Highlights
Connect with your hosts at community guesthouse stay in Ometepe.
relax seaside in El Salvador.
laugh with the locals during a chicken bus journey.
visit five countries in 17 days.
Itinerary
From the waves of the Pacific to the lush rainforests of Central America, the "Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways" tour is your ticket to a vibrant cross-country adventure. Tailored to young adults seeking cultural immersion and easy-going exploration, this 17-day trip winds from Antigua to San Jose, touching Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Alongside iconic stops like Monteverde Cloud Forest and Copan, you’ll stay with a community on Ometepe Island, offering genuine local connection—a standout feature of this trip.
A blend of public and private transport adds to the authenticity, giving you chances to meet locals and travel sustainably. With gentle hikes, city strolls, and plenty of relaxation, this tour package is perfect for travelers eager to experience Central America’s culture, landscapes, and friendly spirit without breaking a sweat.
day 1 - Antigua Guatemala
Arrive at any time. Tonight, explore El Barrio, a vibrant marketplace of many small bars and pubs. Get to know your fellow travellers over a few drinks, and cheers to the adventures to come.
Arrive at any time. Antigua is approximately one hour's drive from the international airport in Guatemala City.
Explore the museums, colonial buildings and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful city, one of the best-restored Spanish colonial cities in the world. The entire city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding volcanoes can be seen from everywhere in the city and the colorful markets attract indigenous artisans from all over the country.
day 2 - Antigua Guatemala/Copán
Set off today on a full Day of travel from Antigua across the border to neighboring Honduras, arriving to the town of Copán Ruinas in the evening.
The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place, set along a river in the coffee growing region close to the Guatemalan border.
The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features, including some of the most detailed carving in the Mayan world.
day 3 - Copán
Free time in Copán. Opt to visit the ruins of Copán or soak in hot springs.
Free time in Copan. Opt to visit the impressive Copan ruins and check out some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. Knowledgable local guides can interpret the many Mayan carvings left here over 1,000 years ago. You can also journey through the countryside to some hidden jungle hot springs for a relaxing soak.
day 4 - Copán/Suchitoto
Cross the border into El Salvador and stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.
day 5 - Suchitoto/La Libertad Region
Enjoy a free morning in Suchitoto before heading to the coast in the La Libertad region. The sunsets in these small surfing towns are stunning. Grab a cold drink and enjoy!
day 6 - La Libertad Region
Enjoy a free Day in the laidback beach towns of the area to take a surf lesson, eat fresh ceviche at the fish market in nearby La Libertad, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or chill out with a beer in hand.
day 7 - La Libertad Region/León
Set off early for a full Day of travel by land and sea to Nicaragua, finishing up in colonial León with a brief orientation walk.
day 8 - León/Granada
Journey to Granada and see its colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
Granada’s colonial charm is complemented by the active volcanoes and lakes that surround it, and there are many fun easy day trips available. Hike, cruise, or just explore the city’s markets and museums.
Walking is probably the easiest way to see all the sights of Granada.
day 9 - Granada
Free time to explore beautiful Granada's markets, buildings and museums. Opt to kayak in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.
Free time to explore beautiful Granada's busy markets, colonial buildings and museums on foot or take a horse and carriage ride around town. Enjoy a meal on the "calzada", a pedestrian street that extends from the center of town down to Lake Nicaragua.
There are many optional activities to do just outside of town as well. Walk in the forest at the top of Mombacho Volcano, kayak around the isletas in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.
day 10 - Granada/Isla de Ometepe
Get to know local friends during a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay on Ometepe. Try the local cuisine and test out some language skills.
From the town of San Jorge, we cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes, one active and one dormant that rise out of the middle of the lake. The limited development and traditional communities create a welcoming relaxed atmosphere.
The group will be split up amongst different local families who will host you in their homes for two nights in a small community on the island. Breakfast and dinner will be provided in the home. This experience give you a chance to see how rural Nicaraguans live.
day 11 - Isla de Ometepe
Enjoy free time to explore Ometepe. Opt to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, take a cultural tour, visit the beach at Santo Domingo, or visit el Ojo de Agua for a refreshing swim and lunch. You can also view pre-Columbian petroglyphs or the small museum of indigenous artifacts in Altagracia.
Today is a free day in Ometepe. We get to spend more time with the local host families and see more of the island. Opt to climb either of the two volcanoes on the island, view petroglyphs left by the island's original inhabitants, walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, swim in clear spring water at Ojo de Agua, lay on the beach or explore the island on bicycle.
day 12 - Isla de Ometepe/Monteverde
Take a ferry back to the mainland and cross the border into Costa Rica, finishing up in the cloudforest air of Monteverde.
At 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds. The Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves are home to diverse and unique flora and fauna. Sloths, monkeys, kinkajous, tapirs and large cats inhabit the area. There are more species of orchids here than anywhere else in the world.
day 13 - Monteverde
Free Day in Monteverde. Opt to visit a cloud forest reserve, fly through the jungle canopy via zipline, or tour a coffee plantation.
The day is free to choose from many optional activities. Fly hundreds of meters above the trees on a zip-lining tour, hike through one of the cloud forest reserves, ride a horse in the mountains, visit a coffee/sugar cane farm, tour the cheese factory or check out the orchid garden, serpentarium, or frog pond in town.
day 14 - Monteverde/La Fortuna
Transfer to La Fortuna along bumpy roads, then break up the journey with a peaceful boat ride on Lake Arenal before a short ride to the town.
The trip from Monteverde to La Fortuna takes us down from the cloud forest and across Costa Rica's largest lake The town of La Fortuna lies at the base of the Arenal Volcano, which dominates the landscape rising to 1670 meters high. The town has become famous as the adventure sports capital of Costa Rica.
Choose your adventure! Canyoning, white water rafting, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddlebording, kayaking, visiting a wildlife refuge, and even more activities are all possible options for you to choose from while we're here.
day 15 - La Fortuna
Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.
Choose your adventure! Canyoneering, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddleboarding, kayaking, visiting a wildlife refuge, and even more activities are all possible options for you to choose from while we're here.
day 16 - La Fortuna/San José
Journey through the mountains to the capital for a final night out.
Return to San José for our final night out.
San José has beautiful parks, museums and theatres. Enjoy the view of the surrounding lush mountains from the downtown streets.
day 17 - San José
Depart at any time.

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What's Included
Note: Allow USD420-550 for meals not included.
What's Excluded
Customer Reviews
Read what other travelers have to say about Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways
Excellent
Amazing trip! Was able to see so much in quite a short period of time. Face paced travel but was a good amount of time at each location. Our CEO Adrian Ramirez was an absolute legend, super insightful and made sure every leg of the trip ran smoothly. 10/10
Excellent
Super charged adventure.
Excellent
Fantastic way to see 5 countries in 10 days
Excellent
Best trip with the best group
Excellent
This trip is an ideal way to experience Central America, which has a mix of fast-paced immersive activities as well as quieter spots to chill out. The amount of travel is just right considering the distance and number of countries covered, but do expect potentially long waits at border crossings. The optional activities are definitely worth doing, and the homestay was a nice highlight. Prepare for not-so-warm showers! If you decide to climb the volcano at the homestay, prepare for a difficult 10 hour hike. Our guide, Ana, was brilliant from beginning to end - she was particularly good at communicating and giving updates as well as making sure everybody felt comfortable and happy. She was also excellent at constantly providing recommendations on places to eat and drink and we always felt she was part of the group, not just the guide. Overall, I would highly, highly recommend this tour to anybody.
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