Guatemala & Beyond

9 Days | Discover the best of Central America as you explore Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua

4.8 out of 5 based on 53 reviews submitted.
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CHF  928
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Cover four different countries on this epic Latin adventure. Stroll along striking black-sand beaches, verdant rainforests and ancient ruins as you make your way around Central America. This is a trip full of outdoor experiences and local know-how. Whether you're shopping in colonial Antigua, exploring the intricately carved structures at Copan or relaxing by the sea in El Salvador, get local insight with likeminded travellers during this incredible nine-day adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Guatemala & Beyond including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
Start
Antigua, Guatemala
Finish
Granada, Nicaragua
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QVRK
This trip generates 20.7 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Discover Central America – a land of mysterious Maya ruins, active volcanoes, idyllic beaches and emerald jungles – with plenty of independence and the freedom to choose your own adventure.
  • Don your chef hat and get a taste for the local cuisine with a traditional pupusa making session in a local home in Copan, Honduras.
  • Experience an El Salvador of the past in the colonial town of Suchitoto, before hitting the waves and savouring the present on the black-sand beaches of El Cuco.
  • Absorb the nonstop buzz of Leon – a Nicaraguan centre of vibrant mural-lined streets, fiery debate in the plazas, eclectic art galleries and a pulsating nightlife.
  • Support the deaf community in Granada while enjoying a special breakfast in a local café that’s ran entirely by deaf people.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary includes basic accommodation and has free time for activities when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
  • Some long travel days are involved, especially on Day 7 from El Cuco to Leon with a 9-hour overland journey. Although this can be tiresome, it's a great opportunity to sit back, enjoy the passing scenery and to bond with your fellow travellers. This is a real Central American adventure, after all.
  • As this trip covers destinations across four countries, you'll need to make several border crossings. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient while local authorities process papers.
  • Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for the use of air conditioning. 
  • PENDING 2024 ITINERARY CHANGE: Please note that this trip's itinerary will be reversed and extended to 10 days beginning in January 2024. The updated itinerary will be available by the end of July 203. Communications with currently booked travelers regarding the change will begin in August 2023.

Itinerary

Map of Guatemala & Beyond including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Inclusions

Meals

1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Activities
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Copan - Archeological site (entrance fee and transport, no guide)
  • Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
  • Leon - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
Add on activities
  • Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ225
  • Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ100
  • Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD50
  • Suchitoto - War historic walk at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD50
  • Suchitoto - Town tour (it requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD30
  • Suchitoto - Birdwatching Walk (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD25
  • El Cuco - surf lesson - USD20
  • Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD45

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Antigua. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights to Antigua; make sure you fly into Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights to Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
4. Please be careful when booking flights from Granada; make sure you fly from Managua - Augusto C. Sandino International Airport [MGA]. Managua’s Airport is the closest airport to Granada. Please do not book flights from Granada Airport [GRX] as this is in Spain.
5. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
6. As per updated Nicaragua entry requirements, customers are currently required to supply a copy of their passport front page to their booking agent no later than 15 days prior to departure.
7. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the Honduras pre-registration, your leader will be able to assist on Day 1 of your tour. For more information, visit the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the ‘Essential Trip Information.’

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 53 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Valerie · Traveled August 2023
So much packed into a short time to see 4 Central America countries! Really enjoyed my adventure. Aura Munguia was the best tour leader for this unique road trip. Recommend arriving to Antigua/Guatemala earlier to do more exploring and stay another day in Granada. Arrived early to do Lake Atitlan day trip and sightseeing. Bring $1s and $5s and strong bug spray! Be ready for early morning starts and be prepared for long road trips with snacks, books and/or music/entertainment to pass the time.
Review submitted 21 Aug 2023

Darren · Traveled August 2023
Travelling through Central America, in areas that might not always be regarded as tourist destinations was made so much easier & fun with Aura and Intrepid. My tour was fast paced, with lots of activities and I was able to see more and do more than I would have solo. Thanks Aura for an awesome trip! You were the best!
Review submitted 21 Aug 2023

