Discover Central America

32 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
If it’s Central America you want, it’s Central America you’ll get! This super-cali-fragil-istic-EPIC-ali-docious adventure kicks off in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen and snakes through Belize, Antigua, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica like an enormous non-scary anaconda wearing a party hat. Chillax on the beach in Caye Caulker, trek to Tikal, brush up on your ...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Oh mayan, central america, what a land. a palace of mysterious ruins, active volcanoes, idyllic beaches and emerald jungles. get a taste of seven different countries on an epic latin adventure that takes in the sights and offers a whole heap of optional activities too.
    • Extended time in caye caulker and antigua offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy laid-back island vibes as well as buzzing colonial city life.
    • There's nothing quite like staying with a local family to really experience a place. you'll be feasting at breakfast and dinner, and improving your spanish with the locals in san jorge la laguna in no time.
    • There are loads of sides to central america and you’ll get a taste of so many - slumbering on the sands of playa del carmen, gazing at the pyramids of tikal or haggling in the markets of chichicastenango.
    • Travel to el salvador and back in time in the colonial town of suchitoto. then summon your best beach bum/inner surfie with the beautiful black-sand beaches and surf of el cuco and el tunco.
    • Central america likes to keep you on your toes – hike, cycle or zip-line through the steamy cloud forests of monteverde in costa rica. get up close to nature in one of the world’s most incredible landscapes.

What's this trip about?

    If it’s Central America you want, it’s Central America you’ll get! This super-cali-fragil-istic-EPIC-ali-docious adventure kicks off in Mexico’s Playa del Carmen and snakes through Belize, Antigua, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica like an enormous non-scary anaconda wearing a party hat. Chillax on the beach in Caye Caulker, trek to Tikal, brush up on your Española over an icy cerveza and spot more volcanoes than you can shake a stick at.

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Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPlaya del Carmen
End CitySan Jose

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • North America
  • New Mexico
  • Central America
  • Belize
  • Costa Rica
  • Guatemala
  • Nicaragua
  • El Salvador

Attractions

  • Antigua
  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Granada
  • Lake Atitlan
  • Lake Nicaragua
  • Ometepe
  • Salvador
  • Tikal

Activities

  • Culture

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Playa del Carmen

Kick things off in Playa del Carmen, which is a pretty awesome place to begin a trip. In fact, it's so awesome that you might think the rest of the trip could be a disappointment. Luckily, our guys at Geckos HQ strive to make every single trip equally awesome from sta...

Day 2 Tulum

Today you'll hop on a local bus along the Caribbean coast to Tulum (approx 1.5 hours), where it's all about laid-back life and the broad, white beach. Once you're settled, there's the chance to visit one of the best-looking Maya sites around. The impressive pre-Colum...

Day 3 Tulum

Today is free to relax, join some optional activities and generally do what you feel. Two wheels are a good way to start the day, so rent a bike, cruise around the area and cover a lot of ground in a short time. There's also the option of heading to Akumal Bay for a snorkeling tour of the reef.

Day 4 Caye Caulker

New day, new country. Adios Mexico, hello Belize. Much of today will be taken up with travel, driving by local bus to the border, then on to Belize City (approx 8 hours in total). Let the wind and spray wash the bus out of your face with a speedboat to Caye Caulker (approx 1 hour). If your idea of paradise is white sand, blue waters and palm trees then you’re going to dig Caye Caulker.

Day 5-6 Caye Caulker

Your time in Caye Caulker is all about talking it easy. The pace of life is so deliciously slow it's almost backwards. If being underwater is your thing then head out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to Shark Ray Alley and the world's second longest barrier reef. Snor...

Day 7 San Ignacio

Today you'll leave the island behind and return to Belize City by boat (approx 1 hour), before taking a local bus to San Ignacio (approx 3 hours). The local buses in Belize are a little more basic than in Mexico but this is a great opportunity to mix with Belizeans an...

Day 8 San Ignacio

There are a heap of optional activities to take part in today around San Ignacio. The cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal is a living museum of Maya relics, and you can wade through its waters until you reach a whole bunch of 1,400-year-old crystallised skeletons. Or take a...

