Central America Explorer

47 days57 reviews
Explorer
From
NZD $10,410

Travel to the land of toucans, tacos and tamales

Dive into Central America on this 47-day adventure, bookended by two chaotic capitals and filled with fun, adventure and culture. Journey through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica on an adventure through the tantalising highlights of the region. Get acquainted with Central American cultures, spectacular landscapes and fascinating histories as you explore the wealth of ancient ruins, spot the range of unusual wildlife and relax on idyllic Caribbean shores. This is one of our longest adventures through Central America – a trip that zig-zags from the top of the Yucatan peninsula to the highlands of Costa Rica.

Map of Central America Explorer including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua
Trip code: QVRZC
Start
Mexico City, Mexico
End
San Jose, Costa Rica
Destinations
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador
Meals
18 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi, Shared boat, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (43 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)
Days
47
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Explorer
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
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
This trip generates 23 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

This is one of our most extensive trips in Central America, hitting more than 20 destinations and introducing you to the cities, villages and myriad cultures of seven countries.

Your local craft fair just won’t feel the same after you’ve experienced Chichicastenango, a colourful Guatemalan market that draws thousands of vendors from the surrounding mountain villages.

Chichen Itza is one the New Seven Wonders of the World – find out why. Strolling around the ancient Maya ruins feels pretty wondrous.

A few days on Caye Caulker provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy Belizean island vibes, beachside beers and optional snorkelling, the perfect (almost) halfway point for this epic adventure.

Discover the jungle Costa Rica is famous for during a stay in Monteverde, a misty rainforest area home to sloths, hummingbirds, white-faced monkeys and tapirs among hundreds more animal species.

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

View the itinerary for departures between 13 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Central America Explorer including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua

Inclusions and activities

Meals

18 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

Hotel (43 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Homestay (1 night)

Included activities
  • Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
  • Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Mexico City - Gastromotiva (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit (weekdays only)
  • Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Puebla - Visit to La Pasita Bar
  • Tlahuac - Community Visit
  • Oaxaca - Leader-led walking tour
  • Oaxaca - Tule Tree, Teotitlan weaving town, mescal distillery
  • San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit
  • Palenque - Archaeological site (Guide, Transport & Entrance fee)
  • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Campeche - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site with local guide
  • Piste - Traditional Maya Family Lunch
  • Playa del Carmen - Cenote Azul visit
  • Bacalar - Beach club entry
  • Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Caye Caulker - Cooking Class
  • San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Rio Dulce - Guided jungle nature walk
  • Chichicastenango - Market Visit
  • Chichicastenango - Shaman Visit
  • Panajachel - Leader-led orientation walk
  • San Juan La Laguna - Traditional Maya Homestay
  • Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Santa Apolonia - Traditional Pottery Demonstration
  • 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

Optional activities
  • Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN84
  • Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN95
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN263
  • Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral (entrance fee) - Free
  • Mexico City - Torre Latino 360° Lookout (entrance fee) - MXN179
  • Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee) - MXN37
  • Mexico City - Teotihuacan Pyramids Urban Adventure - USD79
  • Puebla - Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel (entrance fee) - MXN21
  • Puebla - San Pedro Art Museum (entrance fee) - MXN47
  • Puebla - Cholula archaeological site - MXN400
  • Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN95
  • Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN89
  • Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1500
  • San Cristobal de Las Casas - Amber Museum (entrance fee) - MXN32
  • Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport) - MXN593
  • Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1470
  • Merida - Las Coloradas Flamingo Tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1365
  • Merida - Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum (entrance fee) - Free
  • Playa del Carmen - Bicycle Rental (per day) - MXN273
  • Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN525
  • Playa del Carmen - Half-day tour of Tulum Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN900
  • Bacalar - Lagoon of 7 Colours Boat Tour - MXN630
  • Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD44
  • Caye Caulker - Manatee boat tour (Incl. transport & guide) - BZD254
  • Caye Caulker - Full day Catamaran snorkeling tour in Hol Chan Marine Reserve-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
  • Caye Caulker - Full day speed boat-(gear, guide and transport included) - BZD242
  • Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing - BZD126
  • Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD8
  • San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - BZD263
  • San Ignacio - Butterfly Farm (incl. transport) - BZD158
  • San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - BZD200
  • San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD24
  • San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD11
  • Rio Dulce - Natural Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport) - GTQ210
  • Rio Dulce - Quirigua Ruins (entrance fee) - GTQ95
  • Rio Dulce - San Felipe Fort (entrance fee) - GTQ89
  • Rio Dulce - Boat trip to Livingston (Price dependent on boat available & passengers) - GTQ263
  • San Juan La Laguna - Water taxi to Santiago (Return) - GTQ63
  • Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ105
  • Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ236
  • Antigua - Half Day local towns, coffee and craft beer tour - USD95
  • Antigua - Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch - USD115
  • Antigua - Acatenango Volcano Overnight Adventure - USD170
  • Antigua - City Tour with lunch - USD70
  • 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 - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD40

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip has some long travel days using public transport in some destinations. It’s better for the environment and you’ll get an authentic look at daily life, just be aware you may find yourself sharing a busy bus ride with local commuters.
  • You’ll be crossing the borders between seven countries on this trip and while the process is usually straightforward, you may need to be patient. Make sure you’ve got your best car game ready in case of any delays!
  • 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.
  • The homestay in San Juan La Laguna is a wonderful opportunity to experience everyday life. Facilities are basic and multi-share but comfortable, with a shared bathroom. A hearty homecooked dinner will be served during your stay, which can be a lot more basic than what you're used to.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Mexico City. 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 excludes Day 28 (San Juan La Laguna homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. Please be careful when booking flights from San Jose; make sure you fly out of Juan Santamaría 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.

4.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.

5. 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

5 out of 5 based on 7 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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Alison · Traveled February 2024
Review submitted 19 Apr 2024

Laura · Traveled November 2023
Review submitted 30 Jan 2024

Sandra · Traveled August 2023
Review submitted 07 Oct 2023

Anne · Traveled April 2023
Review submitted 06 Jun 2023

Marvin · Traveled March 2023
Review submitted 05 May 2023
Central America Explorer
From
NZD $10,410