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Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica
Are you looking for the maximum Central American adventure at minimum cost? Try this 32-day trip on for size and visit seven different countries, filling your days with Mayan ruins, clear Caribbean waters, lush rainforests, and Pacific waves. With ample free time to choose your own activities in some iconic destinations between Mexico and Costa Rica, there’s no limit to the epic experiences. Explore indigenous Mayan villages and meet locals for an immersion into the authenticity of Central America!
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Basic
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
Physical Grading: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Merchandising: New Trips
Merchandising: Planeterra Project
Trip Type: Small Group
Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.
Age requirements: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Check Your Visa Requirements
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica - Itinerary
DAY 1
Playa del Carmen
Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out. Check into your hotel and enjoy the city.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel 12 bees:
Hotel 12 bees
Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica - Itinerary
DAY 1
Playa del Carmen
Arrive at any time. After the welcome meeting choose to join your fellow group members for an optional evening out. Check into your hotel and enjoy the city.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel 12 bees:
Hotel 12 bees
What’s Included
- Your G for Good Moment: San Antonio Women's Pottery Cooperative and Local Lunch, San Ignacio
- Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar", Lívingston
- Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna
- 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: Playa del Carmen
- Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker
- Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio
- Your Discover Moment: Antigua Guatemala
- Your Discover Moment: Granada
- Your Discover Moment: Monteverde
- Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna
- Guided tour of Tikal
- Orientation walks in Antigua, León, and Granada
- Beach time in Caye Caulker and El Tunco
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
- Simple hotels and hostels (26 nts, mostly multishare) home stay (3 nts).
- 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Local bus, ferry, boat, private vehicle, taxi, walking.
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica Departure Dates
All Years
| Start | Ending | Availability | Prices from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Feb 12 2026 | Sun, Mar 15 2026 | Sold Out | $3,329.1 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Thu, Apr 16 2026 | Sun, May 17 2026 | Open (2) | $3,149.1 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Sat, May 09 2026 | Tue, Jun 09 2026 | Sold Out | $2,969.1 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Thu, May 21 2026 | Sun, Jun 21 2026 | Open (12) | $2,804.15 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Thu, May 28 2026 | Sun, Jun 28 2026 | Open (11) | $2,804.15 USD (price includes taxes and fees) | |
| Sat, Jun 13 2026 | Tue, Jul 14 2026 | Open (14) | $2,804.15 USD (price includes taxes and fees) |
More from Basic Central America: Mexico to Costa Rica
USEFUL INFO
What's Included
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: San Antonio Women's Pottery Cooperative and Local Lunch, San Ignacio
Your G for Good Moment: Caribbean Gastronomic Experience "El Manglar", Lívingston
Your G for Good Moment: Posadas Mayas Homestay, San Juan La Laguna
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: Playa del Carmen
Your Discover Moment: Caye Caulker
Your Discover Moment: San Ignacio
Your Discover Moment: Antigua Guatemala
Your Discover Moment: Granada
Your Discover Moment: Monteverde
Your Discover Moment: La Fortuna. Guided tour of Tikal. Orientation walks in Antigua, León, and Granada. Beach time in Caye Caulker and El Tunco. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Relax on laid-back beaches in Caye Caulker and El Tunco, Explore Mayan ruins of Copán and Tikal, Wander the local markets of colourful colonial Antigua, Make new friends at a local homestay in Guatemala, Visit seven different countries in one month
Is there a disclaimer I should read before booking this trip?
Is there a disclaimer I should read before booking this trip?
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Is there an itinerary Disclaimer?
Is there an itinerary Disclaimer?
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Are there Itinerary notes?
Are there Itinerary notes?
Please note this is a basic level trip, using a mix of multi-share accommodations like hostels and basic hotels, as well as public transportation throughout. We have an 18-30’s version of this trip, please see here for more details.
