This 32-day overland trip is designed for travellers aged 18 to 35 and crosses six countries of Central America, from Playa del Carmen in Mexico to San José in Costa Rica. Groups have no more than 16 travellers, with a leader throughout who runs orientation walks and informal Spanish lessons. You travel by local bus, private vehicle, boat and ferry, and stay in simple hotels, with some shared rooms, a lakeside lodge, two nights camping and a surf-town hostel. The trip is land-only, with plenty of free days to choose your own adventures.

It begins on the Caribbean coast with a welcome taco dinner in Playa del Carmen and two nights in Tulum, where the Maya ruins sit on a clifftop above the sea and cenotes are close by. In Belize you spend three nights on Caye Caulker, a car-free island near the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, before heading inland to San Ignacio, a base for the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave and the Mountain Pine Ridge.

Guatemala brings a night beside the great Maya city of Tikal, deep in the forest, then two nights at a lodge on the Río Dulce, with optional boat trips to Garifuna Livingston. From colonial Antigua you visit the colourful market at Chichicastenango and stay on Lake Atitlán, ringed by volcanoes. In San Juan La Laguna you meet a traditional midwife, join a weaving and dyeing workshop and share a home-cooked lunch.

In El Salvador you camp in Cerro Verde National Park, with views of the Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes and a pupusa-making demonstration, then continue to San Miguel. In Nicaragua you explore León, with Central America's largest cathedral, and colonial Granada, where breakfast is at a café run by deaf staff. A ferry crosses Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe, an island of twin volcanoes, before two nights in the surf town of San Juan del Sur.

Costa Rica ends the journey with two nights in the cloud forest of Monteverde, a boat crossing of Lake Arenal to La Fortuna beneath Arenal Volcano, and a final night in San José.

Breakfast is included on three days, with one lunch and four dinners. Expect long travel days, several border crossings and basic facilities in places. This trip suits young, independent travellers who want a sociable, budget-friendly way to see Central America from end to end.

Trip highlights

The clifftop Maya ruins of Tulum (Day 2)
Three nights on Caye Caulker, near the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Days 4–6)
The ruins of Tikal in the Guatemalan forest (Day 9)
Lake Atitlán and a weaving workshop in San Juan La Laguna (Days 13–14)
Camping in Cerro Verde National Park, El Salvador (Days 17–18)
Ometepe, the twin-volcano island in Lake Nicaragua (Days 23–24)
The cloud forest of Monteverde and Arenal Volcano (Days 27–30)

Map of the 32-day overland trip from Playa del Carmen through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua to San José, Costa Rica — 32-day route: Playa del Carmen – Tulum – Caye Caulker – San Ignacio – Tikal – Río Dulce – Antigua – Lake Atitlán – Cerro Verde – León – Granada – Ometepe – San Juan del Sur – Monteverde – La Fortuna – San José

Playa del Carmen Day 1
Tulum Days 2–3
Belize City Day 4
Caye Caulker Days 4–6
San Ignacio Days 7–8
Tikal Day 9
Flores Day 10
Río Dulce Days 10–11
Livingston Day 11
Antigua Days 12 & 15–16
Chichicastenango Day 13
Panajachel Days 13–14
Cerro Verde National Park Days 17–18
San Miguel Day 19
León Day 20
Granada Days 21–22
Ometepe Island Days 23–24
San Juan del Sur Days 25–26
Monteverde Days 27–28
La Fortuna Days 29–30
San José Days 31–32

Covering six countries in one month, this is one of the most complete ways to see Central America overland, with a leader to handle the borders and buses. Groups are aged 18 to 35, and the many free days leave room for snorkelling, volcano hikes, zip-lining and surfing.

Best suited to

Travellers aged 18 to 35 who want a sociable group trip
Budget-conscious travellers happy with local buses and simple rooms
Independent spirits who like plenty of free time
Anyone keen on Maya ruins, volcanoes and beaches in one trip

Boats and jetties on the clear water of Caye Caulker, Belize

Day 1 · Playa del Carmen Arrive in Playa del Carmen

The trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6pm at your hotel, followed by a welcome taco dinner. If you arrive early, you could go snorkelling or cycling, or stroll along the beach and Quinta Avenida.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Dinner
Day 2 · Tulum, Tulum Archaeological Zone Tulum

Take a local bus down the Caribbean coast to Tulum. After an orientation walk, you could visit the Maya ruins on the clifftop above the sea, including the Temple of the Frescoes.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 3 · Tulum, Dos Ojos Cenote Free day in Tulum

A free day. You could hire a bike, swim in the Dos Ojos cenote, visit the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve or the ruins of Muyil, or simply relax in the town's cafés.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 4 · Belize City, Caye Caulker Into Belize: Caye Caulker

A long travel day by local bus to the Belize border and on to Belize City, then by speedboat to Caye Caulker, a small, car-free island with a famously slow pace of life.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 5 · Caye Caulker, Hol Chan Marine Reserve Caye Caulker

