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17 days tour

Central American Journey

$ 2,220 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $2,220.00

Central American Journey

This tour includes:

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if weโ€™re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isnโ€™t always possible which means we wonโ€™t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Hotel (16 nights)

Others

Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration Leon - Leader led orientation walk Masaya - Town & Market Visit Granada - La Laguna de Apoyo Viewpoint Granada - Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk Monteverde - Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guide Monteverde - Hands-on breakfast in a local home La Fortuna - Leader led orientation walk San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk La Fortuna - Cooking Class

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative 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 Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Transport

Private vehicle , Public bus , Taxi , Shared boat

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Central American Journey

  • Day 1 Day 1: Antigua
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      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!), thereโ€™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 โ€“ 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).

  • Day 2 Day 2: Copรกn
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Copรกn

      Rise and shine early this morning to beat the rush-hour traffic around Antigua. Departing at around 7 am, youโ€™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.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Copรกn
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Copรกn

      This morning, meet up with a local guide and explore the World Heritage-listed ruins of Copan โ€“ the southernmost of the great Maya sites. Itโ€™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 (donโ€™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.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Suchitoto
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Suchitoto

      Youโ€™ll wave goodbye to Copan this morning and head across the border to El Salvador. Itโ€™s a long travel day, so make sure youโ€™ve got a good book or your favourite road trip games handy. When you arrive in Suchitoto, youโ€™ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk of the town โ€“ widely considered the cultural capital of El Salvador. Admire the elaborate building facades, get your bearings and enjoy the surroundings. Then, get your chefโ€™s hat on with a pupusa-making cooking class in a private home. 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).

  • Day 5 Day 5: Suchitoto
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Suchitoto

      Today is a free day in Suchitoto. The town overlooks the Embalse Cerron Grande โ€“ 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 cafรฉ or at your accommodation.

  • Day 6 Day 6: El Cuco
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: El Cuco

      This morning, head to a local designerโ€™s home for an indigo-dying demonstration โ€“ Suchitoto is one of the best places in the world to produce indigo (used to dye clothing or other items blue). Youโ€™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 childrenโ€™s education, food and independence. Watch the demonstration, then get hands-on and try it for yourself! To decide who gets to take the creation home, the group will hold a raffle (are you feeling lucky?). After, youโ€™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.

  • Day 7 Day 7: El Cuco
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: El Cuco

      Today, youโ€™re free as a bird to explore the beautiful Pacific Coast at your own pace. Alternatively, simply sit back and relax in a hammock on the beach and soak up the sunshine with a drink โ€“ lifeโ€™s good.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Leon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Leon

      Rise nice and early for a full day of travel by private vehicle. Cross the border at El Amatillo and then head into Honduras, where youโ€™ll stop for lunch. After, thereโ€™s another border crossing at Guasaule before you reach Leon โ€“ 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 โ€“ as always, your leader will have the best recommendations.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Leon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: 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 youโ€™d just like to explore the cityโ€™s contemporary art or wander the Leon Cathedral.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Granada
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Granada

      This morning, youโ€™ll drive to the oldest city in the โ€™New Worldโ€™ โ€“ Granada. Along the way, youโ€™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. Then, stop in at the lakeside town of Masaya, where youโ€™ll go on an orientation walk with your leader and get the chance to browse the stalls at the townโ€™s famous artisan market. Have some free time to find some lunch in Masaya, then continue on to Grenada. 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 โ€™La Calzadaโ€™ โ€“ a busy pedestrian street with plenty of bars and restaurants. The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your own pace.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Granada
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Granada

      This morning youโ€™ll have breakfast with your group at Cafe de las Sonrisas โ€“ a cafรฉ 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!

  • Day 12 Day 12: Monteverde
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: 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 loverโ€™s paradise! More than 2000 plant species, 320 bird species and 100 mammal species call Monteverde home.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Monteverde
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Monteverde

      Begin the day with a special morning brew, as youโ€™re welcomed into a localโ€™s home for breakfast and the chance to sample some local Costa Rican coffees. Then, head out to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where youโ€™ll join a local guide to walk the reserveโ€™s trails. Theyโ€™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. Once your tour is complete, youโ€™re welcome to stay and continue exploring the reserve or return to your accommodation to relax.

  • Day 14 Day 14: La Fortuna
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: La Fortuna

      This morning, drive to the shores of Lake Arenal, where youโ€™ll take a boat across the lake to the little town of La Fortuna. On a clear day, youโ€™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 โ€“ words like picturesque and breathtaking spring to mind when trying to describe this town in the shadow of the volcano.

  • Day 15 Day 15: La Fortuna
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: 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 volcanoโ€™s inner workings also mean that the area is home to several thermal hot springs โ€“ 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 Caรฑo Negro Wildlife Refuge offers the opportunity to see lizards, crocodiles and tropical birds in their natural habitat, so if youโ€™re craving more wildlife, this option is perfect.

  • Day 16 Day 16: San Jose
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: 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 youโ€™ll enjoy the results of your efforts for lunch. Then, watch the volcano fade into the distance on your private transfer to Costa Ricaโ€™s capital โ€“ San Jose. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader to see the main highlights. When youโ€™ve got your bearings, you may like to visit the Gold Museum, which has a fantastic collection of pre-Spanish gold art. If youโ€™re in the mood for some shopping, head to the outdoor market in the Plaza de la Cultura or the cityโ€™s Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood. Tonight, why not join your fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner?

  • Day 17 Day 17: San Josรฉ
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: San Josรฉ

      With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. Thereโ€™s a lot to see and do in and around San Jose, so if youโ€™d like to stay for longer, just speak to your booking agent.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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