Itinerary
- Day 1
Playa del Carmen
You'll arrive in Playa del Carmen and get settled into your hotel. Once you're unpacked and comfortable, the group meets around 19:00 for a welcome dinner where everyone gets to know each other before the trip really gets going.
- Day 2
Chichen Itza
Head out to Chichen Itza for a guided tour of the ancient ruins. You'll walk through the Temple of Kukulkan, the Platform of the Skulls, and the Plaza of a Thousand Columns with a local expert. After exploring, you get to swim in a cenote, those natural sinkholes in the limestone that fill with clear water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Chichen Itza ruins including Temple of Kukulkan, Platform of the Skulls, and Plaza of a Thousand Columns
- Swimming at a cenote
Landmarks Chichen Itza Temple of Kukulkan Platform of the Skulls Plaza of a Thousand Columns 
- Day 3
Tulum
Travel to Tulum where the choice is yours. Either wander through the archaeological ruins perched on the cliff or spend the day relaxing at the beach with its clear waters. Later you'll head back to Playa del Carmen for dinner and drinks, trying local favorites like avocado and tequila shots.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tulum day trip
- Choice of Tulum Ruins exploration or Tulum Beach
Landmarks Tulum Ruins Tulum Beach 
- Day 4
Bacalar
Drive south through the Yucatan Peninsula toward Bacalar, known for its vibrant blue lagoon. After checking in, you'll take a boat ride out on the lagoon, swimming in the water and celebrating with a beer as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunset boat trip on Bacalar Lagoon
Landmarks Bacalar Lagoon - Day 5
Bacalar to Caye Caulker
Cross into Belize and take a short ferry to Caye Caulker, an island near the world's second-largest barrier reef. Your hotel is just a minute from the beach, so after settling in, you head straight to the white sand. Later, gather to watch the sunset from the other side of the island where stingrays swim right near the shore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Caye Caulker
Landmarks Caye Caulker - Day 6
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Grab your snorkel gear and board a boat heading to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. You'll make several stops along the barrier reef spotting colorful fish, corals, and possibly manatees if it's the right season. Back on land, dinner brings fresh Caribbean fish with curry sauce.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Caribbean fish topped with Caribbean curry sauce)
Included Activities
- Boat journey to Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Snorkelling at barrier reef stops
Landmarks Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Day 7
Caye Caulker
This day is all about relaxing at your own pace. Head to the beach whenever you feel like it, or check out the Split, an island hotspot known for music and drinks all day. Optional activities like paddle boarding or snorkeling are available if you want to do something more active. Float between the water and beachside cocktails however you please.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation
- Explore the Split
- Paddle boarding
- Snorkelling
Landmarks The Split - Day 8
Caye Caulker to Flores
Leave the island and travel through Belize to a local Mayan village. You'll prepare a traditional Mayan meal from scratch and learn about local life and history. After eating, you cross into Guatemala and check into your hotel on Flores, an island surrounded by water and jungle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Mayan meal prepared with local family)
Included Activities
- Mayan cooking class in Belize
Landmarks Flores - Day 9
Tikal
Head into the northern jungles of Guatemala to explore Tikal, one of the largest pre-Columbian Maya sites. Your local guide takes you through the Lost World Pyramid and the Temple of the Grand Jaguar, walking back thousands of years. You return to Flores for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Tikal ruins visit
Landmarks Tikal Lost World (Mundo Perdido) Pyramid Temple of the Grand Jaguar - Day 10
Flores to Coban
Travel south toward the highlands with a stop at Candelaria Caves, an 80 km cave system sacred to the Mayan people as a gateway to the underworld. After exploring the caves, continue to Coban, positioned at the edge of the highland region where the terrain gets more mountainous.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Candelaria Caves exploration
Landmarks Candelaria Caves - Day 11
Semuc Champey
Climb into 4x4 vehicles for a highland adventure up winding mountain roads. You hike into the jungle to find a bright blue river flowing through the mountains with natural pools. For a couple hours you float and drift in rubber rings in these refreshing pools. Lunch comes at a traditional Mayan home before heading back to Coban.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional meal at Mayan home)
