Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Playa del Carmen
Playa del CarmenOptional Activities
- Snorkelling in cenotes (freshwater rock pools)
- Strolling along white-sand beaches
- Reef diving on Cozumel
- Cocktails and tacos with travel group
- Day 2
Playa del Carmen
Playa del CarmenIncluded Activities
- Cenote Azul visit with swimming, diving or snorkelling
Optional Activities
- Snorkelling and underwater activities at the beach (looking for rays, moray eels, turtles)
- Local bus to Tulum to see white-sand beaches and Maya ruins (approximately 1.5 hours south)
- Sunset viewing with fellow travellers
Landmarks Cenote Azul Tulum - Day 3
Playa del Carmen to Chetumal
Playa del Carmen to Chetumal- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Bacalar)
Included Activities
- Lunch at Bacalar
- Beach club entry at Bacalar (Lake of Seven Colours)
Optional Activities
- Early morning beach stroll in Playa del Carmen
- Coffee at local café
- Boat tour of Lake of Seven Colours
Landmarks Lake of Seven Colours (Bacalar) - Day 4
Chetumal to Caye Caulker
Chetumal to Caye CaulkerIncluded Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of Caye Caulker
Optional Activities
- Relaxing on the island
- Exploring beaches
Landmarks Caye Caulker - Day 5
Caye Caulker
Caye CaulkerOptional Activities
- Snorkelling at the nearby colourful coral reef
- Day trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve (home to the world's second-longest coral reef)
- Manatee spotting
- Beach relaxation and reading
Landmarks Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Day 6
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker- Meals
- Lunch (Cooking class lunch with local family (Belizean chicken, rice and beans))
Included Activities
- Cooking class with local family (Belizean chicken, rice and beans)
Optional Activities
- Swimming at the beach
- Bicycle exploration
- Fresh seafood dinner at beachfront restaurants
- Roadside stall meals (grilled shrimp, rum and coke)
- Day 7
Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Caye Caulker to San IgnacioIncluded Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk of San Ignacio and Santa Elena
Optional Activities
- Dining on traditional Maya cuisine (e.g., cochinita pibil)
Landmarks San Ignacio Santa Elena - Day 8
San Ignacio
San IgnacioOptional Activities
- Day trip to Xunantunich Maya ceremonial site (includes hand-cranked ferry crossing)
- Visit to Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (living museum of Maya relics with skeletons and ceramic pots)
- Visit to Mountain Pine Ridge cave
- Barbecue dinner at Santa Elena stalls (approximately 15 minutes walk away)
Landmarks Xunantunich Actun Tunichil Muknal Mountain Pine Ridge - Day 9
San Ignacio to Tikal National Park
San Ignacio to Tikal National ParkIncluded Activities
- Tikal National Park archaeological site visit (entrance fee, guide and transport included)
Optional Activities
- Climbing to the top of ruins for canopy views
- Wildlife spotting (toucans, macaws, colourful birds)
Landmarks Tikal National Park - Day 10
Tikal to Rio Dulce
Tikal to Rio DulceOptional Activities
- Breakfast in Flores restaurant
- Boat transfer back to town from hotel (40 minutes jungle walk as alternative)
- Informal Spanish lesson with group leader
Landmarks Flores - Day 11
Rio Dulce to Livingston
Rio Dulce to LivingstonIncluded Activities
- River boat trip to Livingston
- Garifuna dance class
- Boat return to Rio Dulce
Optional Activities
- Exploring the colourful town
- Watching fishermen work at the docks
- Lunch in town
Landmarks Livingston - Day 12
Rio Dulce to Antigua
Rio Dulce to AntiguaOptional Activities
- Final group dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Antigua - Day 13
Antigua
AntiguaOptional Activities
- Visiting the 18th-century ruins of the Monastery of Santa Clara
- Street food (roasted beans)
- Exploring markets and colonial architecture
Landmarks Monastery of Santa Clara - Day 14
Antigua to Quetzaltenango
Antigua to Quetzaltenango- Meals
- Lunch (Group lunch at San Andres Itzapa)
