THE 10 BEST Self-guided & Independent Tours and Trips in Central America 2025/2026

Accommodations

BudgetSimple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Mid-rangeComfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
PremiumUpscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.

Cancun to San Jose Travel Pass

No booking fees

Best price guaranteed

Embark on an unforgettable adventure from Cancun to San Jose, uncovering the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes of Central America. Experience thrilling activities like exploring ancient Mayan ruins, snorkeling in crystal-clear Caribbean waters, and hiking lush rainforests. Delight in local cuisine, lively nightlife, and charming colonial towns. This meticulously crafted travel itinerary offers unique experiences and seamless transportation, ensuring a hassle-free, exhilarating journey perfect for culture enthusiasts and natural beauty seekers. Discover the hidden gems of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

Trekking and HikingZip lining

Tour Type

Group Tour

Accommodation

Hostel, Home-stay, Hotel

Age Range

18-99 yrs

Operated in

english

Destinations

San Jose, Cancún, Belize City, S

San Jose, Cancún, Belize City, San Ignacio, Flores, Rio Dulce, Lanquin, Panajachel, San Jorge La Laguna, Playa Del Carmen, Antigua, Copán Ruinas, El Tunco, Leon, Granada, San Jorge, Ometepe, San Juan Del Sur, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tulum, Bacalar, Chetumal, Caye Caulker

Duration39 days

From

USD 2,656

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Guatemala Highlight Experience

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Experience some of the best highlights of Guatemala with this 7-day, multi-location trip around the country! Start from Antigua and end in Guatemala City. Experience the Spanish colonial city of Antigua before trekking up Pacaya Volcano and enjoy the stunning views. Then, travel to Lanquin Village and explore the Kanba Caves before swimming at the natural crystal pools of Semuc Champey nature reserve. Heading on to Flores Island, visit the ancient Mayan Temples of the Tikal archaeological site, and savor some leisure time on the island. Finally, head back to Guatemala city. Don't miss out on this opportunity to get a taste of Guatemala in just one week. Please see more details in the itinerary and what's included sections.

Cultural, religious and historic sites

Tour Type

Private Tour

Accommodation

Eco Lodge, Hotel, Lodge

Age Range

10-79 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

Antigua, Guatemala City, Flores

Antigua, Guatemala City, Flores, Lanquin, Pacaya Volcano, Tikal

Duration7 days

From

USD 900

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Gorgeous Guatemala

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

See some of Guatemala's highlights, lakes, and volcanoes on this 6-day tour. This specially designed itinerary includes exploring the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, hiking to the peak of Pacaya Volcano, staying overnight in Panajachel downtown, and exploring the stunning natural paradise of Lake Atitlan. Learn more about the local culture and Mayan communities living in Antigua and around the lake. We also make sure you get enough time to shop and explore the largest market in Guatemala! This trip includes a guide, transportation, and accommodation. Please refer to the itinerary and what's included sections for more information.

Sightseeing Tours

Tour Type

Private Tour

Accommodation

Hostel, Hotel

Age Range

12-70 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel

Duration6 days

From

USD 600

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Costa Rica Five Star Experience

4.9

(6 reviews )

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Awesome Adventure!!

Rainforest and jungle visits

Tour Type

Private Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Lodge, Bungalow, Eco Lodge

Age Range

12-79 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

San Jose, Manuel Antonio Nationa

San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park, Pacuare River, Arenal Volcano, Osa Peninsula, Arenal, Tabacon, Manuel Antonio

Duration11 days

From

USD 5,780

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Raft, Hike and Explore Costa Rica

(1 review )

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Costa Rica is a paradise for adventure lovers. In this trip you will get the opportunity to discover the volcanic terrain and rainforest of this Central American gem. This seven-days of adventure and nature tour is packed with thrilling adventure activities, such as whitewater rafting, volcano hiking, horseback riding, hot spring bathing, and zip-lining. There are many chances to see wildlife on the hike and, of course, experience the volcano activity first hand. This is an ideal trip package for young couples, groups of friends, adventure lovers, and active families traveling with teenagers. See the itinerary section for more details.

RaftingTrekking and Hiking

Tour Type

Independent Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Lodge

Age Range

12-79 yrs

Operated in

english, spanish

Destinations

San Jose, Monteverde Cloud Fores

San Jose, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Arenal Volcano, Arenal, Monteverde

Duration7 days

From

USD 1,399

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A taste of the Caribbean

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

This trip is a dreamy experience that will take you through the wonders of the Costa Rican Caribbean and will leave you breathless at every step of the way! Imagine immersing yourself in the vibrant energy of San José, the cosmopolitan capital that invites you to discover its cultural and gastronomic treasures. Then, get ready to delve into the tropical jungle of Tortuguero, where you'll come face to face with the majesty of sea turtles nesting on the beach and venture on exciting excursions through the lush jungle canals. But wait, there's more! In Puerto Viejo, you'll witness the unique fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American cultures, while surrendering to the serenity of its white sand beaches and exploring the amazing biodiversity of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This trip is much more than just a vacation; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the essence of the Costa Rican Caribbean, where adventure, nature, and culture intertwine in an exciting journey that will leave an indelible impression on your heart.

