Amazing Central America

28 Days | Adventure from volcanic highland to island paradise

4.5 out of 5 based on 11 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
NZD $4,419

Get ready for a 28-day adventure through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. From oceans teeming with marine life to tropical forests alive with jungle melodies, this pocket of Central America is truly a natural paradise. You’ll explore the intricately carved structures at Copan, the cloud forests of Monteverde and spend three nights in the island paradise of Bocas del Toro. Sample varied cuisines along the way during cooking lessons with locals, giving you a real insight into the heart and soul of Central America.

Trip overview

Map of Amazing Central America including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama
Start
Antigua, Guatemala
Finish
Panama City, Panama
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras
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
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QVRPC
This trip generates 19 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
  • Hike, cycle or zip-line through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde – there’s so many ways to experience the lush canopies and see unique Central American wildlife.
  • Try out your Nicaragua sign language skills when you order breakfast at an atmospheric cafe housed in a historic building that is managed and staffed by members of the local deaf community.
  • Put your chef hat on and help prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
  • Clear sea perfect for swimming, shacks serving cold cerveza and sandy shores covered in starfish are waiting in the Bocas del Toro, where you spend three nights on Isla Colon.
  • Spend a morning with the Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community on Isla Popa, learning about local lifestyles as you get to experience a slice of village life.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Compared to the other countries you visit on this trip, Costa Rica can sometimes seem expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
  • You cover heaps of ground on this trip, with several border crossings and long travel days. 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. Although this can be tiresome, it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
  • Central America is generally hot and humid year-round. 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. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning.
  • This trip 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.
  • There will be times when you have to walk with your luggage, and for this reason, we recommend packing light and using a backpack or something easy to carry.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 12 February 2024 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Amazing Central America including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi, Shared boat, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel (27 nights)

Activities
  • Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
  • Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
  • Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration
  • Leon - Leader led orientation walk
  • Masaya - Town & Market Visit
  • Granada - La Laguna de Apoyo Viewpoint
  • Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
  • Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guide
  • Monteverde - Hands-on breakfast in a local home
  • La Fortuna - Leader led orientation walk
  • San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
  • La Fortuna - Cooking Class
  • Sarapiqui – Jungle Walk
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Puerto Viejo - Hands-on dinner in local home
  • Ngäbe-Buglé Indigenous Community Visit
  • Boquete - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Chitre - Traditional mask workshop
  • Panama City - Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal)
  • Panama City - Leader-led walk in Casco Viejo
Optional activities
  • Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ236
  • Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ105
  • Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD53
  • Suchitoto - Town tour (it requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD32
  • Suchitoto - War historic walk at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD58
  • Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD53
  • Leon - Leon Art Center - USD2
  • Granada - Mombacho Volcano hike - USD32
  • Granada - Monkey Island boat tour - NIO455
  • Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
  • Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
  • Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
  • Monteverde - Frog pond - USD19
  • Monteverde - Orchid gardens - USD19
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
  • Monteverde - Children's Forest - USD20
  • La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
  • La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges - USD79
  • La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD21
  • La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike - USD97
  • La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD84
  • La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board - USD79
  • San Jose - San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD78
  • San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
  • San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
  • San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD40
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Surf lesson (1 hour) - USD60
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Cahuita National Park (entrance fee) - USD5
  • Bocas del Toro - Jungle Cacao Tour (guide and transport included) - USD42
  • Bocas del Toro - Full-day Tour including Bastimentos island, Jungle hike & Lunch with Ngobe Community (guide and transport included) - USD63
  • Bocas del Toro - Bio-luminescence Boat Tour (seasonal - guide and transport included) - USD37
  • Bocas del Toro - Colon Expedition including starfish beach & bird island - USD47
  • Boquete - Guided Bicycle Tour (guide and bike hire included) - USD58
  • Boquete - Guided Tour of Hidden Waterfalls (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD53
  • Boquete - Zipline (guide and transport included) - USD79
  • Boquete - Mini Canyons Tour (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD37
  • Boquete - Calderas Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport included, no guide) - USD37
  • Boquete - Coffee Plantation Tour (guide and transport included) - USD37

Dates and availability

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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. 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.

3.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.

4. 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

4.5 out of 5 based on 11 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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Christine · Traveled August 2024
Review submitted 03 Oct 2024

Belinda · Traveled April 2024
Review submitted 15 May 2024

Edith · Traveled March 2024
Review submitted 22 Apr 2024

Edith · Traveled March 2024
Review submitted 06 Apr 2024

Paul · Traveled February 2024
Review submitted 14 Mar 2024
Amazing Central America
From
NZD $4,419