Central America Escape: Guatemala to Costa Rica

Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out.

Antigua is approximately one hour's drive from the international airport in Guatemala City.



Explore the museums, colonial buildings and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful place, one of the best-restored Spanish colonial cities in the world. The entire city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding volcanoes can be seen from practically everywhere in Antigua, and the colorful markets attract indigenous artisans from all over the country.

Additional Information: This tour departs Antigua early on Day 2. If you are interested in exploring the city and its nearby attractions, it is recommended you book additional pre-trip accommodation nights.



*Please note that Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying into the Caribbean island nation of Antigua; it's nowhere near the start of this tour!

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Cross the border today between Guatemala and Honduras as the group travels to the town of Copán Ruinas. Arrive in the colonial highland town in the evening and soak up this gorgeous location set along a river in the coffee growing region.

The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features, including some of the most detailed carvings in the Mayan world.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Enjoy a full free day to explore Copán on your own. Choose to visit the nearby ruins and see some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. You can also choose to visit the countryside where you’ll find hidden jungle hot springs to soak in.

FREE TIME: Free time in the town of Copán. Opt to visit the Copán Ruins, explore the hills, or soak in hot springs.

The journey today, while long, will also be a good way to catch up on some rest. Drive from Honduras back into Guatemala briefly before crossing the border to El Salvador where the group will stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Choose to try pupusas tonight, a local Salvadorian specialty and a great treat after a long day of travel.

Additional Information: Prepare for the long travel day with snacks.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Spend the morning at leisure in Suchitoto and then it’s off to the coast and the La Libertad region. Catch a stunning sunset in a small surf town and opt to grab a cold drink after a day’s journey complete.

FREE TIME: MORNING Enjoy a free morning to check out this colonial city.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

This full free day is perfect for optional beach activities in the area. Opt to book a surf lesson, try fresh ceviche at the fish market, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or relax on the beach.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Enjoy a free day to do as much or as little as you'd like in this beach town.

Leave El Salvador and transfer by land and sea to Nicaragua. The group will arrive to colonial León for a short orientation walk in the evening.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and get your float on.

TRANSPORT: AFTERNOON Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Take a brief walk of the historic center of León. Pass through the central park, the local market, and various historical churches.

TRANSPORT: MORNING Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

Continue on towards Granada today, where you’ll see the city’s colourful colonial buildings during an orientation walk. Surrounded by active volcanoes and lakes, this place is perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Get to know the town and opt to go out with the group.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.

Get out and explore the charms of Granada during your full free day. Visit the local markets and museums. Choose to try kayaking in Lake Nicaragua or go for a swim in Laguna de Apoyo. You could also go for a walk in the forest at the top of Mombacho Volcano.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Free time to explore beautiful Granada's markets, buildings and museums, view Masaya Volcano's smoldering crater, kayak in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo.

Cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes in the middle of the lake. Here, take part in a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay among different local families. This experience will give you a chance to experience how rural Nicaraguans live.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

TRANSPORT: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Stay with a local family by the lake in the small rural village of La Paloma, near Moyogalpa, on Ometepe Island. Your presence is supporting this community-owned and operated business. The Planeterra Foundation helped launch the project and trained up the community to host G Adventures travellers. While you're here, practice Spanish, enjoy authentically-cooked fresh food and hike the nearby trails.

Explore Ometepe on your own. Choose to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, spend time with the local host families, or view petroglyphs left by the island's original inhabitants. You can also choose to walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, travel the island by bicycle, or lounge out on the beach.

FREE TIME: Free time in Ometepe. Spend time with the local host families and see more of the island. Opt to climb either of the two volcanoes on the island, view petroglyphs, walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, swim in clear spring water at Ojo de Agua, lay on the beach or explore the island on bicycle.

ACTIVITY: Stay with a local family by the lake in the small rural village of La Paloma, near Moyogalpa, on Ometepe Island. Your presence is supporting this community-owned and operated business. The Planeterra Foundation helped launch the project and trained up the community to host G Adventures travellers. While you're here, practice Spanish, enjoy authentically-cooked fresh food and hike the nearby trails.

Travel by ferry back to the mainland and drive across the border into Costa Rica. The final destination today is the cloud forest environment of Monteverde. Sitting 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds and home to unique and diverse flora and fauna.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

TRANSPORT: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

ACTIVITY: Be prepared to walk with bags approximately 10 minutes between the Nicaragua and Costa Rica border stations.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

The day is free for any optional activities in the area. Options include a visit to a cloud forest reserve, ziplining through the jungle canopy, or visiting a coffee plantation. There’s also horseback riding in the mountains or hiking along local trails.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY The day is free to choose from many optional activities. Fly hundreds of meters above the trees on a zip-lining tour, hike through one of the cloud forest reserves, ride a horse in the mountains, visit a coffee/sugar cane farm, tour the cheese factory or check out the orchid garden, serpentarium, or frog pond in town.

Leave the cloud forest behind and travel down towards sea level and across Costa Rica’s largest lake to the town of La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Once here, choose your activities; canyoning, white water rafting, hiking, caving, horseback riding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and visiting a wildlife refuge are just some of the fun options you could try.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and get your float on.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and make friends with your seatmate en route to the next stop.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.

Partake in any of the activities you didn’t get to try yesterday. From canyoning to rafting, the possibilities feel endless.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.

Travel through the mountains to San José and spend a free night out in the capital. From beautiful parks to museums and theatres there’s plenty to see.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Depart at any time.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.