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Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins route map

Arrive at any time and check into the hotel. In the evening, meet your CEO and fellow travellers; the official meeting time and place will be posted in the lobby or available from reception. You can opt to join the group for a local meal. Head out to 12th Street, where there are bars and clubs. From Cancún airport, shuttles and buses to Playa del Carmen are available; the public ADO bus departs every 30 minutes and costs approximately MX 176 ($10 USD).

Full day of free time. Opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Tulum, take a ferry to Cozumel for scuba diving, swim in a cenote or at the beach, or explore the town.

Travel by private vehicle and bus, crossing the Mexican border and completing exit and entry formalities before continuing into Belize. Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving, or relax on Caye Caulker.

Full day of free time. Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving, cruise the island, or explore the Caribbean waters.

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style. FREE TIME: FULL DAY Do as much or as little as you wish on this little slice of paradise in Belize. Cruise the island or explore its seas–the Caribbean awaits!

Travel by boat and bus to San Ignacio. Visit the G Adventures-supported women’s pottery cooperative in San Antonio for an included pottery demonstration and local lunch. The visit includes an introduction to the project and its traditional Mayan pottery techniques. Free time in San Ignacio to explore on foot, canoe or horseback, go caving, or visit Mountain Pine Ridge Area.

Meals: Lunch

Free time. Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal or the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Cross the border into Guatemala by private vehicle. En route to Flores, take a guided tour of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in Tikal National Park, including its temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares. Climb Temple IV and look for wildlife in the surrounding rainforest. Continue to Flores.

Travel by private vehicle through areas of dense jungle to Río Dulce, on the shores of Lake Izabal.

Take a scenic boat ride from Río Dulce toward the Caribbean Sea, passing El Golfete, El Canyon and Boquerón Canyon, to Livingston. Visit the G Adventures-supported El Manglar Restaurant in Cayo Quemado. Meet the women of the community committee, learn about the community tourism project and its impact, walk around the property, and have lunch featuring local food.

Meals: Lunch

Travel by private vehicle from Río Dulce to Antigua. On arrival, take an orientation walk with your CEO, who will point out useful places such as supermarkets, main squares and ATMs. Optional activities include a salsa lesson.

Free day in Antigua. Opt to relax with a massage, visit museums and cafés, take a chocolate workshop, visit a coffee or macadamia nut plantation, or explore nearby hills and towns by bicycle.

Travel through the Guatemalan highlands to the shores of Lake Atitlán. The lakeside area has twelve native villages, mountains and volcanoes, and offers optional activities such as swimming, fishing, windsurfing, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking and horseback riding. Dress conservatively in villages and avoid photographing religious ceremonies or people who do not wish to be photographed.

Take a boat across Lake Atitlán to San Juan La Laguna and stay with a local family through a Planeterra-supported community tourism project. Meet your host family and explore the village, with opportunities to see local artists’ paintings, traditional wool dyeing and weaving, and lake views. The area is known for Mayan handicrafts and markets.

Meals: Dinner

Travel by boat and private vehicle back to Antigua. Enjoy time to explore, shop or choose optional activities such as visiting a macadamia nut farm or coffee plantation, biking in the surrounding hills, or taking a salsa lesson. Big Night Out with the group.

Free time to explore Antigua. Options include a massage, cycling in the nearby hills, visiting a local macadamia nut farm, or pre-booking the optional Pacaya Volcano Hike.

Travel by private vehicle from Antigua across the border into Honduras, arriving in Copán Ruinas in the evening.

Free time in Copán. Opt to visit the Copán Ruins and other Mayan sites, explore the hills, or travel to jungle hot springs for a soak.

Travel by private vehicle across the border into El Salvador and continue to the colonial town of Suchitoto. Snacks are recommended for the long travel day. Pupusas are a local Salvadorian specialty.

Enjoy a free morning in Suchitoto, then travel by private vehicle to the coast in the La Libertad region.

Free day in the beach towns of the La Libertad region. Opt to take a surf lesson, eat fresh ceviche at the fish market in nearby La Libertad, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or relax.

Set off early for a full day of travel by land and sea to Nicaragua. On arrival in León, take a brief orientation walk through the historic center, including the central park, local market and historic churches.

Travel by private vehicle to Granada. Take an orientation walk with your CEO, who will point out useful places such as supermarkets, main squares and ATMs. Big Night Out with the group.

Free time to explore Granada’s markets, colonial buildings and museums, or take a horse-and-carriage ride. Optional activities include hiking on Mombacho Volcano, kayaking around the islets in Lake Nicaragua, viewing Masaya Volcano’s crater, or swimming in Laguna de Apoyo.

