When to go
January – March and November
Price
From £3,895 pp (including flights) | Private: £5,195pp (including flights)
Flight time
11hrs & 4mins
Introduction
Experience the unique sights and sounds, and enticing aromas, of Central America with this memorable 19-day trip. Your journey will take you to the ruins of old America, lush cloud forests, the cobbled streets of Suchitoto, and the Mayan ruins of Copán.
At a Glance
Duration
19 days & 17 nights
Guide price
Group: £3,895pp (including flights) | Private: £5,195pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Panama City | San José | Monteverde | Granada, Nicaragua | San Salvador | Route of the Flowers | Copán, Honduras | Flores | Tikal | Guatemala City
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Standard
Accommodation
Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel | Hotel Presidente | Monteverde Country Lodge | Patio de Malinche Hotel | Casa 1800 Suchitoto | Casa 1800 Ataco | Hotel Marina Copán | Hotel Villa Caribe | Villa Maya | Mesón de María
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 14 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Panama City | Guatemala City
Extensions
Tour + Lake Atitlán (4 days & 2 nights) from £545
Tour + Belize beach (5 days & 3 nights) from £995
Highlights
Navigate the Rich, Complex Panama Canal
Take a majestic boat ride across the memorable Panama Canal. Witness the stunning, crystal-clear water, beautiful surrounding scenery, and marvel at the nearby local wildlife.
Meet Native Wildlife in the Cloud Forests and Meet Early Pioneers at Monteverde
The cloud forests are known for housing many native wildlife, including two-toed sloths and a variety of colorful birds. Your journey will also take you to Monteverde. At this historically significant site, you will get the chance to meet early pioneers, and learn about the earliest evidence of humans living in South America.
Take a Boat Ride on Lake Nicaragua
Travel across the tranquil waters of Lake Nicaragua on a memorable boat ride. Watch as the world goes by, taking in the glorious beaches, mysterious cloud forests, and charming wildlife. You may be able to take the boat trip at sunset when the lake is most visually stunning.
Explore Colonial Towns and Mayan Ruins
Central America has a long history of colonization. The result is that many of the country’s towns still retain their colonial look, which have been faithfully preserved throughout generations. You can also explore the Mayan ruins, which provide a rare, deep glimpse into the history of the Mayan culture and their origins.
Sample Itinerary
Splendours of Central America
Explore the ruins of old Panama. Visit the traditional artisan town of Ataco. And visit the impressive carved stelae at Quirigua. All of this, and more, is possible in this sample Itinerary of Central America.
Day 1: Fly to Panama City via the US
Fly from London to Panama City via the US. Regional connections available. Transfer to the Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel for 3 nights.
(N)
Day 2: Panama City
In the morning, tour the city and the ruins of old Panama. Founded in 1519, old Panama is the oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. It was eventually abandoned in the 17th century, replaced by the new Historic district.
(B)
Day 3: Panama Canal
Take a shared, partial transit and cruise through Panama Canal. This stunning, constructed waterway connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is up to 40 miles long from shoreline to shoreline, and is managed by the state of Panama.
(B, L)
Day 4: Fly to San José, Costa Rica
Fly to the capital of Costa Rica, San José. While here, visit the coffee plantation, located on the slopes of the active Poás Volcano. Marvel at the smoke and steam rising from the fumaroles and learn about how the locals grow and produce their freshly roasted coffee.
Stay overnight at Hotel Presidente.
(B, L)
Day 5 & 6: Monteverde
Transfer to Monteverde. Stay for 2 nights at the Monteverde Country Lodge. In the afternoon, visit the Selvatura’s hummingbird garden and hanging walkways, home to over 100 species of hummingbirds and thousands of native insect species.
On Day 6, visit the Monteverde cloud forest, established in 1972. Aside from being a unique and visually stunning location, the cloud forest is also an important home for progressive conservation and ecotourism in South America, with a strong focus on biodiversity research and education to help the natural lands thrive and prosper for future generations.
(B)
Day 7: Granada, Nicaragua
Enjoy a full-day journey across the border into Nicaragua and then Granada. This must-visit city is home to lovingly preserved colonial architecture, distinguished buildings, a bustling urban culture, and it is all set to the backdrop of volcanoes and lake shores. Travel to Granada takes approximately 7-8 hours.
Stay 2 nights at Patio de Malinche Hotel (or similar).
(B)
Day 8: Granada
In the morning tour the city of Granada. Explore the Franciscan convent, part of the Franciscan Missions Associates. Then take a boat ride through the canals, followed by an afternoon of leisure or optional excursions.
(B)
Day 9: Fly to San Salvador • Suchitoto
Transfer to Managua and fly to San Salvador. Proceed to the town of Suchitoto, an extraordinary colonial town, full of gorgeous houses, rich cultural traditions, and mesmerizing panoramic views of Lake Suchitlan.
Spend 1 night at Casa 1800 Suchitoto.
(B)
Day 10: Route of the Flowers
Further explore the streets of Suchitoto. Then, transfer to Joya de Ceren, a famous archaeological site once home to a pre-Hispanic farming community. It was discovered in 1977 and declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1993. While there, you will also explore the cloud forest trails, marvel at picturesque views of the volcano, and head to the Route of the Flowers.
Stay overnight at the Casa 1800 Ataco.
(B, L)
Day 11: Copán, Honduras
In the morning, visit the town of Ataco, situated in the western mountain ranges of El Salvador. Then stop at Santa Ana en route to Honduras. The trip takes approximately 10 hours. Stay for 2 nights at the Hotel Marina Copán.
(B, L)
Day 12: Copán
Tour the Mayan ruins of Copán in the morning. It was discovered in 1570 by Diego García de Palacio but not excavated until the 19th century. The ruins are composed of many complex ruins, with several secondary complex surrounding it. There are 5 plazas, such as the Hieroglyphic Stairway Plaza with a monumental stairway at the eastern end.
Enjoy an optional afternoon tour of a nearby bird sanctuary.
(B)
Day 13: Livingston, Guatemala
Head over to Guatemala and then the Caribbean coast. On the way, you will visit Quirigua, a renowned archaeological park and home to the ruins of the Quirigua. The total trip is approximately 6 hours.
From there, take a 1.5-hour boat ride along the coast town of Livingston, home to the Garifuna people. Their culture and lifestyle is distinct from the rest of Central America, due to their unique cuisine, culture, rhythms, and even color preference.
Stay overnight at the Hotel Villa Caribe (or similar).
(B)
Day 14: Flores
In the morning, take a walking tour of Livingston. Then take a boat trip along the Dulce River, followed by a visit to Bird Island and an indigenous community. Travel to the Flores area by road and stay 2 nights at the lakeside Villa Maya.
(B)
Day 15: Tikal
Take a morning tour of Tikal, an important Mayan ruins site. It features gorgeous, lush vegetation, decayed Mayan architecture, and various dwellings scattered across the countryside. Enjoy afternoon leisure.
(B, L)
Day 16 & 17: Fly to Guatemala City • Antigua
In the early morning, fly to Guatemala City. Transfer to the colonial town of Antigua for 2 nights at Mesón de María. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of the town. On Day 17, enjoy leisure or take optional excursions.
(B)
Day 18 & 19: Fly to London via the IS
Transfer to Guatemala City. Fly to London via the US. Arrive the next day.
(B) (N)
