Original
Explorer
Nicaragua to Belize Discovery
24 days • 2
2
Poor
1 reviews
24 days
Start
Granada, Nicaragua
Finish
Caye Caulker, Belize
Trip Code
QVSBC
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, shared boat, ferry, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (21 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
From £2,996(24 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Drive up through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve and head on a hike to one of the crater lakes with an expert local guide.
Take a guided tour of the Copan ruins and archaeological site – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important sites of the Maya civilisation.
Hop on a scenic boat ride on Lake Atitlan to Santiago Atitlan, with 95% of the population of Maya descent, and meet the shamanic keepers of Maximon.
Gaze in wonder at the jungle-shrouded limestone temples of Tikal National Park – one of Central America's most impressive Maya sites, as howler monkeys call from the canopy.
Relax and recharge on the white sands of Caye Caulker, a tiny Belizean island made for beach BBQs, snorkel trips and lazy afternoons spent swinging in a hammock.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip involves some long days of travel by private and local transport. While this can be tiring, it's also a fantastic way to rub shoulders with the locals.
As this trip covers destinations across multiple countries, you’ll cross several borders. While these are usually straightforward, please prepare to be patient while local authorities process papers.
Central America is tropical, so expect a hot and humid climate. Protect yourself from the sun, wear comfortable, light clothing and stay hydrated – especially when out on walking tours. Air conditioning may not always be available in your rooms. Occasionally, properties may require an additional charge for air conditioning.
While your leaders on this trip will bridge any language gaps you have, you'll find meeting locals easier the more Spanish words you know. Attempting to communicate in Spanish is an excellent way of showing you care.
If you are traveling with a UK passport, a visa is now required to enter Honduras. Please ensure you check the Important Notes and Essential Trip Information for more details.
Itinerary
An epic discovery of Mayan history, natural wonders and Central American culture
Take a 24-day adventure into the heart and mind of Central America – hitting all the must-see spots, as well as hidden gems, in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. See the crater lake and cloud forest of Mombacho Volcano, tour Maya ruins at Copan archaeological site and Tikal National Park, cruise on Lake Atitlan and learn all about the fascinating deity San Simon. There are colourful markets to visit (via chicken bus, of course), historic cities to wander and nature reserves to revel in. Explore optional activities in Antigua, learn some Spanish so you can chat to the diverse locals and then kick back in Caye Caulker, where you end the journey on white sands surrounded by snorkelling opportunities and lazy, beach lifestyles.
Inclusions
Meals
15 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Local bus, shared boat, ferry, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (21 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
Included activities
Monimbó - Indigenous artists village visit
Granada - Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve
Leon - Leader Led Walking Tour
San Salvador - El Rosario church
San Salvador - Leader-led orientation walk
Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration
Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk
Suchitoto - Cinquera Community tour with former guerilla
Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site
Antigua - Leader-led Orientation Walk
San Andres Itzapa - San Simon shamanic ceremonies
Western Highlands - Almolonga vegetable market
Quetzaltenango - Chicken Bus Experience
Chichicastenango market visit
Santiago Atitlan - Shamanic Keepers of the Shrine of Maximon
Lake Atitlan - Boat to Santiago Atitlan
Antigua - Informal Spanish Lesson
Livingston - River boat trip to Garifuna town
Flores - Leader-led orientation walk
Santa Ana Vieja - Cooperativa Nuevo Horizonte visit
Tikal - Tortilla Making Workshop
Tikal National Park - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Optional activities
Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD55
Leon - Juan Venado Island Kayaking - USD55
Suchitoto - Indigo Dyeing Demonstration - USD44
Copan - Macaw Mountain Bird Park (entrance fee) USD - USD10
Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD50
Quetzaltenango - Chocolate Museum - Free
Quetzaltenango - Mayan Cooking Class - USD55
Xela - Las Fuentes Georginas Hotsprings - USD25
Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ150
Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - USD30
San Ignacio - Iguana Conservation Project (entrance fee) - BZD24
San Ignacio - Xunantunich Ruins entry - BZD20
San Ignacio - Cahal Pech Ruins entry - BZD20
San Ignacio - Actun Tunichil Muknal Caves (Incl. entry, guide, transport & lunch) - USD135
San Ignacio - Cave tubing (incl. entrance, guide & transport) - USD100
Caye Caulker - Sunset Sailing - BZD126
Caye Caulker - Stand-up paddleboard hire (per hour) - BZD55
Caye Caulker - Bicycle Rental (per day) - USD12
Caye Caulker - Full day Catamaran snorkeling tour in Hol Chan Marine Reserve-(gear, guide and transport included) - USD120
Caye Caulker - Full day speed boat - (gear, guide and transport included) - USD120
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Granada. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights to Granada; make sure you fly to Managua - Augusto C. Sandino International Airport [MGA]. Managua’s Airport is the closest airport to Granada. Please do not book flights to Granada Airport [GRX] as this is in Spain.
4. As per updated Nicaragua entry requirements, customers are currently required to supply a copy of their passport front page to their booking agent no later than 15 days prior to departure.
5. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the Honduras pre-registration, your leader will be able to assist on Day 1 of your tour. For more information, visit the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the ‘Essential Trip Information.’
6. On your final day, you’ve got the power to choose where your adventure takes you. If you like, you can stay in Caye Caulker for another couple of nights relaxing beachside – we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Otherwise, jump on an included water taxi transfer from the Caye Caulker ferry port back to Belize City where you can also book additional nights’ accommodation, or where your leader can assist you to catch a taxi from the port to the airport for an onward connection. You will need to make your own way from your hotel in Caye Caulker to the ferry port. To allow for transfer times, please book a flight after 12 pm (midday).
7. IMPORTANT FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS: You must obtain a multiple entry visa to Honduras before traveling on this trip. Due to reported delays in securing embassy appointments, we recommend checking appointment availability with the Honduran Embassy before confirming your travel plans. See the Passports, visas and entry requirements section in your Essential Trip Information for details.
8. Under Honduran law, travelers under age 21 who are traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent must have written, notarized permission to travel (in Spanish) from the non-traveling parent(s) or guardian(s). Please check with your local embassy or consulate for specific requirements.
Reviews (1)
2 stars
1
Raymond
Jan 13, 2025
This trip was very long and had one guide for the first (longer) part and another guide for the second part. The second guide was excellent but the first guide is in strong need of better training from Intrepid.
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