Central America Discovery Holiday

Fly from the UK to San Jose, then transfer to your accommodation in the beautiful Central Valley. Spend your first night here before the adventure really begins, early the next morning.

Spend two days in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, home to Costa Rica’s largest and most active volcano, steaming geysers, bubbling mud pits, hot springs, waterfalls and an abundance of wildlife! Start your adventure with majestic canyon zip lines, rappelling, climbing, suspension bridges and the iconic Tarzan swing. After lunch, ride horseback through dry tropical forest to La Victoria Waterfall, then tackle the Río Negro rapids in your own raft. End the day unwinding in volcanic thermal pools, surrounded by nature.

Transfer to Peñas Blancas border where your Nicaraguan guide will meet you. Your journey continues north to the small port of San Jorge, where you’ll board a ferry across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island. Formed by two volcanoes, Ometepe Island is a nature lovers paradise, home to caiman, howler monkeys and plentiful waterbird species, including herons, egrets, kingfishers and jacanas. Your first afternoon is free to relax by the pool or on the lakeside beach.

The next day, take a guided coffee plantation tour, where you’ll meet locals and learn about island life, visit Charco Verde Nature Reserve, discover ancient artefacts, and finish with a refreshing dip in a natural pool.

Take the ferry back to the mainland and arrive in the charming UNESCO World Heritage city of Granada. A guided tour of the highlights includes San Francisco Convent and La Merced church, with its fantastic views over the city, lake and surrounding volcanoes. You’ll also have a relaxing boat tour of Las Isletas, an archipelago of over 300 small islands, home to fishing communities and varied birdlife.

On arrival in historic León, a walking tour reveals colonial architecture, churches and the impressive cathedral. The following day, head out of the city to explore Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve by boat. These wetlands are an important nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles and a birders paradise with hundreds of species recorded in the area. In the afternoon visit one of Nicaragua’s many volcanoes, choose from a hike up Telica Volcano to the crater where you may see the glow from magma as the sun begins to set, or Cerro Negro, where you can hike up and sandboard down the slopes – and exhilarating experience!

Take a small boat from Potosi to La Union in El Salvador, crossing the scenic Gulf of Fonseca, where you’ll be met and transferred to your overnight accommodation on the Pacific Coast.  This rugged coastal region is home to black volcanic beaches and excellent surfing, so it’s a great place to relax and watch the pro-surfers ride the waves.

On today’s journey to Suchitoto, stop at Finca San Rafael for a coffee process tour and tasting. If visiting between October and February, the process will be in full swing with the coffee beans at various stages. Enjoy lunch at Laguna de Alegria in the crater of Tecapa, an impressive emerald lake with sulphur-rich waters. After lunch, continue to Suchitoto for your overnight stay.

Start the day with a guided walking tour of Suchitoto, exploring cobbled streets, colonial architecture and panoramic views over Lake Suchitlán. Then continue to Joya de Cerén, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the 'Pompeii of Central America'. Preserved under volcanic ash, it offers a rare glimpse into everyday pre-Columbian life. Then visit San Andrés before heading to Ataco, a colourful town on the Flower Route.

The next day, explore the Flower Route’s vibrant towns and dramatic scenery. Visit Juayúa, known for its weekend food festival and waterfalls, Nahuizalco, famous for its willow and tulle crafts and Salcoatitán to discover El Salvador’s coffee plantations and artisan shops.

On the way to Santa Ana, stop at the beautiful Cerro Verde National Park, where three volcanos create spectacular scenery and rich biodiversity. The park is home to numerous walking and hiking trails with various viewpoints and opportunities to spot the wildlife found here. Continue on to the city of Santa Ana for an overnight stay.

After a short morning city tour of Santa Ana’s highlights, you’ll depart for the border. Your driver will take you through the Honduran border to the colonial town of Copan Ruinas, where you’ll spend the night.

An early morning guided walking tour of the Copan Archaeological site reveals the incredible ingenuity, creativity and culture of the ancient Mayan civilisation. Copan is one of Central Americas most important sites. After the tour, you’ll transfer to the beautiful Guatemalan city of Antigua. The next day you’ll have chance to explore the picturesque city and get to know the culture and cuisine of Guatemala on a market and food tour.

On the journey to Lake Atitlan, visit the interesting post-classic Mayan site of Iximche and then participate in a traditional Mayan ceremony. At Lake Atitlan, a tour of the lake-side villages reveals the daily life and fascinating craftwork of the local villagers, before a private boat transfer to Santiago Atitlán to meet Maximón, a venerated pagan saint.

Visit a traditional ceramic workshop at San Antonio Palopo, known for its high-quality stoneware and community empowerment centred around the potteries. You’ll have the chance to learn the process and become a member of the factory, creating your own personalised piece.

After an early flight from Guatemala City to Roatan Island your final days are spent in the idyllic Caribbean Bay of Islands. Beautiful beaches and vibrant marine life provide endless snorkelling and diving opportunities or simply relax in a hammock and dream of Central America.

Transfer to Roatan International Airport for your flight back to the UK.