Mexico City to San Jose

Mexico City

Welcome to Mexico City! Once you make your way to the hostel, you'll have the rest of the day to settle in, explore the neighbourhood, or take it easy. In the evening, meet your Trip Manager and fellow travellers at the Welcome Meeting.

Accommodations:  Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)

Mexico City

Kick off with an orientation through Centro, getting a feel for the heart of CDMX. After that, you’ll have time to explore more your way — whether that’s checking out museums and landmarks or making your way to Roma Norte for cafés and a change of pace. Plus, there’s an option to join a gourmet taco tour for lunch, which is a pretty great way to get into Mexico City’s food scene. There’s also the option to experience the world-famous Lucha Libre later tonight.

Accommodations:  Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)

Mexico City to Oaxaca

Leave the capital behind this morning and travel south by private transfer, swapping big-city buzz for a slower pace and a new side of Mexico.The rest of the day free to settle in or head out and explore. You might want to wander the historic centre, browse the local markets, or ease into the city with dinner and a mezcal.

Accommodations:  Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)

Oaxaca

Swap the city for the countryside, and visit a traditional mezcal palenque for an experience rooted in local culture and craft. After learning how it all comes together, you’ll enjoy a tasting and a local lunch before heading back to Oaxaca.

• Meals Included:
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)

Oaxaca & Overnight Bus to San Cristobal

You’ll have a free day to enjoy Oaxaca your way, whether that means market browsing, museum stops, artisan workshops, or just taking it slow in a café around the historic centre. Later this evening, we'll jump on public transport for a overnight journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Settle into your seat, grab some snacks for the road, and get some rest as you travel through the mountains into Chiapas.

Accommodations:  Overnight bus to San Cristóbal

San Cristobal

You’ll arrive in San Cristóbal early this morning and transfer to the hostel. Then your Trip Manager will show you around and help you get your bearings. After that, the rest of the day will be free to explore, relax, or ease into the city’s mountain-town pace.

Accommodations:  Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)

San Cristobal

Today's a free day to explore San Cristóbal however you like. Spend the day wandering artisan markets, finding a good café, or taking in more of the town’s relaxed pace and local culture. You also have the option to join a Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo experience if you want to get out and see more of the region.

Accommodations:  Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)

San Cristobal to Palenque via Agua Azul and Misol-Ha

Time to leave San Cristóbal behind and travel through the Chiapas mountains by private transfer, with some seriously good scenery along the way.First stop? Agua Azul, where you’ll have time to walk the trails, take in the turquoise cascades, and cool off with a swim.Next up is Misol-Ha, a dramatic waterfall surrounded by lush jungle, with time to explore and enjoy the setting before continuing on.By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Palenque. With a pool and proper jungle surroundings, it’s a pretty ideal place to relax for the evening.

Accommodations:  Cabañas Kin Balam (or similar)

Palenque & Overnight Bus to Merida via Roberto Barrios Waterfalls

This morning, head out on a guided tour of the Palenque ruins, one of the most impressive Maya sites in Mexico, set deep in the jungle.Later, you’ll visit Roberto Barrios, where turquoise pools and waterfalls make for a solid change of pace. There’ll be time to swim, relax, or just enjoy the setting before heading back.In the evening, board your overnight bus to Mérida. Grab dinner and snacks before you go, then settle in for the journey across to the Yucatán.

Accommodations:  Overnight Bus to Merida

Merida

Arrive in Merida early this morning and transfer to the hostel, where you can freshen up before heading out for breakfast. Once you’ve settled in, your Trip Manager will give you an orientation of the town. Then you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Join a Yucatán home cooking experience with local hosts if you’re keen to get straight into the local food scene.

