Starts
Ends
San Jose, Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica
Take in the highlights of five fascinating Central American countries in just two weeks
Discover rich wildlife, rainforests and volcanoes
Explore colourful colonial towns and sacred Mayan sites
Get a detailed PDF brochure for this tour and start trip planning offline.
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.
Our travel experts are ready to help.Earn USD 139+ in travel credits.
Best price guaranteed.
No credit card or booking fees.
100% financial protection.
Carbon neutral tours.
25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
From the vibrant capital of San Jose to the shores of Lake Nicaragua and the mesmerizing highlands of Guatemala, this 16-day "Central American Highlights" tour is crafted for experienced travelers who crave authentic discovery. Traverse five distinct countries—Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala—each brimming with natural wonders and captivating history. Adventure unfolds at every turn: spot wildlife in Costa Rica's lush reserves, immerse yourself in the ancient Maya culture at Copan, and experience local life around Lake Atitlan, where modern Maya traditions flourish.
Throughout this moderate activity trip, you'll journey past active and dormant volcanoes, including the dramatic peaks that surround Antigua, Guatemala. The itinerary is designed to balance action and insight, offering time to savor the scent of spices at Chichicastenango's indigenous market and to wander the cobblestone streets of charming Suchitoto on the edge of Lake Suchitlan. Here, you'll try your hand at making pupusas, a delicious Salvadoran staple, guided by local experts.
The unique selling point of this tour package lies in its seamless blend of outdoor adventure and deep cultural immersion—ensuring you tick off Central America's must-see highlights while uncovering hidden gems rarely visited by casual tourists. Accommodations, transport, meals, and guided experiences are thoughtfully included, so you can focus on connecting with each destination and its people. This is an enriching journey for those who want to explore Central America beyond the surface, discovering both its iconic sights and its living traditions.
Interesting trip, full of culture, beautiful scenery, volcanoes and lakes. Learning about the Mayan people. Difficult obtaining a visa for Honduras. The Mayan ruins & the village of Copan was interesting but not sure it’s worth the hassle with the visa! Our guide Miguel was excellent.
This trip was great. It covers a lot, so expect some long drives. Our guide Miguel did a great job, talking about each country with passion and helping out to solve any personal request or issue. Also he was good at finding restaurants. The itinerary is well put together, allthough sometimes you feel you only scratch the surface of a particular country. Border crossings went very well. Swift and professional. Only entering Costa Rica it took an hour. You will get plenty of stamps! Unfortunately we missed an Easter parade in Antigua by one day - I find Explore could have planned differently. Lucklily we also missed the vulcano eruption in Antigua by one day. Our group were 12 people, mostly from the UK - good conversations and interacting between everyone. All in all a great trip that will give a taste of Central America.
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!