del Carmen - Bicycle Rental (per day) - MXN273
- Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN525
- Playa del Carmen - Half-day tour of Tulum Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN900
- Bacalar - Lagoon of 7 Colours Boat Tour - MXN630
- Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD44
- Caye Caulker - Manatee boat tour (Incl. transport & guide) - BZD254
- Caye Caulker - Full day Catamaran snorkeling tour in Hol Chan Marine Reserve-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
- Caye Caulker - Full day speed boat-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
- Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing - BZD126
- Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD8
- San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD263
- San Ignacio - Butterfly Farm (incl. transport) - BZD158
- San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD200
- San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD24
- San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD11
- Rio Dulce - Natural Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport) - GTQ210
- Rio Dulce - Quirigua Ruins (entrance fee) - GTQ95
- Rio Dulce - San Felipe Fort (entrance fee) - GTQ89
- Rio Dulce - Boat trip to Livingston (Price dependent on boat available & passengers) - GTQ263
- San Juan La Laguna - Water taxi to Santiago (Return) - GTQ63
- Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ105
- Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ236
- Antigua - Half Day local towns, coffee and craft beer tour - USD95
- Antigua - Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch - USD115
- Antigua - Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure - USD170
- Antigua - City Tour with lunch - USD70
- Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD53
- Suchitoto - Town tour (it requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD32
- Suchitoto - War historic walk at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD58
- Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD53
- Leon - Leon Art Center - USD2
- Granada - Mombacho Volcano hike - USD32
- Granada - Monkey Island boat tour - NIO455
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Frog pond - USD19
- Monteverde - Orchid gardens - USD19
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
- Monteverde - Children's Forest - USD20
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
- La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges - USD79
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD21
- La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike - USD97
- La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD84
- La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board - USD79
- San Jose - San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD78
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
- San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD40
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Playa del Carmen. 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 excludes Day 14 (San Juan La Laguna homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights from San Jose; make sure you fly out of Juan Santamaría International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
4.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.
5. 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.
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