Best of Central America

44 days
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Small Group Tour
Explore incredible worlds above and below the water through some of Central America's best. Amble down the Yucatan Peninsula to the island paradise of Caye Caulker, then cutting inland, hit the lush jungle around Tikal, cruise to the wide river Rio Dulce and end up among the clouds in Panajachel and Antigua. Continue to the relaxing beach vibes on the dark sa...
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$7,364
From$5,260
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Whether its slumbering on the sands of Playa del Carmen, gazing at the pyramids of Tikal or haggling in the vibrant markets of Chichicastenango, you'll experience multiple sides of Central America.
    • Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Juan La Laguna, a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family.
    • Hike, cycle or zip-line through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde – there’s so many ways to experience the lush canopies and unique Central American wildlife.
    • Cruise up the Rio Dulce to your waterfront jungle lodge, then maybe grab a beer and relax while the sounds of nature fill the air.
    • Put your chef hat on and help prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

What's this trip about?

    Explore incredible worlds above and below the water through some of Central America's best. Amble down the Yucatan Peninsula to the island paradise of Caye Caulker, then cutting inland, hit the lush jungle around Tikal, cruise to the wide river Rio Dulce and end up among the clouds in Panajachel and Antigua. Continue to the relaxing beach vibes on the dark sands of the Pacific Coast of El Salvador, spot colourful birds perched on the colonial facades of Suchitoto, stand in the shadow of mighty Arenal Volcano and spot sloths among the canopy of Monteverde, then admire the colonial towns, steamy jungles of Costa Rice and Panama, stopping off at the stunning islands of Bocas del Toro. With your local leader to steer you in the direction of the best bars and surf breaks plus a small group of adventurers to enjoy them with, you can’t go wrong on this carefree Central American journey.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPlaya del Carmen
End CityPanama City

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • North America
  • New Mexico
  • Central America
  • Belize
  • Costa Rica
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • El Salvador

Attractions

  • Antigua
  • Arenal Volcano
  • Boquete
  • Caribbean
  • Caye Caulker
  • Central America
  • Colon
  • Copan
  • Granada
  • La Fortuna
  • Lake Atitlan
  • Lake Nicaragua
  • Leon
  • Monteverde
  • Ometepe
  • Pacific Coast
  • Panajachel
  • Panama City
  • Salvador
  • San Ignacio
  • Tikal
  • Tikal National Park

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Caye Caulker - Leader-led orientation walk
    • San Ignacio - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Tikal National Park - Tikal archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
    • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
    • 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 Ruins - Visit (entrance fee, no guide)
    • Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
    • Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
    • Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration
    • Leon - Leader led orientation walk
    • Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
    • Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk
    • La Fortuna - Leader led orientation walk
    • San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Sarapiqui – Jungle Walk
    • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Puerto Viejo - Hands-on dinner in local home
    • Boquete - Leader-led orientation walk
    • Leader - led Informal Spanish Lesson
    • Panama City - Leader-led walk in Casco Viejo
    • Panama City - Leader-led walk along part of the Cinta Costera (Causeway) including a visit to the Fish Market

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Playa del Carmen

Hola! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early and are lucky enough to have extra time in this beachside playground, maybe try your hand (and feet and lungs) at snorkelling in the freshwater rock ...

Day 2 Playa del Carmen

Wake up without an alarm – today is yours to explore this beachside paradise at your leisure. Known for its coral-clad reefs, Playa Del Carmen might be the perfect spot to don your snorkel mask and flippers and explore beneath the surface. Keep your eyes peeled for ra...

Day 3 Chetumal

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in Playa del Carmen. Maybe take an early morning stroll to the beach and dip your toes in the sand or simply let the world pass you by with a coffee at a local cafe. Head to your next stop in Chetumal mid-morning and arrive af...

Day 4 Caye Caulker

Bid adios to Mexico early this morning as you head south to Belize. After border formalities, arrive in Belize City then hop in a water taxi to the island of Caye Caulker. When you arrive, get acquainted with the island on a guided walk with your leader. Belize is the...

Day 5 Caye Caulker

Good morning and welcome to heaven! Today is free for you to explore the island that surrounds you, or just to simply relax. If you feel like snorkelling, ask your leader about organising a trip to the colourful coral reef nearby, or maybe head further afield to Hol C...

Day 6 Caye Caulker

What’s better than one day in paradise? Two, of course! Wake up whenever you like, because you’ve got another free day. Like any good seaside paradise, Caye Caulker is home to super fresh seafood, which you can dig into with your feet planted in the sand at one of the...

Day 7 San Ignacio

From the islands to the highlands, you’ll bid farewell to Caye Caulker today and catch a ferry to Belize City, then a bus to San Ignacio. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a walking tour of San Ignacio and its twin sister Santa Elena, giving you a sense of...