Accommodations:  Che Hostel Merida (Or Similar)

Merida to Valladolid via Chichen Itza and Cenote Ik Kil

Leave Merida behind this morning and head out by private transfer towards Chichen Itza - one of Mexico’s most famous landmarks.Explore this ancient site on a guided tour and get a closer look at the history, architecture, and stories behind this ancient Maya city.Afterwards, you’ll stop at Cenote Ik Kil for a quick cool off and swim in one of the region’s best-known natural sinkholes.Later on, continue to Valladolid and check in on arrival. Once you’ve settled in, the rest of the day will be free to relax or head out and explore this smaller colonial town.

Accommodations:  Che Valladolid Hostel (Or Similar)

Valladolid to Tulum

Enjoy a day in Valladolid. Optionally, join a full-day trip to Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas if you want to see more of this side of the Yucatán.Later in the afternoon, you’ll collect your bags and take the public bus to Tulum. Once you arrive and check in, the evening will be free for dinner and a first taste of this laid-back Caribbean stop.

Accommodations:  Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Tulum

You’ll have a full free day to enjoy Tulum however you like. Head for the beach, visit the cliffside ruins, check out a cenote, or just take it slow around town with cafés, shops, and plenty of time to do your own thing.

Accommodations:  Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Tulum

Another free day to enjoy Tulum your way, whether that means more beach time, a last cenote stop, or just taking it easy around town.

Accommodations:  Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Tulum to Bacalar

Time to lave Tulum behind this morning and catch the local bus south to Bacalar, heading from the coast to one of the Yucatán’s most laid-back lagoon towns.Once you arrive, the rest of the day is free to settle in and explore. You could relax by the lagoon, wander through town, or head to Los Rápidos if you’re up for an easy afternoon out.

Accommodations:  Viajero Bacalar Hostel (Or Similar)

Bacalar

Today, you'll head out onto the Lagoon of Seven Colours for a private catamaran experience, with time to take in Bacalar from the water and see some of its best-known spots along the way. Depending on conditions, we'll stop by places like Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, Isla de los Pájaros, and the Canal de los Piratas. After the sail, the rest of the afternoon is free.

Accommodations:  Viajero Bacalar Hostel (Or Similar)

Bacalar to Caye Caulker via Chetumal and San Pedro

Time to head towards Chetumal by private transfer, making our way towards Belize and the next part of the trip.From here, you’ll board the ferry bound for Caye Caulker as we set off across the Caribbean.On arrival in San Pedro, you'll briefly disembark to clear Belize immigration and customs before continuing on.Once you arrive in Caye Caulker, it’ll be a short walk to your accommodation. After check-in, the rest of the day will be free to settle in, explore the island, or ease straight into its laid-back pace.

Accommodations:  Tropical Paradise Express Hostel (Or Similar)

Caye Caulker

You’ll have a full free day to enjoy Caye Caulker however you like. Plus, there's the option to join a snorkelling and island adventure if you want to make the most of Belize’s clear waters.

Accommodations:  Tropical Paradise Express Hostel (Or Similar)

Caye Caulker

Yep, another free day to enjoy island life at your own pace. You could head out on a paddleboard, spend time by the water at The Split, or just lean into the slow pace and make the most of your final time here.

Accommodations:  Tropical Paradise Express Hostel (Or Similar)

Caye Caulker to San Ignacio via Belize City

This morning, walk to the ferry terminal and say goodbye to island life as you make your way back to the mainland.Once you arrive in Belize City, a private transfer will be waiting to take you inland towards your next stop.After checking in, the rest of the day will be free to settle in and explore. With its local markets, cafés, and laid-back feel, San Ignacio is a good place to ease into this next part of Belize.

Accommodations:  Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel (Or Similar)

San Ignacio

A full free day to enjoy San Ignacio your way. You can keep it relaxed with time around town, the local market, or a riverside café, or go bigger with the option to join either the ATM Cave expedition or a cave tubing experience. With an early start coming up tomorrow, today works well as a choose-your-own-pace kind of day.

