Central America Tours & Trips
Have you ever wanted to see the old Mayan ruins of Copan, where detailed hieroglyphic stairways tell stories that have been lost to time? Or go to friendly Suchitoto and learn how to make delicious pupusas? Head to the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist swirls through the green canopy. Relax in thermal hot springs near the Arenal volcano, which is right above you. Are you ready?
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Vasanthi • traveled in September, 2024
A rather quick journey through these 5 countries to get a glimpse of central American life. Somehow it didn’t feel rushed as there are 2 nights in all the places visited ( except start and finish ) . Lots of optional activities for those who want it. Nice hotels, great food and comfortable transport. Even the numerous border crossings went smoothly.
Central American Journey (19 destinations) - M
Michael • traveled in July
Completely fell in love with Central America on this trip! So many hidden G Adventures gems along the way and can't recommend this enough. Our guide Marcela was fantastic and I'll definitely be going back one day
Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways - M
Meifang • traveled in April, 2025
Great tour experiences, from volcanos to black sand beach, to sloths. The CEO, Esteban, was a standout.
Basic Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica
Table of contents
- The best Central America tour packages
- Travel Central America your way
- Best tour companies for Central America tours
- Discover Central America tours for every budget
- Central America tours for every type of group
- Top Central America travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Central America
- Contact our Central America travel experts
- What our customers ask about Central America Tours & Trips
The best Central America tour packages
Compiled by
NinaCentral America travel expert at TourRadar
Real Guatemala to Costa Rica (including Cerro Verde National Park)
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip was easy and drama free. It was so nice having a guide to make me feel safe.”
Alexandra, traveled in December
The 17-day adventure through 4 Central American countries winds from Antigua's colonial streets to Monteverde's cloud forests. Activities include UNESCO sites, kayaking Lake Nicaragua, and spotting sloths in Costa Rica. Rated 4.4/5 from 15+ reviews, this Intrepid tour offers authentic experiences like pupusa-making in El Salvador and cooking classes in Los Ramos indigenous community.
Duration 17 days Destinations Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,720
10% Off- NZ$2,448You save $272
Central American Journey (19 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Lots of optional activities for those who want it. Nice hotels, great food and comfortable transport.”
Vasanthi, traveled in August
The grand 17-day route spans 5 Central American nations, from Guatemala's colonial Antigua to Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano. Visit UNESCO-listed Copan ruins, master pupusa-making in Suchitoto, and watch sloths in Monteverde Cloud Forest. Includes 16 nights in hotels, traditional breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas in Granada, and wildlife encounters in Caño Negro Refuge.
Duration 16 days Destinations Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- NZ$3,740
Basic Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing trip. Basic but exactly what I was looking for.”
Duane, traveled in March
This 17-day adventure covers 5 Central American countries, from UNESCO-listed Antigua to San José. Blend homestays in Ometepe Island with hotel stays, visit Copán's Mayan ruins, and catch waves in El Tunco. At approx. $90/day, immerse yourself in cloud forests in Monteverde and volcano views in La Fortuna.
Duration 17 days Destinations Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 18+ Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$2,579
This 14-day adventure across 4 Central American countries runs from San Jose to Guatemala City. Hike Arenal Volcano, soar through Monteverde Cloud Forest, and catch waves at San Juan del Sur beach. Accommodations include backpacker-friendly spots like La Fortuna Backpackers and Naked Tiger Hostel.
Duration 14 days Destinations Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala Age Range Ages 16+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Marvelus Travel From
10% Off- NZ$1,637
Journey through 10 Central American cities over 21 days, from San Jose's vibrant streets to Antigua's colonial charm. Zip-line through Monteverde Cloud Forest, trek Pacaya Volcano, and explore UNESCO-listed Copán Ruins. Features unique experiences like volcano boarding at Cerro Negro and an authentic homestay in Ometepe Island.
Duration 21 days Destinations Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
10% Off- NZ$2,812
Traverse 5 countries in 20 days from Antigua to San Jose, featuring volcano boarding at Cerro Negro and zip-lining in Monteverde's cloud forest. Experience homestays in Ometepe, explore UNESCO-listed Copan ruins, and spot wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park. Includes guided tours, transfers between 10 cities, and authentic local experiences for $79 per day.
Duration 20 days Destinations Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
10% Off- NZ$2,684
The Lure of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua)
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“very well organized with enough space for own discoveries.”
A 13-day Central American odyssey takes you through Guatemala's colonial Antigua, Honduras' UNESCO-listed Copan ruins, and Nicaragua's volcanic Ometepe Island. Visit Lake Atitlan's Mayan villages, stay in cultural Suchitoto overlooking Lake Suchitlan, and wander the colonial cities of Leon and Granada. Approx. $120 per day.
Duration 13 days Destinations Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Penguin Travel From
10% Off- NZ$3,114+$607 local payments
This comprehensive Central American adventure connects 14 cities across Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize. Colonial Granada's Las Isletas archipelago, Masaya volcano treks, and Mayan ruins at Tikal await. Luxuriate at Chaa Creek rainforest lodge in Belize, with canoeing on the Macal River and spa treatments.
Duration 19 days Destinations Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize Age Range Ages 12+ Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- NZ$12,830
Central America Experience
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“What started as a bad experience turned out to be brilliant! Thanks Marvelus Travel!”
Tori, traveled in January
Active Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala, surfing at El Tunco Beach, and volcano boarding at Cerro Negro in Leon highlight this adventure. Four countries in 14 days showcase Maya communities around Lake Atitlan and natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano. Comfortable hostels with shared dorms provide accommodation, with breakfast and local guides included.