Travel to San Jorge and take the ferry across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island. Stay for two nights with local host families in La Paloma, near Moyogalpa, through a community-owned and operated project. Practice Spanish, try locally prepared food and hike nearby trails.

Meals: Dinner

Free day on Ometepe with time to spend with your host family and explore the island. Optional activities include climbing Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, visiting petroglyphs or the museum of indigenous artifacts in Altagracia, walking or kayaking in Charco Verde reserve, swimming at Ojo de Agua, visiting Santo Domingo beach, or cycling around the island.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Take a ferry back to the mainland and travel across the border into Costa Rica, walking about 10 minutes between the Nicaragua and Costa Rica border stations. Continue by vehicle to Monteverde.

Meals: Breakfast

Free day for optional activities, including ziplining, hiking in a cloud forest reserve, horseback riding, visiting a coffee or sugar cane farm, touring the cheese factory, or visiting the orchid garden, serpentarium or frog pond.

Travel from Monteverde to La Fortuna over bumpy roads, with a boat ride across Lake Arenal and a short onward ride to town. Free time in the afternoon. Optional activities in the area include canyoning, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddleboarding, kayaking and visiting a wildlife refuge.

Free time in the La Fortuna and Arenal area. Optional activities include canyoning, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddleboarding, kayaking and visiting a wildlife refuge.

Travel through the mountains to San José for the final night out. San José has parks, museums and theatres, with views of the surrounding mountains from downtown.

Depart at any time. Your CEO can help arrange travel if you wish to extend your stay.

What’s included

Guided tour of Tikal and orientation walks in Antigua, León, and Granada; beach time in Caye Caulker and El Tunco.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout the tour and local guides for select activities.
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners included, featuring community lunches at San Antonio Women’s Pottery Cooperative (San Ignacio) and El Manglar (Livingston), plus home-cooked meals during included homestays.
Varied accommodation throughout the trip, including hostels and community guesthouses; some multi-share rooms (4–6 travellers) with shared bathrooms. Includes a 1-night homestay in San Juan La Laguna and a 2-night community homestay on Isla de Ometepe.
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities by local bus, private vehicle, taxi, ferry/boat, and walking; includes a scenic boat ride on the Río Dulce to Livingston.
G for Good and community experiences: San Antonio Women’s Pottery Cooperative visit and local lunch (San Ignacio), El Manglar women-led project visit and lunch (Livingston), Posadas Mayas homestay (San Juan La Laguna), and Puesta del Sol community guesthouse stay (Isla de Ometepe).

What’s not included

Visas and any applicable border/exit fees are not included (expect to pay local border fees of approximately $1–$60 USD; a Quintana Roo tourist tax of ~983 MXN may apply at Cancún Airport and may or may not be included in your airfare; requirements and am
Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged by the traveller.
All meals and drinks not specified as included.
Arrival and departure airport transfers.
Optional activities and related entrance fees not listed as included (e.g., snorkeling/diving, Pacaya Volcano hike, Copán ruins visit, surf lessons, ziplining, hot springs, kayaking).
Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and additional beverages.
International flights to the tour start (Playa del Carmen/Cancún) and from the tour end (San José) are not included.

Additional information

2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

18

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other’s company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to G Adventures group trips. Please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.

1. Please note that this tour is a combination of several G Adventures tours. As such, your group CEO, fellow passengers, or vehicle may change between the individual tour sections.

2. As this trip crosses national borders, please be prepared to pay some border fees for certain countries ranging from $1 to $60 USD. Please check with your local embassy or consulate for up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

QUINTANA ROO TOURIST TAX

Please note there may be a 983 MXN (approximately 56 USD) tourist tax at Cancún International Airport, however it is usually included in international tickets. Please verify with your airline if the departure tax is included in your airfare.

3. Please note the use of drones is banned in Nicaragua.

4. COMBO TRIP

Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

5. Important note for Nicaragua: New regulations now require visas for certain nationalities, including Australian and New Zealand passport holders. Requirements can change at short notice, so all travelers should check with the nearest consulate or official sources before travel.

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights on this tour will be multi-share. This may involve 4-6 group members sharing a room. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities.

Where we use multi-share hostels, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic Travel Style.

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying and handling your own luggage.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Stroll down La Calzada as twilight settles over Granada’s elegant plazas. Join the group for a hosted night out where live music, open-air patios, and cheerful plazas create a warm, welcoming scene.

Raise a glass of Nicaraguan rum and chat beneath colonial balconies as the evening unfolds. It’s a relaxed celebration of Granada’s colorful street life and sociable spirit.

Cruise the Rio Dulce through vine-draped limestone walls and mangrove channels, spotting herons and pelicans as the river widens toward the Caribbean. Arrive in Livingston, a laid-back town where Garifuna rhythms and coastal life shape daily culture and cuisine.