Trekking and Hiking

Tour Type

Independent Tour

Accommodation

Bungalow, Hotel

Age Range

1-79 yrs

Operated in

english, spanish

Destinations

Tortuguero National Park, Puerto

Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, San Jose, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo De Sarapiqui, Gandoca

Duration8 days

From

USD 1,520

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Rainforest, volcano and beach

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Embark on a leisurely journey through Costa Rica's most iconic national parks: Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio national parks. This privacy-focused trip allows ample time for exploration while ensuring you don't miss out on the natural wonders each destination offers. Begin in Tortuguero, a remote paradise dubbed the "Amazon of Costa Rica." Here, immerse yourself in lush rainforests, winding waterways, and pristine beaches. Witness the nesting of endangered sea turtles, a rare spectacle found in few places around the globe. Next, head to Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its breathtaking beaches and abundant wildlife. Explore the trails of park, where monkeys swing through trees and colorful birds soar overhead. Relax on tranquil coves or venture into azure waters for a refreshing swim. Throughout your journey, enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience filled with privacy, tranquility, and the beauty of Costa Rica's national parks.

Trekking and HikingVolcanoes

Tour Type

Independent Tour

Accommodation

Hotel

Age Range

1-79 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

Manuel Antonio National Park, To

Manuel Antonio National Park, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano, San Jose, Tortuguero, Arenal, Manuel Antonio

Duration9 days

From

USD 2,153

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Costa Rica Self-Drive Adventure

(5 reviews )

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

I spent 13 days in Costa Rica and did a self-drive everywhere from Liberia to San Jose while hitting places such as Rincon, Arenal, Monteverde, Samara Beach, and Dominical to name a few and I was able to do pretty much everything I wanted to do in Costa Rica thanks to Alex's brilliant trip planning! On top of that, the hotels that were booked for me were all top notch and there were plenty of opportunities to have lunch and dinner no matter where I stayed. If you plan to stay in Costa Rica anytime soon, I highly recommend having Alex to plan your trip with you!

VolcanoesTrekking and Hiking

Tour Type

Independent Tour

Accommodation

Eco Lodge, Hotel, Lodge

Age Range

12-65 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biologic

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Samara Beach, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Tenorio, Guanacaste, Bijagua, Rio Celeste, Monteverde, Playa Carrillo, Carrillo Beach, Liberia City

Duration10 days

From

USD 1,680

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Volcanoes Adventure

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Immerse yourself in the essence of Costa Rica on this exciting 9-day journey that will take you to explore the natural beauty and majesty in the surrounding areas of four of the country's most prominent volcanoes: the imposing Irazú Volcano in Cartago, the majestic Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna area, thee intriguing Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, and the famous Poás Volcano. Get ready to embark on this adventure as you enjoy the landscapes full of biodiversity that only Costa Rica can offer. In this volcano adventure trip, you will have the opportunity to visit some destinations with different volcano landscapes and hikes within the national parks.

Trekking and HikingVolcanoes

Tour Type

Independent Tour

Accommodation

Hotel

Age Range

5-79 yrs

Operated in

english, spanish

Destinations

San Jose, Arenal Volcano, Rincon

San Jose, Arenal Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Poas Volcano, Irazú Volcano, Arenal, La Paz Waterfall, Juan Santamaria

Duration9 days

From

USD 1,948

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Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest

4.2

(11 reviews )

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

The weather was great! Costa Rica is great! We got adventure and relaxation. Beyond my expectations in everyway. I can't recommend enough!!

Nature and bush walks

Tour Type

Private Tour

Accommodation

Hotel, Resort

Age Range

2-79 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

San Jose, Monteverde Cloud Fores

San Jose, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Arenal Volcano, Arenal Volcano National Park

Duration5 days

From

USD 870

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Four Days in Osa Peninsula: Corcovado National Park

(1 review )

Trip customizable

Best price guaranteed

Visit the beautiful South Pacific coast of Costa Rica during this four-day, self-guided trip. This particular region of the country is home to more than three percent of Costa Rica's biodiversity. A shuttle transfer will be arranged from one of the following destinations on the first day of the tour: San Jose, Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach or Dominical Beach. Travel to Sierpe, where you will take a boat to your hotel located in Drake Bay. Explore Corcovado National Park, the main natural attraction of Osa Peninsula, and enjoy the rich biodiversity that the area has to offer. For your information, this national park has one of the largest population of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. Enjoy a boat tour to Cano Island and snorkel around its water. This island is currently a natural reserve and a great destination for those interested in snorkeling and observing marine wildlife, but used to be a pre-Columbian cemetery in the past. Shuttle transfer is included on the last day of the trip to the following locations: San Jose, Jaco Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach and Dominical Beach. For more details, please go through the itinerary below.

Trekking and HikingSnorkeling

Tour Type

Private Tour

Accommodation

Hotel

Age Range

12-79 yrs

Operated in

English

Destinations

San Jose, Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park

Duration4 days

From

USD 1,088

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All Central America Self-Guided Tours and Trips

11 Self Guided Trips in Central America with 24 Reviews

11 Self Guided Trips in Central America with 24 Reviews

Cancun to San Jose Travel Pass

Guatemala Highlight Experience

Gorgeous Guatemala

Costa Rica Five Star Experience

Raft, Hike and Explore Costa Rica

A taste of the Caribbean

Rainforest, volcano and beach

Costa Rica Self-Drive Adventure

Volcanoes Adventure

Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest

Four Days in Osa Peninsula: Corcovado National Park

Europe

Asia

South America

Africa

North America

Oceania

Polar

Food, wine, events and nightlife

Adventure and sport

Wildlife, landscapes and nature

Boat tours, water sports and marine wildlife

Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history

Air tours, road trips and transfers

Beach, romance, getaways and relaxation

Special interests and hobbies

All Central America Self-Guided Tours and Trips

11 Self Guided Trips in Central America with 24 Reviews

11 Self Guided Trips in Central America with 24 Reviews