A free day. You could snorkel the Hol Chan Marine Reserve on the Belize Barrier Reef, with corals, tropical fish, nurse sharks and rays, or take a day trip to other cayes.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 6 · Caye Caulker Caye Caulker

Another free day on the island. Options include a manatee tour, kayaking or paddleboarding, or relaxing on the waterfront.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 7 · Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio San Ignacio

Return to Belize City by boat, then take a local bus via the capital, Belmopan, to San Ignacio, a lively town in western Belize. You could visit the butterfly garden at Chaa Creek.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 8 · San Ignacio Free day in San Ignacio

A free day. Options include the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, with its Maya relics and skeletons, the waterfalls of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the Maya sites of Xunantunich and Cahal Pech, or tubing on the Macal River.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 9 · Tikal Into Guatemala: Tikal

Cross into Guatemala and continue to Tikal National Park, where you stay inside the Maya Forest. Explore the ruins of one of the most powerful Maya cities and, if you have the energy, climb Temple IV for views over the forest canopy.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 10 · Flores, Río Dulce Flores and Río Dulce

Stop in the lakeside island town of Flores for lunch, then drive to Río Dulce, where a boat takes you to your riverside lodge.

Hotel
Lodge (shared rooms)
Day 11 · Río Dulce, Livingston Río Dulce

A free day. You could take a boat down the river gorge to Livingston, a Caribbean town known for its Garifuna culture, visit the San Felipe de Lara fort or swim in the hot springs at Finca El Paraíso.

Hotel
Lodge (shared rooms)
Day 12 · Antigua Antigua

Travel to Antigua, the old colonial capital. In the evening, try tamales or pepián, a spiced stew, at the food stalls by La Merced church.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 13 · Chichicastenango, Panajachel, Lake Atitlán Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlán

Visit Chichicastenango, the most colourful market in Guatemala, then continue to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes. Dinner is at a local pupusería.

Hotel
Hotel (shared rooms)

Meals
Dinner
Day 14 · San Juan La Laguna, Lake Atitlán San Juan La Laguna

Cross the lake to San Juan La Laguna to learn about Maya village life. Meet a traditional midwife, visit a medicinal garden and join a workshop on Maya weaving and natural dyes, followed by a home-cooked lunch with your hosts.

Hotel
Hotel (shared rooms)

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15 · Antigua Back to Antigua

Return to Antigua, ringed by four volcanoes, for an orientation walk through its UNESCO-listed cobbled streets, squares and churches.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Breakfast
Day 16 · Antigua, Pacaya Volcano Free day in Antigua

A free day. You could hike Pacaya Volcano, join a chocolate-making workshop at the ChocoMuseo or take a cooking class.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 17 · Cerro Verde National Park Into El Salvador: Cerro Verde

An early start for the drive into El Salvador through volcanic landscapes, with an informal Spanish lesson from your leader on the way. Camp in Cerro Verde National Park.

Hotel
Camping
Day 18 · Cerro Verde National Park, Santa Ana Volcano, Lake Coatepeque Cerro Verde National Park

A free day in the park. You could hike to the crater of Santa Ana Volcano for views of Lake Coatepeque and Izalco Volcano, or swim in the lake. In the evening, a cooking demonstration is followed by a pupusa tasting.

Hotel
Camping

Meals
Dinner
Day 19 · San Salvador, San Miguel San Miguel

Travel through San Salvador to San Miguel, beneath the active Chaparrastique volcano, and explore the town in the afternoon.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 20 · León Through Honduras to León

Cross two borders, passing briefly through Honduras, into Nicaragua and continue to León, an artistic colonial city. In the evening, try gallo pinto or other Nicaraguan dishes.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Breakfast
Day 21 · León, Granada León to Granada

After an orientation walk in León, you could visit the Basílica de la Asunción, Central America's largest cathedral, or the Museum of the Revolution, or try volcano boarding on Cerro Negro. Then travel to Granada on Lake Nicaragua.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 22 · Granada Granada

Have breakfast at Café de las Sonrisas, run entirely by deaf staff. The rest of the day is free to explore Granada's markets and colonial streets, kayak among the islets or visit Masaya Volcano.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Breakfast
Day 23 · Rivas, San Jorge, Ometepe Island Ometepe Island

Travel by bus to Rivas and taxi to San Jorge, then take the ferry across Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, to Ometepe, formed by two volcanoes.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 24 · Ometepe Island Ometepe Island

A free day on the island. You could hike Maderas Volcano at 1,394 metres, swim in the Ojo de Agua springs or see the island's ancient petroglyphs. Dinner is included.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Dinner
Day 25 · San Juan del Sur San Juan del Sur

Travel by ferry and public bus to San Juan del Sur, a laid-back surf town on Nicaragua's Pacific coast. The evening is free.

Hotel
Hostel (shared rooms and facilities)
Day 26 · San Juan del Sur Free day in San Juan del Sur

A free day. You could surf, visit the La Flor reserve to see nesting turtles between July and November, or hike to the giant statue of Christ above the bay.

