Central American Journey

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Cultural, religious and historic sites Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

16 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Antigua, Guatemala

Ends

San Jose, Costa Rica

Highlights

Explore varied landscapes of lush Central America. If you’re thinking active volcanoes, historic cities and emerald jungles – this trip has you covered.

Wind your way through the otherworldly ruins of Copan in Honduras, famous for the numerous elaborate stelae. These Maya ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a perfect spot for some great pics.

Watch an indigo-dying demonstration in Suchitoto (the best place to produce indigo in the world!) at a local enterprise that supports working mothers in the community.

Join a local guide (with specialist spotting equipment) on a walk through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde, searching the lush canopies for the unique Central American wildlife that call this natural haven home.

Try out your Nicaragua sign language skills when you order breakfast at an atmospheric cafe housed in a historic building managed and staffed by members of the local deaf community.

Itinerary

For those who prefer to experience destinations 'la forma natural,' the 17-day 'Central American Journey' offers a vibrant blend of cultural immersion and natural beauty. Starting in Antigua and ending in San Jose, this easy-paced trip covers Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Encounter dazzling wildlife in tropical cloud forests, explore UNESCO-listed ruins at Copan, and witness artisan traditions in Suchitoto. Whether you’re marveling at the mighty Arenal Volcano or relaxing by Lake Atitlan, this trip offers countless opportunities for shared moments with locals. The unique selling point? Genuine local interactions and a route designed for those who crave both culture and nature. Accommodation, meals, transport, and expert guidance are all included, ensuring a worry-free travel experience.

day 1 - Antigua

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Guatemala. With crumbling churches, bustling markets and bohemian cafes set against a monumental volcano, Antigua is the perfect place to begin your adventure. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe satisfy your cravings and learn the art of old-world chocolate production at the ChocoMuseo or sit by the fountain and people-watch in Central Park. After the meeting, the night is yours – maybe head out with some of your fellow travellers for a tamale (a classic staple of Mesoamerica with dough, meat and sauces steamed and served in a corn husk).

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Copan, Honduras

Rise and shine early this morning to beat the rush-hour traffic around Antigua. Departing at about 7 am, you’ll drive towards Copan. Along the way, watch the passing scenery and learn about local life in Guatemala as you head for the border. Cross into Honduras, arriving in the small town of Copan in the early afternoon. While most people use Copan as a base to explore the nearby ruins, there are plenty of other points of interest, both along the cobblestone streets and set into the lush surroundings. Maybe get started in the Central Plaza and follow your nose to a cafe for the afternoon.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 3 - Copan, Honduras

This morning, meet up with a local guide and explore the World Heritage-listed ruins of Copan – the southernmost of the great Maya sites. It's unique because of the numerous elaborate stelae (carved columns) still intact among temples, excavated vaults and walls inscribed with ancient faces. After your exploration, the rest of the afternoon is free to choose your own adventure. Maybe check out some fine feathered friends at the Macaw Mountain Park or visit the Temple of Rosalila. You could also head to the nearby natural hot springs - this optional tour gives you hours of soaking in mud, steaming natural baths and refreshing pools in the lush jungle, with an included dinner.

included:Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Copan to Suchitoto via Guatemala

You’ll wave goodbye to Copan this morning and head across the border to Guatemala and into El Salvador. It’s a long travel day, so make sure you’ve got a good book or your favourite road trip games handy. When you arrive in Suchitoto, you’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk of the town – widely considered the cultural capital of El Salvador. Admire the elaborate building facades, get your bearings and enjoy the surroundings. Then, get your chef’s hat on with a pupusa-making demonstration. Pupusa (cornmeal flatbreads) is a classic Salvadorian recipe from the Pipil culture and is usually stuffed with some delicious ingredients, like cheese or chicharron (fried pork).

included:Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration, Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Suchitoto

This morning, head to a local designer’s home for an indigo-dying demonstration – Suchitoto is one of the best places in the world to produce indigo (used to dye clothing or other items blue). You’ll visit a local designer transforming tradition into modern design to learn the history of the indigo trade. This small enterprise supports single mothers by providing them with an income for their children’s education, food and independence. Watch the demonstration, then get hands-on and try it for yourself. The rest of the day is free in Suchitoto. The town overlooks the Embalse Cerron Grande – also known as Lago Suchitlan, this freshwater lake is a haven for migrating birds, particularly falcons and hawks. Maybe grab a historically-minded group for a guided walk through Cinquera Forest, where guerrilla fighters used the forest as cover during the Civil War.

included:Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Pacific Coast

This morning you’ll drive to the Pacific Coast of El Salvador, home to some amazing dark-sand beaches and some of the best surf spots in the country. You'll have the afternoon free to relax. Maybe find a local restaurant for dinner or simply relax at your accommodation.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 7 - Leon

Rise nice and early for a full day of travel as you cross the Gulf of Fonseca to reach Nicaragua by boat. In the afternoon you'll reach Leon – the second-largest city in Nicaragua. When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk through the charming city streets to get your bearings. Leon is a relatively quiet city, which makes strolling the murals and contemporary architecture a real treat! Tonight, maybe head out to dinner with your group – as always, your leader will have the best recommendations.

included:Leon - Leader led orientation walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 8 - Leon

