G Adventures
Save 15%Total Central America: Two Months of Wild
Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador · 62 days · Easy
fromCAD 7,799
Next: 23 Aug
Save 25% off, auto-applied, ends 2026-06-19
Operated by G Adventures
Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica
From
CAD 3,399
Duration
32 days
Countries
Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador
Activity
easy
Group size
Max 16
The adventure
Are you looking for the maximum Central American adventure at minimum cost? Try this 32-day trip on for size and visit seven different countries, filling your days with Mayan ruins, clear Caribbean waters, lush rainforests, and Pacific waves. With ample free time to choose your own activities in some iconic destinations between Mexico and Costa Rica, there’s no limit to the epic experiences. Explore indigenous Mayan villages and meet locals for an immersion into the authenticity of Central America!
Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out.
Spend a full free day in the area! Opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Tulúm or snorkel off the coast of nearby Cozumel. For a more laid-back day, choose to enjoy the beach.
Travel from Mexico across the border into Belize today, which boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easy-going people. During the drive, picture the unbelievably clear blue waters and the opportunities you will have over the next few days for diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef.
Enjoy a free day in Caye Caulker. Choose to snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, keeping a lookout for stingrays and nurse sharks. You can also choose to go diving, or just chill out on the beach.
Another full day of free time will allow you to participate in any optional activities in the area that you didn’t have time for yesterday.
Cross back to the mainland of Belize via boat and travel by bus inland to San Ignacio. Along the way the group will stop for an included pottery demonstration and a typical lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative.
Enjoy a day at leisure to experience the surroundings of San Ignacio. Choose to visit the Sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, or set your eyes on the lesser-visited Xunantunich Mayan ruins.
While this trip is fast-paced, there will be some opportunity to rest on today's drive as the group crosses another border and travels to Guatemala. Enter the country in the northeast jungle Petén region and stop for a guided tour of the ancient city of Tikal on the way to Flores. This place is the capital of Petén, a small island located on the second largest lake in Guatemala—Lake Petén Itzá.
Travel for most of the day from Flores to Rio Dulce, which is on the shores of Lake Izabel, the largest lake in Guatemala. This journey across the country will take a road through dense jungle arriving at this port town in the evening.
Sit back and marvel at the scenery on a boat ride from Rio Dulce to the Caribbean town of Livingston. Make a stop at the G Adventures–supported El Manglar Restaurant for an explanation of the women-led community initiative project there. Walk around the grounds and then gather for a delicious lunch steeped in local flavours.
Spend most of the day travelling from Rio Dulce to Antigua, Guatemala. Rest up on the ride because upon arrival the group will set off on an orientation walk. The rest of the evening is free. Get a head start planning tomorrow’s activities or enjoy this colonial city’s nightlife.
The group will have a full day at leisure in Antigua. From biking riding to climbing a volcano there’s plenty to see and do. Stay in town and café hop as a way to soak up the area’s culture.
Visit beautiful Lake Atitlán after travelling through the country’s highlands full of fertile hills and fields. The area is ideal for outdoor activities and you will have plenty of time to explore.
Take a boat ride across the lake before taking part in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family.
The group will journey back to Antigua and spend some free time exploring. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills, or taking a salsa lesson.
Relax in Antigua on your own! Opt to book a massage, hop on a bike and ride through the nearby hills, visit a local farm, or climb a volcano.
Cross the border today between Guatemala and Honduras as the group travels to the town of Copán Ruinas. Arrive in the colonial highland town in the evening and soak up this gorgeous location set along a river in the coffee growing region.
Enjoy a full free day to explore Copán on your own. Choose to visit the nearby ruins and see some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. You can also choose to visit the countryside where you’ll find hidden jungle hot springs to soak in.
The journey today, while long, will also be a good way to catch up on some rest. Drive from Honduras back into Guatemala briefly before crossing the border to El Salvador where the group will stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Choose to try pupusas tonight, a local Salvadorian specialty and a great treat after a long day of travel.
