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Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways

5.0Based on
17 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
18 peopleMaximum group size
18 - 39 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

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.

Accomodation:Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel (or similar)
Included Activities:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr, Connect With New Friends

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.

Accomodation:Hotel Brisas de Copan (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 8.0 hr - 9.0 hr Distance : 280 km
Included Activity:Border Crossing (Guatemala-Honduras)

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.

Accomodation:Hotel Brisas de Copan (or similar)
Optional Activities:Copán Ruins Guided Tour Step back in time more than a 1,000 years to discover the ancient Mayan site of Copán. Walk across grassy plazas and examine intricately carved stone stellae (tall monuments) depicting various gods and rulers. Admire the artistry and scale of the temples, ball court and well-preserved hieroglyphic stairway and understand why this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the museum to see Mayan artifacts and a life-sized replica of the Rosalila Temple., Luna Jaguar Hot Springs Visit Hot springs close at 18:00. Best to depart Copán around 14:00 to have time to enjoy the pools. Price varies depending on if you'd like the barbeque meal. Bring swim clothes, a flashlight, and towel.

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.

Accomodation:Posada Alta Vista (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 8.0 hr Distance : 400 km
Included Activities:Border Crossing (Honduras - Guatemala), Border Crossing (Guatemala - El Salvador)

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!

Accomodation:Atami Escape Resort (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr Distance : 100 km

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.

Accomodation:Atami Escape Resort (or similar)
Optional Activities:Surfing Lesson Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.

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.

Accomodation:Hotel Hellenika (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr Distance : 205 km, Boat Duration : 3.0 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 3.0 hr
Included Activities:Border Crossing (El Salvador - Nicaragua), 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.

Accomodation:Hotel Posada del Sol (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.0 hr
Included Activities:Orientation Walk – Granada, Big Night Out
Optional Activities:Masaya Volcano Day Excursion Leaves Daily at 8:30am and Includes: Transportation, entrance fees, drink and bilingual guide.

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.

Accomodation:Hotel Posada del Sol (or similar)
Optional Activities:Mi Museo Cultural Museum Step back into the 16th century in the San Fransisco Convent, Nicaragua’s oldest and largest museum. See pre-Columbian statues, archival photos of Granada, paintings, religious wooden artifacts. Admire the colonial architecture, with its wooden beams, courtyard and clay tile roof., Hiking Leaves twice daily at 09:30 or 12:30. Includes: transport, entrance fees, bilingual guide, and coffee. , Market Exploration The market is visited on organized tours to Masaya Volcano, or your CEO can help to arrange for a taxi to drive to/from Masaya., Laguna de Apoyo Visit There are small local restaurants and hostels located along the shore that you can pay a small free ($5-6) to access their facilities for the day. Time is flexible and can be arranged with your CEO. Requires minimum numbers for private transport. Bring camera, comfortable shoes, rain jacket, swimwear, and money if you wish to purchase any refreshments and/or lunch.

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.

Meal:Dinner
Accomodation:Puesta del Sol Homestay (or similar)
Transport:Local Bus Duration : 1.25 hr - 1.75 hr Distance : 70 km, Local Bus Duration : 0.25 hr - 0.5 hr Distance : 5 km, Ferry Duration : 1.0 hr Distance : 10 km, Private Vehicle
Included Activity:Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay

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.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner
Accomodation:Puesta del Sol Homestay (or similar)
Included Activity:Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay
Optional Activities:Swimming Swim the cool waters of Lake Nicaragua, also known as Mar Dulce (Sweet Sea). Fed by more than 40 rivers, it’s the largest lake in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world. Also check out local swimming holes fed by underground springs and enriched with therapeutic minerals to both relax and invigorate the senses., Hike Concepcíon Volcano Departs at 05:30. The tour cost included transportation to La Sabana and back, a tour guide, a boxed lunch and the entrance fee. , Ometepe Island Cultural and Pre-Columbian Petroglyphs Tour There’s something special about coming across a boulder in a field, now covered in moss, and engraved in circles or images made by someone who lived in the area thousands of years ago. Discover Ometepe’s pre-Columbian petroglyphs (rock carvings) and stone statues, along with pieces of ancient ceramic urns and utensils. Learn the history and significance of these artifacts dating back to 1000 BC. Includes a stop at hot springs and the beach., Ojo de Agua (Swimming Hole)

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.

