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The treasures of Central America lay before you on this journey through Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica.
A feast for your senses awaits on a 24 day journey through Central America. Begin with the natural splendour of Playa del Carmen’s sand shore in Mexico and finish in the green valley of San Jose in Costa Rica. Ponder civilisations past at archaeological sites across Mexico and Guatemala, and crane your neck to search for sloths and monkeys in Manuel Antonio and relax in an infinity tub overlooking stunning lake Atitlan.
- Start
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Finish
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Destinations
- Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PSMCC
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Spot the nocturnal animals and insects that thrive in the verdant Monteverde Cloud Forest during an evening walk, and explore loftier flora and fauna via suspension bridges the next morning
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Traipse splendid Tikal, where Maya temples peek through the top of jungle canopy and smaller structures lay hidden behind thick foliage
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Climb Irazu, the highest active volcano in Costa Rica and survey it's impressive craters, then wander the lush plantation dotted valley below
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Visit a modern Maya church outside of San Cristobal, where locals practice a blend of ancient spiritualism, Catholicism and animism
Is this trip right for you?
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Some included activities, such as guided tours of archaeological sites, can be strenuous. Be sure to bring comfortable and sturdy footwear.
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There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. So be prepared for some driving. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations along your way to break things up.
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The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours.
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Costa Rica is perhaps the most expensive country in Central America. The price of non-included meals, drinks and activities are more in line with Western countries than Central American ones.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Playa del Carmen - Orientation walk
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Accommodation
- Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Cenote I'kil - Fresh water rock pool with option to swim (Entrance fee & Transport)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
Pack your swimmers in your day pack, ready for the Cenote vist.Accommodation
- Hotel Parador Margarita or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Informal Spanish Lesson
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led city tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Parador Margarita or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Maya villages - San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, including textile making with community
Optional Activities
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - USD5
- San Cristobal de las casas - Bicycle rental (per hour) - USD30
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Oaxaca Real or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Oaxaca - Orientation walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Oaxaca Real or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Oaxaca - Guided full-day tour including the Tule Tree, a Mezcal distillery, and lunch in a Zapoteca family home
- Hierve el Agua - Petrified waterfalls (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Oaxaca - Beeswax candle shop visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Oaxaca Real or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Oaxaca - Monte Alban Ruins (Entrance fee) - USD5
- Oaxaca - Cooking class - USD85
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Geneve or similar, Feature Stay (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Mexico City - Orientation walk
- Mexico City - Leader-led city tour of Historic center
- Mexico City - National Palace and Diego Rivera murals
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Geneve or similar, Feature Stay (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Mexico City - Mariachi serenade in Garibaldi Square
Optional Activities
- Mexico City Markets and Food Tour - Urban Adventures - USD39
- Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (Closed Mondays) - MXN70
- Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN350
- Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (Cheaper for students, pensioners & on weekdays. Closed Mondays) - MXN200
- Mexico City - Leon Trotsky Museum - MXN40
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- La Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary so please attend, this is also a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.The international flight from Mexico City to Guatemala City is not included in the price of this trip and you must purchase it separately. Please contact us if you need assistance booking this flight.
A complimentary departure to Mexico City Airport and arrival transfer from Guatemala City Airport is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised.
Accommodation
- Feature stay, Hotel Atitlan or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Informal Spanish Lesson
- Solola - Market Visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Feature stay, Hotel Atitlan or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lake Atitlan - Santiago Village tour
- Lake Atitlan - Naif painting workshop
- Panajachel - Orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Panajachel - Bicycle rental (per day) - USD10
- Panajachel - Water taxi to Santiago, San Pedro or San Juan - USD8
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Villa Maya or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Flores - Orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Panajachel - Kayak rental (per hour) - USD8
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Villa Maya or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Optional Activities
- Flores - Lake Peten Itza boat tour - USD6
- Flores - El Castillo Fort - USD5
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Antigua - Guided City Tour
- Antigua - Orientation walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Posada de Don Rodrigo or similar (1 night) (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop - USD25
- Antigua - Coffee tour - USD45
- Antigua - Pacaya Volcano hike - USD16
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Presidente (1 night) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary so please attend, this is also a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.The international flight from Guatemala City to San Jose is not included in the price of this trip and you must purchase it separately. Please contact us if you need assistance booking this flight.
A complimentary departure to Guatemala City Airport and arrival transfer from San Jose Airport is included with your trip. Please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organised.
Included Activities
- Orosi Valley - Walk through historic township
- Irazu Volcano - Walk to lookout point
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Manuel Antonio - Sunset sail
- Informal Spanish Lesson
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Manuel Antonio - National Park (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Monteverde - Night walk
- Monteverde - Visit to Quaker Community
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Monteverde - Sky Walk
- Monteverde - Traditional trapiche tour (Sugar cane & Cocoa plantation)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- San Jose - Leader-led walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
23 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, Plane, Taxi, Shared Boat, TaxiAccommodation
Hotel feature stay (7 nights), Comfortable Hotel (16 nights)Included Activities
- Playa del Carmen - Orientation walk
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Cenote I'kil - Fresh water rock pool with option to swim (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Informal Spanish Lesson
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led city tour
- Maya villages - San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, including textile making with community
- Oaxaca - Orientation walk
- Oaxaca - Guided full-day tour including the Tule Tree, a Mezcal distillery, and lunch in a Zapoteca family home
- Hierve el Agua - Petrified waterfalls (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Oaxaca - Beeswax candle shop visit
- Mexico City - Orientation walk
- Mexico City - Leader-led city tour of Historic center
- Mexico City - National Palace and Diego Rivera murals
- Mexico City - Mariachi serenade in Garibaldi Square
- Solola - Market Visit
- Lake Atitlan - Santiago Village tour
- Lake Atitlan - Naif painting workshop
- Panajachel - Orientation walk
- Flores - Orientation walk
- Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Antigua - Guided City Tour
- Antigua - Orientation walk
- Orosi Valley - Walk through historic township
- Irazu Volcano - Walk to lookout point
- Manuel Antonio - Sunset sail
- Manuel Antonio - National Park (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Monteverde - Night walk
- Monteverde - Visit to Quaker Community
- Monteverde - Sky Walk
- Monteverde - Traditional trapiche tour (Sugar cane & Cocoa plantation)
- San Jose - Leader-led walking tour
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Central America Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. To have a private room on this trip, a single supplement is bookable; subject to availability.
3. For the included internal flight ticket, please provide your full name exactly as per passport, at the time of booking or at least 45 days prior to travel.
4. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
5. To save you money and the hassle of booking multiple trips, this journey is a combination of some of our most popular adventures. Your leader and the composition of your group may change with the start of each adventure.
6. As this is a combination trip, the flight from Mexico City to Guatemala City on Day 10, and the flight from Guatemala City to San Jose on Day 17 are not included in the tour cost and must be purchased separately. When booking these flights, keep in mind there will be a group meeting at 6pm on those days, so we recommend arriving prior to this.
7. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included mid-trip to help ease your independent connections throughout the combination trip. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- An airport arrival transfer is included from Guatemala City Airport and San Jose Airport
- An airport departure transfer is included to Mexico City Airport and Guatemala City Airport
8. Please be careful when booking flights to/from Antigua; make sure you fly into/out of Guatemala City Airport [GUA]. Guatemala City Airport is the closest airport to Antigua. Please do NOT book flights to/from Antigua & Barbuda Airport [ANU] as this is an island in the Caribbean.
9. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do NOT book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.
10. Hurricane season in this region is June to November, when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services can occur. Peregrine monitors any situations that arise, and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to these natural weather occurrences.

Essential trip information
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