Included Activities
- San Simon shamanic ceremonies at Temple of San Simon
- Lunch
Optional Activities
- Rum or tobacco offering at the liquor store for the ceremony
Landmarks Temple of San Simon - Day 15
Quetzaltenango
QuetzaltenangoIncluded Activities
- Chicken bus experience to Almolonga market
Optional Activities
- Shopping at Almolonga vegetable market
Landmarks Almolonga Market - Day 16
Quetzaltenango to Panajachel
Quetzaltenango to PanajachelIncluded Activities
- Chichicastenango market visit with expert local guide
Optional Activities
- Shopping for traditional garments (huipils), handmade jewellery, pottery, incense, tablecloths, ceremonial masks, or leather goods
- Dinner with fellow travellers at local restaurants
Landmarks Chichicastenango Market - Day 17
Panajachel to Santiago Atitlan
Panajachel to Santiago AtitlanIncluded Activities
- Boat ride to Santiago Atitlan on Lake Atitlan
- Visit to Santiago Atitlan shrine of Maximon with shamanic keepers
Optional Activities
- Evening exploration of Panajachel shores
Landmarks Lake Atitlan Santiago Atitlan - Day 18
Panajachel to Antigua
Panajachel to AntiguaOptional Activities
- Cooking class (local flavours and cultural significance of sharing food)
- Free morning exploration
- Optional final group dinner
- Day 19
Antigua
AntiguaOptional Activities
- Exploring churches, markets and cafes
- Dinner with fellow travellers (tamales or other local cuisine)
- Day 20
Antigua to Copan, Honduras
Antigua to Copan, HondurasOptional Activities
- Exploring Central Plaza
- Café visits
- Wandering cobblestone streets and lush surroundings
Landmarks Copan - Day 21
Copan
CopanIncluded Activities
- Guided visit to Copan archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Macaw Mountain Park visit
- Temple of Rosalila visit
- Natural hot springs tour (includes mud baths, steaming natural baths, refreshing pools, and dinner)
Landmarks Copan Macaw Mountain Park Temple of Rosalila - Day 22
Copan to Suchitoto
Copan to SuchitotoIncluded Activities
- Suchitoto orientation walk
- Pupusa-making demonstration
Landmarks Suchitoto - Day 23
Suchitoto
SuchitotoIncluded Activities
- Indigo-dying demonstration at local designer's home
Optional Activities
- Guided walk through Cinquera Forest
- Birdwatching at Embalse Cerron Grande (Lago Suchitlan)
Landmarks Cinquera Forest Embalse Cerron Grande (Lago Suchitlan) - Day 24
Suchitoto to Pacific Coast
Suchitoto to Pacific CoastOptional Activities
- Surfing
- Beach relaxation
- Local restaurant dining
Landmarks Pacific Coast - Day 25
Pacific Coast to Leon
Pacific Coast to LeonOptional Activities
- Dinner with group
Landmarks Leon - Day 26
Leon
LeonOptional Activities
- Street food tasting (Nica tacos at Lady of Grace Cathedral area)
- Volcano sandboarding at Cerro Negro Volcano
- Contemporary art exploration
- Leon Cathedral visit
Landmarks Cerro Negro Volcano Leon Cathedral - Day 27
Leon to Granada
Leon to GranadaIncluded Activities
- Stop at Laguna Apoyo viewpoint
- Masaya town and market visit
Optional Activities
- Lunch near Laguna Apoyo viewpoint
- Afternoon exploration of Granada
Landmarks Laguna Apoyo Masaya Granada - Day 28
Granada
Granada- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas (café run by people who are hard of hearing))
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Cafe de las Sonrisas
Optional Activities
- Convento y Museo San Francisco visit (indigenous stone statues)
- Boat or kayak exploration of Lake Nicaragua islets
- Watching fishermen in wooden huts
Landmarks Convento y Museo San Francisco Lake Nicaragua - Day 29
Granada to Monteverde
Granada to MonteverdeLandmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve - Day 30
Monteverde
Monteverde- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at local women's cooperative cafe (started by eight women in 1982; handmade products available))
Included Activities
- Breakfast at women's cooperative cafe
Optional Activities
- Ziplining adventure through treetops
- Coffee and chocolate tour
- Night walk through cloud forest (nocturnal creature spotting)
