Mexico to Costa Rica
7 amazing Latin American countries!
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Group Size: Max 18
Trip code: MXCA
Duration: From 45 days
With turquoise seas, lush forests, Mayan ruins and majestic volcanoes, Central America is a tropical travel dream come true. This incredible 45 day group adventure is a combination of two of our fave tours, and takes you through seven unique countries starting in magical Mexico, where the fiesta never stops! Then explore the wonders of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. From blissing out on dazzling white beaches, misty walks through pristine cloud forest, and swimming in sparkling cenotes, to tucking into tacos and tequila, spending a night in a traditional homestay, and exploring some of the most impressive ancient sites in the world, this trip is as epic as they come.
Trip highlights
- Explore Mayan ruins at Palenque, Calakmul, Tulum, and Chichen Itza
- Take a dip in spectacular Chukum Cenote and the bright blue pools of Agua Azul Waterfalls
- Chill out on the paradise island of Caye Caulker, Belize
- Snorkel with stingrays and sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize
- Spend the night in a traditional homestay on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
- Spot tapirs, monkeys, sloths and large cats in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica
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Mexico Adventure
- 12 nights’ accommodation
- 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- Airport pickup on arrival
- Orientation tour of Mexico City
- Orientation tour of Oaxaca
- Mezcal distillery tour
- Boat tour of Sumidero Canyon
- Orientation tour of San Cristobal de las Casas
- Indigenous community visit
- Entrance to Agua Azul falls
- Entrance to Palenque archaeological site
- Entrance to Calakmul archaeological site
- Boat tour of Bacalar Lagoon
- Entrance to Tulum archaeological site
- Entrance to Chichen Itza, Sacred Cenote and Chukum Cenote
Central American Journey
- 31 nights’ accommodation
- 2 breakfasts, 1 lunches and 3 dinners
- Community project visit and pottery class in San Ignacio
- Guided tour of Tikal
- Orientation walk around Antigua, Leon and Granada
- Posadas Mayas homestay
- Isla de Ometepe homestay
- Rainforest walk and cooking demo in Costa Rica
All trips
- Experienced group leader & local guides
- Tour transport
- Help with onward travel
- 24 hour emergency support
- Visas
- Flights
- Insurance
- Some meals
- Airport transfer on arrival (Central American Journey)
- Return airport transfers (all trips)
- Optional activities
This trip is a combo of two of our most popular trips, Mexico Adventure (13 days) and Central American Journey (32 days).
Mexico Adventure (13 days)
Day 1: Arrive in Mexico. Buenos dias Mexico City! One of our team members will take you through the city’s bustling streets to the hotel where you’ll meet the gang and get excited together about your Mexican adventure before heading out for tacos and drinks!
Day 2: Mexico City. MC is a heck of a place to kick off the trip. Take a tour of the historic centre before a free afternoon. Check out some of the museums, watch a traditional show or grab a coffee at a streetside café. Get to know the city’s incredible nightlife after sundown – tequila anybody?
Day 3: Puebla and Oaxaca. Adios Mexico City – we’re Puebla bound. Practice your bartering in the artisan markets, grab something delish from the street stalls and check out the colonial architecture. After lunch, we’re off again – to Mexico’s culinary capital – Oaxaca.
Day 4: Oaxaca & overnight to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Spend today exploring this bohemian city. We’ll hit the colourful markets before visiting a traditional mezcal distillery. Then we’re hopping on a sleeper bus to Tuxtla Gutierrez.
Day 5: Sumidero Canyon & San Cristobal de las Casas. Today’s first stop is a real looker – we’re taking a boat cruise into the Canyon of Sumidero (think lush jungle, tumbling waterfalls and amazing caves). Later we’ll continue into the mountains to the colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 6: San Cristobal de las Casas. Start your day with a visit to some local indigenous communities to learn about their way of life. Then head back to San Cristobal for an afternoon of wandering the cobbled streets, exploring markets and sipping drinks in historic squares.
Day 7: Waterfalls & Palenque. Today’s first stop is the Agua Azul Waterfalls where we’ll swim in the bright blue pools and take in our stunning jungle scenery. Next up it’s Palenque – some of the most complete Mayan temples in the country – just wow.
Day 8: Calakmul & Bacalar. This morning’s destination is Calakmul, a fascinating historic site surrounded by thick jungle. Explore the ruins before travelling on to Laguna Bacalar. This 60km long turquoise lagoon has a white sandy bottom and basically looks like the Caribbean (no filter needed).
Day 9: Laguna Bacalar. Spend today exploring the lagoon on a private boat tour. We’ll get off the beaten track and spend hours just swimming, blissing out on deck and snorkelling.
Day 10: Tulum. Did somebody say Tulum? It’s all about the epic beach action this afternoon. Chill out on soft white sands, take a dip in the ocean, and play some beach volleyball with the gang before sundowners on the beach.
Day 11: Chichen Itza & Chukum cenote. This morning’s entertainment is the famous Chichen Itza. Wander round the temples and soak up the historic vibes before lunch in sun-drenched Valladolid, followed by a dip in the spectacular Chukum Cenote.
Day 12: Playa del Carmen. Our last stop on this leg of the tour is the fashionable beach town of Playa del Carmen. Spend your afternoon on the beach before going large tonight with dinner and drinks - Margaritas all round!
Day 13: Adios! Time to continue your travels in Central America as you meet the rest of the gang for your Central American Journey!
Central American Journey (32 days)
Day 1: MEXICO. Playa del Carmen. There are no activities planned for today so make your way to the trip start point any time before the 6pm welcome meeting.
