Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive in Mexico City and settle in at your own pace. A welcome meeting happens at 6 pm, so if you get there early, head over to the Zocalo, the massive central square, and check out the nearby Aztec ruins and colonial architecture. There are plenty of parks and plazas to wander around as you adjust to the local rhythm.
Optional Activities
- Visit Zocalo and nearby Aztec ruins and colonial architecture
- Explore local parks, plazas and gardens
- Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) entrance fee - MXN95 (Closed Mondays)
- National Museum of Anthropology entrance fee - MXN100 (Closed Mondays)
- Frida Kahlo Museum entrance fee - MXN320
- Metropolitan Cathedral entrance fee - Free
- Torre Latino 360° Lookout entrance fee - MXN200
- Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum entrance fee - MXN50
- Teotihuacan Pyramids Urban Adventure - USD125
Landmarks Zocalo Aztec Ruins Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) National Museum of Anthropology Frida Kahlo Museum Metropolitan Cathedral Torre Latino 360° Lookout Teotihuacan Pyramids 
- Day 2
Mexico City
Your leader takes you on a walking tour through the city to help you get your bearings. You'll pass by the Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo, National Palace, Bellas Artes, and Paseo de la Reforma. At lunch, join the group for a taco crawl sampling street food like tacos al pastor. The rest of the day is yours to explore freely, check out Plaza Garibaldi, or hit up trendy bars in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Leader-led taco crawl featuring tacos al pastor and other local street food specialties)
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Leader-led taco crawl with local guide
Optional Activities
- Visit Plaza Garibaldi
- Visit trendy bars in the city
Landmarks Metropolitan Cathedral Zocalo National Palace Bellas Artes Paseo de la Reforma Plaza Garibaldi - Day 3
Puebla
Visit San Pedro Tlahuac where a local family shares their way of life through traditions, food and farming. You'll take a trajinera ride and learn about chinampa agriculture, then enjoy a local meal using ingredients grown on the chinampas. Later, head to Puebla for an orientation walk, then end the day at La Pasita bar sampling pasita liqueur.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local meal prepared with ingredients from the chinampas by local family)
Included Activities
- Community visit to San Pedro Tlahuac
- Trajinera ride
- Chinampa agriculture learning experience
- Local meal prepared with chinampas ingredients
- Leader-led orientation walk in Puebla
- Visit to La Pasita bar to taste pasita
Landmarks San Pedro Tlahuac - Day 4
Puebla
Explore Puebla at your own pace today. The city has well-maintained colonial churches and buildings like Santa Domingo Church and the Rosary Chapel. Further out, visit the Great Pyramid of Cholula with its 8 kilometers of tunnels and Popocatépetl Volcano as a backdrop. Browse local markets for handicrafts and local goods.
Optional Activities
- Visit Santa Domingo Church
- Visit Rosary Chapel
- Visit Great Pyramid of Cholula archaeological site - MXN100
- Browse local handicraft markets
- Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel - Free (No entrance during mass)
- San Pedro Art Museum entrance fee - MXN50
- Cholula archaeological site entrance fee - MXN100
Landmarks Santa Domingo Church Rosary Chapel Great Pyramid of Cholula Popocatépetl Volcano - Day 5
Puebla to Oaxaca
Travel by local bus to Oaxaca, a colonial town full of graceful arcades and colorful markets with Zapotec and Mixtec influences. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk to Mercado 20 de Noviembre, an iconic fresh food market where you can shop and put together your own lunch at communal tables. Spend the afternoon exploring cobblestone streets, sipping mezcal, or discovering the city's arts scene.
- Meals
- Lunch (Self-prepared classic Oaxacan lunch with fresh ingredients from market at communal tables)
Included Activities
- Leader-led walking tour of Oaxaca
- Visit to Mercado 20 de Noviembre fresh food market
- Self-prepared Oaxacan lunch at market
Optional Activities
- Explore folk and fine art galleries
- Discover street art throughout the city
Landmarks Mercado 20 de Noviembre 
- Day 6
Oaxaca
Today you can visit Monte Alban temples just outside Oaxaca, a World Heritage site with terraces, dams, canals and pyramids. Or take a cooking class to learn local cuisine, visit a traditional weaving arts town, or stop by a mezcal distillery. The evening is free for dinner or enjoying the town's lively atmosphere.
