From
$4,439
NZ $3,329

Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins

32 days
From Playa del Carmen to San Jose
4.8
74 traveler reviews
Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins - G Adventures
  • In-depth Cultural
  • Active
  • Group
  • Fully Guided
  • Explorer
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity
Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 10 - 18
Age range 18 to 39
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Explore Mayan ruins and relax on the beach
  • Snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks
  • Learn pottery making at a women's cooperative
  • Tour the ancient ruins of Tikal with a guide
  • Enjoy a homestay experience on Lake Atitlán

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Playa del Carmen
  2. Day 2 Playa del Carmen
  3. Day 3 Playa del Carmen/Caye Caulker
  4. Day 4 Caye Caulker
  5. Day 5 Caye Caulker
  6. Day 6 Caye Caulker/San Ignacio (1L)
  7. Day 7 San Ignacio
  8. Day 8 San Ignacio/Flores
  9. Day 9 Flores/Rio Dulce
  10. Day 10 Rio Dulce (1L)
  11. Day 11 Rio Dulce/Antigua Guatemala
  12. Day 12 Antigua Guatemala
  13. Day 13 Antigua Guatemala/Panajachel
  14. Day 14 Panajachel/San Juan La Laguna (1D)
  15. Day 15 San Juan La Laguna/Antigua Guatemala
  16. Day 16 Antigua Guatemala
  17. Day 17 Antigua Guatemala/Copán
  18. Day 18 Copán
  19. Day 19 Copán/Suchitoto
  20. Day 20 Suchitoto/La Libertad Region
  21. Day 21 La Libertad Region
  22. Day 22 La Libertad Region/León
  23. Day 23 León/Granada
  24. Day 24 Granada
  25. Day 25 Granada/Isla de Ometepe (1D)
  26. Day 26 Isla de Ometepe (1B, 1D)
  27. Day 27 Isla de Ometepe/Monteverde (1B)
  28. Day 28 Monteverde
  29. Day 29 Monteverde/La Fortuna
  30. Day 30 La Fortuna
  31. Day 31 La Fortuna/San José
  32. Day 32 San José
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Customer Photos

Operated by

G Adventures

Number of tours

892

Age Range

12 to 90 years old

Response time

less than 1 hour

Response rate

100%

G Adventures gives you the opportunity to explore interesting and unusual...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Awards Received

2019 Tour of the Year Winner
Central America

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Itinerary
    Good
    3.6
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.6
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.1
  • Accommodation
    Good
    3.9
  • Food
    Good
    3.8
  • 4.7
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • LB
    · May 9th, 2025
    Second part is a bit rushed
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for this review, Lorena! We have passed your feedback on to the relevant teams for their consideration.
    Trip date: February 2025
  • Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins reviewer 2
    · May 7th, 2025
    My guides Ana, and then Luis and Lorenzo are all fantastic wonderful people! I felt safe with them and really felt like they knew their stuff!! I do have some suggestions, I realise how important Homestays are on the tour. However, I do think they should be optional. For example, there should be the option to pay more if you would prefer a hostel or hotel. There was a miscommunication in Lake Atitlan and I was placed on my own in a homestay. Non english speaking (expected) but as a woman I was not comfortable with this and had an anxiety attack. My guide sat with me but the only option given was to sign a release form and to book my own accomadation. Which I would have done but at that point nothing was avaliable. Everyone else was placed together in 2's or 3's and I was only swapped once they relised that a man and woman were placed in the same room. The fact thst an anxiety attsck didn't cause the switch was shocking to me. I also feel San Ignacio should be optional as the main thing to do is cave exploring. As someone with a fear of small spaces, I didn't do that. I enjoyed the Iguna sanctuary but do feel that my time would have been better spent having the extra nights in Caye Culker instead of the long transit to be in a plsce with not much to do. I would have been happy to psy extra to join the others later if I knew how it would be. Otherwise amazing trip, nice activities and overall great value!
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you so much for this helpful review, Alison! We regret the impacts the homestay had on you - please feel free to reach out to our Customer Experience team if you are comfortable to discuss further. We have passed this feedback on to the... Show more
    Trip date: March 2025
  • A
    · June 10th, 2022
    I spend a great time with amazing peopel and guide in Central America
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Great to hear! Can't wait to have you back.
    Trip date: March 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · May 10th, 2022
    Created lifelong memories in an authentic travel style with all the Hassle taken out. Our CEO?s were amazing, every step of the way.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Great to hear! Can't wait to have you back.
    Trip date: March 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · August 10th, 2022
    I had the absolute best time on my tour! Visiting and getting to know a vibrant and beautiful part of the world alongside the new friends you make is something I?d recommend to anyone!
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Great to hear! Can't wait to have you back.
    Trip date: March 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · July 9th, 2022
    All the countries we visited were spectacular and I think more people should visit that part of the world! My only criticism of the tour was that I wish we couldve had more time in each place, I loved Leon in Nicuagura but we were only there for one night! I had Suyen as our CEO and she was incredible, everything you could ask for from a tour guide. She was so knowledgeable about everywhere we were going and she had such a calming presence about her I felt at ease for the whole tour. My group were first group after 2 years due to covid, lucky enough to go to Nicuagura and im so glad we did because it was beautiful! Suyen was very informative telling us about the history of each country and their cultures.
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Great to hear! Can't wait to have you back.
    Trip date: June 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · January 9th, 2022
    I would definitely recommend this tour to someone it was amazing
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Great to hear! Can't wait to have you back.
    Trip date: July 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · October 20th, 2022
    I had an unforgettable journey, met lovely people and had really professional/funny tourleaders. I also liked the fact that most of the time we went to smaller cities/towns. Ps: (I personally didn't really like the homestays). I liked it once because it really gives you an idea of how the locals live. But when you're doing a 32day trip, one homestay is enough).
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Hi! So great to hear! Thank you for reaching out.
    Trip date: September 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · September 22nd, 2022
    It's amazing how many exciting new places you can visit in a short time. Very well organised!
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    That's so nice to hear! Thank you so much for your feedback. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us.
    Trip date: August 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures
  • A
    · September 13th, 2022
    One of the best G Tours i have done!!
    Show more
    G Adventures commented on this review
    Thank you for your positive feedback, We are really glad you had a great experience! We hope to have you soon in a new adventure.
    Trip date: July 2022
    Review collected by G Adventures

