Budget Tours & Trips to Central America
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10 best cheap Central America tour packages
Compiled by
NinaCentral America travel expert at TourRadar
- Central America Experience
- The Lure of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua)
- Central America Adventure
- Mexico, Belize & Guatemala Adventure
- Epic Mexico to Costa Rica
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
- Beaches and Nature with Santa Teresa, Self-drive
- Costa Rica Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
- Cancun to San Jose Travel Pass
- Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests
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
Costs around $100 per day including hostel accommodations and transport across 4 countries. Lake Atitlan's Maya communities and Granada's isletas featured with guides. Most breakfasts included, optional activities available at El Tunco Beach.
Duration 14 days Destinations Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $230 Operator Marvelus Travel From
- NZ$3,220
The Lure of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua)
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“very well organized with enough space for own discoveries.”
This 4-country tour costs approx. $120 per day, covering breakfast, local guides, and entrance fees to Copan ruins and Iximche. Boat tours on Lake Atitlan and Lake Suchitlan, plus city tours in Antigua, Leon, and Granada are included.
Duration 13 days Destinations Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $234 Operator Penguin Travel From
- NZ$3,043+$395 upfront costs
This 11-night tour, priced at approx. $190 per day, includes accommodations, cultural homestays, and guided activities. Cave tubing in San Ignacio and walking tours in Antigua come included, with optional Blue Hole visits available.
Duration 12 days Destinations Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $306 Operator TruTravels From
- NZ$3,675
This 17-night adventure costs approx. $200 per day, covering accommodation and guided activities. Highlights include snorkeling Belize's reef, UNESCO sites, traditional homestays, local markets in Antigua and chicken bus transportation.
Duration 18 days Destinations Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $333 Operator TruTravels From
- NZ$5,995
Epic Mexico to Costa Rica
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The guide made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to every woman in the group; about 10/12 on the tour were women.”
Aoife, traveled in July
A cost-effective 32-day adventure costs around $150 per day with accommodations and select meals. A combination of 25 hotel nights, hostel stays, and camping maximizes value while keeping costs low. Transportation includes local options plus orientation walks in Tulum, Leon, and San Jose.
Duration 32 days Destinations Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 18-35 Price Per Day $141 Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,030
10% Off- NZ$4,527You save $503
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great guides and we especially loved the boat ride out to Tortuguero.”
Ingrid, traveled in January
This Central American tour costs approx. $140 daily, featuring stays at Turtle Beach Lodge and Arenal Montechiari. The package includes 9 breakfasts, transfers, and car insurance, with separate park entries.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, Arenal Volcano National Park, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $266 Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,961
10% Off- NZ$2,665You save $296
Beaches and Nature with Santa Teresa, Self-drive
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was well laid out, and we enjoyed every moment. The self drive part worked out very well.”
Mabel, traveled in December
This 14-night Central American journey costs approx. $140 per day, spanning accommodations from beach resorts to cloud forest lodges. The price includes most breakfasts, select meals, transportation, and core activities, with optional tours from $50.
Duration 15 days Destinations Liberia, Playa Tamarindo, Samara, Playa Santa Teresa, San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $265 Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $4,413
10% Off- NZ$3,972You save $441
Costa Rica Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
47 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Costa Rica tour was a truly life changing experience for me! To top it off I have made friends for life.”
Ben, traveled in April
Costa Rica's prime locations beckon at approx.$150 per day. The package features eco-lodges, guided activities, and most meals. From Poás Volcano to Manuel Antonio, highlights include wildlife sanctuary visits and cooking classes.
Duration 12 days Destinations San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park, Sarapiquí, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $279 Operator One Life Adventures From $3,716
10% Off- NZ$3,345You save $372
This comprehensive tour costs approx. $70 per day, featuring homestays in San Jorge La Laguna, hiking trails in Manuel Antonio National Park, and transfers between 21 cities. The package includes transportation, select meals, volcano treks and snorkeling.
Duration 39 days Destinations Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Costa Rica Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $115 Operator Bamba Travel From
10% Off- NZ$4,502
Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests
33 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A fantastic tour in a beautiful country. A memory I'll never forget.”