Optional Activities
- Visit Monte Alban archaeological site - MXN100
- Cooking class - MXN1500
- Visit traditional weaving arts town
- Visit local mezcal distillery
- Santo Domingo Cultural Centre entrance fee - MXN100
Landmarks Monte Alban - Day 7
Oaxaca to Tehuantepec
Leave Oaxaca by private transfer heading to Tehuantepec. On the way, stop at the Arbol del Tule, which holds the record for the stoutest tree trunk in the world. Visit Teotitlan del Valle, famous for weaving and textiles, where you'll wander past artisans displaying their handcrafted wares. Stop at a mezcal distillery to sample the smoky liquor before settling in for the evening.
Included Activities
- Stop at Arbol del Tule (Tree of Tule)
- Visit Teotitlan del Valle weaving town
- Visit mezcal distillery with tasting
Landmarks Arbol del Tule (Tree of Tule) Teotitlan del Valle - Day 8
Tehuantepec to San Cristóbal de las Casas
Travel to San Cristóbal de las Casas, a highland town in a green Chiapas valley surrounded by pine trees. You'll arrive in the early afternoon, leave your luggage at the hotel and start exploring. Your leader takes you on a tour around town pointing out important places, then the evening is free with dinner recommendations from your leader.
Included Activities
- Leader-led tour of San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Day 9
San Cristóbal de las Casas
Visit the village of San Juan Chamula and the fascinating Iglesia de San Juan church with its pine-covered floor and thick incense. Shamans visit to carry out cleansings using firewater and ancient prayer, though cameras are strictly banned inside. Outside, explore the village's colorful markets selling local handicrafts. The rest of the day is free, or consider an optional boating trip in Sumidero Canyon.
Included Activities
- Visit Iglesia de San Juan in San Juan Chamula
- Explore village markets for local handicrafts
Optional Activities
- Boating trip in Sumidero Canyon - MXN900 (at own expense)
- Amber Museum entrance fee - MXN55
Landmarks Iglesia de San Juan San Juan Chamula Sumidero Canyon - Day 10
San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque
Head to Palenque, situated in a steamy jungle. You'll arrive in the afternoon with free time to relax or explore. Palenque is a central town close to the Maya ruins you'll visit tomorrow.
Optional Activities
- Explore Palenque town
Landmarks Palenque - Day 11
Palenque
Head to the archaeological zone for a guided walk among the Palenque ruins dating back to AD 600. These impressive Maya relics sit on a hilltop with many structures still hidden in the forest. In the afternoon, visit Misol-Ha waterfall and explore jungle trails with Chiapas pines reaching up to 30 metres.
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Palenque archaeological site
- Visit to Misol-Ha waterfall and ecological project
Landmarks Palenque Archaeological Site Misol-Ha Waterfall - Day 12
Palenque to Merida
Travel by private vehicle to Merida, the capital of the Yucatan region. Stop in Campeche, a harbor town with colonial remnants, for a leader-led walk through its fortified center and included lunch. Continue to Merida, founded in 1542 on the site of the ancient Maya city Tho. Take an orientation walk with your leader on arrival, then settle in with free time for the rest of the day.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Campeche)
Included Activities
- Leader-led walk through Campeche fortified centre
- Leader-led orientation walk in Merida
Landmarks Campeche - Day 13
Merida
Choose your adventure today. Visit the Maya ruins of Uxmal, a 1-hour drive from Merida, on an optional tour with transport and a local guide. The site features masks of Chac the rain god, the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, Quadrangle of the Nuns, Governor's Palace, House of the Tortoises and Ball Court. Alternatively, take an optional tour to Las Coloradas, the incredible pink lagoon home to flamingos.
Optional Activities
- Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1600
- Las Coloradas Flamingo Tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1700
- Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum entrance fee - Free
Landmarks Uxmal Las Coloradas - Day 14
Merida to Playa del Carmen
Travel to Playa del Carmen by private vehicle, stopping for an included visit to Chichen Itza. This major site contains both Toltec and Maya ruins including the famous El Castillo pyramid and a large ball court. After a guided tour and lunch in nearby Piste with Yucatecan specialties, continue to Playa del Carmen. Your leader takes you on a quick orientation walk, then kick back with a margarita to watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Maya family lunch in Piste community featuring Yucatecan specialties)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Chichen Itza archaeological site
- Traditional Maya family lunch in Piste community
Landmarks Chichen Itza El Castillo Well of Sacrifice Piste - Day 15
Playa del Carmen
Free day to pursue beachside activities or relax. Try snorkeling in freshwater rock pools called cenotes or reef diving on Cozumel if you're feeling adventurous. A group meeting happens at 6 pm tonight. Afterward, head out for cocktails and tacos with fellow travelers.
