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From the laid-back vibes and waves of the Pacific Coast to tropical rainforests alive with jungle melodies, take the road less travelled on this trip through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica with other travellers your own age. This is one of our most exciting trips, filled with breathtaking scenery and a chance to experience local culture with a two-night homestay in rural Costa Rica. Enjoy a blend of public and private transportation, which not only keeps costs down but also gives you a chance to really meet the locals.
- Duration: 17 Days
- Guaranteed Departure: Yes
- Physical rating: Average
- Supplier Tour ID: JGS/126849
- Your Guide: English speaking
- Starts: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
- Finishes: San José, Costa Rica
- Age requirement: 18 - 39
- Antigua Guatemala
- Copán
- Suchitoto
- Concepción de Ataco
- Playa El Palmarcito
- Monteverde
- La Fortuna
- Cantón de San Carlos
- San José
Itinerary
Day 1: Antigua Guatemala
Arrive at any time.
Antigua is approximately one hour's drive from the international airport in Guatemala City.
Explore the museums, colonial buildings and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful city, one of the best-restored Spanish colonial cities in the world. The entire city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding volcanoes can be seen from everywhere in the city and the colorful markets attract indigenous artisans from all over the country.
Day 2: Antigua Guatemala/Copán
Cross the border to Honduras. Opt to soak in local hot springs in the jungle.
The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place, set along a river in the coffee growing region close to the Guatemalan border.
The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features, including some of the most detailed carving in the Mayan world.
Day 3: Copán
Free time in Copán. Opt to visit the ruins of Copán or explore the hills on horseback.
Free time in Copan. Opt to visit the impressive Copan ruins and check out some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. Knowledgable local guides can interpret the many Mayan carvings left here over 1,000 years ago. You can also choose to explore the nearby hills and small villages on horseback or journey through the countryside to some hidden jungle hot springs for a relaxing soak.
Day 4: Copán/Suchitoto
Cross the border into El Salvador and stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Don't forget to try the delicious pupusas, a local Salvadorian specialty.
Day 5: Suchitoto
Enjoy a free day in Suchitoto.
Day 6: Suchitoto/Concepción de Ataco
Travel to the 'Route of Flowers' region with its quaint Salvadorian towns and talented artisans.
Day 7: Concepción de Ataco
Full day to explore the small town of Ataco or enjoy optional activities.
Day hikes, a coffee tour and shopping are some of many options for your time here. Hike El Impossible National Park, swim in the pools of Atzumpa, check out some of the other nearby quaint towns or just explore tiny Ataco. This is a coffee producing region of El Salvador, so be sure to sample some delicious coffee in a local café.
Day 8: Concepción de Ataco/Playa El Palmarcito
Enjoy a free morning in Ataco before heading to the coast. The sunsets in this surfing town are stunning. Grab a cold drink and enjoy!
Day 9: Playa El Palmarcito
Enjoy a free day in this laidback beach town to take a surf lesson, eat fresh ceviche at the fish market in nearby La Libertad, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or chill out with a beer in hand.
Day 10: Playa El Palmarcito/Monteverde
Hop on a flight to Costa Rica and travel through stunning Costa Rican scenery, finishing up in the cloud forest air of Monteverde.
At 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds. The Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves are home to diverse and unique flora and fauna. Sloths, monkeys, kinkajous, tapirs and large cats inhabit the area. There are more species of orchids here than anywhere else in the world.
Day 11: Monteverde
Free day in Monteverde. Opt to visit a cloud forest reserve, fly through the jungle canopy via zipline, or tour a coffee plantation.
The day is free to choose from many optional activities. Fly hundreds of meters above the trees on a zip-lining tour, hike through one of the cloud forest reserves, ride a horse in the mountains, visit a coffee/sugar cane farm, go bungee jumping, drive an ATV on trails in the hills, tour the cheese factory or check out the orchid garden, serpentarium, or frog pond in town.
Day 12: Monteverde/La Fortuna
Transfer to La Fortuna along bumpy roads, then break up the journey with a peaceful boat ride on Lake Arenal before a short ride to the town. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group.
The trip from Monteverde to La Fortuna takes us down from the cloud forest and across Costa Rica's largest lake The town of La Fortuna lies at the base of the Arenal Volcano, which dominates the landscape rising to 1670 meters high. The town has become famous as the adventure sports capital of Costa Rica.
Choose your adventure! Canyoneering, white water rafting, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddlebording, kayaking, visiting a wildlife refuge, and even more activities are all possible options for you to choose from while we're here.
Day 13: La Fortuna
Free time to enjoy the La Fortuna and Arenal area.
Choose your adventure! Canyoneering, hiking, caving, rafting, horseback riding, paddleboarding, kayaking, visiting a wildlife refuge, and even more activities are all possible options for you to choose from while we're here.
Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 14: La Fortuna/San Carlos
Enjoy a final free morning in La Fortuna for optional activities. In the afternoon, travel to San Carlos and to the rural community of Coope San Juan. Stay with a local family for an authentic Costa Rican experience.
Day 15: San Carlos
Enjoy a full day with your hosts at the Coope San Juan homestay. Go on a walk through the surrounding forest to learn about flora and fauna in the area, help harvest cassava, and join a cooking demo to make enyucados – a local speciality. In the afternoon, enjoy free time and opt to go mountain biking or fishing, or relax in the village and practice your Spanish.
Day 16: San Carlos/San José
Journey through the mountains to the capital for a final night out.
Interested in stopping along the way to San Jose for some adventurous rafting? Pre-book Sarapiqui River Rafting on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
San José has beautiful parks, museums and theatres. Enjoy the view of the surrounding lush mountains from the downtown streets.
Day 17: San José
Depart at any time.
- Activities
- Your Discover Moment: Monteverde Your Big Night Out Moment: La Fortuna Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna Your Local Living Moment: Coope San Juan Homestay, Cantón de San Carlos Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Demonstration, Cantón de San Carlos
- Beach time in El Palmarcito
- Free time in Suchitoto, Monteverde, and La Fortuna
- Coope San Juan homestay
- Rainforest walk
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Simple hotels/hostels (14 nts, most multi-share), local homestay (2 nts)
- 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Local bus, boat, ferry, private vehicle, taxi, walking
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout
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