- Day 31
Monteverde to La Fortuna
Monteverde to La FortunaIncluded Activities
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve walk with local guide
Landmarks Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Lake Arenal Arenal Volcano - Day 32
La Fortuna
La FortunaOptional Activities
- Guided nature hike through forest surrounding Arenal Volcano
- Hanging bridges walk for wildlife spotting
- Thermal hot springs soaking
- La Fortuna waterfall (70 m tall) visit and swimming
- Stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal
- Boat safari at Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
Landmarks Arenal Volcano La Fortuna Waterfall Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge - Day 33
La Fortuna to San Jose
La Fortuna to San Jose- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch after tortilla making class with local family)
Included Activities
- Tortilla making class with local family and lunch
Optional Activities
- Gold Museum visit (pre-Spanish gold art collection)
- Plaza de la Cultura outdoor market shopping
- Central Market exploration (handicrafts and seafood)
- Optional farewell dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Gold Museum Plaza de la Cultura Central Market - Day 34
San Jose
San JoseOptional Activities
- Market exploration (possible spontaneous art fair)
- Arte Contemporaneo art gallery visit
- Coffee tasting at local cafés
- Day 35
San Jose to Sarapiqui
San Jose to SarapiquiIncluded Activities
- Jungle walk with local guide
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife spotting
- Waterfall hikes
Landmarks Sarapiqui - Day 36
Sarapiqui to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Sarapiqui to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Caribbean dinner prepared with local family (fruits, seafood, tubers, vegetables with coconut, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, curry, Panamanian pepper and thyme))
Included Activities
- Hands-on dinner preparation with local family (traditional Caribbean cuisine)
Optional Activities
- Surfing at great beach breaks
- Rainforest fruit farm exploration
Landmarks Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Day 37
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de TalamancaOptional Activities
- Cahuita National Park exploration (approximately 20 minutes transfer)
- Surfing lessons
- Beach relaxation
Landmarks Cahuita National Park - Day 38
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Bocas del Toro
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to Bocas del ToroOptional Activities
- Snorkelling opportunities
- Wildlife viewing
Landmarks Bocas del Toro Archipelago Isla Colon - Day 39
Bocas del Toro
Bocas del ToroOptional Activities
- Beach exploration (Starfish, Sandfly, Big Creek beaches)
- Snorkelling on coral reefs
- Bar and restaurant exploration in town
Landmarks Starfish Beach Sandfly Beach Big Creek Beach - Day 40
Bocas del Toro - Isla Popa visit
Bocas del Toro - Isla Popa visitIncluded Activities
- Ngabe-Bugle indigenous community visit on Isla Popa (orientation walk, local home visit, time with local family)
Landmarks Isla Popa - Day 41
Bocas del Toro to Boquete
Bocas del Toro to BoqueteOptional Activities
- Informal Spanish lesson with leader
Landmarks Boquete - Day 42
Boquete
BoqueteOptional Activities
- Jungle walking tour to secret waterfalls
- Caldera hot springs soaking
- Coffee plantation visit
- Local coffee tasting
Landmarks Caldera Hot Springs - Day 43
Boquete to Chitre
Boquete to ChitreIncluded Activities
- Traditional mask workshop
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Chitre
Landmarks Chitre - Day 44
Chitre to Panama City
Chitre to Panama CityIncluded Activities
- Miraflores Locks Panama Canal Visitor Centre
- Panama City leader-led walk in Casco Viejo
Optional Activities
- Final farewell dinner with fellow travellers
Landmarks Miraflores Locks Casco Viejo - Day 45
Panama City
Panama CityOptional Activities
- Extended exploration of Panama City (speak to booking agent for arrangements)