Optional Activities
- Snorkelling in cenotes
- Reef diving on Cozumel
- Bicycle Rental (per day) - MXN260
- Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN600
- Half-day tour of Tulum Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN1400
Landmarks Cozumel Tulum - Day 16
Playa del Carmen
Take a local bus to Cenote Azul, a natural open-air pool surrounded by beautiful scenery. Swim, dive or snorkel in the cenote, then return to Playa del Carmen for a free afternoon. Continue with underwater activities looking for rays, moray eels and turtles among coral reefs. Alternatively, catch a local bus south to Tulum for white-sand beaches and Maya ruins about 1.5 hours away. The evening is perfect for watching the sunset with fellow travelers.
Included Activities
- Visit Cenote Azul for swimming, diving or snorkelling
Optional Activities
- Reef diving and snorkelling
- Travel to Tulum by local bus
Landmarks Cenote Azul Tulum - Day 17
Playa del Carmen to Bacalar to Chetumal
Take an early morning stroll to the beach or enjoy coffee at a local cafe. Then head to Bacalar with an included lunch and the chance to relax at the Lake of Seven Colors. Optionally, hop onboard a boat tour of the lake. Continue to Chetumal, a quiet city close to the Belize border, perfect before tomorrow's adventure.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Bacalar)
Included Activities
- Visit Lake of Seven Colours in Bacalar
- Included lunch in Bacalar
Optional Activities
- Boat tour of Lake of Seven Colours - MXN700
Landmarks Bacalar Lake of Seven Colours Chetumal - Day 18
Caye Caulker
Head south to Belize early this morning. After border formalities, arrive in Belize City then hop in a water taxi to Caye Caulker island. Your leader takes you on a guided walk to get acquainted with the island. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. The evening is free to relax or explore, though be aware of crocodiles in the split area that separates north and south of the island.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Caye Caulker
Landmarks Caye Caulker - Day 19
Caye Caulker
Free day to explore the island or relax. Try snorkeling and ask your leader about organizing a trip to the colorful coral reef nearby or Hol Chan Marine Reserve, home to the world's second-longest coral reef. Manatee spotting suits nature lovers, or find a swaying palm tree on the beach for a perfect spot to nap, read a book and soak up island vibes.
Optional Activities
- Snorkelling at coral reef
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve visit
- Manatee boat tour (Incl. transport & guide) - BZD254
- Sunset Sailing - BZD126
- Full day Catamaran snorkeling tour in Hol Chan Marine Reserve (gear, guide and transport included) - USD120
- Full day speed boat (gear, guide and transport included) - USD120
- Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD12
- Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD55
Landmarks Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Day 20
Caye Caulker
Two days in paradise! The morning is free, then join a cooking class with a local family at lunch to learn how to make a famous Belizean meal with chicken, rice and beans. The afternoon is yours to head to the beach for a swim or hire a bicycle to explore. The evening is your last chance to grab super fresh Belizean seafood at one of many open-air restaurants. Famous lobsters are available June 15-February 15 at prices less than home. Grab grilled shrimp and a rum and coke from a roadside stall.
- Meals
- Lunch (Cooking class with local family preparing famous Belizean meal with chicken, rice and beans)
Included Activities
- Cooking class with local family learning Belizean chicken, rice and beans
Optional Activities
- Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD12
- Day 21
Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Leave the island and catch a ferry to Belize City, then a bus to San Ignacio. Your leader takes you on a walking tour of San Ignacio and its twin sister Santa Elena to see how vibrant the local Garifuna and Maya communities are. The evening is free, maybe search out a classic Maya dish like cochinita pibil, slow-roasted pork marinated in citrus.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of San Ignacio and Santa Elena
Landmarks San Ignacio Santa Elena - Day 22
San Ignacio
Free day to discover San Ignacio at your own pace. The town is surrounded by fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls and Maya ruins, ideal for history buffs. Visit Xunantunich, an impressive Maya ceremonial site on a hill overlooking countryside. Getting there is half the fun with a hand-cranked ferry crossing the river. Challenge yourself at Actun Tunichil Muknal cave with ceramic pots and crystallized skeletons preserved over 1400 years. Or try Mountain Pine Ridge. The afternoon brings barbecue stalls in Santa Elena for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Xunantunich Maya ceremonial site visit - BZD20
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - USD135
- Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - USD100
- Butterfly Farm (incl. transport) - BZD175
- Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD24
Landmarks Xunantunich Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves Mountain Pine Ridge - Day 23
San Ignacio to Tikal
Rise early for your journey across the Belize-Guatemala border to Tikal National Park. Buy lunch before visiting the impressive archaeological site with a local guide. Five granite temples tower above the jungle, one of the most impressive Maya ruins you'll see, sitting on a hilltop with many structures still hidden in the evergreen forest. Energetic travelers can climb to the top for spectacular views over the canopy and chances to spot toucans, macaws and other colorful birds.
