Real Guatemala to Costa Rica

17 Days | A wildlife-rich paradise brimming with active volcanoes, beaches and jungles

5 out of 5 based on 25 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
GBP £904
View dates and book
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds

From the Guatemalan highlands to the cloud forests of Costa Rica (and all the surf spots in between), you’ll roll through four Central American countries for a taste of what this diverse region is plating up. Discover tropical forests alive with jungle melodies, vast freshwater lakes and active volcanoes – this wildlife-rich pocket of Central America is ready to be explored. Turn your eyes to a volcanic crater in Cerro Verde, spot colourful birds on the facades of Granada, stand in the shadow of the mighty Arenal Volcano and search for sloths among the canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest. This trip through Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica is perfect for those who like their adventures 'la forma natural'.

Trip overview

Map of Real Guatemala To Costa Rica including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua
Start
Antigua, Guatemala
Finish
San Jose, Costa Rica
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua
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 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
QBYJ
This trip generates 20 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.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Meaningful experiences

Connect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience


Why you'll love this trip
  • Take a cooking class in Los Ramos – an Indigenous community in the middle of Ometepe Island’s volcanos – and learn traditional techniques used to make Nicaraguan dishes like nacatamales.
  • Enjoy a full day at leisure in one of El Salvador’s most beautiful national parks – Cerro Verde. Get up close and personal to a volcanic crater or take the plunge in a pristine lake. The choice is yours!
  • Have breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas – a local café run entirely by deaf people. The café's owner is aiming to bridge the gap and inspire other business owners to employ local people living with disabilities.
  • Island life doesn’t get much better than Ometepe in Nicaragua – volcanoes, wildlife-rich rainforests, stunning beaches, ancient rock carvings and a massive lake are all at your disposal.
  • Get a taste of four different countries in Central America on an epic Latin adventure that takes in the sights and offers a whole heap of optional activities too! You’ll have loads of free time to choose your own hike, kayak, swimming or dancing adventure.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip involves some long travel days, and while travelling between some locations on local transport can be hard, it’s a great way to meet the locals. You’ll be crossing the borders between five countries, and while it is usually straightforward, you may need to be patient. Make sure you’ve got your best car game ready if there are any delays!
  • This itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
  • 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.
  • With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.
  • This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Epic Central America or Epic Mexico to Costa Rica.

Itinerary

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

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real Guatemala To Costa Rica including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua

Inclusions

Meals

1 breakfast, 2 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights), Camping (2 nights), Multishare Hostel (2 nights)

Activities
  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Cerro Verde - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Leon - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
  • Los Ramos Community - Cooking Class
  • Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk
  • La Fortuna - Leader-led orientation walk
  • San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
Add on activities
  • Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ236
  • Cerro Verde- Coatepeque Lake – (transportation, entrance fee, hotsprings, guide) - USD50
  • Cerro Verde- Santa Ana Volcano Crater – (Entrance fee, guide, lunch) - USD30
  • Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD53
  • Granada - Laguna Apoyo kayaking tour - USD30
  • Granada - Kayak rental (per day) - NIO913
  • Granada - Masaya Volcano at night (Viewpoint for the Lava Lake at Santiago Crater) - NIO1600
  • Ometepe - Ojo de Agua natural spring (entrance fee) - USD25
  • Ometepe - Petroglyphs - USD25
  • San Juan del Sur - La Flor Beach Reserve - USD6
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance - USD26
  • Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
  • Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
  • Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
  • La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
  • 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 - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12

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 excludes Days 10 & 11 (San Juan del Sur) where you will be in shared accommodation 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. Please be careful 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.
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. This tour includes accommodation in multi-share rooms (triple and quad). This means travelers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to single gender allocation.

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 25 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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Michael · Traveled August 2024
Our guide Sergio created an unforgettable experience for me and my group. It felt like he was one of us and not just a guide. He was very prompt in making changes at short notice and did everything in his power to make our experience the best it could possibly be. Absolute top bloke!
Review submitted 13 Sep 2024

Tahlia · Traveled August 2024
Amazing trip. 10/10. Would recommend to anyone looking to do a trip in this part of the world. The perfect combination of adventure and adrenaline as well as relaxing and enjoying more of a slow pace
Review submitted 13 Sep 2024

Meghan · Traveled August 2024
The most magical wonderful experience
Review submitted 13 Sep 2024

Lucy · Traveled August 2024
Would definitely recommend this trip. Seamless travel with great optional extras and amazing guides !
Review submitted 13 Sep 2024

Aoife · Traveled August 2024
This trip was the most amazing trip helped by the amazing Sergio who guided us throughout this experience. I would fully reccomend this trip as well as sergio to anyone thinking about going to central america. It was truly Magical
Review submitted 13 Sep 2024
Real Guatemala to Costa Rica
From
GBP £904