The Best of Central America: Ruins & Remote Beaches
33 days
from San Jose to Playa del Carmen
From
$ 3099
Duration33 days
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!
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 33 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: San JosePhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: Playa del CarmenAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: San José
Start place: San Jose
Arrive at any time. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Please try to arrive before 6pm for an important group meeting where you can meet the CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and the other group members.
Amid the hustle and bustle of this busy capital, San José has beautiful parks, museums and an ornate National Theatre. Enjoy the view of the surrounding lush mountains from the downtown streets, head to the central plaza, shop for souvenirs and pass the time people-watching.
Amid the hustle and bustle of this busy capital, San José has beautiful parks, museums and an ornate National Theatre. Enjoy the view of the surrounding lush mountains from the downtown streets, head to the central plaza, shop for souvenirs and pass the time people-watching.
Arrive at any time.
End place: San Jose
Day 2: San José/La Fortuna
Start place: San Jose
La Fortuna, the town near the Arenal Volcano, is an excellent base for adventure. Hike the area’s nature trails, swim in chilly La Fortuna waterfall, or join a canopy tour and catch a bird’s eye view of the forest greenery. Take an unforgettable night hike around the foot of the volcano, accompanied by a soundtrack of monkeys and the rumblings of the volcano.
Other optional activities include: full-day Class III & IV white water rafting on the Balsa or Toro Rivers, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents.
After a long day of exploring, the Baldi Hot Springs might just be the answer for your tired muscles. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths and hope the clouds part long enough for a glimpse of Arenal´s slopes.
Other optional activities include: full-day Class III & IV white water rafting on the Balsa or Toro Rivers, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents.
After a long day of exploring, the Baldi Hot Springs might just be the answer for your tired muscles. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths and hope the clouds part long enough for a glimpse of Arenal´s slopes.
Options abound—soak in Arenal's hot springs or get the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or waterfall rappelling.
End place: La Fortuna
Day 3: La Fortuna
Start place: La Fortuna
Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Free day to get your heart racing with rafting and other outdoor pursuits or one of many other optional activities.
End place: La Fortuna
Day 4: La Fortuna/Monteverde
Start place: La Fortuna
Costa Rica is a natural gem because of its breathtaking flora and fauna. Travelling into the cool cloud forest of Monteverde, appreciate how lush ecosystems truly are works of art. Take time to bird watch, ride a horse, mountain bike, or zip line over the forest canopy.
Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde by boat and van and enjoy gorgeous scenery along the way. Stop at Life Monteverde, a coffee cooperative for coffee tastings, and a tour of their farm to learn about sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, take time to venture out and explore the mountainous town of Monteverde.
End place: Monte Verde
Meals: D
Day 5: Monteverde
Start place: Monte Verde
Opt to visit a cloud forest reserve, fly through the jungle canopy via zipline or tour a coffee plantation.
End place: Monte Verde
Day 6: Monteverde/Isla de Ometepe
Start place: Monte Verde
From the town of San Jorge, we cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island. The group will be split up amongst different families who will host you in their homes. Breakfast and dinner will be provided in the home.
Explore the island, pass plantain plantations and other small villages, to get a chance to see how rural Nicaraguans live. Enjoy a challenge? Hike Concepción Volcano. If not, check out the pre-Columbian petroglyphs, try the Tarzan swing at a nearby jungle swimming hole, or enjoy the beach.
Explore the island, pass plantain plantations and other small villages, to get a chance to see how rural Nicaraguans live. Enjoy a challenge? Hike Concepción Volcano. If not, check out the pre-Columbian petroglyphs, try the Tarzan swing at a nearby jungle swimming hole, or enjoy the beach.
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.
End place: Isla de Ometepe
Meals: D
Day 7: Isla de Ometepe
Start place: Isla de Ometepe
Full day on the island to spend time with your hosts and enjoy optional activities such as hiking and swimming.
End place: Isla de Ometepe
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Isla de Ometepe/Granada
Start place: Isla de Ometepe
Nicaragua has flourished in the past few years and boasts both incredibly friendly people as well as impressive natural beauty. Granada’s colonial charm is complimented by the surrounding active volcanoes and lakes, making day trips a fun and easy option.