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Tikal archaeological site
Landmarks Tikal National Park 
- Day 24
Tikal to Rio Dulce
Depart for Flores and have breakfast in a local restaurant before joining your leader on an orientation walk on the island. Continue by private minivan to Rio Dulce before transferring to your hotel by boat. Getting around town is easiest by water, though a 40-minute jungle walk also works. The hotel is great for relaxing overlooking the water, with reasonably priced meals and drinks. Now back in a Spanish-speaking nation, join an informal Spanish lesson led by your leader.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in local restaurant in Flores)
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk on Flores island
- Hotel transfer by boat to Rio Dulce
Landmarks Flores Rio Dulce - Day 25
Rio Dulce
Start with a guided nature walk along accommodation trails led by a local guide. You'll have plenty of free time today to consider optional activities. Maybe take a scenic boat trip down the river to Livingston for a taste of Creole-Caribbean culture in this laidback town on the Caribbean coast. Or go boating on the lake, tour to spot local manatees or explore nearby San Felipe Fort.
Included Activities
- Nature walk along accommodation trails with local guide
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Livingston - GTQ263 (Price dependent on boat available & passengers)
- Boating on the lake
- Manatee spotting tour
- San Felipe Fort visit - GTQ85
- Natural Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport) - GTQ210
- Quirigua Ruins (entrance fee) - GTQ90
Landmarks Livingston San Felipe Fort - Day 26
Rio Dulce to Antigua
Leave Rio Dulce and travel by private minibus to Antigua. The road between Rio Dulce and Guatemala City is one of the busiest in the country with slow traffic, frequent road works and many slow trucks. Bring patience, music and a good book. Though there's not much time in Antigua today, treat yourself to a tamale or pepian, a rich dark sauce with vegetables and meat, usually chicken.
Landmarks Antigua 
- Day 27
Antigua to Panajachel
Travel on winding roads to Chichicastenango, home to perhaps the most colorful market in the country, nicknamed Chichi market. Locals from surrounding villages come on Thursdays and Sundays to sell wares. Streets are lined with stalls offering multi-colored textiles and fresh produce. Visit a local Mayan Shaman and do some shopping, then continue to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan with distant volcanoes looming. Your leader takes you on a brief orientation walk and the afternoon is free to explore. Go for a swim, wander streets or kayak on the lake.
Included Activities
- Visit Chichicastenango market
- Visit local Mayan Shaman
- Leader-led orientation walk in Panajachel
Landmarks Chichicastenango Lake Atitlan Panajachel - Day 28
Panajachel to San Juan La Laguna
After breakfast, take a boat to San Juan La Laguna, a small Maya village overlooking Lake Atitlan and the first community to ban single-use plastic. Witness textile weaving demonstrations seeing how they use local materials and traditional dyeing techniques. Chat with locals practicing your Spanish, tour their medicinal garden and see ancient techniques transform plants into medicine. Tonight you'll stay with multiple families within the community in small groups, enjoying a homecooked dinner with your host family.
- Meals
- Dinner (Homecooked dinner with host family)
Included Activities
- Textile weaving demonstration
- Tour of medicinal garden
- Homestay with local family in San Juan La Laguna
Optional Activities
- Water taxi to Santiago (Return) - GTQ60
Landmarks San Juan La Laguna 
- Day 29
San Juan La Laguna to Antigua
Hit the road back to Antigua this morning. On the way, stop at Santa Apolonia, one of the last communities in Guatemala making pottery with traditional Maya techniques. Local women move in circular motions using their hands to create pieces without potter's wheels. Watch a demonstration then try it yourself. Continue to Antigua where your leader takes you on an orientation walk. The evening offers optional salsa-dance lessons at many local schools.
