Itinerary
- Day 1
Antigua
You'll arrive in Antigua and check into your hotel. If your flight gets in early, there's time to walk around the crumbling churches, browse the vibrant markets, and try a local cafe. A welcome meeting happens at 6 pm at the hotel, after which the evening is free to relax or grab dinner with other travelers.
Optional Activities
- Visit ChocoMuseo to learn about old-world chocolate production
- People watch at Central Park by the fountain
- Sample tamales at local restaurants
- Day 2
San Andres Itzapa - Quetzaltenango
After breakfast, you'll head to San Andres Itzapa for a shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon, where you'll see how Mayan culture blends with Catholic religion. You'll have group lunch, then continue to Quetzaltenango (Xela) for an orientation walk through this highland city with your leader.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Group lunch)
Included Activities
- Shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon
- Group lunch
Optional Activities
- Chocolate Museum visit (free)
- Mayan Cooking Class (USD55)
- Las Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs (USD25)
Landmarks Temple of San Simon 
- Day 3
Quetzaltenango
You'll start before breakfast with a ride on a traditional chicken bus, those colorful old American school buses decorated by locals. The stop is Almolonga market, where you can browse the enormous vegetables this famous market is known for. Then you'll return to your hotel for breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chicken Bus Experience to local market
- Almolonga vegetable market visit
Landmarks Almolonga Market - Day 4
Chichicastenango - Panajachel
After breakfast, you'll explore Chichicastenango market (Chichi), one of the largest outdoor markets in Latin America. An expert local leader will take you through thousands of stalls where you'll find textiles, wooden handicrafts, jade jewelry, and traditional garments. Later, you'll head to Panajachel and have a free evening along Lake Atitlan's shores.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Chichicastenango market visit with local guide
Optional Activities
- Browse and purchase huipils (traditional indigenous garments)
- Browse and purchase handmade jewelry, pottery, incense, tablecloths, ceremonial masks, and leather goods
- Group dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks Chichicastenango Market 
- Day 5
Santiago Atitlan
You'll take a scenic lancha boat ride across Lake Atitlan, surrounded by volcanoes and Maya villages, heading to Santiago Atitlan. There you'll visit the shrine of Maximon (San Simon) with local shamans, share a gift of local spirits, and learn about the deity and local life. The boat returns you to Panajachel in the afternoon for a free evening.
Included Activities
- Boat ride on Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan
- Visit to the shrine of Maximon with Shamanic Keepers
Landmarks Lake Atitlan Santiago Atitlan Shrine of Maximon - Day 6
Panajachel to Antigua
The morning is free in Panajachel to relax or join an optional cooking class about local flavors and the cultural importance of sharing food. In the afternoon, you'll transfer by private vehicle back to Antigua. Upon arrival, there's an orientation walk through the historic center with your leader, then time to explore on your own or with fellow travelers for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Cooking class in Panajachel
- Day 7
Antigua
You have a free day to explore Antigua at your own pace. Options include a chocolate-making workshop or salsa dance lesson. At 6 pm, there's a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby for any new travelers, followed by an optional group dinner.
Optional Activities
- Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo (USD30)
- Salsa dance lesson per hour (GTQ150)
- Optional group dinner
Landmarks ChocoMuseo - Day 8
Antigua to Copan, Honduras
You'll depart Antigua early around 7 am to avoid rush-hour traffic and drive toward the Honduras border. As you travel, you'll see how the scenery changes and learn about local life in Guatemala. You'll cross into Honduras and arrive in the small town of Copan by early afternoon. There's time to walk the cobblestone streets and explore the lush surroundings at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Browse Central Plaza
- Explore cafes and local attractions
Landmarks Central Plaza 
- Day 9
Copan, Honduras
A local guide will take you through the World Heritage-listed ruins of Copan, the southernmost great Maya site, with elaborate stelae, temples, excavated vaults, and walls covered in ancient carvings. The rest of the afternoon is yours to choose, visiting the macaw park, Temple of Rosalila, or nearby natural hot springs.