Day 8 San Ignacio

Today is free for you to discover San Ignacio at your own pace. This beautiful town is surrounded by fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls and Maya ruins, making it the ideal base. If you’re a bit of a history buff, maybe take a day trip to Xunantunich – an impressive Maya ...

Day 9 Tikal National Park

Rise and shine for an 8 am taxi ride to the Belize-Guatemala border. Once you've crossed over, board a bus to Tikal National Park. Here, there will be time to buy lunch before visiting the impressive archaeological site. Towering above the jungle, the five granite tem...

Day 10 Rio Dulce

This morning you’ll depart for Flores, where your leader will take you on an orientation walk on the island. Then, continue by private minivan to Rio Dulce before transferring to your hotel by boat. The easiest way to get back into town is also on the water – a journe...

Day 11 Rio Dulce

With plenty of free time today, consider taking advantage of some optional activities. Maybe take a scenic boat trip down the river to the coastal enclave of Livingston for a taste of Creole-Caribbean culture. This laidback town on the Caribbean coast feels very diffe...

Day 12 Antigua

Leave the 'Sweet River' behind and travel by private minibus to the city of Antigua. The road between Rio Dulce and Guatemala City is one of the busiest in the country. Traffic is slow, there are frequent road works and many, many slow trucks – be armed with patience,...

Day 13 Panajachel

Today, travel on the winding roads to Chichicastenango – home to perhaps the most colourful market in the country! Nicknamed Chichi market, locals come from surrounding villages on Thursdays and Sundays to sell their wares and the streets are lined with stalls offerin...

Day 14 San Juan La Laguna

This morning after breakfast, take a boat to San Juan La Laguna – a small Maya village overlooking Lake Atitlan and the first community to ban single-use plastic. Here, you’ll witness a textile weaving demonstration, seeing how they use local materials and traditional...

Day 15 Antigua

Hit the road again this morning and make the journey back to Antigua – in 1773, the city was destroyed by an earthquake, but many of the colonial buildings have been carefully restored, and the architecture from its glory days can still be seen. On the way, stop at Sa...

Day 16 Antigua

Enjoy a free day exploring photogenic Antigua today. Maybe check out the ChocoMuseo, two blocks away from central park. Learn all about chocolate, which was first documented by the Guatemalan Maya, as well as its historical importance. Or maybe grab a coffee from one of the myriad shops in central park, sit back, relax and enjoy Antigua's chilled-out vibes.

Day 17 Antigua

Enjoy a free day to explore the city, with nothing scheduled until a meeting to welcome any new travellers joining you on your adventure. Maybe grab some roasted beans from a street vendor and munch them while you stroll around. If you’ve got a historical bent, perhaps check out the 18th-century ruins of the Monastery of Santa Clara.

Day 18 Copan

Rise and shine early this morning to beat the rush-hour traffic around Antigua. Departing at around 7 am, you’ll drive towards Copan. Along the way, watch the passing scenery and learn about local life in Guatemala as you head towards the border. Cross into Honduras, ...

Day 19 Copan

This morning, join your leader and explore the World Heritage-listed ruins of Copan – the southernmost of the great Maya sites. It's unique because of the numerous elaborate stelae (carved columns) still intact among temples, excavated vaults and walls inscribed with ...

Day 20 Suchitoto

You’ll wave goodbye to Copan this morning and head across the border to El Salvador. It’s a long travel day, so make sure you’ve got a good book or your favourite road trip games handy. When you arrive in Suchitoto, you’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk of ...

Day 21 Suchitoto

Today is a free day in Suchitoto. The town overlooks the Embalse Cerron Grande – also known as Lago Suchitlan, this freshwater lake is a haven for migrating birds, particularly falcons and hawks. Maybe grab a historically minded quartet for a guided walk through Cinqu...

Day 22 Pacific Coast, El Salvador

This morning, head to a local designer’s home for an indigo-dying demonstration – Suchitoto is one of the best places in the world to produce indigo (used to dye clothing or other items blue). You’ll visit a local designer transforming colonial tradition into modern d...

Day 23 Pacific Coast, El Salvador

Today, you're free as a bird to explore the beautiful Pacific Coast at your own pace. Alternatively, simply sit back and relax in a hammock on the beach and soak up the sunshine with a drink – life’s good.

Day 24 Leon

Rise nice and early for a full day of travel by private vehicle. Cross the border at El Amatillo and then head into Honduras, where you’ll stop for lunch. After, there’s another border crossing at Guasaule before you reach Leon – the second-largest city in Nicaragua. ...

Day 25 Leon

Today is a free day to make the most of Leon. Maybe visit the street food area behind the Lady of Grace Cathedral and try a Nica taco (made with maize, the taco is rolled, deep fried and then served with shredded cabbage smothered in cream). You could also take on a t...

