Central American Journey

Intrepid Travel · 16 days
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
Central American Journey
16 Days
From AUD $3350
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (20 reviews)

Central American Journey

Central American Journey

Intrepid Travel · 16 days
4.6
20 Reviews
View Map
Duration

16 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Tropical cloud forests alive with jungle melodies and native wildlife, vast freshwater lakes and active volcanoes, historic cities and shared moments with locals – this pocket of Central America is a slice of paradise.

Highlights

  • Soak in the dramatic and varied landscapes of lush Central America. If you’re thinking active volcanoes, historic cities and emerald jungles – this trip has you covered. Nature lovers rejoice!
  • Wind your way through the otherworldly ruins of Copan in Honduras, famous for the numerous elaborate stelae. These Maya ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect spot for some great pics.
  • Take part in an indigo-dying demonstration in Suchitoto (the best place to produce indigo in the world) at a local enterprise that supports working mothers in the community.
  • Join a local guide (with specialist spotting equipment) on a walk through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde, exploring the lush canopies and seeing unique Central American wildlife in this natural haven.
  • Try out your Nicaragua sign language skills when you order breakfast at an atmospheric cafe housed in a historic building managed and staffed by members of the local deaf community.

Trip Details

Duration

16 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,Public bus,Taxi,Shared boat

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Antigua, Costa Rica

Finishes

San Jose, Costa Rica

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Antigua
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Guatemala. With crumbling churches, vibrant markets and bohemian cafes set against a monumental volcano, Antigua is the perfect place to begin your adventure. Speaking of adventure, yours officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel. If you decide to arrive in the city a little early (smart move!), there's plenty to do. Maybe satisfy your cravings and learn the art of old-world chocolate production at the ChocoMuseo or sit by the fountain and people-watch in Central Park. After the meeting, the night is yours – maybe head out with some of your fellow travellers for a tamale (a classic staple of Mesoamerica that sees dough, meat and sauces steamed and served in a corn husk).

Optional Activities:

  • Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) (150 GTQ)
  • Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo (30 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Copan, Honduras
Rise and shine early this morning to beat the rush-hour traffic around Antigua. Departing at around 7 am, you’ll drive towards Copan. Along the way, watch the passing scenery and learn about local life in Guatemala as you head towards the border. Cross into Honduras, arriving in the charming town of Copan in the early afternoon. While most people use Copan as a base to explore the nearby ruins, there are plenty of other points of interest, both along the cobblestone streets and set into the lush surroundings. Maybe get started in the Central Plaza and follow your nose to a cafe for the afternoon.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Copan, Honduras
This morning, meet up with a local guide and explore the World Heritage-listed ruins of Copan – the southernmost of the great Maya sites. It's unique because of the numerous elaborate stelae (carved columns) still intact among temples, excavated vaults and walls inscribed with ancient faces. After your exploration (don’t forget your camera today!) the rest of the afternoon is free to choose your own adventure. Maybe check out some fine feathered friends at the Macaw Mountain Park or visit the Temple of Rosalila. You could also head to the nearby natural hot springs - this optional tour gives you hours of soaking in mud, steaming natural baths and refreshing pools in the lush jungle, with an included dinner.

Included Activities:

  • Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site

Optional Activities:

  • Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner (50 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Copan to Suchitoto via Guatemala
You’ll wave goodbye to Copan this morning and head across the border to Guatemala and then into El Salvador. It’s a long travel day, so make sure you’ve got a good book or your favourite road trip games handy. When you arrive in Suchitoto, you’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk of the town – widely considered the cultural capital of El Salvador. Admire the elaborate building facades, get your bearings and enjoy the surroundings. Then, get your chef’s hat on with a pupusa-making demonstration. Pupusa (cornmeal flatbreads) is a classic Salvadorian recipe from the Pipil culture and is usually stuffed with some delicious ingredients, like cheese or chicharron (fried pork).

Included Activities:

  • Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
  • Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Suchitoto
This morning, head to a local designer’s home for an indigo-dying demonstration – Suchitoto is one of the best places in the world to produce indigo (used to dye clothing or other items blue). You’ll visit a local designer transforming colonial tradition into modern design and learn the history of the indigo trade. This small enterprise supports single mothers by providing them with an income for their children’s education, food and independence. Watch the demonstration, then get hands-on and try it for yourself!! The rest of the day is free in Suchitoto. The town overlooks the Embalse Cerron Grande – also known as Lago Suchitlan, this freshwater lake is a haven for migrating birds, particularly falcons and hawks. Maybe grab a historically-minded quartet for a guided walk through Cinquera Forest, where guerrilla fighters used the forest as cover during the Civil War. Or just relax around town, in a local café or at your accommodation.