Included Activities
- Traditional pottery demonstration in Santa Apolonia
- Leader-led orientation walk in Antigua
Optional Activities
- Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ150
- Half Day local towns, coffee and craft beer tour - USD95
- Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch - USD115
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike & Camp - USD170
- City Tour with lunch - USD70
- Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - USD30
Landmarks Santa Apolonia 
- Day 30
Antigua
Enjoy a free day exploring photogenic Antigua. Check out the ChocoMuseo, two blocks from central park, to learn about chocolate first documented by Guatemalan Maya and its historical importance. Grab coffee from one of the myriad shops in central park and relax enjoying Antigua's chilled-out vibes. Feeling adventurous? Ask your leader about booking an optional tour to one of the nearby volcanoes.
Optional Activities
- Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - USD30
- Half Day Pacaya Volcano with lunch - USD115
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike & Camp - USD170
- City Tour with lunch - USD70
Landmarks ChocoMuseo - Day 31
Antigua
Another free day to explore the city with nothing scheduled until a group meeting at 6 pm to welcome new travelers joining the adventure. Maybe grab some roasted beans from a street vendor and munch while strolling around. If you have a historical bent, check out the 18th-century ruins of the Monastery of Santa Clara.
Optional Activities
- Visit Monastery of Santa Clara ruins
Landmarks Monastery of Santa Clara - Day 32
Antigua to Copan
Rise early departing around 7 am to beat rush-hour traffic and head towards Copan. Watch passing scenery and learn about local life in Guatemala as you head towards the border. Cross into Honduras, arriving in charming Copan in the early afternoon. While most use Copan as a base to explore nearby ruins, plenty of other points of interest exist along cobblestone streets and in lush surroundings. Get started in Central Plaza and find a cafe for the afternoon.
Landmarks Copan Central Plaza - Day 33
Copan
Meet a local guide to explore the World Heritage-listed ruins of Copan, the southernmost of the great Maya sites. It's unique for numerous elaborate stelae still intact among temples, excavated vaults and walls inscribed with ancient faces. After exploration the rest of the afternoon is free. Visit the Macaw Mountain Park to see fine feathered friends or visit the Temple of Rosalila. Head to nearby natural hot springs on an optional tour with hours of soaking in mud, steaming natural baths and refreshing pools in lush jungle plus included dinner.
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Copan archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Macaw Mountain Park visit
- Temple of Rosalila visit
- Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD50
Landmarks Copan Archaeological Site Macaw Mountain Park Temple of Rosalila - Day 34
Copan to Suchitoto
Wave goodbye to Copan and head across the border to Guatemala then into El Salvador. It's a long travel day, so bring a good book or favorite road trip games. Arrive in Suchitoto, widely considered the cultural capital of El Salvador. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk admiring elaborate building facades and getting your bearings. Get your chef's hat on for a pupusa-making demonstration. Pupusas are cornmeal flatbreads from the Pipil culture, usually stuffed with cheese or chicharron, fried pork.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Suchitoto
- Pupusa-making demonstration
Landmarks Suchitoto - Day 35
Suchitoto
Free day in Suchitoto. The town overlooks Embalse Cerron Grande, also known as Lago Suchitlan, a freshwater lake and haven for migrating birds, particularly falcons and hawks. Grab a group for a guided walk through Cinquera Forest where guerrilla fighters used cover during the Civil War. Or simply relax in town, at a local cafe or accommodation.
Optional Activities
- Town tour (requires a minimum of 4 travellers to operate) - USD35
- War historic hike (Moderate hike - 2km) at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD55
- Sunrise Kayaking on Lake Suchitlan (requires a minimum of 4 travelers to operate) - USD50
Landmarks Embalse Cerron Grande (Lago Suchitlan) Cinquera Forest - Day 36
Suchitoto to Pacific Coast
Visit a local designer's home for an indigo-dying demonstration. Suchitoto is one of the best places in the world to produce indigo used to dye clothing blue. Watch the designer transform colonial tradition into modern design and learn the indigo trade history. This enterprise supports single mothers by providing income for children's education. Get hands-on trying it yourself. The group holds a raffle to decide who takes the creation home. Afterward, drive to El Salvador's Pacific Coast home to dark-sand beaches and some of the best surf spots in the country.
Included Activities
- Indigo-dying demonstration at local designer's home
Landmarks Pacific Coast - Day 37
Pacific Coast
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 soaking up sunshine with a drink. Life's good here.