Day 26 Granada

This morning, you’ll drive to the oldest city in the 'New World' – Granada. Featuring Moorish and Andalusian architecture, Granada is set on the banks of Lake Nicaragua and is surrounded by active volcanoes. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation...

Day 27 Granada

This morning you’ll have breakfast with your group at Cafe de las Sonrisas – a café run entirely by deaf people. The owner is aiming to bridge the gap and inspire other business owners to employ local people living with disabilities. After, maybe hit the Convento y Mu...

Day 28 Monteverde

Today is another early start as you get ready for a full day of travel. Journey to Monteverde, where you can begin exploring this afternoon on an orientation walk with your leader. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North America...

Day 29 Monteverde

Enjoy a free day to discover this lush reserve at your own pace. Maybe take a hike through the cloud forest, check out the area by mountain bike or fly over the thick canopy on a zip line tour. Another way to see the forest from above is to take a Sky Walk tour along ...

Day 30 La Fortuna

This morning, drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, where you’ll take a boat across the lake to the little town of La Fortuna. On a clear day, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger and larger as you approach...

Day 31 La Fortuna

Why not start today with a smoothie and plan how you want to explore? Perhaps take a guided nature hike through the lush forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, keeping an eye out for rare plants and animals, or see the forest from a series of hanging bridges that offer a ...

Day 32 San Jose

Watch the volcano fade into the distance on a local bus ride to Costa Rica's capital – San Jose. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader to see the main highlights. When you’ve got your bearings, you may like to visit the Gold Museum, which h...

Day 33 San Jose

Enjoy a free day to explore San Jose until another group meeting at 6 pm tonight. The city is home to a lively cultural atmosphere with heaps to do. Maybe explore the markets – you might even be lucky enough to see a spontaneous art fair! Perhaps visit Arte Contemporaneo if you’re an art lover or get a taste of the rich coffee that Costa Rica is known for in a nearby coffee shop.

Day 34 Sarapiqui

This morning, hop on a public bus and make your way to Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity and lush rainforest. When you arrive, enjoy some free time here to go birdwatching, spot some local wildlife or hike to one of the nearby waterfalls. Then head ou...

Day 35 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Today, take a private transfer to Puerto Viejo. When you arrive, get to know this laid-back jungle town during an orientation walk with your local leader, then enjoy the rest of the day to explore at your leisure. A small and coastal city, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca ha...

Day 36 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Today is free, so you can ease into the vibes of the Caribbean coast. You might like to take your time exploring Cahuita National Park, which is easily accessible from Puerto Viejo and home to sloths, monkeys, raccoons, snakes and a great variety of birds. If the wave...

Day 37 Bocas del Toro / Isla Colon

Today, take a local bus to the border, then walk across an old railway bridge into Panama. Continue by taxi or collective minivan to Almirante, where you'll take a short boat ride to Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro archipelago – rapidly becoming a Caribbean favourite...

Day 38 Bocas del Toro / Isla Colon

Today is the first of two free days to explore this tropical archipelago. Several beaches are within reach of town, between 8 and 14 km from your hotel. With azure waters, pristine coral reefs and a rollicking nightlife, it’s easy to see why these islands are a favour...

Day 39 Bocas del Toro / Isla Colon

Enjoy another free day in the Caribbean sun. Maybe take the opportunity to do some surfing or snorkelling, rent a bike and explore the main island, or simply soak in the chilled-out vibe while enjoying a cold one on the beach.

Day 40 Boquete

Travel by boat and local bus to Boquete – this is a bit of a lengthy journey, so be sure to have a book, podcast or daydream to keep you occupied. Boquete is a picturesque town located in the highlands of Panama, surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear creeks and river...

Day 41 Boquete

There are plenty of ways to experience Boquete today, so be sure to chat to your leader and the hotel front desk to get the best insider tips. You could discover the secret waterfalls only locals know about on a walking tour in the jungle. Or maybe you’d prefer to soa...

Day 42 Panama City

Trade in the beach for the city and travel to Panama City – Central America's glitziest capital. This is another long drive, so grab a window seat if you can. Along the way, you’ll visit Penonome – a small town well-known for its artisans specialising in the Sombrero ...

Day 43 Panama City

Today, head to the city’s gorgeous waterfront promenade – the Cinta Costera (causeway) – for a walk with your leader. Stop at the nearby Fish Market and maybe grab some fresh ceviche. This afternoon is yours to explore, so if you like, maybe visit the engineering marv...