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Copan Archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Macaw Mountain Park visit
- Temple of Rosalila visit
- Natural Hot Springs & Dinner tour (USD50)
Landmarks Copan Archaeological Site Macaw Mountain Park Temple of Rosalila - Day 10
Copan, Honduras to Suchitoto, El Salvador
You'll leave Copan and drive across the border into El Salvador, heading to Suchitoto, the cultural capital. It's a long travel day, so bring entertainment for the journey. Upon arrival, there's an orientation walk through the town's elaborate building facades with your leader, then you'll learn to make pupusas (Salvadoran cornmeal flatbreads) with a cooking demonstration.
Included Activities
- Suchitoto Leader led orientation walk
- Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
Landmarks Suchitoto 
- Day 11
Suchitoto
You'll visit a local designer's home for an indigo-dying demonstration, learning the history of this ancient trade and trying your hand at dyeing yourself. This enterprise supports single mothers in the community. The rest of the day is free to explore Suchitoto, relax by the lake, or join a guided walk through Cinquera Forest where guerrilla fighters took cover during the Civil War.
Included Activities
- Indigo Dyeing Demonstration
Optional Activities
- Town tour (requires minimum 4 travelers) (USD35)
- War historic hike at Cinquera Forest - Moderate 2km hike (requires minimum 3 travelers) (USD55)
- Sunrise Kayaking on Lake Suchitlan (requires minimum 4 travelers) (USD50)
- Explore Embalse Cerron Grande (Lago Suchitlan) freshwater lake
Landmarks Embalse Cerron Grande Cinquera Forest - Day 12
Pacific Coast, El Salvador
You'll drive to the Pacific Coast of El Salvador to experience dark-sand beaches and some of the country's best surf spots. The afternoon is for relaxing on the beach. The evening is free to find a local restaurant for dinner or simply unwind at your accommodation.
Optional Activities
- Local restaurant dinner
- Relax at accommodation
- Day 13
Gulf of Fonseca to Leon
You'll take a boat across the Gulf of Fonseca to reach Nicaragua, landing in Leon, the country's second-largest city. Once you get settled, your leader takes you on an orientation walk through the streets to see the murals and contemporary architecture scattered around town. Dinner with the group is optional later, and your leader can point you toward the best restaurants if you want recommendations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat crossing - Gulf of Fonseca to Nicaragua
- Leader-led orientation walk - Leon
Optional Activities
- Dinner with group (leader recommendations available)
- Volcano Sand Boarding - USD55 (requires minimum 3 travellers)
- Leon Art Center - USD4
Landmarks Leon 
- Day 14
Leon
The day is yours to explore Leon at your own pace. Try Nica tacos at the street food area behind the Lady of Grace Cathedral, check out contemporary art, or wander the Leon Cathedral. If you're into adventure, volcano sandboarding on Cerro Negro Volcano's black slopes offers a thrilling option.
Optional Activities
- Street food area behind Lady of Grace Cathedral - Nica tacos
- Leon Cathedral exploration
- Contemporary art exploration
- Volcano sandboarding at Cerro Negro Volcano (minimum 3 travelers required) (USD55)
Landmarks Lady of Grace Cathedral Leon Cathedral Cerro Negro Volcano Leon Art Center - Day 15
Pacific Coast to Granada, Nicaragua
You'll drive to Granada, the oldest city in the New World. Along the way, there's a stop at Laguna Apoyo, a volcanic crater lake formed around 23,000 years ago, to stretch your legs and enjoy the views. You'll have lunch near the viewpoint, then stop in Masaya for a market visit and orientation walk before continuing to Granada. An orientation walk with your leader shows off the Moorish and Andalusian architecture, colonial streets, and lakeside setting.
