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Ultimate Central America

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  • Booking Type Instant Booking
  • duration 59 days
  • tour type Group
  • age requirement 15+ years old
  • guiding method Live Guide/Instructor
map
  • Starts Mexico City, Mexico
  • Ends Panama City, Panama
    • +28
Tour with Flexible Booking Policy
  • Change dates It is free to change your tour start date within 30 days of departure.
  • Choose a different tour Select a new tour run by the same tour operator within 30 days of departure.
HIGHLIGHTS Download trip brochure
  • The stars of this trip are the dramatic and varied landscapes of lush Central America. If you’re thinking active volcanoes, idyllic beaches and emerald jungles – this trip has got you covered.
  • Escape the Mexican heat in the highlands of San Cristobal de las Casas. This oldworld town is surrounded by indigenous villages that have retained their traditional customs and roots.
  • Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Jorge La Laguna, a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family.
  • Clear sea perfect for swimming, shacks serving cold cerveza and sandy shores covered in starfish are waiting in the Bocas del Toro, where you spend three nights on Isla Colon.
The Ultimate Central America tour starts in Mexico City and ends in Panama City. The Ultimate Central America tour is an explorer tour that takes 59 days. You will travel through Mexico City, Santa Catalina, Oaxaca and 27 other destinations visiting Panama, Costa Rica and 7 more countries. This is a guided small group tour. The tour includes accommodation, transport, meals and others.

Embark on an in-depth Central American adventure with Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel from Mexico’s capital to the home of the Panama Canal. Pass through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama on a small-group journey through remote villages, traditional cities, ancient Maya and Aztec ruins, verdant cloud forests and pure Caribbean beaches. Get acquainted with the local cultures, spectacular landscapes and fascinating histories of Central America as you explore the wealth of tradition, spot the range of unusual wildlife, dive into unique underwater worlds and spend time travelling at your own pace. Did you hear that? Central America is calling – you better Belize it.
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CUSTOMER REVIEWS ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL
4.5 - Excellent
Based on 100 reviews
Vafa's review for another Intrepid Travel tour
5 - Excellent
  • Vafa
  • From USA
  • On Mar 24 2019
“Excellent”
Tony's review for another Intrepid Travel tour
4 - Very Good
  • Tony
  • From UK
  • On Mar 27 2017
“Very Good”
Naomi's review for another Intrepid Travel tour
5 - Excellent
  • Naomi
  • From Canada
  • On Feb 18 2020
“Absolutely the best tour I have ever taken. We visited the highlights of Morocco, covered many different regions of the country. I especially enjoyed learning about the Berber people and the Nomads. Our tour guide Mohammed was efficient, organized and attentive. He took care of each person in the group and made accommodations for everyones needs. Love, love, love this trip! It exceeded my expectations!!!”
ITINERARY Expand All
  • Day 1: Mexico City
  • Day 2: Mexico City
  • Day 3: Puebla
  • Day 4: Puebla
  • Day 5: Oaxaca
  • Day 6: Oaxaca
  • Day 7: Oaxaca / Overnight Bus
  • Day 8: San Cristobal de las Casas
  • Day 9: San Cristobal de las Casas
  • Day 10: Palenque
  • Day 11: Palenque Ruins / Merida
  • Day 12: Merida
  • Day 13: Merida
  • Day 14: Chichen Itza / Playa del Carmen
  • Day 15: Playa del Carmen
  • Day 16: Tulum
  • Day 17: Tulum
  • Day 18: Caye Caulker
  • Day 19: Caye Caulker
  • Day 20: Caye Caulker
  • Day 21: San Ignacio
  • Day 22: San Ignacio
  • Day 23: Tikal
  • Day 24: Rio Dulce
  • Day 25: Rio Dulce
  • Day 26: Antigua
  • Day 27: Chichicastenango / San Jorge La Laguna
  • Day 28: Lake Atitlan / Panajachel
  • Day 29: Antigua
  • Day 30: Antigua
  • Day 31: Antigua
  • Day 32: Copan
  • Day 33: Suchitoto
  • Day 34: Suchitoto
  • Day 35: San Miguel / El Cuco
  • Day 36: El Cuco
  • Day 37: Leon
  • Day 38: Granada
  • Day 39: Granada
  • Day 40: Ometepe Island
  • Day 41: Ometepe Island
  • Day 42: Monteverde
  • Day 43: Monteverde
  • Day 44: La Fortuna
  • Day 45: La Fortuna
  • Day 46: San Jose
  • Day 47: San Jose
  • Day 48: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
  • Day 49: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
  • Day 50: Bocas del Toro/Isla Colon
  • Day 51: Bocas del Toro/Isla Colon
  • Day 52: Bocas del Toro/Isla Colon
  • Day 53: Boquete
  • Day 54: Boquete
  • Day 55: Santa Catalina
  • Day 56: Santa Catalina
  • Day 57: Panama City
  • Day 58: Panama City
  • Day 59: Panama City
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Accommodation
  • Hotel (47 nights), Overnight public bus (1 night), Camping with facilities (1 night), Multishare Lodge (2 night), Lodge (2 night), Homestay (1 night), Hostel Multishare (2 nights), Hostel (2 nights)
Meals
  • 1 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Transport
  • Private vehicle , Public bus , Local bus , Overnight public bus , Taxi , Shared boat , Ferry
Included Activities
  • Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
  • Mexico City - Leader-led City Tour of Historic Center
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Puebla - Visit to La Pasita Bar
  • Oaxaca - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led City Tour
  • San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit (entrance fee)
  • Palenque - Palenque Ruins (entrance fee)
  • Merida - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
  • Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tikal National Park - Tikal archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
  • Chichicastenango Market
  • San Jorge La Laguna - Traditional Maya Homestay
  • Panajachel - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Antigua - Leader-led walking tour
  • Copan - Archeological site (entrance fee and transport, no guide)
  • Suchitoto - Leader led walking tour
  • San Miguel - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Leon - Leader led walking tour
  • Monteverde - Leader led walking tour
  • La Fortuna - Leader led walking tour
  • San Jose - Leader-led walking tour
  • Puerto Viejo - Leader-led orientation bicycle ride
  • Boquete - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Panama City - Leader-led walk along part of the Cinta Costera (Causeway) including a visit to the Fish Market
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Any international flights to Mexico City and from Panama City are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
  • Travel insurance is not included in this Ultimate Central America tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.
Why Book with Bookmundi
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  • 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
  • Read more reasons to book with Bookmundiless
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
Excellent
4.72 Average 305 Reviews
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GOOD TO KNOW
CANCELLATION

No additional cancellation fees apply for this Ultimate Central America tour. You can cancel the tour up to 24 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 23 days of departure.

Payment

A deposit of 400 USD is required to confirm this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 23 days before departure. For any departures within 04 September 2020 full payment is required.

Travel Insurance

Ultimate Central America tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. We recommend using World Nomads' travel insurance.

Visa

For this Ultimate Central America tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are travelling to, as part of this itinerary.

Lonely Planet extras
  • Free access to the Lonely Planet mobile app for one year
  • 25% discount on all items in the Lonely Planet Shop
Is this trip right for you:
  • This trip involves some long travel days, especially from El Cuco to Leon with a 9-hour overland journey. Although this can be tiresome, it's a great opportunity to sit back, enjoy the passing scenery and to bond with your fellow travellers. This is a real Central American adventure, after all.
  • This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates. This trip also includes some travel by local transport, which can be basic and challenging, but is also a fantastic way to rub shoulders with the locals and get under the skin of a place, whilst being mindful for the environment.
  • As this trip covers destinations across eight countries, you'll need to make several border crossings. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient. Books, podcasts and car games will be your best friend.
  • Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours.
  • The homestay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday local life. Conditions during your homestay in San Jorge La Laguna are basic. Your room will consist of a couple of beds with clean bedding, and the bathroom will most likely be shared with the rest of the family. A hearty home-cooked breakfast and dinner will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to. However, corn, rice and beans are very filling.
  • Try to learn as many Spanish words as you can. Locals are very friendly, but also shy, so you'll need to make plenty of effort to break the ice. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is a great way of showing you care.
  • From walking the Costa Rican border crossing to optional full-day volcano hikes, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
  • 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.
NEED HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS TOUR?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
  • Jane Andersen
  • Sine
  • Rasmus Juul Olsen
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TRIP DETAILS Expand All
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