Today is a free day to make the most of Leon. Maybe visit the street food area behind the Lady of Grace Cathedral and try a Nica taco (made with maize, the taco is rolled, deep fried and then served with shredded cabbage smothered in cream). You could also take on a thrilling volcano sandboarding adventure on the black slopes of Cerro Negro Volcano. Maybe you’d just like to explore the city’s contemporary art or wander the Leon Cathedral.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 9 - Granada

This morning, you’ll drive to the oldest city in the New World – Granada. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs and take in the view at Laguna Apoyo – a volcanic crater lake formed around 23,000 years ago. Enjoy some free time for lunch near the viewpoint. Then, stop at the lakeside town of Masaya, where you’ll go on an orientation walk with your leader and get the chance to browse the stalls at the town’s famous artisan market before continuing to Granada. Featuring Moorish and Andalusian architecture, Granada is set on the banks of Lake Nicaragua and is surrounded by active volcanoes. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the leafy Parque Central and La Calzada – a busy pedestrian street with plenty of bars and restaurants. The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace.

included:Masaya - Town & Market Visit, Granada - La Laguna de Apoyo Viewpoint

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 10 - Granada

This morning you’ll have breakfast with your group at Cafe de las Sonrisas – a cafe run entirely by people who are hard of hearing. The owner is aiming to bridge the gap and inspire other business owners to employ local people living with disabilities. After, the rest of the day is yours. Maybe hit the Convento y Museo San Francisco and view the collection of indigenous stone statues. Hundreds of evergreen islets dot the waters of vast Lake Nicaragua and you can spend a few hours exploring them by boat or hire a kayak and find your own way around, waving at the fisherman who live in wooden huts along the way. Just remember not to swim, as freshwater sharks live in the water!

included:Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 11 - Monteverde

Today is another early start as you get ready for a full day of travel. Journey to Monteverde, where you can begin exploring this afternoon on an orientation walk with your leader. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers. These environmentally aware settlers also established a small wildlife sanctuary, which has since grown into the internationally renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. Cloud forests are like rainforests, but instead, draw their water from a semi-permanent cloud covering the region. This is truly a nature lover's paradise! More than 2000 plant species, 320 bird species and 100 mammal species call Monteverde home.

included:Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 12 - Monteverde

Begin the day with breakfast at a local women’s cooperative cafe. The cafe started with eight women in 1982 and has grown in number over the years, enabling many women without any formal education to generate income for their households without having to leave home, meaning they can continue caring for their children. In store, there are a variety of handmade products – be sure to check them out! The rest of your day is free to explore Monteverde at your own pace. Maybe zoom through the treetops on a ziplining adventure, or for a more relaxed experience, discover Costa Rica's agricultural heritage on a coffee and chocolate tour. Tonight, you’ll have the option to end your day with a night walk through the cloud forest to spot nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat.

included:Monteverde - Breakfast at women's cooperative cafe

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 13 - La Fortuna

This morning, head out to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where you’ll join a local guide to walk the reserve trails. As you walk, learn about the fascinating biodiversity of the region, look for the resplendent quetzal and listen for the sounds of howler monkeys. This afternoon, take a minibus to the shores of Lake Arenal, where you’ll then take a boat across the lake to the little town of La Fortuna. On a clear day, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger as you approach is a spectacular sight. Once you reach La Fortuna, take another vehicle to the hotel, then freshen up and head out on a leader-led orientation walk.

included:La Fortuna - Leader led orientation walk, Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guide

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 14 - La Fortuna

Why not start your free day today with a smoothie and plan how you want to explore? Maybe take a guided nature hike through the forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, keeping an eye out for rare plants and animals, or see the forest from a series of hanging bridges that offer a great vantage point for spotting wildlife like sloths and rainbow-coloured birds. The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area is home to several thermal hot springs – an ideal way to relax in the middle of nature. Or maybe check out the 70 m tall La Fortuna waterfall set in the middle of the rainforest and hit the lake on a stand-up paddleboard. A boat safari in Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge offers the opportunity to see lizards, crocodiles and tropical birds in their natural habitat, so if you’re craving more wildlife, this option is perfect!

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 15 - San Jose

Spend your final morning in La Fortuna learning the art of Costa Rican tortillas. A local family will guide you through the process, and you’ll get to try the results over lunch. Then, watch the volcano fade into the distance on your private transfer to Costa Rica's capital – San Jose. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader to see the main highlights. When you’ve got your bearings, maybe visit the Gold Museum, which has a fantastic collection of pre-Spanish gold art. If you're in the mood for some shopping, maybe head to the outdoor market in the Plaza de la Cultura or the city's Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood. Tonight, why not join your fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner.

included:San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk, La Fortuna - Tortilla Making Class and lunch

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch

day 16 - San Jose

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. There's a lot to see and do in and around San Jose, so if you’d like to stay for longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (15 nights)

Meals

7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch

Transport

Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi, Shared boat

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological siteSuchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstrationSuchitoto - Leader led orientation walkSuchitoto - Indigo Dyeing DemonstrationLeon - Leader led orientation walkMasaya - Town & Market VisitGranada - La Laguna de Apoyo ViewpointGranada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las SonrisasMonteverde - Leader-led orientation walkMonteverde - Breakfast at women's cooperative cafeLa Fortuna - Leader led orientation walkMonteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guideSan Jose - Leader-led orientation walkLa Fortuna - Tortilla Making Class and lunch

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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