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Epic Central America: Seven Countries & the Softest Sand Ever

45 days Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua

About the trip

The big kahuna of our Central America trips. Travel from Mexico City all the way to Costa Rica over 45 days of jam-packed adventure, collecting seven new stamps in your passport along the way. For a relatively small geographical part of the world, this area overflowing with epic experiences of every kind. From mouth-watering meals, white-sand beaches, and incredible ancient ruins, to eye-popping scenery, spectacular wildlife and cultural traditions, Central America packs a giant punch of adventure.

Epic Central America: Seven Countries & the Softest Sand Ever

Tour Details

What's Included

What's Included Your G for Good Moment: Alebrijes Artisan Community Visit, Oaxaca Your G for Good...

Accommodations

AccommodationsSimple hotels/hostels (40 nts, most multi-share), overnight bus (1 nt), local homestay (3 nts).

Meals

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Allow USD1115-1450 for meals not included.

Transportation

Transportation

Local bus, private vehicle, overnight bus, boat, ferry, taxi, walking.

Staff & Experts

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Itinerary

Day 1

Mexico City: Arrive at any time.

Day 2

Mexico City: Start the adventure off with a CEO-led walking tour through La Condesa and Roma neighborhoods. Stroll past bohemian cafes, bars, and restaurants. Your CEO will grab some street food snacks for the group ranging from street tacos to chilaquiles. Savour whatever you sample as you continue to get to know the area. Finish up the tour near the giant Bosque de Chapultepec. Then, spend the afternoon trying out the optional activities in the area like a visit to the ruins of Teotihuac?n.

Day 3

Mexico City/Oaxaca: Hit the road and travel south to Oaxaca from Mexico City. Once the group arrives we will head out for an orientation walk to the main square and some of the nearby markets. Soak in your first experience of the vibrant culture in Oaxaca. Enjoy a free evening to do as you please. Perhaps, find a lively restaurant and give your tastebuds something to dance about.

Day 4

Oaxaca: Today, enjoy a free day for optional activities in Oaxaca until late afternoon. Explore local taverns, discover the vibrant indigenous culture in the area, sample food from lively markets, try mole, and mezcal and fully experience the allure of this Mexican city. Later your CEO will accompany the group to the market where you can try a tlayuda, a toasted tortilla with tons of different toppings like refried beans, shredded cabbage, salsa, meat, and cheese. Cap off the day with a visit to a local chocolate-making shop and a free evening to keep the adventure going.

Day 5

Oaxaca/San Crist?bal: The group will have additional free time today in Oaxaca for other optional activities. Afterwards, visit the Alebrijes Artisan Community for your G for Good moment. Meet a local artisan, speak with them, ask any questions the group may have, and learn more about how these handicrafts are made. In the evening board and overnight bus to San Cristobal.

Day 6

San Crist?bal: Arrive early to Tuxtla Gutierrez, which is a city in southern Mexico and the capital of Chiapas. The group will travel by private bus to Sumidero Canyon for an included boat ride down the river. The trip is a few hours long and will take you through the canyon with some of the walls towering 2,500 feet above you. It?s sure to make you feel small. Keep a lookout for the wildlife in the area and try to spot caves as you journey on. Afterwards, continue on to San Cristobal de las Casas where you will stop for the evening.

Day 7

San Crist?bal: San Crist?bal de Las Casas is located in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft). Enjoy a free day to experience this city known for its 16th-century architecture. Opt to visit nearby indigenous Mayan villages to see their unique day-to-day, or visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park and the group of beautiful lakes near the Guatemalan border. You have a full day to do as you please and there are plenty of activities to try out.

Day 8

San Crist?bal/Palenque: Get ready for a full day of travel from San Crist?bal de Las Casas to Palenque. Along the way the group will stop to swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall. Arrive to Palenque in the evening.

Day 9

Palenque: Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Mayan ruins of Palenque followed by free time for an optional jungle trail hike, or just relax at the hotel keeping an eye out for nearby birds and wildlife.

Day 10

Palenque/Bacalar: Spend the day travelling to Bacalar in the eastern part of Mexico from Palenque. Sit back as the scenery changes outside your window and rest up for the next part of the trip.

