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The Best of Central America: Ruins & Remote Beaches

33 days, San José to Playa del Carmen

Female traveller climbing in the Costa Rican rainforest
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From ancient ruins to active volcanoes, get off the beaten track and discover extraordinary Central America. Make sure your passport has space because this exciting 33-day trip hits most of Central America, as it covers tropical rainforests, volcanoes, colonial cities, and all the breathtaking scenery in between. Explore Indigenous Mayan villages and soak in the region's incredible culture. Our CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) will ensure your accommodation and transportation are covered — so you can choose the activities and sights that interest you most — the adventure is yours to choose!

33 days

San José to Playa del Carmen

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: CRBA

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

From ancient ruins to active volcanoes, get off the beaten track and discover extraordinary Central America. Make sure your passport has space because this exciting 33-day trip hits most of Central America, as it covers tropical rainforests, volcanoes, colonial cities, and all the breathtaking scenery in between. Explore Indigenous Mayan villages and soak in the region's incredible culture. Our CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) will ensure your accommodation and transportation are covered — so you can choose the activities and sights that interest you most — the adventure is yours to choose!

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14.

Age requirement: 18-39

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

33 days

San José to Playa del Carmen

Sold Out

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Trip Code: CRBA

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 33

Itinerary

Day 1San José

Arrive at any time. Tonight, explore the La California barrio with your fellow travellers. Stop in at one of the many bars to get to know your group over a few drinks. Cheers to new friends and new adventures!

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group| Your First Night Out Moment Connect With New Friends

Day 2San José/La Fortuna

Options abound—soak in Arenal's hot springs or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling.

Day 3La Fortuna

Free day to get the adrenaline pumping with rafting and other outdoor pursuits or one of many other optional activities.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 4La Fortuna/Monteverde

Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde by boat and van and enjoy gorgeous scenery along the way.

Day 5Monteverde

Opt to visit a cloud forest reserve, fly through the jungle canopy via zipline or tour a coffee plantation.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 6Monteverde/Isla de Ometepe

Get to know local friends during a two-night community guesthouse stay on Ometepe Island. Test out some language skills, opt to climb a volcano, or visit the local swimming hole.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 7Isla de Ometepe

Full day on the island to spend time with your hosts and enjoy optional activities such as hiking and swimming.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 8Isla de Ometepe/Granada

See Granada's colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Big Night Out Moment

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Granada

Take advantage of a free day to explore Granada or kayak the isletas in Lake Nicaragua.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 10Granada/Poneloya

Arrive in the afternoon to relax on a remote northern beach on Nicaragua's Pacific coast. Surfing, swimming and beach lounging await.

Day 11Poneloya

Spend your day enjoying the coast. Opt to explore the city of Leon or hit the beach.

Day 12Poneloya/Cerro Verde

After a long day of travel via bus, boat, and private vehicle, arrive to El Salvador's Cerro Verde National Park, home of the famous trio of volcanos, Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Santa Ana.

Day 13Cerro Verde

Spend a free day in Cerro Verde at leisure. Opt to hike up to the edge of Santa Ana’s Volcano crater for some more spectacular views. Or choose to take a dip in Lake Coatepeque, there are many ways to keep busy in one of El Salvador's most beautiful national parks.

Day 14Cerro Verde/Suchitoto

In the morning enjoy a guided tour in Cerro Verde National Park taking in the lush surroundings. Travel to El Salvador's colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.

Day 15Suchitoto/Copán

Watch diverse landscapes pass by as we travel through 3 countries in one day en route to Copán.

Day 16Copán

Enjoy a free day in Copán. Opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Copán or explore the colonial highland town on horseback and check out some lesser known Mayan sites along the way, or journey to some local hot springs for a relaxing soak.

Day 17Copán/Antigua Guatemala

Cross into Guatemala. Enjoy an orientation walk to explore the colonial city of Antigua.

Day 18Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy free time to relax with a massage, explore the nearby hills by bicycle, or visit a local macadamia nut farm.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 19Antigua Guatemala

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to relax with a massage or soak up the culture in one of many cafés.

Day 20Antigua Guatemala/San Juan La Laguna

Travel to beautiful Lake Atitlán and enjoy the views. Take a boat across the lake to a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family in a Mayan Tz'utujil village. Tour the village with a local guide to learn more about daily life and see some artisan workshops.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Posadas Mayas Homestay

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 21San Juan La Laguna/Panajachel

Return across the lake and enjoy free time in Panajachel to visit the market or relax.

Day 22Panajachel/Rio Dulce

Take the road past areas of dense jungle and arrive at Río Dulce, a small town on Lake Izabal, and a port stop for boaters around the globe on their way to/from Livingston and the Caribbean coast.

Day 23Rio Dulce

Opt to visit the coastal town of Livingston by boat, or go for a swim in a natural hot waterfall.

Day 24Rio Dulce/Flores

Head north to our final stop in Guatemala, Flores, a picturesque town surrounded by Lake Petén Itzá.

Day 25Flores/San Ignacio

Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of Tikal before crossing into Belize.

Day 26San Ignacio

Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Crystal Maiden), or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 27San Ignacio/Caye Caulker

Hop aboard a local bus, then board a water taxi to the island paradise of Caye Caulker. Later, explore Caye Caulker on the G Adventures-supported Bike with Purpose tour.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Belize Bike with Purpose Tour

Days 28–29Caye Caulker

Enjoy free time to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, or just chill out, Belizean style. Take part in a Big Night Out with the group this evening.

Day 30Caye Caulker/Mahahual

Leaving Belize and its Caribbean reggae-tinged vibe, head north to the Costa Maya, Mexico, to the beachside town of Mahahual.

Day 31Mahahual

Enjoy a free day for beach lounging and sipping seaside margaritas.

Day 32Mahahual/Playa del Carmen

Head up the coast to Playa del Carmen, the de facto centre of the Mayan Riviera, for a final night with the group.

Day 33Playa del Carmen

Depart at any time.

View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay, Isla de Ometepe
  • Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna
  • Your G for Good Moment: Belize Bike with Purpose Tour, Caye Caulker
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna
  • Your Discover Moment: Monteverde
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Granada
  • Your Discover Moment: Granada
  • Your Discover Moment: Antigua Guatemala
  • Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio
  • Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Caye Caulker
  • Guided tour of Tikal
  • Orientation walk in Granada and Antigua
  • Beach time in Poneloya and Mahahual
  • Free time in La Fortuna, Monteverde, Cerro Verde and Suchitoto
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotels/hostels (27 nts, most multi-share), beach lodge (2 nts, multi-share), community guesthouse stay (2 nts), homestay (1 nt)

Meals

2 breakfasts, 3 dinners
Allow USD835-1085 for meals not included.

Transportation

Local bus, boat, van, taxi, ferry, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

Departures

There are no departure dates currently available for the rest of this season. Some tours only run during parts of the year.

Please Contact Us to inquire about dates for next season, or to discuss other tour options.

The Best of Central America: Ruins & Remote Beaches

| 33 days - San José to Playa del Carmen - Sold Out