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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Svetlana • traveled in January, 2026
This tour exceeded my expectations in every way. I joined without any specific expectations, and it turned into a truly meaningful and memorable experience. The itinerary was well designed, offering a great balance between nature, culture, adventure, and downtime, allowing us to experience Central America in a deep and authentic way rather than just rushing from place to place. Everything was very well organized, from transportation and accommodations to daily activities and communication. Our group lead, Aurora, played a key role in making this happen. She managed logistics smoothly, communicated clearly, and handled any changes or challenges with calm professionalism. What truly set this tour apart was the atmosphere Aurora created. The experience felt inclusive, supportive, and thoughtfully paced, making it easy to connect both with the places we visited and with the group. Her warmth, knowledge, and personal approach brought the region to life and made the journey feel human and meaningful rather than transactional. I learned a lot — not just about Central America, but also about myself — and genuinely enjoyed sharing this journey with such a great group. I would absolutely recommend this tour, especially with Aurora as the group lead. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after it ends.
Real Guatemala to Costa Rica (11 destinations) - N
Ned • traveled in April
There were only three of us on this trip. One guide handled Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador; the second guide met us in Nicaragua. The first guide was quite good--a guide who also drove. The second was not as good--a driver who also guided. We had local guides throughout, and they handled the details, especially in Nicaragua. I understand that this is a low-to-moderate trip, but still our introduction to Nicaragua came as a surprise. We made a "beach landing," wading in from about eight inches of water. In general, I got what I paid for.
The Lure of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua) - N
None • traveled in May, 2025
Amazing trip. Great guide. Basic but exactly what I was looking for
Basic Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica
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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
The best Central America tour packages
Compiled by
NinaCentral America travel expert at TourRadar
The Lure of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua)
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Diverse and well traveled group. Itinerary could use a little tweaking to break up the long travel days.”
Cathy, traveled in February
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
- US$1,837+$358 local payments
Basic Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great tour experiences, from volcanos to black sand beach, to sloths.”
MEI-FANG, 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 $1,649
10% Off- US$1,484You save $165
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- US$1,713
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- US$7,460
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- US$1,900
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- US$1,631
Guatemala's treasures shine in this 11-day adventure from La Aurora International Airport. UNESCO-listed Antigua offers colonial architecture by bike, while Acatenango Volcano provides overnight camping. Lake Atitlán leads to San Juan La Laguna's textile workshops, complemented by Tikal's ancient Mayan city and Semuc Champey's limestone pools.
Duration 13 days Destinations Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From $4,199
10% Off- US$3,779You save $420
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 tours53 tours
Starting from
$38
per day
- Central America luxury tours
20 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 Travelers521 tours
- Couples458 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)15 tours
- Seniors (50+)357 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.
- popular 441 tours
- 373 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.
- 479 tours
- popular 497 tours
- 481 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.
- 479 tours
- 494 tours
- popular 503 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.
- 463 tours
- popular 512 tours
- 452 tours
Contact our Central America travel experts
Andrei
Expert in Central America at TourRadar
Andrei 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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