Day 9 Tikal National Park

Today you go jungle. Guatemala-style. Leave San Ignacio, cross the border, and get dropped at Tikal National Park by private minibus (approx 4 hours). You'll set up camp (all equipment provided) by the park entrance before exploring the super-huge and crazy-cool Maya ...

Day 10 Rio Dulce

From the jungle to the lake this morning, as you drive (approx 1 hour) to the lakeside town of Flores. Here there's time to grab some lunch and have a quick explore around the town. Then it's back on the private minibus to Rio Dulce (approx 5 hours).   On arrival in R...

Day 11 Rio Dulce

There are a load of kick-ass activities on offer today. Take a scenic boat trip down the river to Livingston, a laid-back town on the Caribbean coast that offers a unique experience of local Garifuna culture. Go boating on the lake, relax in the thermal hot springs or explore the nearby San Felipe fort.

Day 12 Antigua

Travel by private minibus to the city of Antigua (approx 8 hours). You'll spend the night here, before heading to Lake Atitlan tomorrow. You won't spend too much time in Antigua today but you'll be coming back here at the end of the trip, so don't stress. Still, tak...

Day 13 Chichicastenango / San Jorge La Laguna

Today you'll get a seriously authentic and up-close Guatemalan experience. Start the day by travelling by private minibus to the famous market in Chichicastenango (approx 2.5 hours). This is the most colourful market in the country, where on Thursdays and Sundays loca...

Day 14 Panajachel

Say bye to your host family this morning and push on to neighbouring Panajachel, a cool little town on Lake Atitlan with distant volcanoes looming in the background. Pana has got a thriving market, loads of good places to eat and many water-based activities to enjoy...

Day 15 Antigua

Hit the road back to Antigua by private minibus today (approx 3 hours). With three nearby volcanoes dominating the horizon, you won't have been to many places quite like Antigua. The World Heritage-listed city is a cobblestoned maze of colonial buildings, leafy town s...

Day 16 Antigua

Enjoy a free day exploring the city. The number one stop for chocoholics should be the ChocoMuseo, where there's info all about its history and, more excitingly, a chocolate-making workshop. For those more interested in the other famous Central American bean, you can ...

Day 17 Suchitoto

Today is an early start as we Travel to Suchitoto - El Salvador. Transfer by private vehicle to the border town of Las Chinamas (approximately 3hrs). Once clearing immigrations, continue on to Suchitoto (another 3hrs travel or thereabouts). Suchitoto is a beautiful c...

Day 18 Suchitoto

Today is free to enjoy a range of optional activities around the area. The town of Suchitoto overlooks the Embalse Cerron Grande, which is surrounded with mountains and dotted with various islands. Also known as Lago Suchitlan, this freshwater lake is a haven for migr...

Day 19 El Tunco

Continuing south by private minibus today, pass through the capital of San Salvador on your way to the laid-back surf village of El Tunco (approx 3 hours). This tiny town has become well known for its radical surf, unique black-sand beaches and good nightlife, and is ...

Day 20 El Cuco

Head east by private minibus along the Pacific coast to coastal El Cuco today (approx 3 hours). You'll be spending the next two nights in a beautiful and extensive eco-hotel, dedicated to promoting a greener lifestyle, in harmony with the local sea turtle, bird, lizar...

Day 21 El Cuco

Today is free to explore the beautiful coastal scenery around El Cuco. If you feel like getting active, you can kayak among mangroves or give surfing a go. You could even take a trip to see the nearby Conchagua Volcano – from the top there are spectacular views of the...

Day 22 Leon

Next up: Nica! (As Nicaragua is locally known as) After an early transfer to La Union you'll take a boat through the Gulf of Fonseca to the Nicaraguan town of Potosi. Once you've had your passport checked, the group will continue by private vehicle to Leon. Make sure ...

Day 23 Granada

Today you take a short 2-3 hour local bus ride to Granada. Founded in 1524, Granada is the oldest city in the 'New World'. Featuring Moorish and Andalusian architecture and oozing colonial charm, the city is set on the banks of Lake Nicaragua and is surrounded by active volcanoes.