Meal:Breakfast
Accomodation:Hotel Manakin (or similar)
Transport:Private Vehicle, Ferry Duration : 1.5 hr Distance : 10 km, Local Bus Duration : 0.25 hr - 0.5 hr Distance : 5 km, Local Bus Duration : 1.0 hr, Private Vehicle Duration : 4.0 hr Distance : 190 km
Included Activity:Border Crossing (Nicaragua - Costa Rica)

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.

Accomodation:Hotel Manakin (or similar)
Optional Activities:CASEM Coop Visit , Monteverde Butterfly Garden Visit , Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle , Ziplining , Monteverde Coffee Plantation Tour No trip to Costa Rica is complete without visiting a coffee plantation. Head to Café Monteverde and learn how this fair trade coffee goes from crop to cup. Pick ripe berries, watch how the beans are separated from the husk, then observe the drying and roasting process. Sample and buy some of these excellent beans. The Santa Elena coffee co-op prides itself on sustainable practices: it recycles processing water, uses coffee pulp for fertilizer, and sends plant fibers and husks to make paper., Monteverde Horseback Riding Moderate difficulty. , Santa Elena Cloud Forest Visit Pull on your poncho and boots and head into the cloud-covered forest, past over-sized ferns and exotic orchids. Harness your inner Tarzan as you imagine swinging from the forest’s giant vines, trudge along 12 km of trails, watch for wildlife and trek to the top of the observation tower. Be sure to stop and listen too. Hear the haunting hollow call of the bellbird and perhaps catch sight of the brilliant green and red resplendent quetzal. Feel good about protecting the preserve and sustaining the quality of local schools through payment of your park fees. , Sky Walk Leaves three times daily at 07:30, 10:30, and 13:00. Includes transport and bilingual guide. Easy walking. Bring closed-toed shoes, rain jacket or poncho, camera, binoculars (optional).

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.

Accomodation:Arenal Backpackers Resort (or similar)
Transport:Shared Van Duration : 3.5 hr, Boat Duration : 0.75 hr, Shared Van Duration : 0.5 hr - 0.75 hr
Optional Activities:Ecotermales Hot Springs , Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle , La Fortuna Waterfall Swim

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.

Accomodation:Arenal Backpackers Resort (or similar)
Optional Activities:Mountain Biking , Birdwatching Set out on a bird watching adventure with a local expert. Depending on the season, explore around Arenal Volcano and Lake, visit El Silencio Nature Reserve, or Finca Luna Nueva. The area around Arenal is home to more than 350 species of birds. Look for toucans, parrots, Montezuma Oropendolas, colourful tanagers, and parakeets. , Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle , Horseback Riding Enjoy Fortuna’s fantastic wilderness on one of two different horseback riding options. Ride around the base of Arenal volcano or take a scenic trip to La Fortuna waterfall, passing through Maleuku village with opportunities to take a dip in the emerald green pool. Spot toucans, bellbirds and parrots as you ride private mountain trails through primary and secondary forest. Meet monkeys, see sloths, and possibly hear the rumble of the volcano. Take photos, inhale the pure air and let your horse lead you on this memorable meander., La Fortuna Waterfall Swim , Lost Canyon Adventures Canyoning , Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Tour

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.

Accomodation:Hotel Lluvia de Oro (or similar)
Transport:Local Bus Duration : 3.0 hr - 4.0 hr
Optional Activities:Sarapiqui River Rafting

day 17 - San José

Depart at any time.

Included Activity:Departure Day
Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways

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What's Included

Accommodation
Simple hotels/hostels (14 nts, most multi-share), homestay (2 nts).
Meals
2 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Note: Allow USD420-550 for meals not included.
Transport
Local bus, boat, ferry, private vehicle, taxi, walking.All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Guide
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
Included activities
Your G for Good Moment: Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay, Isla de OmetepeYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour First Night Out Moment: Connect With New FriendsYour Big Night Out Moment: GranadaYour Discover Moment: GranadaYour Discover Moment: MonteverdeYour Discover Moment: La FortunaBeach time in El TuncoOrientation walk around León and GranadaFree time in Granada, Ometepe, Monteverde, and La Fortuna

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways

5.0

based on 8 reviews
8
0
0
0
0
J
JoshuaVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

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

A
Anatoly LVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Super charged adventure.

B
Benjamin LVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Fantastic way to see 5 countries in 10 days

P
Pascal SVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

Excellent

Best trip with the best group

P
Patrick CVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5

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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Prompt reply to my questions which was helpful.
20 hours ago