Walking is probably the easiest way to see all the sights of Granada, your Chief Experience Officer will give you an initial orientation walk in the city, after which you will have plenty of time to explore in more depth.
Walking is probably the easiest way to see all the sights of Granada, your Chief Experience Officer will give you an initial orientation walk in the city, after which you will have plenty of time to explore in more depth.
See Granada's colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
End place: Granada
Meals: B
Day 9: Granada
Start place: Granada
For a relaxing afternoon, spend a couple of hours in a boat touring some of the 350+ ¨Isletas¨ or little islands found near Granada in Lake Nicaragua.
Other optional activities include visiting the nearby extinct Mombacho Volcano, now shrouded in vegetation. Granada is located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and has a long park ideal for strolling. The nearby markets of Masaya house vendors selling great Nicaraguan handicrafts such as hammocks, pottery, and paintings.
Other optional activities include visiting the nearby extinct Mombacho Volcano, now shrouded in vegetation. Granada is located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and has a long park ideal for strolling. The nearby markets of Masaya house vendors selling great Nicaraguan handicrafts such as hammocks, pottery, and paintings.
Take advantage of a free day to explore Granada or kayak the isletas in Lake Nicaragua.
End place: Granada
Day 10: Granada/Poneloya
Start place: Granada
Enjoy a couple of days of relaxation on a remote northern beach on Nicaragua's Pacific coast. Surfing, swimming and beach lounging await.
Our accommodation is in a large, multi-share mixed-gender beach lodge dorm right on the beach with an attached bar and restaurant. There's not much on our stretch of beach, but that's part of the beauty of Nicaragua's northern Pacific coast.
End place: Poneloya
Day 11: Poneloya
Start place: Poneloya
Spend your day enjoying the coast. Opt to explore the city of Leon or hit the beach.
End place: Poneloya
Day 12: Concepción de Ataco/Suchitoto
Start place: Concepcion de Ataco
Travel to El Salvador's colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.
End place: Suchitoto
Meals: D
Day 13: Suchitoto/Concepción de Ataco
Start place: Suchitoto
Travel to the 'Route of Flowers' region with its quaint Salvadorian towns and talented artisans.
End place: Concepcion de Ataco
Meals: B
Day 14: Concepción de Ataco
Start place: Concepcion de Ataco
Day hikes, a coffee tour and shopping are some of many options for your time here. Hike El Impossible National Park, swim in the pools of Atzumpa, check out some of the other nearby quaint towns or just explore tiny Ataco. This is a coffee producing region of El Salvador, so be sure to sample some delicious coffee in a local café.
Full day to explore the small town of Ataco or enjoy optional activities.
End place: Concepcion de Ataco
Day 15: Suchitoto/Copán
Start place: Suchitoto
Travel into Honduras and opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Copán. The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities.
The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place. Opt to explore the nearby hills on horseback and check out some lesser known Mayan sites along the way, or journey to some local hot springs for a relaxing soak.
The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place. Opt to explore the nearby hills on horseback and check out some lesser known Mayan sites along the way, or journey to some local hot springs for a relaxing soak.
Cross into Honduras, and opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Copán or a local hot spring.
Day 16: Copán
Free time in Copan to enjoy optional activities.
Day 17: Copán/Antigua Guatemala
After a long travel day arrive to Antigua, where you can stretch your legs during an orientation walk with your CEO. Enjoy the beautiful Spanish colonial architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cross into Guatemala. Enjoy an orientation walk to explore the colonial city of Antigua.
This tour arrives to Antigua in the early evening. If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, it is recommended you book additional post-trip accommodation nights.
End place: Antigua Guatemala
Day 18: Antigua Guatemala
Start place: Antigua Guatemala
Enjoy free time to relax with a massage, explore the nearby hills by bicycle, or visit a local macadamia nut farm.