Included Activities
- La Laguna de Apoyo Viewpoint
- Masaya - Town & Market Visit
- Granada - Leader-led orientation walk through Parque Central and La Calzada
Landmarks Laguna Apoyo Masaya Parque Central La Calzada Lake Nicaragua - Day 16
Granada
You'll start the day with breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas, run entirely by people who are hard of hearing. The rest of the day is yours to explore Granada. Options include visiting the Convento y Museo San Francisco, exploring the hundreds of islets dotting Lake Nicaragua by boat, or hiring a kayak. Note that swimming isn't recommended because of freshwater sharks in the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas, a cafe run by people who are hard of hearing)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at El Cafe de las Sonrisas
Optional Activities
- Convento y Museo San Francisco visit to view indigenous stone statues
- Lake Nicaragua islets boat tour (requires minimum 3 travelers) (USD25)
- Kayak rental on Lake Nicaragua
- Granada islets boat tour (requires minimum 3 travelers) (USD25)
- Mombacho Volcano hike (requires minimum 4 travelers) (USD60)
Landmarks Convento y Museo San Francisco Lake Nicaragua - Day 17
Granada - Monteverde
An early start gets you to Monteverde by afternoon. A leader-led orientation walk introduces you to the town, founded in 1951 by North American Quakers who established a wildlife sanctuary. The area now hosts the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, home to over 2,000 plant species, 320 bird species, and 100 mammal species.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk through Monteverde
Optional Activities
- Suspension bridges tour (USD55)
- Canopy zip lining (USD101)
- Coffee & chocolate tour (USD47)
- Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (USD22)
- Frog pond (USD20)
- Orchid gardens (USD18)
- Cloud Forest Night Walk (USD45)
- Children's Forest (USD25)
Landmarks Monteverde Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve 
- Day 18
Monteverde
Breakfast is at a local women's cooperative cafe that started in 1982 and now supports women without formal education, helping them generate household income while caring for their children. You'll browse handmade products for sale. The rest of the day is free to explore Monteverde with options like ziplining, a coffee and chocolate tour, or a nature walk. An optional night walk through the cloud forest to spot nocturnal creatures is available in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at a local women's cooperative cafe)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at women's cooperative cafe
- Monteverde - Leader-led orientation walk
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)
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest - Day 19
Monteverde - La Fortuna
A local guide will take you on trails through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to learn about the region's biodiversity and look for the resplendent quetzal while listening for howler monkeys. In the afternoon, you'll take a minibus to Lake Arenal's shores, then boat across the lake to La Fortuna. On clear days, you'll see fantastic views including the massive Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, you'll head to your hotel to freshen up, then take an orientation walk with your leader.
Included Activities
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve walk with local guide
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Lake Arenal Arenal Volcano 
- Day 20
La Fortuna
You have a free day to explore La Fortuna at your own pace. Start with a smoothie and plan your adventure from options like guided nature hikes through the forest surrounding Arenal Volcano, hanging bridges for wildlife spotting, natural thermal hot springs, the 70-meter tall La Fortuna waterfall, stand-up paddleboarding on the lake, or a boat safari in nearby Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge to spot lizards, crocodiles, and tropical birds.
Optional Activities
- Guided nature hike through forest surrounding Arenal Volcano
- Arenal hanging bridges tour - Entrance, guide, and shared transport (USD75)
- La Fortuna Waterfall entrance (USD25)
- Arenal Volcano Base Hike (USD97)
- Thermal hot springs
- Stand up paddle board (USD75)
- Baldi Hot Springs entrance fee (USD66)
- Cano Negro boat tour (USD94)
Landmarks Arenal Volcano La Fortuna Waterfall Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge - Day 21
La Fortuna to San Jose
You'll start your final morning learning to make Costa Rican tortillas from a local family, then enjoy lunch with your creations. Later, you'll transfer by private vehicle to San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, watching the Arenal Volcano fade into the distance. Upon arrival, there's an orientation walk to see main highlights, then time to explore the Gold Museum with its pre-Spanish gold collection, visit the Plaza de la Cultura outdoor market, or browse the Central Market for handicrafts and fresh seafood. An optional farewell dinner with fellow travelers wraps up the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch featuring Costa Rican tortillas made during the tortilla-making class)
Included Activities
- La Fortuna - Tortilla Making Class and lunch
- San Jose - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Gold Museum visit
- Plaza de la Cultura outdoor market shopping
- Central Market browsing
- Optional farewell dinner with fellow travelers
- 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 National Museum 
- Day 22
San Jose
Your tour ends this morning with no further activities planned. You'll have time to explore more of San Jose and the surrounding area if desired. Contact your booking agent ahead of time if you'd like to extend your stay.
