17 Day Central America Escape: Guatemala to Costa Rica

Fully Guided Adventure Small Group

Our Price From 1,647 Per Person

Exclusive Savings 223 Per Person

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Trip Length

17 Days

Trip Starts

Antigua

Trip Finishes

San Jose

17 Day Central America Escape: Guatemala to Costa Rica Itinerary (G Adventures)

Countries Explored: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica

Trip Operator

G Adventures

103 Reviews

Trip Style

Classic

Departures

Feb 2025 to Jun 2026

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

Pace

Leisurely

Guide Level

Fully Guided

Trip Code

CGGS

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 17 Day Central America Escape: Guatemala to Costa Rica. Soak up the authentic local cultures of Central America on this 17-day whirlwind trip of entrancing scenery and laid-back vibes. Enjoy a blend of public and private transportation as you traverse the Pacific Coast, tropical rainforests, and roads less travelled through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. From a community guesthouse stay on the island of Ometepe to beach time in El Tunco, get ready for infinite memories to be made along the way.

Itinerary

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 place, 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 practically everywhere in Antigua, and the colorful markets attract indigenous artisans from all over the country. Stay: Antigua Lemon Tree Hostel

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 carvings in the Mayan world. Stay: Hotel Brisas de Copan

Enjoy a full free day to explore Copán on your own. Choose to visit the nearby ruins and see some lesser known Mayan sites along the way. You can also choose to visit the countryside where you’ll find hidden jungle hot springs to soak in. Stay: Hotel Brisas de Copan

The journey today, while long, will also be a good way to catch up on some rest. Drive from Honduras back into Guatemala briefly before crossing the border to El Salvador where the group will stay in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Choose to try pupusas tonight, a local Salvadorian specialty and a great treat after a long day of travel. Stay: Posada Alta Vista

Spend the morning at leisure in Suchitoto and then it’s off to the coast and the La Libertad region. Catch a stunning sunset in a small surf town and opt to grab a cold drink after a day’s journey complete. Stay: Atami Escape Resort

This full free day is perfect for optional beach activities in the area. Opt to book a surf lesson, try fresh ceviche at the fish market, visit the Tamanique waterfalls, or relax on the beach. Stay: Atami Escape Resort

Leave El Salvador and transfer by land and sea to Nicaragua. The group will arrive to colonial León for a short orientation walk in the evening. Stay: Hotel Hellenika

Continue on towards Granada today, where you’ll see the city’s colourful colonial buildings during an orientation walk. Surrounded by active volcanoes and lakes, this place is perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Get to know the town and opt to go out with the group. Stay: Hotel Posada del Sol

Get out and explore the charms of Granada during your full free day. Visit the local markets and museums. Choose to try kayaking in Lake Nicaragua or go for a swim in Laguna de Apoyo. You could also go for a walk in the forest at the top of Mombacho Volcano. Stay: Hotel Posada del Sol

Cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island, formed from two volcanoes in the middle of the lake. Here, take part in a 2-night G Adventures-supported community homestay among different local families. This experience will give you a chance to experience how rural Nicaraguans live. Stay: Puesta del Sol Homestay (D)

Explore Ometepe on your own. Choose to climb Volcano Concepción or Volcano Maderas, spend time with the local host families, or view petroglyphs left by the island's original inhabitants. You can also choose to walk or kayak in Charco Verde reserve, travel the island by bicycle, or lounge out on the beach. Stay: Puesta del Sol Homestay (B/D)

Travel by ferry back to the mainland and drive across the border into Costa Rica. The final destination today is the cloud forest environment of Monteverde. Sitting 1,400 meters above sea level, Monteverde is literally in the clouds and home to unique and diverse flora and fauna. Stay: Hotel Manakin (B)

The day is free for any optional activities in the area. Options include a visit to a cloud forest reserve, ziplining through the jungle canopy, or visiting a coffee plantation. There’s also horseback riding in the mountains or hiking along local trails. Stay: Hotel Manakin

Leave the cloud forest behind and travel down towards sea level and across Costa Rica’s largest lake to the town of La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Once here, choose your activities; canyoning, white water rafting, hiking, caving, horseback riding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and visiting a wildlife refuge are just some of the fun options you could try. Stay: Poshpacker Arenal

Partake in any of the activities you didn’t get to try yesterday. From canyoning to rafting, the possibilities feel endless. Stay: Poshpacker Arenal

Travel through the mountains to San José and spend a free night out in the capital. From beautiful parks to museums and theatres there’s plenty to see. Stay: Hotel Lluvia de Oro

Depart at any time.

Trip Inclusions

Embrace local experiences with your hosts at a community guesthouse stay in Ometepe.
Relax seaside to the sound of waves in El Salvador.
Travel by public bus and laugh with the locals.
Check five Central American countries off your bucket list in 17 days.

Your G for Good Moment: Puesta del Sol Community Guesthouse Stay, Isla de Ometepe
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Granada
Your Discover Moment: Monteverde
Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna
Beach time in El Tunco
Orientation walk around León and Granada
Free time in Granada, Ometepe, Monteverde, and La Fortuna
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Simple hotels/hostels (14 Nights, most multi-share), homestay (2 Nights)
Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights on this tour will be multi-share. This may involve 4-6 group members sharing a room. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities.
Where we use multi-share hostels, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic Standard Travel Style, as this is a Classic Basic trip.

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout

2 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Local bus, boat, ferry, private vehicle, taxi, walking

Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Brochure

G Adventures Earth (2023-24)

We’ve been the leaders in small-group adventure travel since 1990. How’d we get here? By listening to our travellers and giving them what they want: flexible itineraries, freedom to explore, smaller groups, safety and peace of mind, and locally based guides who show you your destination in a way you’d miss travelling any other way. Check out how we’re l...more

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Central America Escape: Guatemala to Costa Rica

Overview

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Antigua Guatemala

Day 2: Antigua Guatemala - Copán

Day 3: Copán

Day 4: Copán - Suchitoto

Day 5: Suchitoto - La Libertad Region

Day 6: La Libertad Region

Day 7: La Libertad Region - León

Day 8: León - Granada

Day 9: Granada

Day 10: Granada - Isla de Ometepe

Day 11: Isla de Ometepe

Day 12: Isla de Ometepe - Monteverde

Day 13: Monteverde

Day 14: Monteverde - La Fortuna

Day 15: La Fortuna

Day 16: La Fortuna - San José

Day 17: San José

Trip Inclusions Expand All

Journey Highlights

Trip Inclusions

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Your Tour Guides

Meals Included

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Trip Notes

Brochure

G Adventures Earth (2023-24)

Availability Twin Share (Per Person)Solo Share (Per Person)

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