Real Guatemala to Costa Rica for 18–35s – 17 Days
Volcanoes, colonial cities, Ometepe and Costa Rica’s cloud forest for travellers aged 18 to 35.
Tour overview
This 17-day adventure for travellers aged 18 to 35 travels overland from Guatemala to Costa Rica through El Salvador and Nicaragua. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen. You stay sixteen nights in hotels, two nights camping and two in a shared hostel, with a few meals included.
From Antigua you head to Cerro Verde National Park in El Salvador for two nights camping, with a pupusa cooking demonstration and the chance to hike its volcanoes. Crossing Honduras, you reach León and Granada in Nicaragua, then take the ferry to Ometepe Island, formed by two volcanoes, for a community cooking class.
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After two nights in the surf town of San Juan del Sur, you cross into Costa Rica for the cloud forest of Monteverde and La Fortuna below the Arenal volcano, finishing in San José.
The physical rating is medium. This trip suits active, social travellers aged 18 to 35.
Trip highlights
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Camping in Cerro Verde (Days 2–3)
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León (Day 5)
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Granada (Days 6–7)
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Ometepe Island (Days 8–9)
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San Juan del Sur (Days 10–11)
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Monteverde and La Fortuna (Days 12–15)
Your route
10 stops from Antigua to San Jose
- Antigua Day 1
- Cerro Verde National Park Days 2–3
- San Miguel Day 4
- León Day 5
- Granada Days 6–7
- Ometepe Island Days 8–9
- San Juan del Sur Days 10–11
- Monteverde Days 12–13
- La Fortuna Days 14–15
- San Jose Days 16–17
Why choose this tour
Four countries with a group your own age. Volcanoes, an island and a surf town.
Best suited to
- Travellers aged 18 to 35
- Active travellers
- Travellers on a budget
- Solo travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
17 days from Antigua, Guatemala to San José, Costa Rica
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Day 1 · Antigua Antigua
A welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Cerro Verde National Park Cerro Verde
Into El Salvador.
- Hotel
- Camping
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Day 3 · Cerro Verde National Park Cerro Verde
Volcanoes and pupusas.
- Hotel
- Camping
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 4 · San Miguel San Miguel
Heading south.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 5 · Amatillo, León León
Through Honduras to Nicaragua.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · León, Granada Granada
A colonial city.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 7 · Granada Granada
A social café breakfast.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Rivas, Ometepe Island Ometepe
A volcanic island.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 9 · Ometepe Island Ometepe
A free day and community dinner.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 10 · San Juan del Sur San Juan del Sur
A surf town.
- Hotel
- Hostel (multi-share)
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Day 11 · San Juan del Sur San Juan del Sur
A free day.
- Hotel
- Hostel (multi-share)
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Monteverde Monteverde
Into Costa Rica.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Monteverde Monteverde
A free day in the cloud forest.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 14 · La Fortuna La Fortuna
Below Arenal.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 15 · La Fortuna La Fortuna
Optional activities.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 16 · San José San José
To the capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 17 · San José San José
The trip ends.
Where you stay
- Antigua (1 night) Hotel
- Cerro Verde (2 nights) Camping
- San Miguel (1 night) Hotel
- León (1 night) Hotel
- Granada (2 nights) Hotel
- Ometepe (2 nights) Hotel
- San Juan del Sur (2 nights) Hostel (multi-share)
- Monteverde (2 nights) Hotel
- La Fortuna (2 nights) Hotel
- San José (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 16 nights in hotels, camping and a hostel
- Meals 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Private and local transport and ferries
- Pupusa cooking demonstration
- Ometepe community cooking class
- Orientation walks
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 12 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 14 dinners
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You are over 35
- You don’t want to camp or share rooms
- You want comfortable hotels throughout
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,025 per person, twin share, tour only. 65 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.
What ages is this trip for?
Travellers aged 18 to 35.
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.
What is the camping like?
Two nights in tents in Cerro Verde National Park, with simple facilities.
Is the hostel shared?
Yes, two nights in San Juan del Sur are in multi-share rooms.
Can I have my own room?
A single supplement is available, except in San Juan del Sur and when camping.
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.
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