Included Activities:

  • Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration

Optional Activities:

  • Suchitoto - Town tour (requires a minimum of 4 travellers to operate) (35 USD)
  • Suchitoto - War historic hike (Moderate hike - 2km) at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 5 travellers to operate) (55 USD)
  • Suchitoto - Sunrise Kayaking on Lake Suchitlan (requires a minimum of 4 travelers to operate) (50 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Pacific Coast
This morning you’ll drive to the Pacific Coast of El Salvador, home to some amazing dark-sand beaches and some of the best surf spots in the country. You'll have the afternoon free to relax.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Leon
Rise nice and early for a full day of travel as we cross the Gulf of Fonseca to reach Nicaragua by boat. In the afternoon you'll reach Leon – the second-largest city in Nicaragua. When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk through the charming city streets to get your bearings. Leon is a relatively quiet city, which makes strolling the murals and contemporary architecture a real treat! Tonight, maybe head out to dinner with your group – as always, your leader will have the best recommendations.

Included Activities:

  • Leon - Leader led orientation walk

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Leon
Today is a free day to make the most of Leon. Maybe visit the street food area behind the Lady of Grace Cathedral and try a Nica taco (made with maize, the taco is rolled, deep fried and then served with shredded cabbage smothered in cream). You could also take on a thrilling volcano sandboarding adventure on the black slopes of Cerro Negro Volcano. Maybe you’d just like to explore the city’s contemporary art or wander the Leon Cathedral.

Optional Activities:

  • Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) (55 USD)
  • Leon - Leon Art Center (4 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Granada
This morning, you’ll drive to the oldest city in the 'New World' – Granada. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs and admire the view at Laguna Apoyo, a volcanic crater lake formed around 23,000 years ago. Take some free time for lunch near the viewpoint. Then, stop in at the lakeside town of Masaya, where you’ll go on an orientation walk with your leader and get the chance to browse the stalls at the town’s famous artisan market before continuing to Granada. Featuring Moorish and Andalusian architecture, Granada is set on the banks of Lake Nicaragua and is surrounded by active volcanoes. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the leafy Parque Central and 'La Calzada' – a busy pedestrian street with plenty of bars and restaurants. The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace.

Included Activities:

  • Masaya - Town & Market Visit
  • Granada - La Laguna de Apoyo Viewpoint

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Granada
This morning you’ll have breakfast with your group at Cafe de las Sonrisas – a café run entirely by deaf people. The owner is aiming to bridge the gap and inspire other business owners to employ local people living with disabilities. After, the rest of the day is yours. Maybe hit the Convento y Museo San Francisco and view the collection of Indigenous stone statues. Hundreds of evergreen islets dot the waters of vast Lake Nicaragua and you can spend a few hours exploring them by boat, or hire a kayak and find your own way around, waving at the fisherman who live in wooden huts along the way. Just remember not to swim, as freshwater sharks live in the water!

Included Activities:

  • Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas

Optional Activities:

  • Granada - Mombacho Volcano hike (requires a minimum of 4 travellers to operate) (60 USD)
  • Granada - Granada islets boat tour (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) (25 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Monteverde
Today is another early start as you get ready for a full day of travel. Journey to Monteverde, where you can begin exploring this afternoon on an orientation walk with your leader. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers. These environmentally aware settlers also established a small wildlife sanctuary, which has since grown into the internationally renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. Cloud forests are like rainforests, but instead, draw their water from a semi-permanent cloud covering the region. This is truly a nature lover's paradise! More than 2000 plant species, 320 bird species and 100 mammal species call Monteverde home.

Included Activities:

  • Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Monteverde
Begin the day with a special morning brew, as you're welcomed into a local family's home-based cafe for breakfast and the chance to sample some local Costa Rican pour-over coffee, known as Cafe Chorreado. The rest of your day is free to explore Monteverde at your own pace. You might like to zoom through the treetops on a ziplining adventure, or for a more relaxed experience, discover Costa Rica's agricultural heritage on a coffee and chocolate tour. Tonight, you’ll have the option to end your day on a magical note with a night walk through the cloud forest to spot nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat.