Accommodations:  Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel (Or Similar)

San Ignacio to Flores via Tikal National Park

Time to leave San Ignacio this morning and cross the border into Guatemala by private shuttle, heading for one of the region’s biggest highlights.Once you arrive, we'll explore Tikal on a guided tour, with its towering temples, ancient plazas, and jungle setting.Later, continue on to Flores and check in on arrival. The evening is all yours to relax, head out for dinner, or enjoy the lakeside setting.

Accommodations:  Los Amigos Hostel (Or Similar)

Flores to Lanquin

You’ll leave Flores behind today and travel by private shuttle towards Lanquín, passing through rural landscapes and mountain scenery along the way.This will be one of the longer travel days on the trip, so expect most of the day to be spent on the road. Once you arrive, you’ll check in and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax by the river or settle into the jungle surroundings.

Accommodations:  Hostal Portal de Champey (Or Similar)

Lanquin

Enjoy Lanquín at your own pace today. Take it slow by the river, relax at the accommodation, or make the most of the jungle setting. There’ll also be the option to join a full-day trip to Semuc Champey and the K’an Ba Caves if you’re up for something more adventurous.

Accommodations:  Hostal Portal de Champey (Or Similar)

Lanquín to Lake Atitlán

You’ll leave Lanquín this morning and travel by private shuttle towards Lake Atitlán, with mountain roads and highland scenery the whole way.This will be another longer travel day, but the views on arrival will make it worth it. Once you’ve checked in at Panajachel, the rest of the evening will be free to relax, head out for a walk, or take in your first look at the lake and volcanoes.

Accommodations:  Dreamboat Hostel (Or Similar)

Lake Atitlan to San Jorge La Laguna

You’ll have a free morning in Panajachel to make the most of the lake before moving on. Take a walk by the water, browse the local markets, or just enjoy the views and a slower start to the day.Later,  head to a nearby Maya village for an overnight homestay with a local Kaqchikel family. Dinner's with a local Kaqchikel family, where you'll get genuine insight into daily life and community traditions.

• Meals Included:
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Maya Homestay (Or Similar)

San Jorge La Laguna to Antigua via Lake Atitlán

Start the day with breakfast with your host family and a relaxed morning in the village.Later, you’ll head back towards Panajachel, with the option to join a cultural boat tour visiting Maya communities around the lake. In the late afternoon, continue by shuttle to Antigua, arriving in the early evening. After check-in, the rest of the night will be free to settle in and head out for dinner.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Antigua

Explore Antigua your way today. Wander the cobbled streets, check out churches and plazas, shop for local crafts, or find a café 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.

Accommodations:  Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Antigua

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

Accommodations:  Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Antigua to Santa Ana

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.

Accommodations:  Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)

Santa Ana

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.

Accommodations:  Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)

Santa Ana to La Libertad Region

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 is free to relax. This is your chance to slow things down a bit — whether that means pool time, ocean time, or both.

Accommodations:  Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)

La Libertad Region

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.

Accommodations:  Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)

La Libertad Region to León via La Union and Potosi

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.

Accommodations:  Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)

León

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.

Accommodations:  Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)

León to Granada

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 café or plaza, or check out Café 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.

Accommodations:  Hostal De Boca en Boca (Or Similar)

Granada to Ometepe via San Jorge

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.

• Meals Included:
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)

Ometepe

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.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)

Ometepe to San Juan del Sur via San Jorge

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.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
Accommodations:  Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)

San Juan del Sur

Enjoy a free day to enjoy San Juan del Sur however you like. Keep it easy with beach time, cafés, 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.

Accommodations:  Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)

San Juan del Sur to Monteverde

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.

Accommodations:  Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)

Monteverde

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.

Accommodations:  Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)

Monteverde to Arenal

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.

Accommodations:  Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)

Arenal

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.

Accommodations:  Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)

Arenal to San Jose

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.

Accommodations:  Viajero San José Hostel (Or Similar)

San Jose

And just like that, 46 days of non-stop Central America's colours, culture and chaos has officially come to an end.