Kate, traveled in January
This affordable Central American tour runs approx. $100 per day with simple accommodations across Costa Rica. The itinerary spans both coasts, cloud forests, and volcanoes with free activities like beach time and hiking, plus a homestay at Coope San Juan.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $122 Operator G Adventures From $2,139
20% Off- NZ$1,711You save $428
Budget Tours & Trips to Central America Reviews
- Epic Mexico to Costa Rica
I had a good opinion of Geckos until they didn't follow up on feedback that one of the guides was making highly inappropriate comments. I assumed they'd be horrified and get in touch to find out what happened but it's been 2 months now. The guide made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to every woman in the group; about 10/12 on the tour were women. The most sexually explicit comments were directed at me, even after I told him it was inappropriate. It made the last few days of the tour very uncomfortable because you can't really avoid your guide. It was especially stressful at meals, trying to make sure I didn't end up beside him. When he realised I wasn't happy with him he sulked for days and kept asking why I wasn't his friend anymore. Not fun... Geckos' lack of response suggests to me that this must not be uncommon behaviour for guides. Also the fact that the guide was so blatant and targeted literally every woman suggests that he didn't expect the company to take complaints seriously.
- Beaches and Nature with Santa Teresa, Self-drive
The tour was well laid out and good value there seemed at times a lack of clear information like hotel address and location. National Car rental was fantastic.
- Costa Rica Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
Perfect trip for people who are active and wanne experience Costa Rica’s flora and fauna!
What our customers ask about Budget Tours & Trips to Central America
When is the most affordable time to visit Central America on a budget tour?
Visit Central America from May to November during the green season for the best deals. Tours to Costa Rica's Tortuguero National Park cost 20-30% less in these months. While Panama City and Antigua Guatemala stay relatively dry year-round hotels in popular spots like Manuel Antonio and Caye Caulker drop their prices significantly. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We saved hundreds by traveling in June - there were occasional afternoon showers but still plenty of sunshine and much smaller crowds at places like Tikal."
What are some wallet-friendly destinations in Central America that offer the best value?
Nicaragua stands out with cities like Granada and León where you can find rooms for under 30 USD nightly. Guatemala's Lake Atitlan and Antigua deliver rich cultural experiences at modest prices while Panama's Boquete region matches Costa Rica's hiking experiences at lower costs. Local markets including San Salvador's Mercado Central let you experience daily life without spending much. According to a TourRadar review: "Guatemala was incredibly affordable - we got amazing experiences like the Tikal ruins and Lake Atitlan homestays while spending much less than we expected."
What's the best way to save money on transportation during a Central America budget tour?
Local transport options help cut costs throughout the region. Chicken buses in Guatemala and water taxis in Belize cost far less than private options. The boat ride from Belize City to Caye Caulker runs about 15 USD and shared shuttles between popular Costa Rican destinations like La Fortuna to Monteverde cost around 25 USD. A TourRadar reviewer shared: "Using local transportation in Panama saved us a lot - the public bus from Panama City to Boquete was just 12 USD compared to 45 USD for private transfers."
How much should I budget for optional activities on a Central America tour?
Set aside 200-300 USD for a two-week tour's extra activities. Common add-ons include zip-lining in Monteverde at 75 USD snorkeling trips in Caye Caulker for 45 USD and visits to Arenal hot springs costing 35 USD. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We spent around 250 USD on extra activities in Costa Rica - the canopy tours and white water rafting were worth every penny but definitely impact your budget."
How much should I budget for souvenirs and shopping in Central America?
Budget 100-150 USD for shopping whether at Antigua's craft markets or Panama's Albrook Mall. Expect to pay 5-30 USD for handicrafts at Guatemala's Chichicastenango market and 15-50 USD for traditional textiles in Costa Rica's Central Market. A TourRadar traveler recommended: "The indigenous markets in San Juan La Laguna Guatemala had the best prices for authentic souvenirs - we spent about 100 USD on beautiful handwoven textiles."
What's included in the meal plan for budget Central America tours?
Most budget-friendly tours cover daily breakfasts and some group meals. You'll get breakfast at places like Hotel Arenal Paraiso in Costa Rica and local homestays. Tours often include welcome dinners in places like Antigua Guatemala or group lunches during Tortuguero excursions. A TourRadar review noted: "Having breakfast included at Casa Maya in Panama City was great but we enjoyed exploring local restaurants for other meals - it was part of the adventure!"