Spend the morning at leisure in Suchitoto and then it’s off to the coast and the La Libertad region. Catch a stunning sunset in a small surf town and opt to grab a cold drink after a day’s journey complete.
This full free day is perfect for optional beach activities in the area. Opt to book a surf lesson, try fresh ceviche at the fish market, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or relax on the beach.
Leave El Salvador and transfer by land and sea to Nicaragua. The group will arrive to colonial León for a short orientation walk in the evening.
Continue on towards Granada today, where you’ll see the city’s colourful colonial buildings during an orientation walk. Surrounded by active volcanoes and lakes, this place is perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Get to know the town and opt to go out with the group.
Get out and explore the charms of Granada during your full free day. Visit the local markets and museums. Choose to try kayaking in Lake Nicaragua or go for a swim in Laguna de Apoyo. You could also go for a walk in the forest at the top of Mombacho Volcano.
Cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes in the middle of the lake. Here, take part in a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay among different local families. This experience will give you a chance to experience how rural Nicaraguans live.
Explore Ometepe on your own. Choose to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, spend time with the local host families, or view petroglyphs left by the island's original inhabitants. You can also choose to walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, travel the island by bicycle, or lounge out on the beach.
Travel by ferry back to the mainland and drive across the border into Costa Rica. The final destination today is the cloud forest environment of Monteverde. Sitting 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds and home to unique and diverse flora and fauna.
The day is free for any optional activities in the area. Options include a visit to a cloud forest reserve, ziplining through the jungle canopy, or visiting a coffee plantation. There’s also horseback riding in the mountains or hiking along local trails.
Leave the cloud forest behind and travel down towards sea level and across Costa Rica’s largest lake to the town of La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Once here, choose your activities; canyoning, white water rafting, hiking, caving, horseback riding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and visiting a wildlife refuge are just some of the fun options you could try.
Partake in any of the activities you didn’t get to try yesterday. From canyoning to rafting, the possibilities feel endless.
Travel through the mountains to San José and spend a free night out in the capital. From beautiful parks to museums and theatres there’s plenty to see.
Depart at any time.
At a glance
Duration
32 days
Route
Playa del Carmen → San José
Countries
Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador
Activity level
easy
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Cycling, Local Living & Homestays, Multi-Country / Grand Tour, Trekking & Hiking, Wildlife & Safari
Group size
Max 16
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Guatemala, Mexico & 5 more countries
Showing Days 1-7
32-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out.
Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out.
Day 2Spend a full free day in the area!Take advantage of a full day of free time to relax or explore as much as you wish. Perched atop the sea you will find the ruins of Tulúm. In the coral-filled waters surrounding Cozumel you can snorkel, or you can go swimming in a cenote or at the beach, before exploring the town in the evening on your own.
Take advantage of a full day of free time to relax or explore as much as you wish. Perched atop the sea you will find the ruins of Tulúm. In the coral-filled waters surrounding Cozumel you can snorkel, or you can go swimming in a cenote or at the beach, before exploring the town in the evening on your own.
Day 3Travel from Mexico across the border into Belize today
Travel from Mexico across the border into Belize today, which boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above all, friendly, easy-going people. During the drive, picture the unbelievably clear blue waters and the opportunities you will have over the next few days for diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef.
Day 4Enjoy a free day in Caye Caulker
Enjoy a free day in Caye Caulker. Choose to snorkel at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, keeping a lookout for stingrays and nurse sharks. You can also choose to go diving, or just chill out on the beach.
Day 5Another full day of free time will allow…
Another full day of free time will allow you to participate in any optional activities in the area that you didn’t have time for yesterday.
Day 6Cross back to the mainland of Belize via…
Cross back to the mainland of Belize via boat and travel by bus inland to San Ignacio. Along the way the group will stop for an included pottery demonstration and a typical lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative.
Day 7Enjoy a day at leisure to experience…
Enjoy a day at leisure to experience the surroundings of San Ignacio. Choose to visit the Sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, or set your eyes on the lesser-visited Xunantunich Mayan ruins.
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Discover Guatemala
A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.
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Operated by G Adventures
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