Day 11

Bacalar: Spend a full free day enjoying optional activities in the area, or just relax and keep the good vibes going.

Day 13

Valladolid/Tulum: After a short, but sweet visit in Valladolid the group will travel to the Chichen Itz? ruins for a guided tour. These ruins hold the history, beliefs, and rituals that defined ancient Mayan civilization. See the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the famous Castillo, the cenote, and the Nunnery. Afterwards, travel to Tulum for a free evening. Tulum is filled with trendy beach clubs where you can dance the night away, or stretch out on white sand beaches to admire the colors at sunset.

Day 16

Playa del Carmen/Caye Caulker: Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Day 17

Caye Caulker: Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Day 18

Caye Caulker/San Ignacio: Travel by boat and bus from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio. Enjoy an included pottery demonstration and local lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative.

Day 19

San Ignacio: Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Day 20

San Ignacio/Flores: Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of the ruins of Tikal.

Day 21

Flores/Rio Dulce: Travel across the country towards the coast to Rio Dulce, on the shores of Lake Izabal.

Day 23

Rio Dulce/Antigua Guatemala: Enjoy an orientation walk of Antigua's cobblestone streets, then opt to take a salsa lesson and practice new moves out at night.

Day 24

Antigua Guatemala: Enjoy a free day in Antigua. Opt to relax with a massage, climb a volcano, soak up the culture in one of the city's many caf?s, or explore the nearby hills and towns by bike.

Day 25

Antigua Guatemala/Panajachel: Travel to beautiful Lake Atitl?n and enjoy the views.

Day 26

Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna: Embark on a boat ride across the lake before participating in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings at the lake's markets.

Day 27

San Juan La Laguna/Antigua Guatemala: Return to Antigua, and enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.

Day 28

Antigua Guatemala: Enjoy free time to relax with a massage, explore the nearby hills by bicycle, or visit a local macadamia nut farm.

Day 29

Antigua Guatemala/Cop?n: Set off today on a full day of travel from Antigua across the border to neighboring Honduras, arriving to the town of Cop?n Ruinas in the evening.

Day 30

Cop?n: Free time in Cop?n. Opt to visit the ruins of Cop?n or soak in hot springs.

Day 31

Cop?n/Suchitoto: Cross the border into El Salvador and stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.

Day 32

Suchitoto/La Libertad Region: Enjoy a free morning in Suchitoto before heading to the coast in the La Libertad region. The sunsets in these small surfing towns are stunning. Grab a cold drink and enjoy!

Day 33

La Libertad Region: Enjoy a free day in the laidback beach towns of the area to take a surf lesson, eat fresh ceviche at the fish market in nearby La Libertad, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or chill out with a beer in hand.

Day 34

La Libertad Region/Le?n: Set off early for a full day of travel by land and sea to Nicaragua, finishing up in colonial Le?n with a brief orientation walk.

Day 35

Le?n/Granada: Journey to Granada and see its colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.

Day 36

Granada: Free time to explore beautiful Granada's markets, buildings and museums. Opt to kayak in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.

Day 37

Granada/Isla de Ometepe: Get to know local friends during a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay on Ometepe. Try the local cuisine and test out some language skills.

Day 38

Isla de Ometepe: Enjoy free time to explore Ometepe. Opt to climb Volcano Concepci?n or Volcano Maderas, take a cultural tour, visit the beach at Santo Domingo, or visit el Ojo de Agua for a refreshing swim and lunch. You can also view pre-Columbian petroglyphs or the small museum of indigenous artifacts in Altagracia.

Day 39

Isla de Ometepe/Monteverde: Take a ferry back to the mainland and cross the border into Costa Rica, finishing up in the cloudforest air of Monteverde.

Day 40

Monteverde: Free day in Monteverde. Opt to visit a cloud forest reserve, fly through the jungle canopy via zipline, or tour a coffee plantation.

Day 41

Monteverde/La Fortuna: Transfer to La Fortuna along bumpy roads, then break up the journey with a peaceful boat ride on Lake Arenal before a short ride to the town.

Day 42

La Fortuna: Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.

Day 43

La Fortuna/San Jos?: Journey through the mountains to the capital for a final night out.

Day 44

San Jos?: Depart at any time.

$4,538
per person

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