Day 24 Granada

Today is free to explore Granada. You can take a guided tour of the city, bargain hard in the markets, or wander the streets, snapping photos of the colourful buildings. Perhaps hire a kayak or a bicycle and find your own way around, or take a hike out in the surround...

Day 25 Ometepe Island

Island life rolls on with a trip to rural Ometepe. From Granada, travel by local bus to Rivas, where you'll transfer to San Jorge ferry port by taxi (approx 2.5 hours in total). Catch a one-hour ferry across Lake Nicaragua (the largest in Central America and the tenth...

Day 26 Ometepe Island

Today you have a free day to discover the island. Perhaps take a hike up to the summit of either the Concepcion or Maderas volcanoes. Be warned – at 1,700 and 1,340 metres above sea level respectively, these are serious volcanoes and the treks are no walk in the park....

Day 27 Monteverde

Today continue your journey south, first by one-hour ferry to the mainland and then by one-hour taxi to Penas Blancas. After crossing the border into Costa Rica, travel by private minibus to Monteverde (approx 5 hours). Proof of onward travel is a requirement for entr...

Day 28 Monteverde

Today you have a full free day to discover the reserve and experience the mystical and fragile environment here. Monteverde is not for the faint-hearted, so bring your sense of adventure and a solid pair of shoes, and have a little fun with the giddy heights. Perhaps ...

Day 29 La Fortuna - Arenal

Today take the scenic route to La Fortuna (approximately 4-5 hours in total). Travel by shared minibus to Lake Arenal, which you'll then cross by boat. On a clear day you'll see fantastic views of the surrounding area. On the other side of the lake, re-board the minib...

Day 30 La Fortuna

There are plenty of optional activities to take part in today so when you get home this isn’t the place to say you sat around. Perhaps take a guided nature hike through the lush forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, keeping an eye out for rare plants and animals. You can...

Day 31 San Jose

Take a local bus to Costa Rica's capital, San Jose (approx 5 hours). Or should we say San Jos-YAY. People watching is good, but you know what's even better. People talking. As in, conversing with people. So get chatting with the locals on the bus today. Situated in th...

Day 32 San Jose

Today your Central American adventure comes to an end, there are no activities planned. As there's a lot to see and do in and around San Jose, we recommend staying on for a few days to make the most of the city. If you'd like to extend your visit and need further acco...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,546
Price per day$80
Last Updated: 7/16/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Geckos Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Geckos Adventures Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
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M

Madilyn

Nov 2019

FANTASTIC

FANTASTIC. Start to finish it is such a fantastic taste of Central America, all t...

T

Tierney

Oct 2019

we had a exceptional experience!

This was an amazing trip and a wonderful option for a single female traveller. I learnt so much and got to visit and experience diverse aspects of modern Mexico and ...

C

Chloe

Oct 2019

I really enjoyed having a small group

Real Mexico was my first intrepid tour. I really enjoyed having a small group and being able to embrace in local culture. I would highly recommend my trip manager, J...

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At Geckos we’ve taken the dorkiness out of group travel. You’ll snack on the tastiest grub, hang out with people your own age (18-29) and clamber aboard public transport, sleep in family run places, see stuff other tourists never knew existed and have plenty of free time along the way.

We tread lightly, think local and make sure our trips are helping not hindering the places we visit. Plus, our local leaders are rad humans.

If you’ve got an open mind, a sense of adventure and are willing to step outside your comfort zone then you’ll fit right in. We’re for travellers who aren’t afraid to order off the local menu, jump in a tuk-tuk or take a punt on a new friend.

We reckon everyone should be able to see this great world, so we make sure our trips don’t cost the earth (literally and metaphorically). We make sure you see more awesome stuff, stay in more awesome places and eat more awesome things for your hard earned dollar.

We’ve done all the hard haggling for you, and because you’re travelling with a gang of friends, the cost is shared. We love you and we want to take you on the trip of a lifetime, whatever your budget.

When you’re travelling with a small group, you’ll get to know your gang of fellow travellers pretty well. Which means you’ll head home with a whole lot of new BFFs, rather than a hundred strange Facebook friend requests.

That’s why we based our Geckos symbol on the Native American crossed arrows. It means friendship. And we are totally down for making new friends.

