Central America Tours
- Ometepe Island (Nicaragua)
- Bay Islands (Honduras)
- Antigua (Guatemala)
- Bocas del Toro (Panama)
- Lake Atitlan/Panajachel (Guatemala)
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (Belize)
- Havana (Cuba)
- Tikal (Guatemala)
- Palenque (Mexico)
- Playa Hermosa (Costa Rica)
Diversity. The word sums up Central America travel. So geographically close to the frenzy of North America, yet a million miles away in culture and lifestyle, this small area changes colours as quickly as a chameleon. Each country is so different that a simple border crossing will bring a whole new mix of surprises and cultural experiences. If beach life and water activities are your thing then a Central America tour is perfect for you. Snorkeling, sailing, SCUBA diving, surfing, parasailing, swimming and windsurfing are all possible in virtually any Central American country. For history and culture buffs the archaeological ruins of Tikal in Guatemala or Copan in Honduras are fascinating reminders of the ancient Mayan civilization. Whether you have just a week or a full month to travel, Central America has something for you.
Mayan Adventure (CAM)
Leave the resorts of Cancún behind and explore the authentic Yucatán. From sunny beaches and lush jungles to the highlands of Chiapas, journey through Belize, Guatemala and southern Mexico on this incredible 22-day adventure. Explore the amazing ruins of Chichén Itzá, Palenque and Tikal and walk the cobblestone streets of colonial San Cristóbal de las Casas and Antigua. Snorkel with stingrays or just get into the reggae pace of life on sunny Caribbean beaches. Experience a journey that introduces you to local culture and offers insight into the history of the Mayan heartland.
Highlights: Exploring incredible Mayan sites and colourful local markets, blissing out on the world-class Mayan Riviera beaches, caving in a Mayan sacred site, snorkelling on Belize's world-famous barrier reef.
Cuba Colonial (CCC)
The melody of horns floating through the air, classic cars parked in colonial squares and revolutionary statues—get over the resort wall and discover the real Cuba! Travel east to Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa and encounter the birthplace of Cuban rhythms and revolutionary fervour. Soak in Spanish heritage while exploring churches, forts and cobblestone streets. Overnight in homestays for an immersive Cuban experience few travellers get to experience. Don't just walk down the road less travelled—dance down it. Viva la Revolución!
Highlights: Dancing salsa with the locals, walking in Che Guevara's footsteps, bonding with your host family in a homestay, exploring breathtaking beaches.
Costa Rica Quest (CRQ)
Nature called you to Costa Rica—now here you are, suspended in the jungle canopy, locking eyes with a curious monkey. This action-packed tour of Costa Rica’s highlights is perfect for the adventurer with limited time who wants to explore the region’s diversity. Get your adrenaline pumping, follow a trail to the base of a waterfall, melt away in thermal springs or bliss out on a beach—our CEOs will help you find the secluded spots only the locals know.
Highlights: Soaking in the thermal hot springs of Arenal Volcano, searching for the elusive quetzal bird in the cloud forest, watching the sunset over the Pacific.
Cuba Libre (CCL)
Walking through the pincushion hills, wandering amongst orchids and lush mountain coffee plantations—see another side of the island on this week-long tour through the ‘Garden Province’ of Cuba. Tour a tobacco plantation, snorkel crystal clear waters full of colourful coral and search for the pirates of lore along the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. Soak up local culture in a homestay for an immersive experience that travellers rarely get to know. Let our experienced CEO lead you off the beaten path and discover the cultural treasures of Cuba.
Highlights: Blissing out on the beautiful beaches, Experiencing Cuban hospitality during a homestay overnight, visiting a factory that produces world famous Cuban cigars.
Mayan Encounter (CGME)
Trek though jungles to Mayan ruins and relax on white sand beaches. Get an authentic taste of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala with an adventure that combines the mystery of the ancient ruins with the crystalline waters of the Caribbean. Shop for treasures along colonial Antigua's cobblestone streets and get to know the locals from communities where life sometimes moves at a reggae pace. Explore the lost ruins of Tikal, snorkel with stingrays and finish in the colourful beach town of Playa del Carmen. With accommodation and transport arranged by a CEO, this trip offers great value and is the perfect way to discover this region’s unique vibe.