Day 2: Playa del Carmen. Free beach time or optional activities: Visit the Mayan ruins at Tulúm or dive on Cozumel Island.
Day 3-5: BELIZE. Caye Caulker. Relax on the coast or opt to snorkel or dive with stingrays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Day 6-7: San Ignacio. On day 6, visit a community project that helps women learn new skills and try your hand at pottery! Enjoy some free time on day 7 with optional activities.
Day 8: GUATEMALA. Flores/Tikal. Take a guided tour of the ruins of Tikal and discover Flores.
Day 9-10: RÃo Dulce. All sorts of optional activities are on offer in this relaxed lakeside location.
Day 11-12: Antigua. Enjoy an orientation guided walk in Antigua then explore the local area and vibrant city and take an optional salsa class.
Day 13-14: Panajachel/Lake Atitlán homestay. Go on boat rides and experience a traditional homestay on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlán with its breathtaking backdrop.
Day 15-16: Antigua. Make the most of this lively city. Have fun and practice your fancy footwork at an included group salsa dancing lesson.
Day 17-18: HONDURAS. Copán. See the stunning Mayan ruins at Copán or relax in hot springs.
Day 19: EL SALVADOR. Suchitoto. Hop across the border into El Salvador and discover the picturesque town of Suchitoto.
Day 20 - 21: Playa El Tunco. Head to laid back El Tunco. Catch some waves with an optional surf lesson on the black sand beach and soak up the town’s mellow vibes.
Day 22: NICARAGUA. Leon. Get some more ink in your passport as we cross into Nicaragua. Our home for the night is the beautifully crumbly colonial city of Leon.
Day 23 – 24: Granada. Travel to Nicaragua’s oldest town. Wander the cobbled streets, explore the markets and colonial buildings, and take an optional trip to an Mombacho volcano or the warm waters of the Laguna de Apoyo.
Day 25 – 26: Isla de Ometepe. Cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to get to rugged Ometepe. Spend 2 nights in a traditional homestay, swim in the cool waters of the lake, and take an optional excursion to the springs at Ojo de Agua or up Concepcion Volcano.
Day 27 – 28: COSTA RICA. Monteverde. At 1,400 metres above sea level, our Costa Rican home for the next 2 days is literally in the clouds! The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is uniquely bio diverse, with sloths, monkeys, tapirs, large cats and more. Opt to fly through the jungle on a zipline, go horse riding, or take a tour of a butterfly garden.
Day 29 – 30: La Fortuna. Take a boat across Lake Arenal to La Fortuna, the adventure sports capital of Costa Rica. Canyoning, white water rafting, kayaking and paddle boarding are all on the menu of options while we’re here.
Day 31 - 32: San José. Hang out for one final night with your newfound friends in Costa Rica’s capital, before your epic Central American Journey comes to an end.
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £1,134 December, 2023
Mexico Adventure
This trip kicks off in Mexico City (MEX) and we’d recommend that you arrive on the actual start date. There are no activities planned on the first day, so you can arrive at a time that suits you. If you arrive before the start date, we can help you book extra nights of accommodation (at an additional cost). Whether you arrive on day 1 or earlier, we’ll meet you from the airport and transfer you to the hotel.
This leg of the trip ends on day 13 in Playa Del Carmen, where the Central American Journey begins so you won’t need to organise any connecting travel.
Central American Journey
This leg of your trip begins in Playa Del Carmen where the Mexico Adventure ends. We will share details of where to meet the group once you’ve booked.
Your Central American Journey ends in San José (Costa Rica) on day 32. Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) is the nearest. Your return transfer to the airport is not included but is easy to arrange.
Please note, whilst we do try and put as many start dates together as possible, there may be independent travel days in between each sector of your trip.
Accommodation
Mexico Adventure
12 nights of accommodation are included with this trip. Rooms are double or triple share. You’ll stay in a mixture of hotels, hostels and beachside resorts, some with pools, and you’ll spend one night on a sleeper bus.
Central American Journey
31 nights’ multi-share, single sex accommodation is included with this trip. You will be travelling through countries where cold water showers are common, so please be aware that there may not be hot water showers available, but in the warm weather, a cool shower will be more than welcome!
Meals
- Mexico Adventure: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
- Central American Journey: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunches, and 3 dinners
This trip is designed for travellers aged 18 to 39.
Mexico: If you’re visiting Mexico as a tourist, you don’t need a visa. You’ll receive a stamp in your passport with the number of days that you are allowed to stay. You may need to pay a departure tax when leaving Mexico by air or land. The cost can vary, and some airports or border crossings only accept payment in cash. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Mexico.
Belize: British nationals do not need a visa to enter Belize. On arrival, you’ll be allowed to enter for one month. You may need to pay a departure tax when leaving. Your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive.
Guatemala: British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Guatemala for stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive.
Honduras: British nationals do not need a visa to visit Honduras. You can get a 30 day visit entry stamp on arrival. You must ensure that you get your passport stamped on arrival to avoid complications on departure. Your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive.
El Salvador: British nationals can enter El Salvador for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport should be valid for six months from the date you arrive.
Costa Rica: British nationals do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica. You may stay as a visitor for up to 90 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival. Your passport should have at least one day’s validity from the date you are leaving Costa Rica.
Please note: As this trip crosses national borders, please be prepared to pay some border fees for certain countries ranging from USD1 to USD38. Certain Central American countries may require specific vaccinations for entry, such as the Yellow Fever vaccination. You should also speak to your GP or Travel Clinic before travel for the most up to date information.
Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for the most up to date visa information.