Epic Mexico to Costa Rica
Overview
Highlights
- Enjoy traditional Guatemalan hospitality with a homecooked lunch in a local home in San Juan La Laguna, after visiting a local midwife, walking through medicinal gardens and experiencing a weaving and dying workshop.
- Head to Tikal National Park within the dense Maya forest to explore ancient Maya ruins at the archaeological site – you might like to opt to swing through the canopy on the optional zipline experience!
- Hike, cycle or zip-line through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde in Costa Rica and commune with nature in one of the world’s most incredible landscapes.
- Island life doesn’t get much better than Ometepe in Nicaragua and Caye Caulker in Belize – volcanoes, wildlife-rich rainforests, stunning beaches, ancient rock carvings, laidback vibes, palm tree forests and a massive lake are all at your disposal.
- Get a taste of six 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, snorkel, kayak, swimming or dancing adventure.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk
- Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
- San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological Site Tour (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Chichicastenango - Market Visit
- San Juan La Laguna - Weaving & Dyeing experience
- San Juan La Laguna - Midwife home visit
- San Juan La Laguna - Medicinal Garden
- Antigua - Leader-led orientation walk
- 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
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. You’ll kick things off in Playa del Carmen – it’s recommended that you book a couple of extra days here to chill on the coast and explore at your own pace before the trip starts. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at y...
Today, you’ll hop on a local bus and travel along the Caribbean coast to Tulum, where it's all about that laidback life on the white sands of the Yucatan Peninsula. Head out on a leader-led orientation walk around Tulum and maybe visit one of the best-looking Maya sit...
With a free day to relax in Tulum, you can settle into the laidback Mexican vibe. Maybe rent a bike and cruise around the area on two wheels. The town is heaving with hip cafes and restaurants with many vegetarian and vegan options. There are also plenty of places to ...
Say adios to Mexico and hello to Belize. You’ll have a long travel day today, so make sure you grab a window seat if you can or get stuck into a good book. This is also the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers a bit better! Drive by local bus to t...
Your time in Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy. It’s said that the pace of life is so slow here that it's almost backwards! If being underwater is your thing, maybe head out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the world's second-longest barrier reef. Snorkel among the ...
Today is another free day to take up any other optional activities you like, or to simply pull up a towel and relax on the beach with a book, a cocktail or some friends. If you’ve already been snorkelling, maybe continue the marine exploration with a manatee tour. Get...
Leave island paradise behind today and return to Belize City by boat, before taking a local bus to San Ignacio via Belize’s capital, Belmopan. The local buses here are a little more basic than in Mexico, but this is a great opportunity to mix with Belizeans and get a ...
There is heaps to do in San Ignacio, so your free day has endless possibilities. The cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal is a living museum of Maya relics and you can wade through its waters until you reach a bunch of spooky 1400-year-old crystallised skeletons. You could t...
Today you’ll leave San Ignacio, cross the border and get dropped off at Tikal National Park – often referred to as the Maya forest. Check-in at your hotel before exploring the Maya ruins of Tikal. Pass through the lush jungle vegetation, and if you've got the energy, ...
Head from the jungle to the lakeside town of Flores this morning. Here, there's time to grab some lunch and quickly explore the town. Then it's back to the private vehicle to Rio Dulce. When you arrive, you’ll transfer to the hotel by boat. The easiest way to get back...
There is a load of kick-ass activities to choose from in Rio Dulce today. Take a scenic boat trip down the river to Livingston – a laidback town on the Caribbean coast that offers the unique experience of local Garifuna culture. Go boating on the lake, relax in the th...
This morning you’ll travel to Antigua, where you’ll spend the night before heading to Lake Atitlan. When you arrive, maybe stroll around the city and tuck into some tasty tamales (a local dish served in a corn leaf) or pepian (a spicy meat stew of chicken, beef and pork in a dark sauce). You'll find the best value food in the square next to the La Merced Church.
Travel by private vehicle to the famous market in Chichicastenango (nicknamed Chichi market). This is the most colourful market in the country, where on Thursdays and Sundays, locals come from the surrounding villages to sell their wares and the streets are lined with...
This morning, make a trip to San Juan La Laguna to immerse yourself in Mayan village life. Visit a local midwife to learn about this traditional and sacred art. Then visit the village's medicinal garden before a hands-on workshop where you'll learn about Mayan textile...
After breakfast, hit the road back to Antigua – three nearby volcanoes dominate the horizon, creating a truly unique landscape. Join your leader on a walk to orientate yourself around the World Heritage-listed city full of cobblestones, leafy town squares and ornate c...
You have a free day in Antigua today, so why not explore the vibrant buildings and curved archways further, or hike around the puffing volcanoes of Pacaya, Agua and Jumaytepeque. The number one stop for any chocoholic should be the ChocoMuseo, where you’ll get a histo...
Today will be an early start as you journey across the Guatemalan border to your next destination, Cerro Verde, El Salvador. From rolling hills to rolling R’s, watch the world go by from the comfort of your private vehicle as you travel through lush volcanic landscape...
Today is all about fuelling up with local favourites and getting outdoors! Maybe visit Santa Ana’s volcanic crater for spectacular views of Lake Coatepeque, Juayua and Izalco Volcano. Or, instead of admiring the view from the crater, why not take a dip in Lake Coatepe...
This morning you’ll continue south by private vehicle, passing through the capital of San Salvador on your way to San Miguel. Resting in the shadows of Chaparrastique, an active volcano sets the backdrop to this vibrant town. San Miguel has rebuilt itself into one of ...
Say a quick hola and adios to Honduras as you cross through two borders to reach ‘the land of lakes and volcanoes’ – Nicaragua (or Nica as it’s known locally). The drive will be well worth the ride as you’re welcomed into the artsy and sophisticated city of Leon. Why ...
You’ll join your leader on an orientation walk around Leon this morning. Then, take some time to explore on your own, maybe checking out the Basílica de la Asuncion – Central America’s largest cathedral. Or stop by the Museo Historico de la Revolucion for an insight i...
This morning you’ll have breakfast with your group 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. Then, you’re free to ...
This morning, travel by local bus to Rivas, where you'll transfer to San Jorge ferry port by taxi. Catch a 1-hour ferry across Lake Nicaragua (the largest in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world) to the island of Ometepe and head to your ...
Take advantage of a free day in this bucket list location to discover the island at your own pace. Maybe hike to the summit of Maderas volcano – but be warned, at 1394 m above sea level, this trek is no walk in the park. You might prefer to splash around in the natura...
Today you’ll journey by ferry and public bus to San Juan del Sur – a laidback surf town on Nicaragua’s southwest coast. Though the beach that lines the town’s horseshoe bay isn’t particularly great for swimming, you don’t need to travel far to find beautiful golden beaches with year-round waves. You’ll have some free time today to acquaint yourself with this fun town.
Enjoy a free day exploring San Juan del Sur’s colourful coastal scenery. San Juan del Sur has plenty to offer if you're feeling active. You might like to rent a surfboard and spend the day riding the waves at nearby beaches like Playa Maderas or Playa Marsella, or hea...
Say adios to Nicaragua and continue your journey south to Costa Rica this morning. Take a bus to the border and then travel by private vehicle to Monteverde. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers – these envir...
Today you have a free day to discover the reserve. Monteverde is not for the faint-hearted, so bring your sense of adventure, and a solid pair of shoes and have a little fun with the giddy heights. Maybe hike through the cloud forest, check out the area by mountain bi...
Continue your journey through Costa Rica and take the scenic route to La Fortuna. Travel by shared minibus to Lake Arenal, then cross by boat. On a clear day, you'll see fantastic views of the surrounding area. On the other side of the lake, re-board the minibus and c...
There are plenty of optional activities to participate in today. Maybe take a guided nature hike through the lush forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, keeping an eye out for rare plants and animals or opt to see the forest from a series of hanging bridges. Check out the...
This morning you’ll take a local bus to Costa Rica's capital – San Jose. Situated in the fertile Central Valley and home to over half the country's population, San Jose has lively markets, intriguing museums and a dynamic atmosphere. A good place to start your explora...
Today your Central American adventure comes to an end, and there are no activities planned. As there's a lot to see and do in and around San Jose, it’s recommended you stay here for a few days to make the most of the city. If you'd like to extend your visit, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
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.
Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Intrepid Travel Reviews
Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this…
Completed 3 trips with Intrepid this year. A prior last year. The Leaders are well organized, informative and fun. Travelling inland in Greece and the Greek Island...
The intrepid group were excellent to…
The intrepid group were excellent to work with and were very helpful at all times and made organising the trip a breeze. This was an excellent trip, and was enjoyed ...
Awful waste of time and money.
I’m aware that Intrepid responds to reviews, so here’s my updated take. I paid approximately $1,800 USD for a 9-day trip to Costa Rica. However, between the arrival...
Tour Operator
The Intrepid Travel Experience
If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.
Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.
Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
Why Intrepid?
- Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
- Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
- Local leaders - authentic perspectives
- Local transport - get close and personal
- Local accommodation - experience real living
- Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions
History
Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.
Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.
Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.
Values
On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:
- Integrity – Doing the right thing
- Responsible – Think global, act local
- Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
- Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
- Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
- Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
Finish point
- Casa Las Orquideas
- Avenida Central Calles 35 y 37
- Los Yoses
- San Jose
- COSTA RICA
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations