Are you looking for the maximum Central American adventure at minimum cost? Try this 32-day trip on for size and visit seven different countries, filling your days with Mayan ruins, clear Caribbean waters, lush rainforests, and Pacific waves. With ample free time to choose your own activities in some iconic destinations between Mexico and Costa Rica, there’s no limit to the epic experiences. Explore indigenous Mayan villages and meet locals for an immersion into the authenticity of Central America!
Simple hotels/hostels (28 nts, most multi-share), homestay (3 nts).
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Allow USD795-1035 for meals not included.
Local bus, ferry, boat, private vehicle, taxi, walking.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Playa del Carmen: Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out.
Playa del Carmen/Caye Caulker: Travel from Mexico across the border into Belize today, which boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easy-going people. During the drive, picture the unbelievably clear blue waters and the opportunities you will have over the next few days for diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef.
Caye Caulker: Enjoy a free day in Caye Caulker. Choose to snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, keeping a lookout for stingrays and nurse sharks. You can also choose to go diving, or just chill out on the beach.
Caye Caulker/San Ignacio: Cross back to the mainland of Belize via boat and travel by bus inland to San Ignacio. Along the way the group will stop for an included pottery demonstration and a typical lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative.
San Ignacio: Enjoy a day at leisure to experience the surroundings of San Ignacio. Choose to visit the Sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, or set your eyes on the lesser-visited Xunantunich Mayan ruins.
San Ignacio/Flores: While this trip is fast-paced, there will be some opportunity to rest on today's drive as the group crosses another border and travels to Guatemala. Enter the country in the northeast jungle Pet?n region and stop for a guided tour of the ancient city of Tikal on the way to Flores. This place is the capital of Pet?n, a small island located on the second largest lake in Guatemala?Lake Pet?n Itz?.
Flores/Rio Dulce: Travel for most of the day from Flores to Rio Dulce, which is on the shores of Lake Izabel, the largest lake in Guatemala. This journey across the country will take a road through dense jungle arriving at this port town in the evening.
Antigua Guatemala/Panajachel: Visit beautiful Lake Atitl?n after travelling through the country?s highlands full of fertile hills and fields. The area is ideal for outdoor activities and you will have plenty of time to explore.
Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna: Take a boat ride across the lake before taking part in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family.
San Juan La Laguna/Antigua Guatemala: The group will journey back to Antigua and spend some free time exploring. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills, or taking a salsa lesson.
Antigua Guatemala: Relax in Antigua on your own! Opt to book a massage, hop on a bike and ride through the nearby hills, visit a local farm, or climb a volcano.
Antigua Guatemala/Cop?n: Cross the border today between Guatemala and Honduras as the group travels to the town of Cop?n Ruinas. Arrive in the colonial highland town in the evening and soak up this gorgeous location set along a river in the coffee growing region.
Cop?n: Enjoy a full free day to explore Cop?n on your own. Choose to visit the nearby ruins and see some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. You can also choose to visit the countryside where you?ll find hidden jungle hot springs to soak in.
Cop?n/Suchitoto: The journey today, while long, will also be a good way to catch up on some rest. Drive from Honduras back into Guatemala briefly before crossing the border to El Salvador where the group will stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Choose to try pupusas tonight, a local Salvadorian specialty and a great treat after a long day of travel.
La Libertad Region: This full free day is perfect for optional beach activities in the area. Opt to book a surf lesson, try fresh ceviche at the fish market, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or relax on the beach.
La Libertad Region/Le?n: Leave El Salvador and transfer by land and sea to Nicaragua. The group will arrive to colonial Le?n for a short orientation walk in the evening.
Le?n/Granada: Continue on towards Granada today, where you?ll see the city?s colourful colonial buildings during an orientation walk. Surrounded by active volcanoes and lakes, this place is perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Get to know the town and opt to go out with the group.
Granada: Get out and explore the charms of Granada during your full free day. Visit the local markets and museums. Choose to try kayaking in Lake Nicaragua or go for a swim in Laguna de Apoyo. You could also go for a walk in the forest at the top of Mombacho Volcano.
Granada/Isla de Ometepe: Cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes in the middle of the lake. Here, take part in a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay among different local families. This experience will give you a chance to experience how rural Nicaraguans live.
Isla de Ometepe: Explore Ometepe on your own. Choose to climb Volcano Concepci?n or Volcano Maderas, spend time with the local host families, or view petroglyphs left by the island's original inhabitants. You can also choose to walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, travel the island by bicycle, or lounge out on the beach.
Isla de Ometepe/Monteverde: Travel by ferry back to the mainland and drive across the border into Costa Rica. The final destination today is the cloud forest environment of Monteverde. Sitting 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds and home to unique and diverse flora and fauna.
La Fortuna/San Jos?: Travel through the mountains to San Jos? and spend a free night out in the capital. From beautiful parks to museums and theatres there?s plenty to see.
San Jos?: Depart at any time.