Mexico to Costa Rica

This trip is a combo of two of our most popular trips, Mexico Adventure (13 days) and Central American Journey (32 days).

Travel to Mexico - Belize - Guatemala - Honduras - El Salvador - Nicaragua - Costa Rica

Mexico Adventure (13 days)

Day 1: Arrive in Mexico. Buenos dias Mexico City! A taxi will pick you up from the airport 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 Chapulta Castle and explore the Historic Centre before a free afternoon. This evening, we will indulge in a delicious dinner and then experience an amazing traditional show with dancing and music  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 and Tehuantepec. We start the day by visiting a local food market to learn about the history of the region Oaxaca. Spend today exploring this bohemian city. We’ll visit the textile family before visiting a traditional mezcal distillery. Then we’re making our way to Tehuantepec for the evening. 

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: Chicanna & Bacalar. This morning’s destination is Chicanna, 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, relaxing on deck and taking in the beautiful scenery.

Day 10: Tulum. Did somebody say Tulum? It’s all about bohemian lifestyle today. Gaze across Tulum from the rooftop bar and then spend the evening immersing yourself in local culture; maybe you hit the local cool bars or find a hole-in-the-world hidden gem of a restaurant, who says you can’t do both?!

Day 11: Chichen Itza & Cenote. This morning’s entertainment is the famous Chichen Itza. Wander around the temples and soak up the historic vibes before lunch, followed by a dip in the spectacular cenote. Next, we will make our way to Playa del Carmen, check into the beautiful hotel and then the night is yours to explore!

Day 12: Playa del Carmen. Wake up in the fashionable beach town of Playa del Carmen. Spend your last afternoon on the beach before going large tonight with a farewell dinner and drinks - Margaritas all round!

Day 13: Adios! Time to say adios to your amigos, and either head home, or continue your travels in amazing Mexico.

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: Río 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.