Included Activities
- Semuc Champey & river tubing
Landmarks Semuc Champey - Day 12
Coban to Panajachel
Drive south through the highlands and stop in Chichicastenango, a vibrant town with one of Central America's largest markets on market days. Continue to Panajachel, sitting right on Lake Atitlan where volcanoes rise up around the water and create a dramatic backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Chichicastenango market
Landmarks Chichicastenango Lake Atitlan 
- Day 13
San Juan La Laguna
Travel across Lake Atitlan by local boat, taking in the views from the water. You'll visit San Marcos with its laid-back bohemian feel and nature reserve, then continue to San Juan where you stay with Mayan families. Share a traditional dinner together and learn some Mayan phrases while practicing Spanish.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional dinner with local Mayan family)
Included Activities
- Local Mayan homestay in San Juan La Laguna
Landmarks San Marcos San Juan La Laguna - Day 14
San Juan La Laguna to Antigua
Start before dawn for a moonlit hike up Mayan Face Mountain, named for the silhouette it creates when viewed from below. Reach the summit in time for sunrise revealing the lake and surrounding landscape. Local guides serve hot cocoa, then you descend for breakfast with your host families before saying goodbye and heading to Antigua.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with local Mayan families)
Included Activities
- Mayan Face (Indian Nose) hike with guide
Landmarks Mayan Face Mountain 
- Day 15
Antigua
After the early morning, you deserve a chance to sleep in. Antigua is completely yours to explore at your own pace. Walk through the colonial town checking out Spanish architecture and churches, browse the markets, grab coffee and huevos rancheros at local cafes, or just relax in the parks without any set schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Antigua's colonial architecture
- Visit local churches
- Browse local markets
- Cafe and restaurant visits
- Park visits
Landmarks Antigua - Day 16
Acatenango Volcano
Lace up your boots for a challenging hike to the volcanoes. After several hours of climbing, you reach the summit of Acatenango where the air gets thin and clouds surround you. You spend the night at basecamp with views of Volcan Fuego, Guatemala's most active volcano, which frequently bursts with lava and fire against the evening sky.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- 2 day Acatenango Volcano trek with guides
Optional Activities
- Traditional chocolate-making experience in Antigua (alternative for those not participating in volcano trek)
Landmarks Acatenango Volcano Volcan Fuego 
- Day 17
Antigua
Come down from the volcano and clean up. Explore Antigua's streets at your own pace, revisiting anything you missed before. Get dressed up for a memorable final dinner and drinks in Guatemala before flying to Costa Rica tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final dinner and drinks in Guatemala)
Optional Activities
- Explore Antigua streets at leisure
- Day 18
Antigua to San Jose
Say goodbye to Guatemala and head to the airport for your included flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. After landing, explore the city depending on when you arrive. San Jose has excellent museums where you can start learning about the country. Gather with the group for your first Costa Rican dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- San Jose walking tour
Optional Activities
- Visit museums in San Jose
Landmarks San Jose - Day 19
San Jose to La Fortuna
Take a guided walking tour of San Jose with a local guide, seeing the city's architecture and historical landmarks. After that, leave the city heading toward La Fortuna with a stop at the Ox Cart Museum to learn about those intricately decorated carts important to Costa Rican farming. When you arrive in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano dominates the view, and the town is known for geothermal activity and wellness.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- San Jose walking tour
- Entrance to Ox Cart Museum
Landmarks Arenal Volcano 
- Day 20
Rainforest
Head into the rainforest and cross hanging bridges high above the jungle canopy. Watch for monkeys, colorful toucans, and sloths moving slowly through the trees. You'll also get views of Arenal Volcano. After dark, venture back into the jungle with an expert guide who points out nocturnal creatures like rare frogs, monkeys, reptiles, and possibly tapirs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hanging bridges walk in the jungles of La Fortuna
- La Fortuna guided night-time jungle walk
- Day 21
La Fortuna
Visit a local family who's lived in La Fortuna for generations. They show you around their farm where wildlife roams freely, and you learn about harvesting local fruits and vegetables, tasting exceptionally sweet produce. Lunch is a traditional casado meal with coffee from their own farm. Spend the afternoon relaxing in natural hot springs, warmed by volcanic minerals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Casado lunch with freshly brewed coffee from local farm)
Included Activities
- Local farm visit & lunch in La Fortuna
- Natural hot springs in La Fortuna
- Day 22
La Fortuna to Rincon de la Vieja
Leave La Fortuna and visit a traditional Maleku house to learn about Costa Rica's indigenous Maleku people and their way of life. Continue into Rio Celeste National Park, famous for its diamond blue water and waterfall. By afternoon you're settled in jungle accommodation at Rincon de la Vieja, surrounded by the sounds of wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Maleku cultural visit
- Rio Celeste National Park entrance
Landmarks Rio Celeste - Day 23
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Spend the morning hiking through Rincon de la Vieja National Park exploring volcanic vents and mud pits while spotting over 300 bird species, monkeys, tapirs, reptiles, and potentially jaguars. In the afternoon, relax by the hotel pool listening to jungle sounds, or go for the thrilling option of ziplining through the forest canopy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rincon de la Vieja National Park entrance
- Morning jungle hike through volcanic vents and mud pits
Optional Activities
- Afternoon pool relaxation
- Zipline through the forest canopy
Landmarks Rincon de la Vieja National Park - Day 24
Rincon de la Vieja to Samara
Travel toward Samara, a laid-back coastal town with palm-fringed beaches and calm waters. Arrive and start unwinding into the relaxed pace of life. Spend the afternoon however you like, whether playing beach volleyball, soaking up sun, or sipping cocktails by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Beach volleyball
- Sun bathing
- Cocktails by the sea
Landmarks Samara Beach - Day 25
Beach Hopping
Start the day with a surf lesson from local experts who know these waters well. Whether you're trying it for the first time or already comfortable on a board, you'll learn about Costa Rica's surf culture. Later, travel up the coast to a quieter white-sand beach where you can read, swim, or join a casual game of football.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Beach hopping day along the Guanacaste coast & surf lesson
- Day 26
Samara
The entire day is yours to do what you want. Take a yoga class, try a surf lesson, go sea kayaking with snorkeling, or do nothing at all. Relax by the sea with a cold drink and soak up the sun, or explore whatever interests you about Samara.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Yoga session
- Surf lesson
- Sea kayaking with snorkelling
- Beach relaxation
- Day 27
Samara to Esterillos
Your last morning in Samara gives you time to relax and catch some sun before the afternoon drive down to Esterillos. You'll head out after breakfast and take in the scenery on the way, stopping for dinner somewhere along the route. The drive itself is pretty nice with good views, especially as the sun starts setting. Once you get to Esterillos in the evening, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the night to settle in and rest up.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner along the way with scenic drive and sunset views)
Included Activities
- Beach time in Samara
Landmarks Samara Beach Esterillos Beach - Day 28
Manuel Antonio National Park
Visit Manuel Antonio National Park, so bring your camera. As Costa Rica's most visited national park, you'll understand why when you explore the jungles and beaches. Look for sloths and playful monkeys in this tropical setting. After your jungle time, head to the park's beaches for sun and relaxation before returning to Esterillos.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Manuel Antonio National Park entrance
Landmarks Manuel Antonio National Park - Day 29
Esterillos to San Jose
Leave the coast and head back to San Jose. Along the way, stop for a hands-on experience learning about cacao making. Discover how important cacao has been to Costa Rican history and taste some freshly made chocolate. Tonight brings a farewell meal and drinks where everyone raises a glass to the adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell meal and drinks)
Included Activities
- Cacao making experience
- Day 30
San Jose
Your tour ends today. Depart this morning and arrange your own way to the airport or your next destination. While no departure transfer is included, your tour leader is available to help you plan onward travel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
