Splendours of Central America
Itinerary
Arrive in Panama City and check in to your hotel for 3 nights.
Enjoy a morning city tour, taking in the ruins of old Panama and the historic colonial district. Afterwards, sit down for a welcome lunch.
Take a shared partial-transit tour through the locks of the Panama Canal.
Fly to Costa Rica's capital and visit a coffee plantation on the slopes of the active Poás Volcano. Overnight at Hotel Presidente or KC Hotel San Jose.
Transfer to Monteverde, close to the Cordillera de Tilarán. In the afternoon, visit Selvatura Butterfly Garden and Hanging Walkways, and the sloth habitat to see Costa Rica's best-loved animal within a conservation-focussed setting.
Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest to explore its beautiful, rare flora and fauna.
Take a full day's journey across the border into Nicaragua to the city of Granada, overlooking Lake Nicaragua (seven-eight hours).
Enjoy a tour of the city, including its Franciscan convent. Take a boat through the canals and among the small islands of Lake Nicaragua, Central America's largest lake. Afternoon at leisure, then visit the Masaya Volcano to see its glowing lava (subject to volcanic activity).
Transfer to Managua and fly to San Salvador, El Salvador's capital. Continue to the charming lakeside settlement of Suchitoto.
Explore the cobbled streets of Suchitoto, then transfer to Joya de Cerén, the archaeological site known as the “Pompeii of the Americas”. Explore cloud forest trails and enjoy volcano views as you journey along the picturesque Route of the Flowers to Ataco.
Visit the traditional artisan town of Ataco, famed for its vibrant street murals, and stop at Santa Ana en route to Honduras (approximately 10 hours).
Tour the Mayan ruins of Copán with its intricate and well-preserved sculptures. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
Cross into Guatemala and on to the Caribbean coast, visiting the impressive carved stelae at Quiriguá en route (around six hours). Take a 90-minute boat ride to the town of Livingston, with its strong Garifuna culture.
Take a morning walking tour of Livingston, and a boat trip along the lush gorges of the Dulce River to visit Bird Island and an indigenous community. Continue by road to the Flores area for a stay beside Lake Peten Itza.
Enjoy a morning tour of Tikal, one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins, in the heart of the jungle. Afternoon at leisure.
Fly to Guatemala City; transfer to colonial Antigua, set beside three majestic volcanoes. Take a walking tour followed by a farewell dinner.
Today is at leisure, or take optional excursions.
Tour ends in Guatemala City.
Trip Inclusions
- Navigate through the locks of the Panama Canal
- Spot wildlife in Costa Rica's cloud forest and visit a sloth sanctuary
- Cruise on Lake Nicaragua and see the lava of the active Masaya Volcano
- Explore colonial towns and Mayan ruins, including Tikal and Copán
- Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
- 3- & 4-star accommodation
- Flexible - extensions available
- Internal flights
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Experienced local tour guide in each country
- Welcome & farewell lunch
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Active activity level: Higher-intensity activities, early starts, more uneven terrain and full-day excursions requiring good fitness and mobility.
Cox & Kings groups rarely exceed 18 guests, and ninety percent of journeys have at least one guaranteed departure date, letting you plan with peace of mind.
Cox & Kings tours feature deep, authentic local experiences that reveal hidden truths and cultural secrets about each destination.
Cox & Kings partners with charming hotels that are comfortable and capture the essence of their surroundings, whether it’s a historic, characterful building, or an ideally placed location.
All Cox & Kings tours are guided and supported by experienced locals, who use their knowledge and on-the-ground relationships to improve and deepen the travel experience.
Dates & Pricing
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cox & Kings. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
