Heart of Central America

15 Days | Journey into the very heart of Central America

4 out of 5 based on 1 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
ZAR  47,255
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Take a wild ride through the heart of Central America – a place of diverse culture, Maya civilisations and modern religions. Take a 15-day trip starting on Lake Nicaragua, surrounded by active volcanoes. Visit Mombacho Volcano, travelling through cloud forest to the top at the crater lake, then explore the city of Leon at your own pace. Meet a former guerilla in the Cinquera community, during a tour of the small town, then enjoy a spot of bird watching in El Salvador. Learn to make some local favourites in a cooking class and explore the Copan ruins – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hit the markets of the Guatemalan Highlands and ride on a traditional chicken bus – the source of pride for many locals in Quetzaltenango. Learn about the history and pull of the deity San Simon and find all the hidden gems in Antigua before enjoying a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan.

Trip overview

Map of Heart Of Central America including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
Start
Granada, Nicaragua
Finish
Antigua, Guatemala
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Guatemala, El Salvador, 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
QBSKC
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Take a guided tour of the Copan ruins and archaeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation.  
  • Visit an Indigenous artists’ village in Nicaragua to meet with a local artist who makes traditional masks – an important part of the history of the country's revolution. 
  • Drive up through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve and head on a hike to one of the crater lakes with an expert local guide.
  • Visit Chichicastenango market – known as Chichi for short – and pick up your very own huipils (a traditional Mayan garment worn by women and girls) or some handmade jade jewellery. 
  • Take a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan, with 95% of the population of Mayan descent, and meet the shamanic keepers of Maximon and share a bottle of local spirits with them as they tell you stories of local life.

Is this trip right for you?
  • As this trip covers destinations across four countries, you’ll make several border crossings. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient while local authorities process papers. 
  • This trip involves some long travel days as you traverse four countries in a short amount of time.
  • Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. 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 air conditioning. 

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

Itinerary

Map of Heart Of Central America including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Local bus, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Activities
  • Monimbó - Indigenous artists village visit
  • Granada - Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve
  • Leon - Leader Led Walking Tour
  • San Salvador - El Rosario church
  • San Salvador -Leader-led walking tour
  • Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
  • Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
  • Antigua - Leader-led Orientation Walk
  • San Andres Itzapa - San Simon shamanic ceremonies
  • Western Highlands - Almolonga vegetable market
  • Quetzaltenango - Chicken Bus Experience
  • Chichicastenango market visit
  • Santiago Atitlan - Shamanic Keepers of the Shrine of Maximon
  • Lake Atitlan - Boat to Santiago Atitlan
Optional activities
  • Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD53
  • Leon - Juan Venado Island Kayaking - USD90
  • Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration - USD35
  • Copan - Macaw Mountain Bird Park (entrance fee) - HNL230
  • Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD53
  • Quetzaltenango - Chocolate Museum - USD5
  • Quetzaltenango - Mayan Cooking Class - USD55
  • Xela - Las Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings - USD25

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Granada. 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 Granada; make sure you fly to Managua - Augusto C. Sandino International Airport [MGA]. Managua’s Airport is the closest airport to Granada. Please do not book flights to Granada Airport [GRX] as this is in Spain.

4. Please be careful when booking flights from Antigua; make sure you fly from Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do not book flights from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.

5. 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.

6. 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 out of 5 based on 1 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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Heather · Traveled February 2024
Review submitted 16 Mar 2024
Heart of Central America
From
ZAR  47,255