Intrepid Travel
Best of Central America
Best of Central America
Explore incredible worlds above and below the water through some of Central America’s best. Amble down the Yucatan Peninsula to the island paradise of Caye Caulker, then cutting inland, hit the lush jungle around Tikal, cruise to the wide river Rio Dulce and end up among the clouds in Panajachel and Antigua. Continue to the relaxing beach vibes on the dark sands of El Cuco, spot colourful birds perched on the colonial facades of Suchitoto, stand in the shadow of mighty Arenal Volcano and spot sloths among the canopy of Monteverde, then admire the colonial towns, steamy jungles of Costa Rice and Panama, stopping off at the stunning islands of Bocas del Toro. With your local leader to steer you in the direction of the best bars and surf breaks plus a small group of adventurers to enjoy them with, you can’t go wrong on this carefree Central American journey.
Activities
- Caye Caulker – Leader-led orientation walk
- San Ignacio – Leader-led orientation walk
- Tikal National Park – Tikal archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Chichicastenango – Market Visit
- Chichicastenango – Shaman Visit
- San Jorge La Laguna – Traditional Maya Homestay
- Panajachel – Leader-led orientation walk
- Antigua – Leader-led orientation walk
- San Miguel – Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
- Copan Ruins – Visit
- Suchitoto – Leader led orientation walk
- Leon – Leader led orientation walk
- Granada – Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
- Monteverde – Leader-led orientation walk
- La Fortuna – Leader led orientation walk
- San Jose – Orientation Walk
- Puerto Viejo – Leader-led orientation walk
- Puerto Viejo – Hands-on dinner in local home
- Boquete – Leader-led orientation walk
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Panama City – Leader-led walk in Casco Viejo
- Panama City – Leader-led walk along part of the Cinta Costera (Causeway) including a visit to the Fish Market
Highlights
- Whether its slumbering on the sands of Playa del Carmen, gazing at the pyramids of Tikal or haggling in the vibrant markets of Chichicastenango, you’ll experience multiple sides of Central America.
- Get to know contemporary Maya life during a homestay in San Jorge La Laguna, a lakeside village where you can share meals and conversation with a local family.
- Nicaragua is often neglected by travellers in favour of its neighbours but their loss is your gain as you’ll have incredible Ometepe Island, which was formed by massive volcanoes, pretty much all to yourself.
- Hike, cycle or zip-line through the steamy cloud forests of Monteverde – there’s so many ways to experience the lush canopies and unique Central American wildlife.
- Clear sea perfect for swimming, shacks serving cold cerveza and sandy shores covered in starfish are waiting in the Bocas del Toro, where you spend three nights on Isla Colon.
- Cruise up the Rio Dulce to your waterfront jungle lodge, then maybe grab a beer and relax while the sounds of nature fill the air.
- Put your chef hat on and help prepare a traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Day 1 |
Playa del Carmen |
Day 2 |
Playa del Carmen |
Day 3 |
Chetumal |
Day 4 |
Caye Caulker |
Day 5 |
Caye Caulker |
Day 6 |
Caye Caulker |
Day 7 |
San Ignacio |
Day 8 |
San Ignacio |
Day 9 |
Tikal National Park |
Day 10 |
Rio Dulce |
Day 11 |
Rio Dulce |
Day 12 |
Antigua |
Day 13 |
San Jorge La Laguna |
Day 14 |
Panajachel |
Day 15 |
Antigua |
Day 16 |
Antigua |
Day 17 |
Antigua |
Day 18 |
Copan |
Day 19 |
Suchitoto |
Day 20 |
Suchitoto |
Day 21 |
El Cuco |
Day 22 |
El Cuco |
Day 23 |
Leon |
Day 24 |
Granada |
Day 25 |
Granada |
Day 26 |
Ometepe Island |
Day 27 |
Ometepe Island |
Day 28 |
Monteverde |
Day 29 |
Monteverde |
Day 30 |
La Fortuna |
Day 31 |
La Fortuna |
Day 32 |
San Jose |
Day 33 |
San Jose |
Day 34 |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
Day 35 |
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
Day 36 |
Bocas del Toro / Isla Colon |
Day 37 |
Bocas del Toro / Isla Colon |
Day 38 |
Bocas del Toro / Isla Colon |
Day 39 |
Boquete |
Day 40 |
Boquete |
Day 41 |
Santa Catalina |
Day 42 |
Santa Catalina |
Day 43 |
Panama City |
Day 44 |
Panama City |
Day 45 |
Panama City |
Antigua
Antigua and Barbuda are located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua, the largest of the British Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide, encompassing 108 square miles. Barbuda, a flat coral island with an area of only 68 square miles, lies approximately 30 miles to the north. The population is approximately 68,000 and its capital is St. John’s on Antigua.
The largest of the British Leeward Islands, Antigua has warm, steady winds, a complex coastline of safe harbors, and a protective, nearly unbroken wall of coral reef. These unique characteristics have made Antigua and Barbuda in one of the Caribbean’s premier tourist destinations.
The expansive, winding coastline that made Antigua difficult for sailors to navigate is where today’s trekkers encounter a tremendous wealth of secluded, powdery soft beaches. The coral reefs attract snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world. And the fascinating little island of Barbuda — once a scavenger’s paradise because so many ships wrecked on its reefs — is now home to one of the region’s most significant bird sanctuaries.
Bocas Del Toro
Located in northeast Panama, the area is a series of islands and includes the Bastimentos National Park built to protect the natural wildlife of the area.
Chetumal
Located in the southern Yucatan, this capital of Quintana Roo, is on the border with Belize and is known for its fine hardwoods and agricultural products.
Leon
León, central Mexico, in Guanajuato State, in a fertile river valley, at an altitude of about 6000 ft. León is the industrial, commercial, and transportation center for a rich agricultural region and is a shoe-manufacturing center. Founded in 1576, León was a Spanish colonial administrative center.
Travel Dates | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|
08/26/23 - 10/09/23 |
Starting At $5,755 |
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09/23/23 - 11/06/23 |
Starting At $5,265 |
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09/30/23 - 11/13/23 |
Starting At $5,365 |
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11/11/23 - 12/25/23 |
Starting At $5,535 |
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11/14/23 - 12/28/23 |
Starting At $5,795 |
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11/18/23 - 01/01/24 |
Starting At $5,640 |
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11/25/23 - 01/08/24 |
Starting At $5,535 |
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11/28/23 - 01/11/24 |
Starting At $5,795 |
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12/02/23 - 01/15/24 |
Starting At $5,220 |
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01/13/24 - 01/20/24 |
Starting At $6,030 |
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01/27/24 - 03/11/24 |
Starting At $5,770 |
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02/06/24 - 03/02/24 |
Starting At $5,555 |
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04/06/24 - 04/20/24 |
Starting At $5,770 |
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05/04/24 - 05/25/24 |
Starting At $5,555 |
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06/15/24 - 09/28/24 |
Starting At $5,340 |
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10/05/24 - 10/26/24 |
Starting At $5,555 |
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11/02/24 - 12/16/24 |
Starting At $5,745 |
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11/09/24 - 11/16/24 |
Starting At $5,770 |
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Offer subject to availability and change without notice. Some restrictions may apply.