Hotel
Hostel (shared rooms and facilities)

Meals
Breakfast
Day 27 · Monteverde Into Costa Rica: Monteverde

Cross into Costa Rica and travel by private vehicle to Monteverde, a cloud-forest community founded by Quakers in 1951.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Breakfast
Day 28 · Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Monteverde cloud forest

A free day. You could hike in the cloud forest reserve, cross hanging bridges 40 metres above the ground, zip-line over the canopy or visit the butterfly garden.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 29 · Lake Arenal, La Fortuna Lake Arenal to La Fortuna

Travel by shared minibus to Lake Arenal, cross by boat and continue to La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 30 · La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano La Fortuna

A free day. Options include a nature hike around Arenal Volcano, the hanging bridges, the 70-metre La Fortuna waterfall, water sports on the lake or the hot springs.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 31 · San José San José

Take a local bus to San José, Costa Rica's capital. You could visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the Central Market or the National Museum, or have a final night out with the group.

Hotel
Hotel
Day 32 · San José Trip ends in San José

The trip ends today, with no activities planned. Extra nights in San José can be arranged when you book.

Boats on Lake Atitlán with a volcano behind, Guatemala

Playa del Carmen (1 night) Hotel
Tulum (2 nights) Hotel
Caye Caulker (3 nights) Hotel
San Ignacio (2 nights) Hotel
Tikal (1 night) Hotel
Río Dulce (2 nights) Lodge (shared rooms)
Antigua (1 night) Hotel
Lake Atitlán (2 nights) Hotel (shared rooms)
Antigua (2 nights) Hotel
Cerro Verde National Park (2 nights) Camping
San Miguel (1 night) Hotel
León (1 night) Hotel
Granada (2 nights) Hotel
Ometepe Island (2 nights) Hotel
San Juan del Sur (2 nights) Hostel (shared rooms and facilities)
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.

Included

Accommodation 31 nights in simple hotels, a lodge, a hostel and two nights camping, with some shared rooms
Meals 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners, including a welcome taco dinner and a home-cooked lunch in San Juan La Laguna
Transport local buses, private vehicles, taxis, a speedboat to Caye Caulker, the ferry to Ometepe and the Lake Arenal boat crossing
Visits the Maya village workshop in San Juan La Laguna, the pupusa demonstration in Cerro Verde and breakfast at Café de las Sonrisas in Granada
Leader throughout, with orientation walks and informal Spanish lessons

Not included

International flights to Playa del Carmen and home from San José
Airport transfers at the start and end
Visas and entry requirements, including a Honduras visa for UK passport holders
Meals not included 25 breakfasts, 29 lunches and 27 dinners
Tips, travel insurance and personal spending

Aerial view of Ometepe Island and its volcano in Lake Nicaragua

Honest disclaimer — please read

You are under 18 or over 35 — the trip is for 18 to 35-year-olds
You want most meals included — 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
You need comfort and privacy — some nights are in shared rooms, a hostel or a tent
You dislike long travel days and border crossings

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 14–15, 20, 22 and 26–27 · Lunch: Day 14 · Dinner: Days 1, 13, 18 and 24

Tour starts Playa del Carmen — welcome meeting 6:00 pm Day 1 at the hotel

Tour ends San José, Costa Rica — Day 32, no activities planned

Languages Spanish across all seven countries; English in Belize

Currencies seven different — bring USD as backup

Visas Honduras single-entry visa required in advance for UK passport holders

Climate Hot and humid year-round at lower altitudes, cool at higher elevations

Group size Up to 16 (with second group meeting in Antigua at Day 16)

Ages 18-35

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Belize · 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 Mexico · UK FCDO travel advice for Nicaragua

The Santa Catalina Arch on a colourful street in Antigua, Guatemala

03 Nov 2026 Twin share

£2,747pp

Trip highlights

Best suited to

Included

Not included

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

Similar routes

Real Guatemala to Costa Rica for 18–35s – 17 Days

Real Central America: Tulum, Belize & Guatemala – 16 Days

Maya Adventure: Mexico, Belize & Guatemala – 19 Days

Maya Encounter: Mexico, Belize & Guatemala – 13 Days

More tours in Mexico

Discover Mexico: Mexico City, Oaxaca, Chiapas & Yucatán – 15 Days

Mexico Day of the Dead: Oaxaca to the Yucatán – 16 Days

Contrasts of Mexico: Mexico City to Tikal & Belize – 15 Days

Mexico City to Oaxaca with Zapotec Village Hiking – 12 Days

Best of Mexico: Mexico City to Playa del Carmen – 15 Days

Luxury Mexico in Depth: Mexico City to Tulum – 15 Days

Combine with

Discover Guatemala: Antigua, Atitlán & Tikal – 10 Days

Best of Cuba: Havana, Baracoa, Santiago & Trinidad – 15 Days

Central American Highlights: Guatemala to Costa Rica – 16 Days

Guatemala, Honduras & El Salvador: Antigua to the Pacific – 15 Days

Explore more