Tour overview

This 9-day small-group trip crosses three countries of Central America, from colonial Antigua to the Maya ruins of Copán and the Pacific coast of El Salvador. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, with private transport throughout. You stay eight nights in hotels, with breakfast daily and three lunches.

In Antigua, a highland city ringed by volcanoes, a tuk-tuk tour takes in the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint, the Santa Clara ruins and the Santa Catalina arch. You then drive to the Honduran border and the town of Copán, where a local guide leads you through the World Heritage ruins of one of the most important Maya cities, famous for its carved stelae and hieroglyphic stairway.

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Crossing into El Salvador, you spend two nights in Santa Ana, with a visit to El Molino El Carmen, a coffee plantation that has processed its beans by traditional methods for four generations. On the way to the coast you stop at Joya de Cerén, a Maya farming village preserved under volcanic ash and nicknamed the 'Pompeii of the Americas', before two nights on the Costa del Sol, with a free day to enjoy its Pacific beaches.

The physical rating is low. This trip suits travellers who want an easy introduction to three countries in a short time.

Trip highlights

  • A tuk-tuk tour of Antigua (Day 2)
  • The Maya ruins of Copán (Day 4)
  • A historic coffee plantation (Day 6)
  • Joya de Cerén (Day 7)
  • A free day on the Pacific coast (Day 8)

Your route

7 stops from Antigua to La Libertad

9-day route: Antigua – Copán – Santa Ana – Joya de Cerén – Costa del Sol
  1. Antigua Days 1–2
  2. Copán Ruinas Days 3–4
  3. Santa Ana Days 5–6
  4. Juayúa Day 6
  5. Joya de Cerén Day 7
  6. San Salvador Day 7
  7. La Libertad Days 7–9

Why choose this tour

Three countries and two World Heritage sites in nine days. Excellent value with a local leader.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Central America
  • History lovers
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers and couples
Antigua Guatemala from above

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Antigua, Guatemala to Costa del Sol, El Salvador

  1. Day 1 · Antigua Antigua

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Cerro de la Cruz, Santa Catalina Arch Antigua

    A tuk-tuk tour.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Copán Ruinas Copán

    Into Honduras.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Copán ruins Copán

    A Maya citadel.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Santa Ana Santa Ana

    Into El Salvador.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · El Molino El Carmen Santa Ana

    A coffee plantation.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Joya de Cerén, Costa del Sol Costa del Sol

    The Pompeii of the Americas.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Costa del Sol Costa del Sol

    A free beach day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Costa del Sol Costa del Sol

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A scarlet macaw in the forest at Copán Ruinas, Honduras

Where you stay

  • Antigua (2 nights) Hotel
  • Copán (2 nights) Hotel
  • Santa Ana (2 nights) Hotel
  • Costa del Sol (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in hotels
  • Meals 8 breakfasts and 3 lunches
  • Private transport across three countries
  • Antigua tuk-tuk tour
  • Guided visit to the Copán ruins
  • Coffee plantation and Joya de Cerén visits
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 4 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A boat on Lake Coatepeque

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want an active holiday
  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–9 · Lunch: Days 2 and 6–7 · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for El Salvador · UK FCDO travel advice for Guatemala · UK FCDO travel advice for Honduras
Aerial view of El Rosario Church in San Salvador, El Salvador

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,054 per person, twin share, tour only. 46 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Which countries does the trip visit?

Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Are border crossings included?

Yes, your leader helps with each crossing, which can take some time.

Where does the trip end?

On the Costa del Sol, about an hour from San Salvador airport.

Do I need a visa?

UK citizens don't need a visa. El Salvador charges a tourist card fee on entry.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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