Tour Description

From Antigua’s volcano views to Costa Rica’s cloud forests, this 20-day trip keeps things simple. You’ll move through El Salvador and Nicaragua before reaching Costa Rica, mixing colonial cities, Pacific beaches, lakes, volcanoes and laid-back towns. There’s time for island life, local experiences and big outdoor moments, balanced with free days to explore how you want. Expect simple stays, a mix of local and private transport, and plenty of freedom to do things your way.

Priced From:

$ 3965pp ^*

From: 2027-01-30

To: 2028-01-08

Start Location: Antigua, Guatemala

End Location: San Jose (Costa Rica), Costa Rica

Trip Type: In-depth Explorer

Tour Advisors

Beccy Hayes

Travel Specialist

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Antigua

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Welcome to Antigua! Meet your Trip Manager and fellow travellers and head out into town to grab dinner wherever you like.

Antigua

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Explore Antigua your way today. Wander the cobbled streets, check out churches and plazas, shop for local crafts, or find a cafe with a volcano view. There’ll also be the option to join a Pacaya hike, an Antigua bike ride and plantation visit, or the Acatenango overnight hike if you’re up for something bigger.

Antigua

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Another free day in Antigua. Keep exploring the city, take it slow in a cafe, or join an optional visit to the Native Chocolate Museum for a closer look at one of Guatemala’s best-known local flavours.

Antigua to Santa Ana

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)

Leave Antigua this morning and travel by private shuttle across the border into El Salvador, with mountain views and coffee-country scenery along the way.Once you arrive in Santa Ana, your Trip Manager will give you an orientation of the town. After that, the rest of the day will be free to relax, head out for dinner, or settle into your new surroundings.

Santa Ana

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)

Enjoy a free day in Santa Ana to explore your way — cathedral, central plaza, local eats, the lot. Feeling extra? Visit nearby lakes and hot springs, or take on the Ruta de las Flores.

Santa Ana to La Libertad Region

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)

Leave Santa Ana behind this morning and travel by private shuttle towards the coast, swapping city streets for sea views.The rest of the day free to relax. This is your chance to slow things down a bit — whether that means pool time, ocean time, or both.

La Libertad Region

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)

Today's yours to enjoy La Libertad however you like. You can stretch out on the black-sand beaches, explore more of the coastline, or keep things easy and lean into the laid-back pace. If you’re keen to get in the water, there’ll also be the option to join a surf lesson with local instructors.

La Libertad Region to Leon via La Union and Potosi

Day 8

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)

Leaving the coast behind early this morning, you'll set off by private shuttle towards La Unión.From here, you’ll board a public boat across the Gulf of Fonseca, trading the road for a more scenic route between countries.On arrival in Nicaragua, we'll clear immigration in Potosi before continuing the journey by private shuttle bus.Later, you’ll arrive in León and check in at your accommodation. It's a big travel day, so the rest of the afternoon and evening will be free to relax or head out and explore.

Leon

Day 9

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)

You’ll have the day free to explore León at your own pace. Visit the cathedral, wander the colourful streets, or head up to the cathedral rooftop for wide views over the city. If you’re after something more active, there’ll also be the option to take on the Cerro Negro volcano hiking and boarding adventure.

Leon to Granada

Day 10

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hostal De Boca en Boca (Or Similar)

Time to travel by shuttle to Granada, arriving around midday.After check-in, the rest of the day will be free to explore Granada at your own pace. You can wander the colourful streets, relax in a cafe or plaza, or check out Cafe de las Sonrisas — a social enterprise spot with a great story behind it. There’ll also be the option to join an Isletas boat tour if you want to get out on the water.

Granada to Ometepe via San Jorge

Day 11

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)

You’ll leave Granada this morning and travel by shuttle to San Jorge.From here, you’ll board the public ferry across to Ometepe, with lake and volcano views setting the scene on the way over.Once you arrive, a Local Guide will meet you and take you to your homestay. Settle in for the start of your island stay, with dinner included and a more local, day-to-day side of Ometepe ahead.

Ometepe

Day 12

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)

A free day to experience Ometepe your way. If you’re up for a challenge, there’ll be the option to join a hiking experience and take on more of the island’s volcanic landscape.

Ometepe to San Juan del Sur via San Jorge

Day 13

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)

Leave Ometepe today and make your way back to the port, saying goodbye to island life as you head off towards the mainland.From here, you’ll board the ferry back to San Jorge before continuing by road.Later, we'll travel by private shuttle to San Juan del Sur and check in on arrival. The rest of the day will then be free to settle in and enjoy your first look at this easygoing beach town.

San Juan del Sur

Day 14

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)

Enjoy a free day to enjoy San Juan del Sur however you like. Keep it easy with beach time, cafes, and sunset views, or head out and explore more of the coastline. Plus, there's an option to join a scientific whale and dolphin boat tour if you want to get out on the water and see a different side of this part of Nicaragua.

San Juan del Sur to Monteverde

Day 15

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)

Today, we'll travel south by private shuttle, crossing the border into Costa Rica and heading for the cooler mountain air of Monteverde.By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Monteverde and settle into Santa Elena, the gateway to the cloud forest. The rest of the evening will be free to grab dinner, explore the town, and ease into your first taste of Costa Rica.

Monteverde

Day 16

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)

You've got a few ways to take on the cloud forest today. Go big with an optional zipline through the treetops, keep it slower with a walk across the hanging bridges, or get involved in a tree-planting experience that gives back to the local environment. After dark, opt in for a guided night walk and see a different side of Monteverde.

Monteverde to Arenal

Day 17

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)

Travel by shared shuttle, with a bus-boat-bus journey taking you from the cloud forest down towards your next stop.By early afternoon, you’ll arrive in La Fortuna, where rainforest scenery, waterfalls, trails, and plenty of adventure all come into play. Once you’ve settled in, there’ll also be the option to head to the Arenal Hot Springs later on.

Arenal

Day 18

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)

You have the option to start the day with canyoneering for a proper adrenaline hit in the rainforest. Or, if you’re after something more grounded, you can join a nature walk and tortilla-making experience with the Solano-Oviedo family, with a closer look at local life and conservation efforts around Arenal.

Arenal to San Jose

Day 19

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Viajero San José Hostel (Or Similar)

Jump on a public bus and travel to San José with mountain views and small towns rolling by as you make your way into Costa Rica’s Central Valley.After arriving around late afternoon, we'll head straight to the hostel to check in. Later on, there’ll be the option to come together for a farewell dinner and round off the trip as a group.

San Jose

Day 20

Duration: 1

And just like that, 20 days of non-stop Central America's colours, culture and chaos has officially come to an end.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2027-01-30

End Date: 2027-02-18

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-02-13

End Date: 2027-03-04

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-02-27

End Date: 2027-03-18

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-03-13

End Date: 2027-04-01

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-22

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-04-24

End Date: 2027-05-13

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-05-15

End Date: 2027-06-03

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-05-22

End Date: 2027-06-10

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-06-05

End Date: 2027-06-24

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-06-26

End Date: 2027-07-15

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-07-17

End Date: 2027-08-05

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-08-07

End Date: 2027-08-26

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-08-28

End Date: 2027-09-16

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-09-18

End Date: 2027-10-07

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-10-09

End Date: 2027-10-28

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-10-23

End Date: 2027-11-11

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-10-30

End Date: 2027-11-18

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-12-11

End Date: 2027-12-30

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 3965

Start Date: 2027-12-25

End Date: 2028-01-13

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 4125

Start Date: 2028-01-08

End Date: 2028-01-27

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Child Price:

Adult Price: 4125

Antigua to San Jose

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices