They say it’s the tour leader who makes or breaks a trip, and for me, this couldn’t be truer. Luis Flores brought this whirlwind adventure to life with his warmth, kindness, passion for his country, and enduring patience—all matched by his brilliant, boyish sense of humour, which was a bonus. Behind the company logo is a man of immense grace and generosity—a true superstar in countless subtle ways. He’s not just someone who leads you through a place but someone who helps you connect with its soul and its people.
This trip was a vibrant tapestry of breathtaking sights, iconic landmarks, and mouthwateringly delicious cuisine (with portions that were often humongous—wear stretchy trousers!). Add to that the genuine, heartwarming hospitality of the people we met, and it was an experience like no other.
The long, scenic drives became opportunities to daydream out the window, snooze in readiness for the next adventure (or “meditate,” as Luis fondly called these sleepy and quiet moments), or share conversations that added even more richness to the journey—or, occasionally, for me to ask, “Are we nearly there?”
Was it perfect? No. Could some things have been better? Yes, of course. But I came hoping for an authentic, enriching experience—and that’s precisely what I got.
If you’re considering this trip, come with an open mind and heart and be ready to let the magic unfold. Drink in the numerous sensorial moments of wonder. There are so many “wow, wow, wow” moments—turning a corner and seeing something genuinely magnificent alongside enchanting flora and fauna (sadly, no jaguars made an appearance). For me, this was a genuinely enriching and transformative journey.
In all honesty, I was hesitant to book after a really disappointing experience with an Explore guide earlier this year. It felt like a huge risk to trust you again, especially since this was a 2-week trip and tour leaders are beyond your control. But I’m so glad I did and am deeply grateful for the experience.
Active and outdoorExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mexico City, Belize City, Palenq
Mexico City, Belize City, Palenque, Flores, Flores, Tikal, San Ignacio, Teotihuacan Pyramids, Oaxaca, Tehuantepec, San Cristóbal
On this 16-day Central American adventure, you’ll explore the vast lakes, steaming volcanos and thick jungles of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, making memories with new lifelong friends. Starting in Playa de Carmen, you’ll explore hotspot Tulum, where you can visit the Temple of Frescoes and dance the night away after a few margaritas. Hit island paradise in Caye Caulker, where you have a couple of days to snorkel, swim and laze on the beach. Explore San Ignacio, a place of waterfalls and Maya ruins, at your own pace before hitting Tikal National Park. Take scenic boat rides in Rio Dulce, trek through the jungle in your spare time and then head to the gorgeous Lake Atitlan, where you’ll visit the famous Chichi market and make the trip to San Juan La Laguna to immerse yourself in Maya village life. End it all in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Antigua, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Antigua, Playa Del Carmen, Rio D
Antigua, Playa Del Carmen, Rio Dulce, San Jorge La Laguna, Panajachel, Tulum, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal
13% OFF TODAYThis deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Dive into Central America on this 47-day adventure, bookended by two chaotic capitals and filled with fun, adventure and culture. Journey through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica on an adventure through the tantalising highlights of the region. Get acquainted with Central American cultures, spectacular landscapes and fascinating histories as you explore the wealth of ancient ruins, spot the range of unusual wildlife and relax on idyllic Caribbean shores. This is one of our longest adventures through Central America – a trip that zig-zags from the top of the Yucatan peninsula to the highlands of Costa Rica.
WildlifeCustom private toue
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Lodge, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mexico City, San Jose, Palenque
Mexico City, San Jose, Palenque, Merida, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal, Rio Dulce, Antigua, San Jorge La Laguna, Panajachel, Puebla, Copan, Suchitoto, El Cuco, Leon, Granada, Ometepe Island, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, La Fortuna, Oaxaca, San Cristobal De Las Casas
13% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Great trip. Full on pace, would have to skip activities to slow down! A cultural and nature trip. Guatemala was my favourite country; the Mayan history and culture. The archeological site at Copan adds to the diversity of experiences on this trip. As well the more recent history of regime change in Nicaragua. The Spanish colonial architecture was highlighted at all destinations, quaint hotels. Nature’s beauty and wild life was showcased throughout. Overall, a diversity of experiences filled the two weeks!
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, Antigua, Suchitoto, Co
San Jose, Antigua, Suchitoto, Copan, Guatemala City, Panajachel, Monteverde, Granada, Lake Nicaragua, Leon, Cerro Negro
Embark on an in-depth, 59-day Central American adventure 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, historic 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 with like-minded people. Did you hear that? Central America is calling – you better Belize it.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Lodge, Home-stay
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mexico City, Panama City, Palenq
Mexico City, Panama City, Palenque, Merida, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal, Rio Dulce, Antigua, San Jorge La Laguna, Panajachel, Puebla, Copan, Suchitoto, El Cuco, Leon, Granada, Ometepe Island, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, La Fortuna, San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Oaxaca, Isla Colon, Bocas Del Toro, Boquete, Santa Catalina, San Cristobal De Las Casas
From cloud forests and volcanic peaks to sun-drenched island beaches and lost temples, Central America is bursting with natural wonders and converging cultures. On this epic 32-day adventure, you’ll kick off in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen and snake through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Relax by colourful architecture in San Miguel, trek to the jungle ruins of Tikal, brush up on your Espanol over an icy cerveza and stay in villages dwarfed by volcanoes. Whether you’re haggling in the markets of Chichicastenango, chilling in a Caribbean town on the Rio Dulce or wandering cobblestone streets in Antigua, you'll be discovering new places and forging lifelong friendships along the way. From ancient Maya ruins to modern nightlife, you’ll explore the sights and sounds of Latin life and dive into the wilds of seldom-seen hotspots.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Lodge, Camping
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, Playa Del Carmen, Rio
San Jose, Playa Del Carmen, Rio Dulce, Antigua, San Jorge La Laguna, Panajachel, Suchitoto, El Tunco, Tulum, El Cuco, Leon, Granada, Ometepe Island, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, La Fortuna, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal
From the Guatemalan highlands to the cloud forests of Costa Rica (and all the surf spots in between), you’ll join a new group of soon-to-be friends and roll through four Central American countries for a taste of this diverse region. Discover tropical forests alive with jungle melodies, vast freshwater lakes and active volcanoes – this wildlife-rich pocket of Central America is ready to be explored. Turn your eyes to a volcanic crater in Cerro Verde, spot colourful birds on the facades of Granada, stand in the shadow of the mighty Arenal Volcano and search for sloths among the canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest. This trip through Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica is perfect for those who like their adventures 'la forma natural'.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Camping
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Jose, Antigua, San Jorge La
San Jose, Antigua, San Jorge La Laguna, Ometepe Island, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, La Fortuna, Suchitoto, El Tunco, El Cuco, Leon, Granada
Take a wild ride through the heart of Central America – a place of diverse culture, Maya civilisations and modern religions. Take a 15-day trip starting on Lake Nicaragua, surrounded by active volcanoes. Visit Mombacho Volcano, travelling through cloud forest to the top at the crater lake, then explore the city of Leon at your own pace. Meet a former guerilla in the Cinquera community, during a tour of the small town, then enjoy a spot of bird watching in El Salvador. Learn to make some local favourites in a cooking class and explore the Copan ruins – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hit the 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.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Antigua, Granada, Quetzaltenango
Antigua, Granada, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Leon, El Cuco, Suchitoto, Copan
Looking for a Central American trip that dives into the hearts of colourful Guatemala and untouched Belize? Take a 15-day trip from colonial Antigua and dive into the rich cultural blend of Catholicism and traditional Mayan religion in the Guatemalan Highlands. Meet the deity-with-vices at the Temple of San Simon, hop on a chicken bus to local markets and take a boat ride on Lake Atitlan. Then, laze in the tropics of Rio Dulce, explore a laidback Afro-Caribbean town and witness the ancient ruins in Tikal National Park. End it all in paradisical Caye Caulker, where you’ve got loads of free time to ‘go slow’ and relax on the white sands, take a day trip or snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Antigua, Caye Caulker, Flores, S