- Day 38
Pacific Coast to Leon
Rise early for a full day of travel by private vehicle. Cross the border at El Amatillo into Honduras where you'll stop for lunch. After another border crossing at Guasaule, reach Leon, Nicaragua's second-largest city. Join your leader on an orientation walk through charming city streets. Leon is relatively quiet, making strolling the murals and contemporary architecture a real treat. The evening is free, maybe head out to dinner with the group as your leader has best recommendations.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Leon
Landmarks Leon 
- Day 39
Leon
Free day to make the most of Leon. Visit the street food area behind the Lady of Grace Cathedral and try a Nica taco made with maize, rolled, deep fried then served with shredded cabbage smothered in cream. Take on a thrilling volcano sandboarding adventure on the black slopes of Cerro Negro Volcano. Or explore the city's contemporary art and wander Leon Cathedral.
Optional Activities
- Volcano Sand Boarding (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD55
- Leon Art Center - USD4
Landmarks Lady of Grace Cathedral Cerro Negro Volcano Leon Cathedral - Day 40
Leon to Granada
Drive to Granada, the oldest city in the 'New World'. Along the way stretch your legs at Laguna Apoyo, a volcanic crater lake formed around 23,000 years ago. Enjoy free time for lunch near the viewpoint. Stop in Masaya, a lakeside town where your leader takes you on an orientation walk and gives time to browse the famous artisan market before continuing to Granada. Featuring Moorish and Andalusian architecture, Granada sits on Lake Nicaragua's banks surrounded by active volcanoes. Your leader takes you through leafy Parque Central and 'La Calzada', a busy pedestrian street with bars and restaurants. The afternoon is free to explore.
Included Activities
- Visit Laguna Apoyo viewpoint
- Leader-led orientation walk of Masaya
- Visit Masaya artisan market
- Leader-led orientation walk through Granada
Landmarks Laguna Apoyo Masaya Granada Parque Central La Calzada - Day 41
Granada
Have breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas, a cafe run entirely by deaf people aiming to bridge gaps and inspire business owners to employ locals with disabilities. The rest of the day is yours. Visit Convento y Museo San Francisco to view collections of Indigenous stone statues. Hundreds of evergreen islets dot Lake Nicaragua's vast waters, explore them by boat or hire a kayak finding your own way around. Remember not to swim as freshwater sharks live in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas, run entirely by deaf people)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas
Optional Activities
- Visit Convento y Museo San Francisco
- Boat tour of Lake Nicaragua
- Kayaking on Lake Nicaragua
- Granada islets boat tour (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD25
- Laguna Apoyo swimming and kayaking tour (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD40
Landmarks Cafe de las Sonrisas Convento y Museo San Francisco Lake Nicaragua - Day 42
Granada to Monteverde
Another early start for a full day of travel to Monteverde. Start exploring this afternoon on an orientation walk with your leader. Monteverde was founded as an agricultural community in 1951 by North American Quakers. These environmentally aware settlers established a small wildlife sanctuary that grew into the internationally known Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve. Cloud forests are rainforests drawing water from semi-permanent cloud coverage, truly a nature lover's paradise.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Monteverde
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve 
- Day 43
Monteverde
Start with a special morning brew in a local family's home-based cafe sampling Costa Rican pour-over coffee known as Cafe Chorreado. The rest of day is free to explore Monteverde at your own pace. Zoom through the treetops on a ziplining adventure or discover Costa Rica's agricultural heritage on a coffee and chocolate tour. Tonight offers the option to end on a magical note with a night walk through the cloud forest spotting nocturnal creatures.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hands-on breakfast with local family featuring Costa Rican pour-over coffee (Cafe Chorreado))
Included Activities
- Hands-on coffee tasting breakfast with local family (Cafe Chorreado)
Optional Activities
- Suspension bridges tour - USD55
- Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD101
- Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Frog pond - USD20
- Orchid gardens - USD18
- Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
- Children's Forest - USD25
- Day 44
Monteverde to La Fortuna
Head to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve with a local guide to walk the trails. Learn about the region's fascinating biodiversity while searching for wildlife with expert eyes and spotting scopes. Look for the resplendent quetzal and listen for howler monkeys and three-wattled bellbirds. In the afternoon, take a shared minibus to Lake Arenal shores then boat across to La Fortuna. On clear days see fantastic surrounding views as the massive Arenal Volcano looms larger as you approach. Reach La Fortuna, transfer to hotel and freshen up for a leader-led orientation walk.
