Central American Highlights

16 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Traverse Central America on this fast-paced adventure through five diverse countries. Search for wildlife in Costa Rica, learn about the history of the Maya in Copan, Honduras, and get an insight into local Guatemalan life at Lake Atitlan. From fascinating history to incredible volcanic landscapes and abundant wildlife, our itinerary ticks off the region's hi...
$4,502
From$3,790
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Take in the highlights of five fascinating Central American countries in just two weeks
    • Discover rich wildlife, rainforests and volcanoes
    • Explore colourful colonial towns and sacred Mayan sites

What's this trip about?

    Traverse Central America on this fast-paced adventure through five diverse countries. Search for wildlife in Costa Rica, learn about the history of the Maya in Copan, Honduras, and get an insight into local Guatemalan life at Lake Atitlan. From fascinating history to incredible volcanic landscapes and abundant wildlife, our itinerary ticks off the region's highlights and more. Lake Atitlan - Explore the Maya Indigenous market at Chichicastenango and visit the villages surrounding the lake, where modern Maya culture continues to flourish Land of the Maya - Explore Copan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Central America's richest archaeological treasures Monteverde - Explore the renowned Cloud Forest Reserve on a guided walk, trying to spot elusive Costa Rican wildlife like sloths, quetzals, and howler monkeys

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CitySan Jose
End CityAntigua

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Acropolis
  • Antigua
  • Braulio Carillo National Park
  • Central America
  • Chichicastenango
  • Copan
  • Granada
  • Lake Atitlan
  • Lake Nicaragua
  • Managua
  • Monteverde
  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  • Pacific Coast
  • Palma
  • Panajachel
  • Salvador
  • San Antonio
  • San Francisco
  • San Juan
  • Santiago
  • Santiago Atitlan

Activities

  • Hiking

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 20

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour Antigua (Guatemala)

Join trip in Antigua Guatemala, the graceful colonial city that sits just next door to the country's capital Guatemala City. Set in a beautiful valley between the volcanoes of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, its cobbled streets and pastel-coloured buildings make it one of...

Day 2 Walking tour of Antigua, free afternoon to explore

This morning's walking tour takes us to some of the spectacular colonial churches for which the city is famed, including those of San Francisco, Santa Clara, La Merced and Las Capuchinas. Some of the churches have museums and ruins attached which you can choose to ent...

Day 3 Travel to Panajachel; boat trip on Atitlan Lake

This morning, we continue our journey to the town of Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan, which will be our base for the night. An old volcanic caldera, Lake Atitlan is considered to be one of the most spectacular lakes in the Americas and is certainly the deepes...

Day 4 Chichicastenango Market then drive to Guatemala City

After an early start, we will head north towards the highlands of the El Quiche Province and the bustling town of Chichicastenango. Steeped in Maya culture, the town is famed for its market, where you can buy everything, from chickens and copal, to pigs and pottery. T...

Day 5 Visit the UNESCO Site of Copan, free afternoon (Honduras)

Today we need to depart at around 4.30am to beat the traffic in Guatemala city and get on the road to Copan. The journey takes approximately 6 hours including the border crossing into Honduras. We will cross Honduras at the border known as Frontera El Florido. Plea...

Day 6 Journey to Suchitoto (El Salvador)

This morning we have 2 border crossings, passing back into Guatemala before crossing into El Salvador. Driving through scenic countryside, we arrive at the pretty town of Las Palmas, with its charming walls covered with drawings by the town's children. We make a l...

Day 7 Free morning in Suchitoto; travel to La Union in afternoon

The morning has been left free for you to spend as you wish. You may take a boat trip out onto the lake, where over 200 bird species have been recorded, including hawks and falcons. This afternoon, our destination is the port town of La Union, around a 3.5 hour dri...

Day 8 Journey to Nicaragua via the Gulf of Fonseca

We start our day by driving to the port, before hopping on the ferry across the Gulf of Fonseca. On the journey, you can see the islands of three countries: El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. We expect the ferry to take around 2 hours. Our destination is the port t...

Day 9 Free Day; optional hike to Cerro Negro Volcano

After yesterday's long travel day, today has been left free to explore this colonial gem at your own pace. Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy one of the optional excursions available in the area. One option is a hike on the nearby Cerro Negro Volcano - one of the ...

Day 10 Travel to Granada; city tour and free afternoon

This morning we head off on a three-hour drive to the colonial city of Granada. Atmospheric Granada is situated at the foot of Mombacho Volcano on the north-west shore of Lake Nicaragua. It was the first colonial city in Nicaragua, founded in 1524 by the conquistador ...

Day 11 Morning hiking the Mombacho crater; afternoon free to explore

This morning, we have the chance to hike the scenic loop around Mombacho Volcano, located in Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. This 1.15km (1 mile) medium difficulty trail offers breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Nicaragua and the city of Granada. Along the way, a ...