Antigua, Caye Caulker, Flores, San Ignacio, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Rio Dulce
It doesn’t get much bigger than this – take on a 45-day adventure enjoying everything Central America has to offer, from Mexico to Costa Rica and all the cool spots in between. Whether you're hitting the waves in El Salvador, trekking the steamy cloud forests in Costa Rica, snorkelling the pristine underwater worlds in Belize or washing down your tacos with mezcal in Mexico, there's no shortage of unforgettable experiences on this trip. You’ll cover six countries, stopping at dozens of towns and beaches and sipping many (many) cervezas. Oh Maya, this is huge.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Hostel, Camping
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mexico City, San Jose, Palenque
Mexico City, San Jose, Palenque, Merida, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal, Rio Dulce, Antigua, San Jorge La Laguna, Panajachel, Puebla, Suchitoto, El Tunco, El Cuco, Leon, Granada, Ometepe Island, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, La Fortuna, Oaxaca, San Cristobal De Las Casas
Raise a glass of mezcal to the diversity of Mexico, then embrace ‘pura vida’ (the simple life) in the rainforests and on the beaches of Costa Rica. Discover history in the ruins of Chichen Itza, then visit a contemporary Maya village to see how ancient Mesoamerican traditions have evolved. Savour simple fare during lunch with a Zapotec family and sip smoky mezcal at a distillery in Oaxaca. See the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, visit an organic family-owned farm producing some of the best coffee in the world and learn from a local naturalist guide on a hike through lush landscapes. Explore sloth country (AKA Manuel Antonio National Park) and match their leisurely pace as you relax among natural splendour of Costa Rica. Ancient cultures, incredible food, wildlife and wilderness – this 24-day trip has it all.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mexico City, San Jose, Merida, I
Mexico City, San Jose, Merida, Izamal, Playa Del Carmen, San Gerardo De Dota, Drake Bay, Manuel Antonio, Oaxaca, San Cristobal De Las Casas, Palenque
On this 29-day adventure through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, you'll discover new sites and rich cultures, forging lifelong friends with your small group of travellers along the way. Take a Central American history lesson, eat some delicious local food and soak up the Caribbean sun with a local leader by your side. Taste tacos on a street food experience in Mexico City, pick up traditional handicrafts in Oaxaca and Valladolid, delve into island life and discover the underwater worlds in Belize. Sleep on the shores of Guatemala’s Lake Atitlan and stroll the cobbled lanes of Antigua. These three colourful countries have all you need to have an epic journey, from the jungle to one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mexico City, Antigua, Palenque
Mexico City, Antigua, Palenque, Merida, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal, Rio Dulce, San Jorge La Laguna, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristobal De Las Casas
Take a 24-day adventure into the heart and mind of Central America – hitting all the must-see spots, as well as hidden gems, in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. See the crater lake and cloud forest of Mombacho Volcano, tour Maya ruins at Copan archaeological site and Tikal National Park, cruise on Lake Atitlan and learn all about the fascinating deity San Simon. There are colourful markets to visit (via chicken bus, of course), historic cities to wander and nature reserves to revel in. Explore optional activities in Antigua, learn some Spanish so you can chat to the diverse locals and then kick back in Caye Caulker, where you end the journey on white sands surrounded by snorkelling opportunities and lazy, beach lifestyles.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Granada, Caye Caulker, Antigua
Granada, Caye Caulker, Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Rio Dulce, Flores, Leon, San Ignacio, Suchitoto, Copan
18% OFF TODAYThis deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
On this 10-day exploration of Central America, you’ll cover four different countries, changing landscapes and heaps of natural and archaeological wonders. Stroll along striking black-sand beaches, colourful rainforests and ancient ruins as you make your way to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. This is a trip full of outdoor experiences and local know-how. Whether wandering the slopes of a volcano in Nicaragua, visiting small mountain communities in El Salvador or exploring the intricately carved structures at Copan archaeological site, get local insight from local leaders and travel with like-minded people on this insightful, fun and historical adventure.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Granada, Antigua, Granada, Leon
Granada, Antigua, Granada, Leon, Pacific Coast, Suchitoto, Copán Ruinas
18% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