Highlights: Listening to the howler monkeys from the top of Temple IV at Tikal, Revelling in Caye Caulker sunsets, Swaying to reggae beats wafting through the Belizean air, Blissing out on world-class Mayan Riviera beaches.
Mayan Sun—Southbound (CMCA)
Find your paradise somewhere between the blazing Yucatán sun and the cool Guatemalan highlands on this 16-day odyssey. Wander Antigua’s cobblestone streets and its local markets before experiencing the diverse beauty of Lake Atitlán and its indigenous villages. Geared to the adventurer wanting to capture some of Central America's finest highlights, this trip will ensure that you really pack some punch into those postcards home.
Highlights: Relaxing on white sand beaches, luxuriating in Caye Caulker sunsets and reggae music, experiencing a local homestay, exploring gorgeous colonial Antigua and its colourful markets.
Costa Rica Adventure (CRA)
If you’re looking for a taste of Costa Rica’s world-class highlights but want to keep things spicy with a sampling of hidden treasures, this action-packed adventure tops the menu. In spite of its small size, Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world—explore its volcanoes, wildlife, rainforests and beaches. This adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time. Optional activities abound—choose to get your adrenaline pumping or take it easy with a stroll through a butterfly garden.
Highlights: Spotting wildlife while cruising through canals, searching for the elusive quetzal bird, hiking through jungles, chilling on the gorgeous Pacific coast, Searching for dolphins on a sunset sail or going whitewater rafting.
- Trip Style:
- Classic
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Standard
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Costa Rica Explorer (CRE)
Costa Rica has as many microclimates as it does opportunities for active adventures—and this 2-week journey will bring you the best of both. There's a visit to a cloud forest, but for a bigger jolt, try rappelling down waterfalls or flying across ziplines above the treetops. For a different pace, float through the canals of the Tortuguero National Park and visit turtle nesting grounds if you choose. From the Caribbean beaches to the Pacific, this stunning tour embodies some of the best that Costa Rica has to offer.
Highlights: Spotting wildlife while cruising the canals of Tortuguero, enjoying spectacular volcano views, hiking the trails of reserves and national parks, relaxing on the Pacific beaches.
Volcano Trail (JGS)
From the crystal-blue ocean teeming with marine life to tropical rainforests alive with jungle melodies, take the road less travelled on this trip through Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica with other travellers your own age. This is one of our most exciting trips, filled with breathtaking scenery and a chance to experience local culture with a 2-night homestay on the island of Ometepe. Enjoy a blend of public and private transportation, which not only keeps costs down but also gives you a chance to really meet the locals.
Highlights: Connecting with your hosts in an Ometepe homestay experience, relaxing seaside in the Bay Islands, laughing with the locals during a journey on a chicken bus, opportunities to go whitewater rafting, exploring Mayan ruins and hiking through a cloud forest
- Trip Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Belize & Tikal Adventure (BHH)
Follow in the footsteps of Mayan warriors to lost cities cloaked in jungle mists. This adventure offers an intriguing mix of ruins, beaches, wildlife and the rich cultures of Belize and Guatemala. A perfect blend of activity and relaxation—spend three days canoeing deep in the jungle and snorkelling the crystal-clear turquoise-blue waters before easing into the laidback Belizean lifestyle while sipping on a rum cocktail. As pioneers of canoeing in the region, we are pleased to offer this classic trip—one you won’t find anywhere else.
Highlights: River canoeing in central Belize, spotting tropical sea life while snorkelling the barrier reef, exploring the jungle-set ruins of Tikal, listening to reggae music as you walk down Caye Caulker's sandy main street.
- Trip Style:
- Classic
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Standard
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Central Cuba Adventure (CCCA)
Enjoy the sights and sounds of central Cuba on this week-long adventure to some of the famous sites that have drawn outsiders to this magical island over the last several decades. Journey through history-infused Havana and the cobblestone streets of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then head to Cienfuegos for some relaxing at the beach and a tour of its impressive bay. Visit monuments to the icons of the revolution and experience a side of Cuba few rarely get to see by foregoing your hotel a few nights for a local homestay.
Highlights: Experiencing life as a local in a homestay, cruising along the Bay of Cienfuegos, dancing salsa and enjoying live music, exploring colonial Havana's alleyways.