Included Activities
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve walk with local guide
- Boat across Lake Arenal to La Fortuna
- Leader-led orientation walk of La Fortuna
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Lake Arenal Arenal Volcano La Fortuna 
- Day 45
La Fortuna
Start with a smoothie and plan your day. Take a guided nature hike through lush forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, keeping an eye out for rare plants and animals. Or view the forest from hanging bridges offering great vantage points for spotting wildlife like sloths and rainbow-colored birds. The volcano's inner workings mean several thermal hot springs ideal for relaxing mid-nature. Check out the 70-m-high La Fortuna waterfall set in the rainforest and hit the lake on a stand-up paddleboard. Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge boat safari offers chances to see lizards, crocodiles and tropical birds.
Optional Activities
- Guided nature hike through Arenal Volcano forest
- Arenal hanging bridges (inc entrance fee, guide and shared transport) - USD75
- La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD25
- Arenal Volcano Base Hike - USD97
- Caño Negro boat tour - USD94
- Stand up paddle board - USD75
- Baldi Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD66
Landmarks Arenal Volcano La Fortuna Waterfall Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge - Day 46
La Fortuna to San Jose
Spend your final La Fortuna morning learning Costa Rican tortilla-making art. A local family guides you through, and you'll enjoy your efforts with lunch. Watch the volcano fade into the distance on your private transfer to San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. Arrive and head out on an orientation walk to see main highlights. Visit the Gold Museum with its fantastic pre-Spanish gold art collection. Head to the outdoor market in Plaza de la Cultura or Central Market for handicrafts. Tonight join fellow travelers for an optional farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch prepared from tortilla-making class with local family)
Included Activities
- Tortilla making class with local family and lunch
- Leader-led orientation walk of San Jose
Optional Activities
- Visit Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- Visit Plaza de la Cultura outdoor market
- Visit Central Market
- San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD74
- National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) - USD11
- San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD49
Landmarks Gold Museum Plaza de la Cultura Central Market - Day 47
San Jose
Free day to explore San Jose until a group meeting at 6 pm tonight. The city has a lively cultural atmosphere with heaps to do. Explore the markets, maybe spot a spontaneous art fair. Visit Arte Contemporaneo if you're an art lover or get a taste of rich coffee that Costa Rica is known for in a nearby coffee shop.
Optional Activities
- Visit markets
- Visit Arte Contemporaneo
- Visit local coffee shops
- San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD74
- National Museum (entrance fee) (Closed Sunday & Monday) - USD11
- San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD49
- Day 48
San Jose to Sarapiqui
Hop on a public bus to Sarapiqui, a town known for rich biodiversity and lush rainforest. Arrive and enjoy free time for birdwatching, spotting local wildlife or hiking to nearby waterfalls. Meet a local guide for a jungle walk. Look out for elusive creatures like sloths, bats, snakes, frogs and a whole lot more.
Included Activities
- Guided jungle walk with local guide
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife spotting
- Hiking to nearby waterfalls
Landmarks Sarapiqui - Day 49
Sarapiqui to Puerto Viejo
Take a private transfer to Puerto Viejo. Get to know this laid-back jungle town during an orientation walk with your local leader, then enjoy the rest of the day exploring at leisure. A small coastal city, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has a lively main street featuring dance halls, reggaeton bars and modern restaurants. Looking for relaxation? Find great surf beaches and rainforest fruit farms to kick back on.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Puerto Viejo
Landmarks Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Day 50
Puerto Viejo
Free to ease into Caribbean coast vibes. Explore Cahuita National Park about 20 minutes from Puerto Viejo with your leader's help arranging a transfer. The park is home to sloths, monkeys, raccoons, snakes and a great variety of birds. If waves are calling but footing isn't sure, take surf lessons in town. Or find a cool spot and relax with a beer in hand. Top off the day preparing traditional Caribbean dinner with a local family in their home using fruits, seafood, tubers and vegetables combined with coconut, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry, Panamanian pepper and thyme.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Caribbean dinner with local family featuring fruits, seafood, tubers and vegetables combined with coconut, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry, Panamanian pepper and thyme)
Included Activities
- Hands-on traditional Caribbean dinner with local family
Optional Activities
- Cahuita National Park visit - USD5 (about 20 minute ride away)
- Surf lesson (1 hour) - USD60
Landmarks Cahuita National Park - Day 51
Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro
Take a local bus to the border then walk across an old railway bridge into Panama. Continue by taxi or collective minivan to Almirante, where you'll take a short boat ride to Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, rapidly becoming a Caribbean favorite. Hit palm-shaded beaches with crystal-clear waters, enjoy snorkeling and spot lots of wildlife. Bocas is home to West Indians, Latinos and expats resulting in diverse music, nightlife and food scenes. Stay in Isla Colon for three nights, the main town with most bars, restaurants and activity operators just metres from your hotel.