Day 12 Cross the border to Costa Rica. Beach time at Bahia Salinas

This morning we wave goodbye to Nicaragua and head to our final country on this journey - Costa Rica! We have a two-hour drive to the border where we will be changing vehicles once through into Costa Rica. We then have a one-hour drive to the coastal haven of Bahia Sa...

Day 13 Travel to Monteverde. Night walk in search of wildlife

This morning, we drive three and a half hours to Monteverde - one of the most well-known places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. This evening, we will have the adventure of a night walk, in search of nocturnal species such as pacas and tarantulas.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 14 Guided reserve walk; afternoon for optional activities

Rising early, we head into Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a guided walk, searching for a glimpse of the three-wattled bellbird or the Quetzal, whose feathers were traded as valuable items throughout pre-Columbian America. You have the afternoon free to explore th...

Day 15 Morning free. In the afternoon head to the capital, San Jose

This morning has been left free to enjoy the optional excursions in the area. We then make the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the capital of San Jose. On arrival we will have a short panoramic tour of San Jose including a walk along Avenida Central and, if open a stop in Mercado Central.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 16 Tour ends San Jose

The trip ends this morning at our hotel in San Jose. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport tra...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,790
Price per day$237
Last Updated: 3/28/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
10 Oct 2025
25 Oct 2025
$3,790
$880
8 spots left
31 Oct 2025
15 Nov 2025
$3,790
$880
15 spots left
14 Nov 2025
29 Nov 2025
$4,060
$860
6 spots left
28 Nov 2025
13 Dec 2025
$4,060
$860
16 spots left
19 Dec 2025
03 Jan 2026
$4,330
$1,030
14 spots left
02 Jan 2026
17 Jan 2026
$4,290
$920
16 spots left
06 Feb 2026
21 Feb 2026
$4,290
$920
16 spots left
20 Feb 2026
07 Mar 2026
$4,290
$920
14 spots left
06 Mar 2026
21 Mar 2026
$4,290
$920
16 spots left
20 Mar 2026
04 Apr 2026
$4,290
$920
16 spots left

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,427
Great
3,358
Average
527
Disappointing
158
Terrible
80
T

Trusted Customer

Mar 2025

Written on

Central American Highlights

Great trip. Full on pace, would have to skip activities to slow down! A cultural and nature trip. Guatemala was my favourite country; the Mayan history and culture. ...

T

Trusted Customer

Jan 2025

Written on

Central American Highlights

Poor accommodation experience at Hotel Austria in Leon. Apart from that the accommodation was good.

J

Jeff

Dec 2024

Written on

Central American Highlights

2 national parks closed. 1 for a year and 1 because of floods that had been there a month, but nothing else seemed to be put in place. Poor start to trip but it did...

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Mar 2025

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A fabulous trip. I haven’t been with Explore for about 20 years, but it was as wonderful an experience as ever. A good combo of activities, walking, and interacting ...

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Marion

Mar 2025

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South Africa and Eswatini

A great and affordable trip with excellent opportunities for spotting a range of animals and birds. Some quite long drives but with a good range of visits - glass m...

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Nicholas

Mar 2025

Written on

Fantastic so easy to book

Really helpful colleagues who articulated what they would do regarding flights.

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Tour Operator

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
El Salvador: Citizens of the UK and most EU citizens do not require a visa. Nationals of Canada, Greece, Portugal and USA must buy a tourist card (current cost 10USD)on arrival, this is valid for 30 day from entry. Costa Rica: Citizens from the UK, US, Canada and most EU countries do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Citizen of Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days. Nicaragua: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. There is an entry charge of 10USD Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Guatemala: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All travellers entering or exiting Guatemala by air must complete the online immigration declaration form. You can find the form at: https://igm.gob.gt/ Print the confirmation email you receive once you have submitted the form and carry it with you. Alternatively take a screenshot of the email QR code. Honduras: Visas are not required for citizens of New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Canada. British nationals need a visa to enter Honduras. Visas must be obtained in person from the Honduran Embassy in London. For details on how to apply, please visit the Honduran Embassy website (https://hondurasembassyuk.com/). Due to the difficulties of the website we would recommend contacting the embassy to make an appointment via email at hondurasembassyuk@gmail.com (please note the website may advise other incorrect email addresses). We recommend applying at least 6 weeks prior to travel, however processing timelines have not yet been specified by the Honduran government. Visa Fees: Simple Visa: $30.00 USD Multiple Entry Visa: $60.00 USD On the visa application you will be asked for your entry point into the CA-4 group of countries, this is your entry, according to your itinerary, into El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua. If you are not in London, contact the nearest Honduran Embassy for the visa application process, or reach out to the National Institute of Migration (http://inm.gob.hn/) for more information. Passport Requirements: Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Honduras. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 15
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-CAQ

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