Cuba Explorer (CCCE)
Explore a side of Cuba that few rarely get to experience on this 9-day adventure. Cruise Havana’s history-infused streets in a classic car and stroll along Trinidad’s cobblestone avenues to the rhythms of music floating from open windows. Tour a tobacco plantation for a taste of iconic Cuban culture and luxuriate in the view of the island’s rolling western hills. Travel by private air-conditioned van is well-paced, so you're refreshed and ready to explore the island’s vibrant culture and incredible Caribbean beaches.
Highlights: Cruising through Havana in a vintage automobile, watching the making of the famous Cuban cigar at a local factory, blissing out on a beautiful beach overlooking the blue Caribbean.
- Trip Style:
- G-Plus
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Comfort
- Physical Grading:
- 2
Cuban Rhythms (CCCR)
For too many people, Cuba is nothing more than a beach resort. That’s crazy; the island practically buzzes with energy and you should do likewise—get moving. Journey through the culture-soaked streets of Trinidad and Old Havana for your fill of drinking and dancing. The music here pours out of open windows. Hit the beach and explore the outdoors then connect with the locals in homestays and make friends for life as you hit the sites with other young people like yourself. Boring? Impossible!
Highlights: Dancing the night away with other young travellers in Old Havana, mingling with the locals at overnight homestays, sampling the local rum and cigars, connecting to the salsa culture on the dance floor, moving those hips to incredible live music, exploring colonial Havana's alleyways, lazing under the Caribbean sun.
Mayan Sun (CGAC)
Trek though jungle backdrops to Mayan ruins and chill out on white sand under the Caribbean sun. Check out Mexico, Belize and Guatemala and experience the region’s diversity. Wander colonial Antigua’s cobblestone streets and shop for treasures before experiencing the natural beauty of Lake Atitlan, its indigenous Mayan villages and striking volcanoes. Snap a picture and impress the folks. One of our most popular trips, this adventure offers natural wonders, excitement and culture with enough time to socialize and do your own thing.
Highlights: Pounding the cobblestones of gorgeous colonial Antigua, overnighting in a local homestay, seeing the vibrant colours of markets, experiencing Caye Caulker sunsets and reggae music, blissing out on white sand beaches, exploring Mayan sites
Semana Santa - Easter in Guatemala (CGEM)
Antigua, Guatemala's most beautiful colonial city, is famous for its celebrations, and this unique 10-day adventure ensures you're there for Semana Santa—one of the most vibrant and colourful celebrations in all of Central America. Line the parade route along cobblestone streets decorated in flower petals and take in religious processionals on Good Friday. Search for cultural treasures at the famous Chichicastenango market and meet local Mayan villagers amidst the volcanic scenery of Lake Atitlán. See for yourself how timing is everything as you discover the splendour of Guatemala.
Highlights: Bartering at the bustling local market of Chichicastenango, Relaxing at breathtaking and peaceful Lake Atitlán, Watching the Holy Week processions and elaborate colourful carpets laid out in the streets in Antigua.
Mayan Discovery (CMMD)
Mayan ruins peeking out from verdant jungle, street vendors hawking their wares on colonial streets, pristine white sand beaches sparkling under the Caribbean sun—now this is the real Yucatán! On this unique 15-day journey, you’ll tour the ruins at Chichén Itzá and Palenque, and head deep into the jungle of Guatemala to experience the ruins of Tikal. You're free to choose your own adventure! So escape the resort packages and witness all the incredible wilderness, wildlife and Mayan culture—past and present—that you can imagine.
Highlights: Exploring Mayan temples, trekking through jungles, chilling out on a Belizean island, staring out into the Caribbean blue from a Mayan Riviera beach.
- Trip Style:
- Classic
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 3
Mayan Trail (CMTM)
Leave the resorts of Cancún behind and embark on an authentic adventure that will take you from spectacular Mayan ruins, over the cobblestone streets of colonial towns and deep into the jungle of Mexico. Explore the ancient ruins at Chichén Itzá and Palenque and meet the descendants of those who built them in the vibrant streets and colourful markets of picturesque Mayan towns. Get your camera out—you're going to need it!