Duration 14 days Destinations Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Marvelus Travel From
10% Off- NZ$3,274
Duration 22 days Destinations Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala Age Range Ages 12+ Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- NZ$11,145
Travel Central America your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Central America tours
G Adventures and Intrepid Travel stand out as solid choices for Central America trips, based on what our travelers tell us. They've built up a good track record for keeping things running smoothly - from transport logistics to activity timing. We often hear specific praise for guides like Fonzi Arce and Jurgen, who bring local knowledge and handle unexpected changes well. I should mention that Penguin Tours hasn't been meeting expectations lately. Several customers came back disappointed with their hotel quality, and quite a few mentioned disorganized schedules that left them waiting around or rushing between stops. Marvelous Travel sits somewhere in the middle. Their office staff are quick to respond and helpful, and some of their drivers get great feedback. But we've seen a pattern of booking mix-ups and also late buses. One customer spent two hours waiting for a transfer in San Jose because of unclear pickup instructions. From booking hundreds of Central America trips, I'd lean toward G Adventures or Intrepid if you want reliability. They cost a bit more than Penguin or Marvelous, but the extra expense typically means fewer headaches during your trip.
Discover Central America tours for every budget
Central America budget tours52 tours
Starting from
$38
per day
- Central America luxury tours
18 tours
Starting from
$125
per day
Central America tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Central America travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
- Solo Travelers543 tours
- Couples461 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)16 tours
- Seniors (50+)372 tours
Best time to visit Central America
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Our winter tours through Central America blend cultural discovery with outdoor exploration. The main route connects Nicaragua's colonial heritage to Costa Rica's natural wonders - you'll watch active lava flows at Masaya Volcano and take refreshing swims in Lake Nicaragua near Ometepe Island. We've also got a great option mixing Guatemala's ancient landmarks with hands-on pupusa cooking in El Salvador and also visits to Honduras' Copán ruins. Our travelers tell us they love how these winter trips balance guided activities with free time to wander Granada's old quarter or try local street food in León.
- 348 tours
- 470 tours
- popular 482 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring tours flowing through Central America create a perfect blend of cultural depth and outdoor experiences when conditions are at their best. The well-traveled paths connect Nicaragua's volcanic terrain, Guatemala's rich heritage sites and also Costa Rica's diverse natural areas. Our tour guests tell us they love combining views of active lava at Masaya Volcano, cool dips in Lake Nicaragua by Ometepe Island, and traditional crafts like mask-making in Monimbo village. These in-depth journeys feature homestays where local families share meals and Spanish conversation, walks with expert guides through Copan's UNESCO ruins, and hands-on cooking sessions making pupusas in Suchitoto. Many travelers choose paths that include soaring through Monteverde's misty forest canopy and floating Tortuguero's waterways to spot native wildlife. The spring timing works especially well for mixing cultural connections with outdoor activities - you might find yourself learning traditional indigo dyeing techniques with local artisans between volcanic hikes and beach time at Manuel Antonio, where monkeys and sloths move through the forest above.
- popular 484 tours
- 479 tours
- 452 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer in Central America opens up some of our most varied experiences. The full journey begins in San Jose where you'll explore local life and sample regional foods at Central Market before heading to Manuel Antonio's pristine beaches - keep your eyes up for monkeys and sloths in the trees above. Another excellent route covers Nicaragua and Guatemala, letting you try traditional mask-making in Monimbo, slide down Cerro Negro volcano and stay with island families on Ometepe. Our guests particularly like how these summer trips mix cultural activities with cool breaks in places like Monteverde's misty forest and also La Fortuna's natural swimming holes.
- 447 tours
- popular 455 tours
- 455 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Based on the available tour data, there is no specific information about autumn tours or seasonal booking patterns for this time of year. Instead of making assumptions about autumn travel options without supporting evidence, this section has been intentionally left empty to maintain accuracy. The core tour information and year-round options are covered thoroughly in other sections of the article.
- 414 tours
- popular 463 tours
- 400 tours
Contact our Central America travel experts
Tetiana
Expert in Central America at TourRadar
Tetiana is one of our seasoned Central America Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Central America tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Central America Tours & Trips
How Do People Get Around in Central America?
Getting between countries in Central America is actually pretty varied. Chicken buses these colorful converted school buses are super cheap and give you a real local experience though yeah they can get packed. If you want more comfort shared shuttle vans are the way to go especially for longer trips. Island hopping or hitting coastal spots? Water taxis are your best friend particularly in Belize and Panama. Like if you're heading from Flores Guatemala to Caye Caulker Belize you'll need to piece together a few rides - taxi to the border another to Corozal Town local transport to Belize City then hop on a water taxi to the island.
What Local Cultural Experiences Can You Join In?
There's some really authentic stuff you can get involved with. In Suchitoto El Salvador you can learn to make pupusas right alongside locals and try your hand at indigo dying with local artisans it's actually one of the world's best places for indigo and helps support single moms. Over in Guatemala the Temple of San Simon in San Andres Itzapa offers a fascinating look at Mayan traditions mixed with Catholic beliefs. Nicaragua's got some cool cultural spots too like Monimbo where you can meet artists who make those traditional masks from the revolution days.
Where Are the Best Natural Areas to Visit?
The natural spots here are incredible. Mombacho Volcano Reserve near Granada Nicaragua needs a 4x4 to reach but rewards you with amazing cloud forest walks and crater views. Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica is a boat ride away and packed with wildlife including 350+ bird species. Then there's Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve also in Costa Rica easily reached by minibus where the biodiversity will blow your mind.