Included Activities:

  • Monteverde - Hands-on breakfast

Optional Activities:

  • Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour (55 USD)
  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) (101 USD)
  • Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour (47 USD)
  • Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) (22 USD)
  • Monteverde - Frog pond (20 USD)
  • Monteverde - Orchid gardens (18 USD)
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Night Walk (45 USD)
  • Monteverde - Children's Forest (25 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
13
Day 13: La Fortuna
This morning, head out to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where you’ll join a local guide to walk the reserve’s trails. They’ll share information on the fascinating biodiversity of the region and lend their expert eye (and spotting scope) to searching for the wonderful wildlife. Look out for the resplendent quetzal and listen for the sounds of howler monkeys and the unmistakable call of the three-wattled bellbird. This afternoon, take a shared minibus transfer to the shores of Lake Arenal, where you’ll take a boat across the lake to the little town of La Fortuna. On a clear day, you'll have fantastic views of the surrounding area. Watching the massive Arenal Volcano loom larger and larger as you approach is a spectacular sight. Once you reach La Fortuna, take another vehicle to the hotel, then freshen up and head out on a leader-led orientation walk. La Fortuna is a favourite among travel writers for a reason – words like picturesque and breathtaking spring to mind when trying to describe this town in the shadow of the volcano.

Included Activities:

  • La Fortuna - Leader led orientation walk
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guide

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
14
Day 14: La Fortuna
Why not start today with a smoothie and plan how you want to explore? Perhaps take a guided nature hike through the lush forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, keeping an eye out for rare plants and animals, or see the forest from a series of hanging bridges that offer a great vantage point for spotting wildlife like sloths and rainbow-coloured birds. The volcano’s inner workings also mean that the area is home to several thermal hot springs – an ideal way to relax in the middle of nature. Or maybe check out the 70-m-high La Fortuna waterfall set in the middle of the rainforest and hit the lake on a stand-up paddleboard. A boat safari in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge offers the opportunity to see lizards, crocodiles and tropical birds in their natural habitat, so if you’re craving more wildlife, this option is perfect.

Optional Activities:

  • La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges (inc entrance fee, guide and shared transport) (75 USD)
  • La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) (25 USD)
  • La Fortuna - Arenal Volcano Base Hike (97 USD)
  • La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour (94 USD)
  • La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board (75 USD)
  • La Fortuna - Baldi Hot Springs (entrance fee) (66 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
15
Day 15: San Jose
Spend you final morning in La Fortuna learning the art of Costa Rican cuisine. A local family will guide you through a cooking class, and you’ll enjoy the results of your efforts for lunch. Then, watch the volcano fade into the distance on your private transfer to Costa Rica's capital – San Jose. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader to see the main highlights. When you’ve got your bearings, you may like to visit the Gold Museum, which has a fantastic collection of pre-Spanish gold art. If you're in the mood for some shopping, head to the outdoor market in the Plaza de la Cultura or the city's Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood. Tonight, why not join your fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner?

Included Activities:

  • San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
  • La Fortuna - Cooking Class

Optional Activities:

  • San Jose - San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures (74 USD)
  • San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) (11 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
16
Day 16: San Jose
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. There's a lot to see and do in and around San Jose, so if you’d like to stay for longer, just speak to your booking agent.

Optional Activities:

  • San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures (49 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $3,350
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 16 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Tropical cloud forests alive with jungle melodies and native wildlife, vast freshwater lakes and active volcanoes, historic cities and shared moments with locals – this pocket of Central America is a slice of paradise.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 11 Mar 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Amberlie
Traveled, April 2024

04/25/2024

The trip notes are a shamozzle but the trip itself was a smooth ride with an incredible guide (JuanMa) across five countries. It was a fast pace but a good taster of these places. Accommodation, transport and activities exceeded expectations, especially given our fabulous guide!

4.5
Marthe
Traveled, March 2024

04/06/2024

This trip was amazing! So many things to see and different optional activities to do, it s a great itinerary! Some long travels involved but definitely worth it! Sergio is a fantastic tour leader as well, very knowledgeable and caring of his people :)

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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