24 Days | Ancient cultures, incredible food, jungle trails and sloth spotting
Raise a glass of mezcal to the diversity of Mexico, then embrace ‘pura vida’ (the simple life) in the rainforests and on the beaches of Costa Rica. Discover history in the ruins of Chichen Itza, then visit a contemporary Maya village to see how ancient Mesoamerican traditions have evolved. Savour simple fare during lunch with a Zapotec family and sip smoky mezcal at a distillery in Oaxaca. See the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, visit an organic family-owned farm producing some of the best coffee in the world and learn from a local naturalist guide on a hike through lush landscapes. Explore sloth country (AKA Manuel Antonio National Park) and match their leisurely pace as you relax among natural splendour of Costa Rica. Ancient cultures, incredible food, wildlife and wilderness – this 24-day trip has it all.
Trip overview
- Start
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Finish
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Costa Rica, Mexico
- 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
- Comfort
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- QBKPC
- Hike through the scenic landscapes of Manuel Antonio National Park with a local naturalist guide and learn all the hidden secrets of the rainforest, looking out for local wildlife like sloths and iguanas.
- Discover the colourful, fantastical world of alebrijes – folk art sculptures of mythical creatures – during a visit to a women-run workshop outside Oaxaca. The artists will share their process and stories of how they came to specialise in these artworks.
- Visit a local indigenous community and meet the Terraba people – a matriarchal community who have lived along the Terraba River for the last 500 years – and learn how to make a traditional wooden mask.
- Get a taste of Maya culture during a homecooked Pibil lunch with a local family, sampling this traditional method of cooking which involves barbecuing food underground.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva. Donations help them provide nutritious, balanced meals for vulnerable people in Mexico.
- Some included activities, such as guided tours of archaeological sites can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It's all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations to break up the longer drives. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- Costa Rica can be an expensive destination in many ways, with so many fun optional activities to choose from and meals costing more than in other Central American countries. Your leader will be able to advise on how to have the best value holiday in Costa Rica.
- Costa Rica is generally hot and humid year-round, and from May to October can be wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 March 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
23 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners
Private vehicle, Plane, Shared boat
Hotel (21 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays)
- Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee)
- Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral (entrance fee)
- Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
- Teotihuacan - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
- Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
- Oaxaca - Alebrijes workshop visit
- Oaxaca - Tule Tree
- Oaxaca - Zapotecan home-cooked lunch
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Oaxaca - Mezcaleria visit
- Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport)
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led orientation walk
- Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
- San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
- Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit
- Palenque - Archaeological site (Guide, Transport & Entrance fee)
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
- La Fortuna - Tortilla making
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve Hike
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Tour with a Naturalist Guide (entrance fee, guide and transport)
- Térraba River - Mask Carving Lesson
- Térraba River - Indigenous Community Visit & Lunch
- Los Santos - Tierra Amiga Coffee Experience including lunch
- San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
- Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN84
- Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN263
- Mexico City - Leon Trotsky Museum (entrance fee) - MXN70
- Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN700
- Cholula – Cholula Pyramid (entrance fee) - MXN95
- Oaxaca - Folkloric ballet (seasonal) - MXN130
- Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1500
- Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN95
- Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN89
- San Cristobal de Las Casas - Bicycle rental (per hour) - MXN400
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Na Bolom Museum - MXN70
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - MXN65
- Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN1035
- Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1470
- Merida - Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum (entrance fee) - Free
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
- La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike - USD97
- La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD84
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
- Manuel Antonio - Boogie board rental - USD69
- Manuel Antonio - Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD79
- Manuel Antonio – Cruise - USD100
- San Jose - Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD78
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. 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.
2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
3. Full passport details are required at the time of booking for entrance tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Delays in providing this information may result in changes to your itinerary, and we will not be able to guarantee entry.
4. Take care when booking flights from San Jose; make sure you fly out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
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