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Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins

4.7(12,792 reviews)
Mexico
32 days
Operated by Partner

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Sep 2026, and closing very soon.

$3,949

$495
deposit now
Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Destinations

Mexico

Vibe

Cultural, Beachy, Nature

Intensity

Faster Paced Road Trip

Seasonality

November–April, Dry Season

Trip overview

Escape the resorts and discover something extraordinary in Central America. Visit seven countries on this adventure and experience mighty ruins, clear Caribbean waters, Pacific waves, rainforests, and breathtaking scenery along the way. Explore indigenous Mayan villages and meet locals for an immersive experience that few travellers get to know. While you're free to choose your own adventure, your accommodation and transportation are included. Our expert CEOs will help you make the most of your time. Take a trip that's packed with all the things you need and nothing you don't – 32 days of maximum adventure at minimum cost.

Trip itinerary

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Day 22
Day 23
Day 24
Day 25
Day 26
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Day 30
Day 31
Day 32
Day 1
Walking1 day

Arrive at any time. Head out tonight with your fellow travellers to 12th Street, where there’s tons of bars and clubs to choose from. Say cheers to new adventures with new friends! Check into our hotel and enjoy the city.

Day 2
Walking1 day

Enjoy free time to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm or Cozumel. Or just play in the waves and enjoy the beach. Start your holiday off with some hardcore relaxation. Enjoy a full day of free time to fill as you wish. Get your ruin on with a visit to Tulum perched atop the sea, explore the fish- and coral-filled seas around Cozumel on a scuba dive, ...

Day 3
Walking1 day

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style. Mention Belize and you may conjure up visions of unbelievably clear blue waters, diving and snorkelling along the barrier reef and remarkable marine life. Belize also boasts huge swaths of jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, and above ...

Day 4
Walking1 day

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Day 5
Walking1 day

Opt to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, go diving or just chill out, Belizean style.

Day 6
Walking1 day

Travel by boat and bus from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio. Enjoy an included pottery demonstration and local lunch at a G Adventures-supported women's pottery cooperative. From the town of San Ignacio, opportunities abound for exploring Belize’s little known inland scenic beauty. With free time here, choose to explore the area by foot, canoe or horse ...

Day 7
Walking1 day

Opt to visit the sacred Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal or check out the seldom-visited Mayan ruins of Xunantunich.

Day 8
Walking1 day

Learn about Mayan culture and history on a guided tour of the ruins of Tikal. Cross the border into Guatemala and you immediately notice the difference in culture, with its heavy Mayan influence and Spanish language. Here we have entered Guatemala’s northeast jungle Petén region. The descendants of the Maya of Chichén Itzá migrated to the Petén ...

Day 9
Walking1 day

Opt to visit the coastal town of Livingston by boat, or go for a swim in a natural hot waterfall. A travel day from Flores to Rio Dulce which is located in the department of Izabal, home of the largest lake in Guatemala, Lake Izabal was one of the most important water ways of the Spanish crown during colonial times. We take the road past areas of ...

Day 10
Walking1 day

Opt to visit the coastal town of Livingston by boat, or go for a swim in a natural hot waterfall. Opt to visit the coastal town of Livingston by boat, go for a swim in a natural hot waterfall, take a sunrise kayak to visit groups of noisy howler monkeys, or take a horseback ride through the rubber plantations combined with a visit to the Shaman ...

Day 11
Walking1 day

Enjoy an orientation walk of Antigua's cobblestone streets, then opt to take a salsa lesson and practice new moves out at night. Today is a travel day from Rio Dulce to Antigua, followed by an orientation walk once you arrive. Plan your activities for the next day and enjoy some of the nightlife this beautiful colonial city has to offer.