Highlights: Exploring the ruins of Chichén Itzá and Palenque, getting lost wandering colonial San Cristobal de las Casas and Antigua, marvelling at Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls, bargaining at colourful local markets.
Essence of Nicaragua (CNEN)
From the colonial streets of Granada and León to the beauty of San Juan del Sur's horseshoe bay, discover the best of Nicaragua on this unique 12-day adventure. Encounter a nature-lover's paradise on Ometepe Island and both dormant and active volcanoes amidst this country's stunning wilderness. Emerging from a long and turbulent history, Nicaragua is set to become the next big thing. Discover it before the others do and come away with a greater understanding of both the volatile past and a passion for this country's vibrant modern culture.
Highlights: Exploring colonial Granada, seeking out the revolutionary murals in León, chilling out on the beach at San Juan del Sur, Savouring a typical meal at a rural farm.
Trek Hidden Costa Rica (CRAC)
Think you know Costa Rica? Trade in the same old settings for the real deal. Trek into the heart of the jungle, live with three families in a remote village and embrace your inner Tarzan while bunking down behind a massive waterfall in a hidden cave. You'll learn about the medicinal plants native to these parts and how to make sugar cane candy. This is a spectacular country with opportunities for waterfall rappelling, surfing and whitewater rafting. Discover the emerald core of a diverse land. This is what adventure is all about.
Highlights: Trekking into a remote community to live with the locals, Sleeping in a cave behind twin 26m waterfalls, Making your own sugar cane candy, Experiencing a traditional sauna and learning about medicinal plants, Rappelling down hidden waterfalls, Whitewater rafting on the Savegre River
Costa Rica on a Shoestring (CRBC)
Hit two of Costa Rica's famed features—volcanoes and beaches—on this exciting trip that isn't too hard on the wallet. Get the adrenaline pumping in La Fortuna, then soak up the hippie spirit of Montezuma and relax on the beach. While you're free to choose your own adventure and optional adrenaline-inducing activities like waterfall rappelling, your accommodation and transportation are included and our expert CEOs will help you make the most of your time. Take a trip that's packed with just the essentials—eight days of maximum Costa Rica at minimum cost.
Highlights: Trying adrenaline sports like whitewater rafting and waterfall rappelling, taking in the views of Arenal Volcano towering over La Fortuna, chilling out on the Pacific, trying to catch some waves.
| Trip | Length | Style | Service Level | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayan Adventure (CAM) | 22 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$2249
USD
|
| Cuba Colonial (CCC) | 15 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$1599
USD
|
| Costa Rica Quest (CRQ) | 9 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$999
USD
|
| Cuba Libre (CCL) | 8 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$899
USD
|
| Mayan Encounter (CGME) | 11 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$1199
USD
|
| Mayan Sun—Southbound (CMCA) | 16 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$1249
USD
|
| Costa Rica Adventure (CRA) | 16 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$1087
USD
Promotions Available!
Was
$1449
|
| Costa Rica Explorer (CRE) | 14 days | G-Plus | Comfort |
From
$1799
USD
|
| Volcano Trail (JGS) | 17 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$1232
USD
Promotions Available!
Was
$1449
|
| Belize & Tikal Adventure (BHH) | 15 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$1402
USD
Promotions Available!
Was
$1649
|
| Central Cuba Adventure (CCCA) | 8 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$899
USD
|
| Cuba Explorer (CCCE) | 9 days | G-Plus | Comfort |
From
$1530
USD
Promotions Available!
Was
$1699
|
| Cuban Rhythms (CCCR) | 8 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$649
USD
|
| Mayan Sun (CGAC) | 16 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$1249
USD
|
| Semana Santa - Easter in Guatemala (CGEM) | 10 days | G-Plus | Comfort |
From
$1099
USD
|
| Mayan Discovery (CMMD) | 15 days | Classic | Basic |
From
$1232
USD
Promotions Available!
Was
$1449
|
| Mayan Trail (CMTM) | 12 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$1299
USD
|
| Essence of Nicaragua (CNEN) | 12 days | Classic | Standard |
From
$1249
USD
|
| Trek Hidden Costa Rica (CRAC) | 12 days | Active | Basic |
From
$1199
USD
|
| Costa Rica on a Shoestring (CRBC) | 8 days | Yolo | Basic |
From
$649
USD
|