Continue to the women-led El Manglar initiative to learn about their community project and sit down to a flavorful lunch inspired by the coast—think coconut-laced dishes and fresh produce. This experience blends scenic waterways with meaningful cultural exchange that supports local livelihoods.

Join a guided orientation walk in three emblematic colonial cities. In Antigua, stroll cobbled streets framed by volcano views to the Santa Catalina Arch and vibrant Parque Central. In León, learn the stories behind murals and the imposing Basílica de la Asunción.

In Granada, admire pastel facades around Parque Colón and the elegant Iglesia La Merced. These concise walks help you get your bearings, discover local markets, and choose cafés and museums to revisit during your free time.

Boat across Lake Atitlán beneath the volcanoes of San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán to a tranquil Tz’utujil Maya community. Settle in with your host family, share meals, and learn about everyday life along the lakeshore.

Visit local artists and weaving collectives where natural dyes—indigo, cochineal, and wild plants—create distinctive palettes. This overnight stay centers on genuine cultural exchange and supports community-led tourism that preserves living traditions.

Experience Antigua’s after-dark energy on a hosted outing. Hit lively bars and music spots near the cobbled center, where colonial courtyards glow and volcano silhouettes frame the skyline.

Trade stories with fellow travellers and try local favourites—from craft beer to rum-based cocktails—while you enjoy a sociable, CEO-hosted night that showcases the city’s relaxed, cosmopolitan vibe.

Settle into lakeside life on Ometepe, the twin-volcano island rising from Lake Nicaragua. Stay with families in the rural community of La Paloma near Moyogalpa and share home-cooked meals seasoned with island flavors and stories.

Awaken to views of Concepción and Maderas, walk village paths, and practice your Spanish over coffee. This community project channels tourism income directly to residents, creating a meaningful, slow-paced window into island culture.

Glide over coral gardens within the UNESCO-recognized Belize Barrier Reef. Snorkel Hol Chan’s “cut” and drift above fan corals, schools of grunts, and parrotfish before visiting Shark Ray Alley to observe docile nurse sharks and southern stingrays.

Guides share reef etiquette and point out highlights of this biodiverse marine world. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; all equipment provided and no prior snorkelling experience required.

Visit the cliff-top city of Tulum, where turquoise water frames stone temples. Walk past the El Castillo viewpoint and learn about coastal trade routes and astronomy that shaped this late Maya port.

Paths wind among iguanas and sea breezes, offering panoramic Caribbean vistas and photo stops. This excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour; beach time nearby can be added independently.

Ferry to Cozumel for classic drift dives along towering coral walls. Explore sites renowned for exceptional visibility and sponge gardens frequented by turtles and eagle rays, guided by professional dive masters.

Suitable for certified divers; discover scuba options are often available for beginners. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; equipment rental and marine park fees apply.

Venture into the sacred ATM cave on a guided archaeological adventure. Wade and swim through limestone chambers to view ancient offerings and the crystallized “Crystal Maiden”, a rare window into Maya ritual practice.

Expect scrambling, enclosed spaces, and water crossings; socks-only zones protect delicate calcite. This demanding, conservation-focused experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour with specialist guides and safety gear provided.

Ride a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River and climb El Castillo for sweeping views to Guatemala. Carved friezes and plazas illuminate Classic-period artistry at Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most evocative sites.

Guides unpack cosmology, architecture, and regional trade as you explore temples and ballcourts. This half-day excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Explore Copán’s Hieroglyphic Stairway, stelae-studded plazas, and intricate carvings that set this UNESCO site apart. Learn how Copán’s scribes and sculptors elevated courtly art into a living historical record.

Complete the visit at the museum to see the Rosalila Temple reconstruction in vivid color. This guided experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Grab a board and learn to ride Pacific swells on El Salvador’s iconic coastline. Instructors coach you through paddling, pop-ups, and timing so you can catch your first wave along the beach breaks near El Tunco.

Boards and rash guards typically included; sessions adapt to conditions and ability. This activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Head inland with a local guide to a chain of jungle cascades and emerald pools. Hike and scramble along rocky paths, cooling off with swims beneath ferns and basalt walls carved by centuries of flow.

Expect uneven terrain and a rewarding climb back out. This nature-focused excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour; sturdy footwear recommended.

Paddle between volcanic islets formed by ancient Mombacho eruptions. Watch for howler monkeys in riverside trees, herons on lily pads, and glimpses of colonial retreats tucked among palms.

Guides share local ecology and legends as you navigate calm channels with volcano views. This low-impact adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour; all equipment provided.

Witness the glow of lava within the active Santiago crater at Masaya Volcano National Park. Evening light heightens the drama as sulphurous plumes rise and the caldera’s inner walls radiate an otherworldly red.

Rangers manage access for safety and conservation. This unforgettable geological encounter is at additional cost and bookable on tour; timing may vary with conditions.

Choose your challenge on Ometepe. Tackle Concepción’s steep, exposed slopes for big-lake panoramas, or trek Maderas’ cloud forest to a misty crater lake alive with birdsong and bromeliads.

Both routes are strenuous, led by certified local guides with frequent breaks. This full-day adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour; fitness and proper footwear required.

Unwind in crystal-clear, spring-fed pools shaded by ceiba and palm. The mineral-rich waters of Ojo de Agua offer a refreshing pause between volcano hikes and village walks.

Relax on stone terraces, sip a coconut, and enjoy the island’s laid-back rhythm. This easygoing visit is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Step into mist-wreathed forest where moss-laden branches host orchids and epiphytes. With a naturalist guide, listen for bellbirds and watch for the resplendent quetzal amid layers of green.

Learn how cloud-fed ecosystems sustain remarkable biodiversity and why conservation here matters. This soft-adventure hike is at additional cost and bookable on tour; cool temperatures and occasional rain add to the atmosphere.

Soar on a series of high-tension cables above the treetops, tasting pure adrenaline as you fly across cloud forest canyons. Platforms reveal sweeping views, while optional Tarzan swings add a rush.

Professional guides outfit you with harnesses and coach proper technique. This thrill-focused activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour; weight and health restrictions may apply.

Trace local flavors from farm to table. See coffee cherries ripen and taste a fresh pour-over, watch cacao become silky drinking chocolate, and help press cane juice on a traditional trapiche.

Producers explain sustainable practices and the role of smallholders in Costa Rica’s rural economy. This delicious deep-dive is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Paddle through lush canyon scenery on class II–III rapids ideal for first-timers and seasoned rafters alike. Work as a team to thread wave trains and splashy drops while guides share river ecology and safety tips.

All gear and transport included. This adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour; photos are often available for purchase.

Hike old lava flows and viewpoints tracing Arenal’s 1968 eruption paths. Learn how forests reclaim volcanic terrain and scan for toucans, coatis, and orchids along the way with your guide.

Cap the day by soaking in thermal pools beneath jungle foliage, letting mineral-rich waters melt away the miles. This combo is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Descend a forested staircase to the base of the La Fortuna Waterfall, where a 70-meter curtain crashes into a jade pool. Cool off with a brisk swim or relax on river rocks surrounded by ferns.

Expect many steps and a rewarding climb back up. This scenic outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour; bring water shoes and a towel.

Wander a network of forest trails and lofty spans, including canopy-level suspension bridges that reveal bromeliads, butterflies, and distant views of Arenal’s cone when skies are clear.

Guides help spot sloths and colorful birds while explaining rainforest layers and wildlife corridors. This nature walk is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Kick off the journey with a hosted evening out along Playa’s lively 12th Street. Connect with new friends over music and mezcal, and follow your CEO’s recommendations to relaxed lounges or upbeat dance bars as Caribbean breezes drift through palm-fringed lanes.

The vibe is casual and social. Expect a mix of salsa, cumbia, and contemporary tracks, and plenty of chances to toast to the adventures ahead. It’s an energizing, low-pressure way to ease into the local nightlife and celebrate the start of your trip.

Visit a community-run workshop to see centuries-old Maya techniques brought to life. Watch artisans shape clay by hand and hear how the cooperative empowers families through craft. Join a hands-on pottery demonstration and learn the meaning embedded in traditional forms and motifs.

Afterward, sit down to a homestyle meal and share conversation with your hosts. It’s a grounded window into Cayo District culture, where heritage skills support education, dignity, and economic resilience for local women.

Explore the jungle-shrouded temples of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an expert local guide. Walk grand plazas, decipher glyphs, and climb Temple IV for sweeping views above the emerald canopy where toucans fly and howler monkeys call.

Stand before Temple I (Temple of the Great Jaguar) to grasp the city’s ceremonial power from the Classic Maya era. History, wildlife, and atmosphere converge here, turning archaeology into a vivid, sensory experience in the heart of Petén.

Meet your group and meet your Tour Director (CEO) for a friendly briefing covering safety, local customs, and how to make the most of your month-long adventure. Get essential tips on money, transport, and neighbourhood hotspots so you can navigate with confidence from day one.

Use this time to ask questions and connect with fellow travellers. Your CEO shares insider insights on everything from street food to sunrise viewpoints, setting the tone for a trip focused on authentic encounters and flexible exploration.

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