Dates & Availability

32 days
Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins
From Playa del Carmen to San Jose

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • J

    Jack

    Asked on March 9th, 2025

    When we end at San Jose do you drop us off at the airport?

    Flights / Transfers
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten March 2025

      You will arrive in San Jose the second last day and spend a night at a hotel there. You will need to add a departure transfer for an additional cost if you were wanting to get dropped at the airport in San Jose.

    • J

      Jack

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      How much will the transfer be?

    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten March 2025

      Which currency are we quoting you in? Please let us know so we can quote you the correct price for the departure transfer.

    • J

      Jack

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      Canadian dollars please

    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten March 2025

      The departure transfer would be 55 CAD.

    • J
      4 more answers
  • A

    Audray-Anna

    Asked on February 26th, 2025

    Can I use my credit card during the tour?

    Payments
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten February 2025

      Credit cards are generally accepted; however, it's also advised to carry some cash.

  • D

    Denise

    Asked on January 23rd, 2025

    Do I need a visa for the tour if I have an Italian passport?

    Visa
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten January 2025

      You are responsible for checking your visa requirements. If you can obtain visas on arrival, the tour guide may assist with this process.

  • F

    Felix

    Asked on November 12th, 2024

    Is travel insurance mandatory for the tour?

    Travel Support
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten November 2024

      Yes, it's mandatory to have Emergency Medical Travel Insurance that covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and repatriation for at least USD 200,000.

  • M

    Maxime

    Asked on November 12th, 2024

    Are all activities mandatory on the tour?

    Tour Details
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten November 2024

      No, all activities are optional. You can decide which activities you would like to participate in, they can be paid for locally.

  • M

    Margaret

    Asked on October 29th, 2024

    If I choose not to select extras during booking, can I add them later?

    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten October 2024

      Absolutely, you can add extras locally on the tour itself, or some extras can be added in advance as listed.

  • S

    Sem

    Asked on October 24th, 2024

    Are there any required vaccinations to join the tours from May 1st?

    Other
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten October 2024

      From May 1st, no vaccinations are required to join the tours.

  • L

    Laurence

    Asked on October 23rd, 2024

    What kind of group sizes should I expect on the tour?

    Group size
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten October 2024

      The maximum group size for this tour is 18 people, ensuring a more personal and enjoyable experience.

  • J

    Jamie

    Asked on September 7th, 2024

    Can you accommodate me in your October 8 trip?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2024

      This tour you're looking at has a very strict age requirement for travellers to be between the ages of 18-39. We are launching a brand new tour that is not age restricted called Central America in Seven Countries: Mexico to Costa Rica.

    • J

      Jamie

      TravelerWritten September 2024

      Do you also have a 2-month itinerary for Central America?

    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2024

      Our longest itinerary for Central America is 32 days, which starts in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica.

    • J
      2 more answers
  • A

    Allison

    Asked on September 3rd, 2024

    Do you do this in reverse? Do you do it for people older that 39?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • G AdventuresOperatorWritten September 2024

      We do not currently offer this tour in reverse, but we do have another option for travellers over 39! This new tour we're offering is not currently on the TourRadar website (yet), but will be added very soon. Once it goes live, we can send you the details. We will also provide you the tour name so when it is live, you'll know which trip it is: Central America in Seven Countries: Mexico to Costa Rica.

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 5294

  • Currencies
    BZ$
    Belize Dollar
    Belize
    Costa Rican Colon
    Costa Rica
    SVC
    El Salvador Colon
    El Salvador
    Q
    Quetzal
    Guatemala
    L
    Lempira
    Honduras
    $
    Mexican Peso
    Mexico
    C$
    Cordoba Oro
    Nicaragua
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types A, B, G.

    Type A
    Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
    Type B
    Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
    Type G
    Belize and Guatemala
    Type I
    Guatemala
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Belize. Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Ideally 10 days before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before July 19th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 19th, 2025, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with G Adventures. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 45 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and G Adventures will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "G Adventures" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
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    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

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