Day 44 Panama City

With no planned activities today, you can depart at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Panama City, just speak to your booking agent.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,260
Price per day$120
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
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03 Dec 2024
15 Jan 2025
$5,465
10 Dec 2024
22 Jan 2025
$5,875
21 Dec 2024
02 Feb 2025
$5,260
28 Dec 2024
09 Feb 2025
$5,655
04 Jan 2025
16 Feb 2025
$5,920
11 Jan 2025
23 Feb 2025
$5,920
18 Jan 2025
02 Mar 2025
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21 Jan 2025
05 Mar 2025
$5,920
25 Jan 2025
09 Mar 2025
$6,025
01 Feb 2025
16 Mar 2025
$5,920

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.

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Intrepid Travel

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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

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (36 nights),Multishare Hotel (1 night),Hotel with shared facilities (2 nights),Homestay (1 night),Lodge (3 nights)

Transportation & Flights

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

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle,Local bus,Taxi,Private boat,Shared boat,Ferry
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements ENTRY AND EXIT FEES You may be required to pay a fee when entering or exiting a country, particularly if travelling via a land border crossing. Your leader will assist you with the process at the border. The below country-specific information was correct at the time of writing; however, please visit the relevant consular websites of the countries you’re visiting for up-to-date information. MEXICO If you exit Mexico overland or have stayed for 7 days or longer, you will need to pay the DNI (Derecho de no Inmigrante) fee of MXN 718 (USD 45). State of Quintana Roo/Cancun Tourist Tax Travellers aged 15 and over entering the state of Quintana Roo are required to pay a tourist tax of MXN 224 (USD 12). You can pay it online at the Visitax website: https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/. Or you can pay in cash at Cancun airport prior to your departure from Mexico. As soon as the payment is completed, you will be provided with a QR Code that you must present to airport security before boarding your departure flight. BELIZE If you exit Belize overland, there is an exit fee of BZD 40 and Protected Areas Trust contribution of BZD 7.50. These can be paid in USD or BZD. GUATEMALA If you enter or exit Guatemala overland, officially there are no entry or exit fees, however you may be faced with an unofficial fee of GTQ 30 for each entry or exit. HONDURAS - BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS Visa requirements for British passport holders travelling to Honduras have recently changed. Please follow the link above for more information. ADDRESS FOR HONDURAS VISA APPLICATIONS If you require the hotel address in Honduras for your visa application please use: Hotel Buena Vista Av Mirador, 4 blocks North from the central park 41101 Copán Honduras Tel: +504 2651-4502 Please review the daily itinerary to confirm the specific nights you will be staying in Honduras. To help calculate the exact dates we have found the following website to be very useful - www.timeanddate.com HONDURAS If you enter Honduras overland, there is a US$3 entry processing fee. EL SALVADOR If you enter El Salvador overland, you are required to purchase a Tourist Card for USD 12. If you exit El Salvador overland, there is a USD 0.50 departure tax. NICARAGUA Travellers are required to supply a copy of their passport bio page to their booking agent no later than 15 days prior to departure. Travellers who by profession are human rights or political activists, journalists, academics or members of the clergy may be denied entry to Nicaragua at the border. We advise all travellers to verify whether they can meet Nicaragua's entry requirements prior to travel by contacting their local consulate or embassy. If you enter Nicaragua by air, you must purchase a Tourist Card for USD 10. If you enter Nicaragua overland, you must pay a USD 3 processing fee in addition to the Tourist Card fee. If you exit Nicaragua overland, there is a USD 4 departure tax. If you exit by air, a departure tax of USD 35 is normally included in the cost of your ticket. COSTA RICA There is no entry fee. If you exit Costa Rica overland, there is a US$9 departure tax. If you exit Costa Rica by air, departure tax typically included in the cost of your ticket. PROOF OF EXIT FROM COSTA RICA To enter Costa Rica travellers must show proof of intent to exit the country to immigration authorities. Since this trip exits Costa Rica via a land border crossing as part of your itinerary, Intrepid can prepare and send you an Intent to Exit Letter with your trip's details. Please request this letter from your booking agent. PANAMA If you enter or exit Panama overland, officially there are no entry or exit fees, however you may be faced with an unofficial fee of US$4 each way.
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MONEY WITHDRAWAL: In order to avoid fraud and theft, it is advisable that you withdraw money from ATMs located inside banks or guarded shops during business hours only. LOCAL LODGINGS: On this trip you will be staying in some restored houses and local lodges - these are one of the charms of this journey, but their staircases, balconies and passages etc may not always comply with western safety standards. Please do not expect elevators in these properties as they are preserved to their original state. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. WATER SAFETY: Please take care when taking part in any activities in the ocean, river or open water, where waves and currents can be unpredictable. It's expected that anyone taking part in water activities is able to swim and have experience in open water. All swimmers should seek local advice before entering the water.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Grand International Hotel Panama City
  • Via Argentina y Jose Marti, 17, PANAMA CITY, 587, Panamá
  • Panama City
  • PANAMA
  • Phone: +507 3960100
Trip ID
intrepid-QVRQC

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