Day 12
Walking1 day

Enjoy a free day in Antigua. Opt to relax with a massage, climb a volcano, soak up the culture in one of the city's many cafés, or explore the nearby hills and towns by bike. Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 13
Walking1 day

Travel to beautiful Lake Atitlán and enjoy the views. Travel through the hills and fertile fields of the Guatemalan highlands to the shores of Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue/grey mountains and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual ...

Day 14
Walking1 day

Embark on a boat ride across the lake before participating in a G Adventures-supported homestay with a local family. This area is known for stunning scenery and great shopping for Mayan handicrafts. Opt to bargain for colourful textiles and paintings at the lake's markets.

Day 15
Walking1 day

Return to Antigua, and enjoy a Big Night Out with the group. We return to Antigua to spend more time to explore the city, shop, and check out optional activities in the area. Optional activities include visiting a macadamia nut farm, checking out a coffee plantation, biking around Antigua's surrounding hills or taking a salsa lesson.

Day 16
Walking1 day

Enjoy free time to relax with a massage, explore the nearby hills by bicycle, or visit a local macadamia nut farm. Get adventurous and pre-book the Pacaya Volcano Hike on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 17
Walking1 day

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 ...

Day 18
Walking1 day

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 ...

Day 19
Walking1 day

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 20
Walking1 day

Enjoy a free morning in Suchitoto before heading to the coast. The sunsets in this surfing town are stunning. Grab a cold drink and enjoy!

Day 21
Walking1 day

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 22
Walking1 day

Set off early for a full day of travel by land and sea to Nicaragua, finishing up in colonial León with a brief orientation walk.

Day 23
Walking1 day

Journey to Granada and see its colourful colonial buildings on an orientation walk. Enjoy a Big Night Out with the group. Granada’s colonial charm is complemented by the active volcanoes and lakes that surround it, and there are many fun easy day trips available. Hike, cruise, or just explore the city’s markets and museums. Walking is probably the ...

Day 24
Walking1 day

Free time to explore beautiful Granada's markets, buildings and museums. Opt to kayak in Lake Nicaragua or swim in Laguna de Apoyo. Free time to explore beautiful Granada's busy markets, colonial buildings and museums on foot or take a horse and carriage ride around town. Enjoy a meal on the "calzada", a pedestrian street that extends from the ...

Day 25
Walking1 day

Get to know local friends during a 2-night G Adventures-supported community guesthouse stay on Ometepe. Try the local cuisine and test out some language skills. From the town of San Jorge, we cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes, one active and one dormant that rise out of the middle of the lake. The ...

Day 26
Walking1 day

Enjoy free time to explore Ometepe. Opt to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, take a cultural tour, visit the beach at Santo Domingo, or visit el Ojo de Agua for a refreshing swim and lunch. You can also view pre-Columbian petroglyphs or the small museum of indigenous artifacts in Altagracia. Today is a free day in Ometepe. We get to ...

Day 27
Walking1 day

Take a ferry back to the mainland and cross the border into Costa Rica, finishing up in the cloudforest 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 ...

Day 28
Walking1 day

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 ...

Day 29
Walking1 day

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. 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 ...

Day 30
Walking1 day

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.

Day 31
Walking1 day

Journey through the mountains to the capital for a final night out. Return to San José for our final night out. San José has beautiful parks, museums and theatres. Enjoy the view of the surrounding lush mountains from the downtown streets.

Day 32
Walking1 day

Depart at any time.

What's included

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Social
Global Academy
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Global Emergency Line

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, around 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 100,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and loved by a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Absolutely! For most of our trips, we can help arrange for you and your friends to be together - so you can live, work, play, and explore the world side by side. But that’s not all! You can also earn extra travel funds just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. It’s super simple, and you’ll find all the details about our referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you’ve joined. Flying solo? No worries. We’ve made it easier than ever to connect with other Global Travellers heading to the same region through Social. Just like any social platform, you’ll be able to chat, share, and meet others doing similar trips - so you’re never really travelling alone.

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. Full credit terms available on our website. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and Booking Conditions, our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

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Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins