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Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways

17 days, Antigua Guatemala to San José

From the laid-back vibes and waves of the Pacific Coast to tropical rainforests alive with jungle melodies, take the road less travelled on this trip through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica with other travellers your own age. This is one of our most exciting trips, filled with breathtaking scenery and a chance to experience local culture with a two-night community guesthouse stay on the island of Ometepe. Enjoy a blend of public and private transportation, which not only keeps costs down but also gives you a chance to really meet the locals.

17 days

Antigua Guatemala to San José

From$1239USD
was $1549
Valid on Apr 21 2024
Trip Code: JGS

Need a flight? We can help.

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

From the laid-back vibes and waves of the Pacific Coast to tropical rainforests alive with jungle melodies, take the road less travelled on this trip through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica with other travellers your own age. This is one of our most exciting trips, filled with breathtaking scenery and a chance to experience local culture with a two-night community guesthouse stay on the island of Ometepe. Enjoy a blend of public and private transportation, which not only keeps costs down but also gives you a chance to really meet the locals.

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: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, avg 16.

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

17 days

Antigua Guatemala to San José

From$1239USD
was $1549
Valid on Apr 21 2024
Trip Code: JGS

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: 17

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Itinerary

Day 1Antigua Guatemala

Arrive at any time. Tonight, explore El Barrio, a vibrant marketplace of many small bars and pubs. Get to know your fellow travellers over a few drinks, and cheers to the adventures to come.

Exclusive Inclusions:

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

Day 2Antigua Guatemala/Copán

Set off today on a full day of travel from Antigua across the border to neighboring Honduras, arriving to the town of Copán Ruinas in the evening.

Day 3Copán

Free time in Copán. Opt to visit the ruins of Copán or soak in hot springs.

Day 4Copán/Suchitoto

Cross the border into El Salvador and stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.

Day 5Suchitoto/La Libertad Region

Enjoy a free morning in Suchitoto before heading to the coast in the La Libertad region. The sunsets in these small surfing towns are stunning. Grab a cold drink and enjoy!

Day 6La Libertad Region

Enjoy a free day in the laidback beach towns of the area to take a surf lesson, eat fresh ceviche at the fish market in nearby La Libertad, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or chill out with a beer in hand.

Day 7La Libertad Region/León

Set off early for a full day of travel by land and sea to Nicaragua, finishing up in colonial León with a brief orientation walk.

Day 8León/Granada

Journey to Granada and see its colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Big Night Out Moment

Day 9Granada

Free time to explore beautiful Granada's markets, buildings and museums. Opt to kayak in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 10Granada/Isla de Ometepe

Get to know local friends during a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay on Ometepe. Try the local cuisine and test out some language skills.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 11Isla de Ometepe

Enjoy free time to explore Ometepe. Opt to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, take a cultural tour, visit the beach at Santo Domingo, or visit el Ojo de Agua for a refreshing swim and lunch. You can also view pre-Columbian petroglyphs or the small museum of indigenous artifacts in Altagracia.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 12Isla de Ometepe/Monteverde

Take a ferry back to the mainland and cross the border into Costa Rica, finishing up in the cloudforest air of Monteverde.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Monteverde

Free day in Monteverde. 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 14Monteverde/La Fortuna

Transfer to La Fortuna along bumpy roads, then break up the journey with a peaceful boat ride on Lake Arenal before a short ride to the town.

Day 15La Fortuna

Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment

Day 16La Fortuna/San José

Journey through the mountains to the capital for a final night out.

Day 17San José

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 Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Big Night Out Moment: Granada
  • Your Discover Moment: Granada
  • Your Discover Moment: Monteverde
  • Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna
  • Beach time in El Tunco
  • Orientation walk around León and Granada
  • Free time in Granada, Ometepe, Monteverde, and La Fortuna
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotels/hostels (14 nts, most multi-share), homestay (2 nts).

Meals

2 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Allow USD420-550 for meals not included.

Transportation

Local bus, boat, ferry, private vehicle, taxi, walking.

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle - From $149.00

CANYONING (Half-day Arenal) Rappel, down-climb, river-trace, and descend huge waterfalls in the rugged mountains and lush rainforests around Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano. ZIPLINING (Half-day Monteverde) Get a true bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy as you soar through the trees on a Tarzan swing, a giant rappel, and a 137-meter-high (450-foot) zipline. Please note the prices listed does not include the IVA Tax. Please note that passengers must weigh between 45-100kg (100 – 220 lbs) and be at least 130cm (4'3 ft) tall to participate in these activities.

Guided Cloud Forest Night Walk - From $30.00

Join a naturalist guide for a 1.5-2 hour tour in the cloud forest after dark. Learn more about the habits of the area's nocturnal wildlife including mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians, and keep your eyes and ears open on this slow-paced walk. You never know what you might see – it depends on the day and your luck!

Sarapiqui River Rafting - From $99.00

Duck, dodge, and paddle your way down the Sarapiqui River on this class 3 rafting trip. We like to call this section of the river ""The Jungle Run"" - don't miss the monkeys, iguanas and other amazing Costa Rican wildlife while you fly down the rolling rapids. Try and keep up while your guide directs the rafts and calls out directions... "Paddle Hard!" "Right Paddle!" "Back Paddle!" "Get Down!".

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways

| 17 days - Antigua Guatemala to San José - from $1239 USD