Landmarks Bocas del Toro Archipelago Isla Colon 
- Day 52
Bocas del Toro
First of two free days to explore this tropical archipelago. Several beaches are within reach between 8 and 14 km from your hotel. With azure waters, pristine coral reefs and rollicking nightlife, it's easy to see why these islands are travelers' favorites. The safest beaches are Starfish, Sandfly and Big Creek, though others may have strong riptides. When sun goes down, head into town and check out the local bar and restaurant scene. Ask your leader about the best place to grab a drink.
Optional Activities
- Jungle Cacao Tour (guide and transport included) - USD42
- Full-day Tour including Bastimentos island, Jungle hike & Lunch with Ngobe Community (guide and transport included) - USD63
- Bio-luminescence Boat Tour (seasonal - guide and transport included) - USD35
- Colon Expedition including starfish beach & bird island - USD45
Landmarks Starfish Beach Sandfly Beach Big Creek Beach - Day 53
Bocas del Toro
Hop on a boat to nearby Isla Popa to meet the Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community. Local women run a community tourism project and you'll learn about their lifestyle during an orientation walk. Stop in at a local home and spend time with a local family. Say your farewells and return to Bocas del Toro, then enjoy the rest of a hugely rewarding day free in the Caribbean sun.
Included Activities
- Visit Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community on Isla Popa
- Orientation walk through Ngabe-Bugle community
Landmarks Isla Popa Ngabe-Bugle Indigenous Community - Day 54
Bocas del Toro to Boquete
Travel by boat and local bus to Boquete, a bit of a lengthy journey so bring a book, podcast or daydream. Boquete is a highland Panama town surrounded by mountains, crystal-clear creeks and rivers, forest reserves, colorful wildflowers, coffee plantations and orange groves. Head out on an orientation walk with your leader and enjoy an informal Spanish lesson. Most optional activities can be organized from the hotel, though it's good to book them when you arrive tonight if you know what you want.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Boquete
Landmarks Boquete - Day 55
Boquete
Plenty of ways to experience Boquete today. Chat to your leader and hotel front desk for insider tips. Discover secret waterfalls only locals know about on a jungle walking tour. Or soak in the Caldera hot springs. If you're a coffee lover, visit a plantation or simply kick back in town with a cup of local brew, some of the best coffee in the world is grown and processed right here in Boquete.
Optional Activities
- Guided Bicycle Tour - 2 hours (guide and bike hire included) - USD55
- Guided Tour of Hidden Waterfalls (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD53
- Zipline (guide and transport included) - USD75
- Mini Canyons Tour (entrance fee, transport and guide included) - USD37
- Calderas Hot Springs (entrance fee and transport included, no guide) - USD37
- Coffee Plantation Tour (guide and transport included) - USD37
- Day 56
Boquete to Chitre
Say goodbye to Boquete and head to Chitre, Panama's southern city. Arrive around lunchtime then head out for an orientation walk with your leader, who'll also point you to a good lunch spot. After a bite, rejoin fellow travelers for a mask workshop, a glimpse at the country's cultural heritage. Elaborate masks and costumes are features of many Panama festivals. The afternoon is free for continued Chitre exploration.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Chitre
- Traditional mask workshop
Landmarks Chitre - Day 57
Chitre to Panama City
Depart Chitre for Panama City this morning. Stop at the Miraflores Visitor Centre overlooking one of the locks controlling ship flow through the Panama Canal. Learn about the canal's history and engineering, then continue to Panama City. Head out on a leader-led orientation walk. Take in great views of historic Casco Viejo and the Panama City skyline strolling past crowded waterfront soccer fields, running paths and food carts. Maybe regroup with fellow travelers for a final farewell dinner.
Included Activities
- Visit Miraflores Visitor Centre with Panama Canal locks view
- Leader-led orientation walk in Casco Viejo and Panama City
Landmarks Miraflores Locks Panama Canal Casco Viejo (Old Town) - Day 58
Panama City
No planned activities today. Depart at any time. If you'd like to spend more time in Panama City, speak to your booking agent.