End place: Antigua Guatemala
Day 19: Antigua Guatemala
Start place: Antigua Guatemala
Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to relax with a massage or soak up the culture in one of many cafés. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
End place: Antigua Guatemala
Day 20: Antigua Guatemala/San Juan La Laguna
Start place: Antigua Guatemala
Travel through the hills and fertile fields of the Guatemalan highlands to the shores of Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue/grey mountains, and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake, resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual natural beauty and traditional culture.
We will overnight at a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. Tonight, the group will be spread out among a number of homes, where dinner will also be provided. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will help you to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day life of the locals in this region.
We will overnight at a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. Tonight, the group will be spread out among a number of homes, where dinner will also be provided. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will help you to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day life of the locals in this region.
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.
Please dress conservatively when visiting the villages, and refrain from photographing religious ceremonies or individuals who do not wish to be photographed.
End place: San Pedro La Laguna
Meals: D
Day 21: San Juan La Laguna/Panajachel
Start place: San Pedro La Laguna
Return across the lake and enjoy free time in Panajachel to visit the market or relax.
Day 22: Panajachel/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.
Travel across Guatemala to Rio Dulce.
End place: Rio Dulce
Day 23: Rio Dulce
Start place: Rio Dulce
There are plenty of opportunities for R & R. Aside from boating on Lake Izabal, there are optional tours in the area to view protected manatees. You may opt to horseback ride through a rubber plantation, explore San Felipe fort, take the morning monkey kayak tour, relax in the thermal springs, or hike through the jungle-strewn trails in the Chocón-Machacas Natural Reserve area.
Opt to visit the coastal town of Livingston by boat, or go for a swim in a natural hot waterfall.
End place: Rio Dulce
Day 24: Rio Dulce/Flores
Start place: Rio Dulce
Our final stop in Guatemala is Flores, a picturesque town surrounded by Lake Petén Itzá. Flores is well-known for its proximity to Tikal—the largest excavated Mayan site.
Head north to the quaint town of Flores.
End place: Flores
Day 25: Flores/San Ignacio
Start place: Flores
Head north to the ancient city of Tikal before venturing into Belize. The spiritual centre of Tikal boasts the Mayan’s highest pyramids and abundant flora and fauna in the surrounding jungle.
Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of Tikal before crossing into Belize.
End place: San Ignacio
Day 26: San Ignacio
Start place: San Ignacio
From the town of San Ignacio, opportunities abound for exploring Belize’s little known inland scenic beauty. With free time here, choose to explore the area by foot, canoe, or horse, take a caving trip, or visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and swim in its inviting pools and rivers.
Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre), or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.
End place: San Ignacio
Day 27: San Ignacio/Caye Caulker
Start place: San Ignacio
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.
End place: Caye Caulker
Day 28-29: Caye Caulker
Start place: Caye Caulker
Enjoy free time to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving, or just chill out, Belizean style.
End place: Caye Caulker
Day 30: Caye Caulker/Mahahual
Start place: Caye Caulker
Leaving Belize and its Caribbean reggae-tinged vibe, head north to the Costa Maya, Mexico, to the beachside town of Mahahual.
Travel north along the Caribbean up to Mexico.
End place: Mahahual
Day 31: Mahahual
Start place: Mahahual
Enjoy a free day for beach lounging and sipping seaside margaritas.
End place: Mahahual
Day 32: Mahahual/Playa del Carmen
Start place: Mahahual
Head north to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the de facto centre of the Mayan Riviera. This once sleepy village is quickly becoming a popular destination among sun worshippers and partiers worldwide.
Head up the coast to Playa del Carmen for a final night with the group.
End place: Playa del Carmen
Day 33: Playa del Carmen
Start place: Playa del Carmen
Depart at any time.
Playa del Carmen is located just south of Cancún airport (45 min drive) so you can easily head directly there without returning to Cancún.
End place: Playa del Carmen
Inclusions
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: Meet Your CEO and Group 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
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Transport
Local bus, Boat, Van, Taxi, Ferry, Walking -
Accommodation
Simple hotels/hostels (27 nts, most multi-share), Beach lodge (2 nts, multi-share), Community guesthouse stay (2 nts), Homestay (1 nt)