Tour overview

This 27-day journey travels the length of Central America, from colonial Antigua in Guatemala to Panama City. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen. You stay twenty-six nights in hotels, with breakfast on some days.

From Antigua you visit the Maya ruins of Copán in Honduras and the colonial town of Suchitoto in El Salvador, with a pupusa demonstration and indigo dyeing. In Nicaragua you explore León and Granada and look over the Laguna de Apoyo, then cross into Costa Rica for the cloud forest of Monteverde and La Fortuna below Arenal.

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After San José you head to the rainforest of Sarapiquí and the laid-back Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo, then cross into Panama for three nights among the islands of Bocas del Toro. You continue to the highland town of Boquete, known for its coffee, and Chitré before ending in Panama City.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers with time to explore six countries overland.

Trip highlights

  • The Copán ruins (Day 3)
  • Suchitoto (Days 4–5)
  • Granada (Days 9–10)
  • Monteverde (Day 12)
  • Puerto Viejo (Days 18–19)
  • Bocas del Toro (Days 20–22)

Your route

19 stops from Antigua to Panama City

27-day route: Antigua – Copán – Suchitoto – León – Granada – Monteverde – La Fortuna – San José – Puerto Viejo – Bocas del Toro – Boquete – Panama City
  1. Antigua Day 1
  2. Copán Ruinas Days 2–3
  3. Suchitoto Days 4–5
  4. La Libertad Day 6
  5. León Days 7–8
  6. Masaya Day 9
  7. Granada Days 9–10
  8. Monteverde Days 11–12
  9. La Fortuna Days 13–14
  10. San José Days 15–16
  11. Sarapiquí Day 17
  12. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Days 18–19
  13. Almirante Day 20
  14. Bocas del Toro Days 20–22
  15. Isla Popa Day 22
  16. Boquete Days 23–24
  17. Chitré Day 25
  18. Miraflores Locks Day 26
  19. Panama City Days 26–27

Why choose this tour

Six countries in one journey. Both coasts, cloud forests and colonial cities.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Travellers with time to spare
  • Solo travellers
  • Travellers on a budget
A cobbled street in Antigua Guatemala

Day-by-day itinerary

27 days from Antigua, Guatemala to Panama City, Panama

  1. Day 1 · Antigua Antigua

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Copán Copán

    Into Honduras.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  3. Day 3 · Copán ruins Copán

    A Maya city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Suchitoto Suchitoto

    Into El Salvador.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Suchitoto Suchitoto

    Indigo dyeing.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · La Libertad La Libertad

    The Pacific coast.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · León León

    Into Nicaragua.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · León León

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Masaya, Laguna de Apoyo, Granada Granada

    A colonial city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · Granada Granada

    A social café breakfast.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Monteverde Monteverde

    Into Costa Rica.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  12. Day 12 · Monteverde Monteverde

    A women’s cooperative.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Monteverde Cloud Forest, La Fortuna La Fortuna

    Cloud forest and volcano.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  14. Day 14 · La Fortuna La Fortuna

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  15. Day 15 · San José San José

    A chocolate lesson.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  16. Day 16 · San José San José

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Sarapiquí Sarapiquí

    Into the rainforest.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Puerto Viejo Puerto Viejo

    The Caribbean coast.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  19. Day 19 · Puerto Viejo Puerto Viejo

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  20. Day 20 · Bocas del Toro Bocas del Toro

    Into Panama.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  21. Day 21 · Bocas del Toro Bocas del Toro

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  22. Day 22 · Isla Popa Bocas del Toro

    A community visit by boat.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  23. Day 23 · Boquete Boquete

    Coffee country.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  24. Day 24 · Boquete Boquete

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · Chitré Chitré

    To the south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  26. Day 26 · Panama City Panama City

    The capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  27. Day 27 · Panama City Panama City

    The trip ends.

A scarlet macaw in the forest at Copán Ruinas, Honduras

Where you stay

  • Antigua (1 night) Hotel
  • Copán (2 nights) Hotel
  • Suchitoto (2 nights) Hotel
  • La Libertad (1 night) Hotel
  • León (2 nights) Hotel
  • Granada (2 nights) Hotel
  • Monteverde (2 nights) Hotel
  • La Fortuna (2 nights) Hotel
  • San José (2 nights) Hotel
  • Sarapiquí (1 night) Hotel
  • Puerto Viejo (2 nights) Hotel
  • Bocas del Toro (3 nights) Hotel
  • Boquete (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chitré (1 night) Hotel
  • Panama City (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 26 nights in hotels
  • Meals 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
  • Private, local and boat transport
  • Copán ruins with a local guide
  • Pupusa and indigo demonstrations in Suchitoto
  • Monteverde cloud forest reserve
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 15 breakfasts, 24 lunches and 23 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
A trail through the cloud forest

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury hotels
  • You want most meals included
  • You want a short holiday
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 3–6, 10, 12, 16–17 and 24–26 · Lunch: Day 15 · Dinner: Days 4 and 18–19
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Costa Rica · UK FCDO travel advice for El Salvador · UK FCDO travel advice for Guatemala · UK FCDO travel advice for Honduras · UK FCDO travel advice for Nicaragua · UK FCDO travel advice for Panama
The islets of Lake Nicaragua with Mombacho Volcano behind

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,958 per person, twin share, tour only. 124 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.

Do I need visas?

UK citizens don’t need visas for these Central American countries for tourist stays, though small entry fees apply at some borders.

Are border crossings included?

Yes, your leader helps at each crossing.

Is the Panama Canal included?

You can visit it in your free time in Panama City.

Is there free time?

Yes, plenty, including two free days in Bocas del Toro.

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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