Our guides are locals and our lodgings are locally owned, keeping profits and skills in the communities. We offset our carbon emissions; we don’t shirk the responsibility by passing the buck to our travellers. And we’ve set up a bunch of community and climate projects, which anyone can get involved in.

Geckos Adventures is committed to investing in the local communities we visit. To ensure we are offering adequate support to a variety of projects, Geckos has partnered with The Intrepid Foundation. Through this partnership, we can offer our travellers a more substantial base for donation and a greater selection of projects to support.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (27 nights), Multishare lodge (2 nights), Camping (with facilities) (1 night), Homestay (1 night),

Transportation & Flights

Boat,Local bus,Private minibus,

Transportation & flights

Boat,Local bus,Private minibus
Guides
All Geckos Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Geckos Adventures endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Geckos Adventures we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT: Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months' validity remaining. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends. VISAS: Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The below country specific information was correct at time of writing, however please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time. Also remember to check whether a transit visa is required on route to join this trip or on the way home. If you receive an immigration card upon entry, please ensure you keep this safe as it may be requested at point of exit. For further information regarding country entry and exit fees, please refer to the 'Money Matters' section of this document.  Mexico - Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and The United States of America are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mexico for the most up to date information. You will be required to fill out a Multiple Immigration Form (FMM) upon arrival. This FMM form must be stamped by Mexican immigration and kept until you leave. The maximum stay is 180 days, but they may sometimes put a lower number unless you specify otherwise. Belize - Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and The United States of America are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Belize for the most up to date information. Although rarely checked, to enter the country visitors are required to have the equivalent of BZ$120 per day for the duration of their stay, as well as a return or onward travel ticket. Visitors generally get a 30-day stamp in their passport upon entering Belize. Guatemala - Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and The United States of America are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Guatemala for the most up to date information. Under the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4), foreigners may travel between Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador for periods of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities once per year. The standard length of stay is 30 days, but please ask for the 90-day option before they stamp your passport. This period begins at the first point of entry to any of these countries. El Salvador - Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and The United States of America are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. For some nationalities, a Tourist Card must be purchased upon entry. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of El Salvador for the most up to date information. Under the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4), foreigners may travel between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua for periods of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities once per year. This period begins at the first point of entry to any of these countries. Nicaragua - Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and The United States of America are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. For some nationalities, a Tourist Card must be purchased upon entry. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Nicaragua for the most up to date information. Under the Central American Border Control Agreement (CA-4), foreigners may travel between Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and for periods of up to 90 days without completing entry and exit formalities once per year. This period begins at the first point of entry to any of these countries. There is a new procedure to enter overland into Nicaragua which requires information about your group to be sent to immigration a week prior to the border crossing. Apart from sending details such as head count, dates and reservations, your leader will ask for your occupation and a copy of your passport to include.  Costa Rica - Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and The United States of America are not required to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Some nationalities will require a visa but be aware that you cannot get it at the border. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Costa Rica for the most up to date information. To enter the country visitors are required to have a return or onward travel ticket. Visitors generally get a 90-day stamp in their passport upon entering Costa Rica.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Geckos Adventures itinerary, and Geckos Adventures makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Geckos Adventure's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: http://www.geckosadventures.com/safety-updates PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MONEY WITHDRAWAL: In order to avoid fraud, it is advisable that you withdraw money from ATMs located inside banks or guarded shops during business hours only. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. LOCAL LODGINGS: On this trip you will be staying in some restored houses and local lodges - these are one of the charms of this journey, but their staircases, balconies and passages etc may not always comply with western safety standards. Please do not expect elevators in these properties as they are preserved to their original state. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. ACTIVE VOLCANOES: This tour passes through volcanic areas. In the instance that a volcano becomes potentially dangerous and authorities declare nearby towns unsafe for travel, the itinerary will be re-routed. Where possible, Geckos will provide advance notice of such changes. At short notice, when this is not possible, your tour leader will provide up to date information on behalf of Geckos.
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Hotel Le Bergerac
  • First entry to Los Yoses, 50 mts. South San Jose
  • San Jose
  • San Jose
  • COSTA RICA
  • Phone: +506 22347850
Trip ID
geckos-GSRXC

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