Edyta · Traveled July 2023
Central America tour through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua was exceptional! We had a fantastic experience delving into Mayan history, enjoying local cuisine including pupusa making class, riding tuk-tuks, witnessing the awe-inspiring Masaya volcano spitting lava, and kayaking on Lake Nicaragua. Even the lower-standard of some hotels on the way typical for the region didn't bother us because the overall experience was so great! Unforgettable!
Review submitted 01 Aug 2023

Robert · Traveled July 2023
The trip was organized impeccably and led by an excellent guide (Ben). Everything ran smoothly, as advertised. I was a little apprehensive about safety in the countries that we were visiting but, in reality, I never felt unsafe, even when walking by myself in various cities at night.
Review submitted 01 Aug 2023

Esther · Traveled July 2023
An incredible trip that can only be organized by Intrepid! 4 countries in 9 days! It’s fast paced but you also have the choice to rest at your own pace while your group does the optional tours. This is not an all inclusive trip. It includes basic hotels, transportation crossing borders, and your incredible tour guide. Food & daily tours are extra but very affordable. Cash is king during this trip. Would recommend bringing $50 in $1s for tips. It goes a long way. The hotels are basic & it enables you to experience Central America in a very cool & authentic way. Bring sunscreen & bug spray as you are visiting tropical countries. Trip from the GUA airport to the Antigua is over 1.5 hours due to traffic. Antigua, Guatemala is a quaint town with cobblestone roads. Lots of nice cafes to eat at in walking distance with small little shops to buy waters drinks etc. The hotel has no AC but the fan is vibrant. They have spring water & coffee & the layout is nice. Great hospitality. Walking distance to a nice church. Our trip to Honduras was about 8 hours starting at 4am. The van was comfortable & most of us slept for a few hours. We stopped for restroom breaks & for breakfast. Our host Ben was incredible, funny & profound in many ways. He shares his experiences and quotes that makes you think deeply on life. He quoted that in life we will need a doctor, a lawyer once, but in our daily lives we will always need an agriculturalist & he emphasized the importance of the ability to grow food from the ground. Most of the people in Central America have learned how to grow food. Hotel in Honduras is in the quaint city of Copan. It sits at the top of a slope but you can hire a Tuk Tuk for $1 each way to bring you up & down. Hotel is basic, has drinking water at reception but no coffee. There is a cool coffee shop at the bottom of the slope that has nice coffee & cakes. Air con is $10 per night & trust me you may need it if it’s very hot. There are only 5-6 rooms with aircon. Hotel Jardin de las Marias in Suchitoto was like Heaven on earth after these two motels. It’s new & the beds & layout were a pleasant wonderful surprise. Great staff & they do offer laundry service. Wifi was great unlike the first two motels. Breakfast was like $4.50-$5.00 which was pleasant. This is a cool town where pharmacies, coffees shops, great food & bars are just down the street. So glad we had two nights at this hotel. The LaTortuga resort in El Salvador is by the beach & the food is amazing. It is own by an American who now lives there. Aircon is $10, rooms are basic & it’s a hammock haven. There is a special lounge room just for Intrepid travelers with mosquito nets & hammocks. The view is incredible. The burger is the best I have tasted in all my 85 countries travel. Our trip from El Salvador to Nicaragua via Honduras by private transport & foot was quite an immersive experience. We crossed 6 borders in a day which started at 4am. The transition from Honduras to Nicaragua was via a short walk into immigration. There is a short stretch of no man’s land & the private transport dropped us closest to the border so we don’t have to walk that far. At this walk into Nicaragua, we carried our bags as transportation was on the other side. Ben our guide took care of everything. We never once felt unsafe but well protected. The stop at the Nicaragua border took about an hour & we went for lunch later. Hotel Real in León was very clean with free breakfast. Wifi was strong throughout the hotel & a nice coffee shop was walking distance. This was where a few of us did sand boarding off an active volcano which was fun. The tour included pictures, video, transportation & Cold drinks. We then took off to our last stop which was Granada, Nicaragua.
Review submitted 30 Jul 2023
Guatemala & Beyond
From
CHF  928