Grand Central 4 (Antigua to San Jose)

Day 1 to 1

Arrive Antigua

Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities, so you will have free time to relax and see some of the sights. Antigua is one of the most delightful colonial towns in Central America.  The local indigenous population line the cobbled streets and plazas in their colourful costumes, selling their crafts and textiles. As the cultural centre of Guatemala, Antigua is an ideal place to experience the traditional music, architecture and art of the country. Rich in ornate churches, convents, parks, plazas, cafés, restaurants, bars and colourful street markets and surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanoes, Antigua is one place you will never forget!

Day 2 to 7

Rio Dulce - Flores - Tikal - San Ignacio - Caye Caulker

On day 2 we depart Antigua by mini vans to the river town of Rio Dulce. We stay in cabins right on the water, and have the option to take a boat tour to Livingston, experiencing some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable along this 23-kilometre stretch of waterway. Livingston is situated at the mouth of the Rio Dulce, where it joins the Bay of Amatique, and is inhabited by the Garifuna people. This lively little town has a Caribbean atmosphere different to the rest of Guatemala and is a great place to try the delicious local specialty tapado (seafood coconut soup) and listen to the local African-style punta music. From Rio Dulce we continue to the charming island-town of Flores, situated in the centre of Lake Peten Itzá, which was the last town to be conquered by the Spanish. Flores is our base for exploring the breathtaking Maya jungle site of Tikal, is regarded as the greatest city of the Maya world. This complex is one of the biggest Maya sites discovered, and you will have the day to explore and learn about the flora, fauna, and amazing Mayan history with our knowledgeable local guide.  Today the main centre covers an area of approximately 2½ square kilometres, but at its pinnacle the city stretched for nearly 100 kilometres. As you wander the site, you will see several tall mounds which are temples that have not yet been excavated, and you will have the opportunity to climb some of the tallest Mayan temples.  The emphasis was on height when creating these imposing structures because the Maya believed the higher the building, the closer they were to the gods. Tikal has much animal life, and if you’re lucky, you will have the chance to spot the noisy howler monkeys, pizotes (a racoon-like animal), exotic birds such as toucans, and much more! A short drive takes us to the Belize border and one of the smallest and most diverse countries in Central America. Formally known as British Honduras, the official language is still English, but most people also speaks Spanish. First stop is San Ignacio.   Known as “Cayo” by the locals, this agricultural centre is also known to be the ‘adventure' and ‘nature' capital of Belize.  The surrounding jungle, wildlife, waterfalls, rivers and caves, have created the ideal location for the numerous optional excursions that are available, from canoeing downriver and tubing through caves, to visiting the famous caves Actun Tunichil Muknal, where they found untouched Mayan ceremonial and sacrificial remains. Leaving San Ignacio, we take a local bus through the centre of Belize to Belize City, where we catch a water taxi out to the Cayes (mangrove islands). Belizeans know how to relax, and hopefully the locals’ expertise on relaxation will be contagious during your stay on Caye Caulker. If not, there are signs to remind you to “Go Slow”, “Take it easy”, and even “No shirt, no shoes, no problem”.  We spend a couple of very laid back nights on Caye Caulker, where you can throw away your shoes to wander the sand filled streets, spend the evenings eating seafood, drinking cocktails, and listening to reggae music in one of the bars. During the day we can organise a range of different optional snorkelling trips for you, such as to Shark and Ray Alley, where you can swim within a few feet of nurse sharks and majestic sting rays, or in their mating season, you may have the opportunity to swim with sea-cows!  Another optional snorkelling tour takes you out to Hol-Chan Marine Reserve where you are guaranteed to see lots of  colourful fish and interesting reef formations. Qualified divers can explore the so-called bottomless "Blue Hole", made famous by the explorer Jacques Cousteau (please note: this optional excursion does not go every day, check locally for availability). Other options include sunning yourself, riding a bike around the island, or trying your luck at fishing. If you are lucky, you can take your catch to one of the local restaurants so they can BBQ it for you.

Day 8 to 10

Playa Del Carmen - Cancun

Crossing into Mexico we travel up the coast to the beautiful beach resort of Playa del Carmen. Relax on a white sand beach or take advantage of one of the several interesting optional activities available in the area such as visiting the island of Cozumel or the amazingly located Maya/Toltec ruins of Tulúm. There are also many ‘cenotes’ in the area. Cenotes (se-note-tays) are fresh water swimming holes connected to underground limestone cave systems once sacred to the ancient Maya. From Playa del Carmen it’s only a one hour bus journey to Cancún. Until 1970 Cancún was just a small fishing village with one lone coconut plantation, but now, due to its beautiful beaches, it attracts over 2 million visitors a year. Relax on one of the beautiful beaches, swim in the turquoise waters or take a ferry out to the relaxing island of Isla Mujeres, where you can organise snorkelling or drive around the island in a golf-cart.

Day 11 to 12

Chichen Itza - Merida

The hectic days ahead are packed full of surprises for those who are interested in archaeology. We travel first to Chichén Itzá, impressive Maya/Toltec site recently voted as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. You will see the ball court where the captain of the winning team was beheaded (no incentive to play your best, was there?!) and the cenote (well), where huge treasures as well as the remains of human sacrifices have been discovered. Of course, the main attraction is the wonderful pyramid, which was built with such precision that a shadow serpent descends it during the equinoxes! Leaving Chichén Itzá we head to Mérida, Yucatán's capital and a base for exploring the ruins of Uxmal (optional). This site has the famous ‘Temple of the Magician'. Options in Mérida  include taking a hop on hop off bus tour of the historical centre, an optional trip to swim in nearby cenotes, and shopping! This is a great place to buy Mexican hammocks, and the handicraft markets are overflowing with beautiful weavings, statues, batiks and much more. Merida is a lively traditional Mexican town, and the locals always seem to have something to celebrate! If you’re lucky you may catch a traditional dance performance in the central plaza.

Day 13 to 14

Palenque

Next we visit the town and ruins of Palenque, famous for the tombs found filled with riches in honour of the renowned Lord Pakal and the Red Queen. This Maya site has a series temples and pyramids situated in a gorgeous jungle setting,! Other attractions near Palenque include the fantastic Agua Azul Nature Reserve with than 200 small waterfalls, and the incredible Misol-Ha waterfall with a 30m drop, to indulge in  a cooling dip (optional half day tour includes both these falls).

Day 15 to 17

San Cristobal de las Casas

Ascending into the mountainous Chiapas region we drive through the Lacandon Cloud Forest on one of the windiest roads you'll ever experience (don't forget your travel sickness pills!) to the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Situated in the middle of the Highlands, here you will find Mexico's richest example of indigenous culture, as it is surrounded by 21 indigenous villages of distinct languages, dress and customs. Red tiled houses painted in brilliant colours dominate the city, maintaining a delightful provincial charm. The next day you have the option to visit the beautiful Sumidero Canyon, and/or take a guided tour of some of the Indian villages on the outskirts, where you can buy the locally made handicrafts. This authentic cultural experience will give you a fascinating insight into how modern day indigenous villages operate. If time permits, you might also enjoy visiting one of the many museums in town. The Amber Museum, the Coffee Museum, the Maya Medicine Museum, and the ‘Na Bolom' Cultural Centre are just a few options to choose from.

Day 18 to 20

Panajachel (Guatemala)

Leaving Mexico we cross the border into Guatemala at Ciudad Cuauhtèmoc. You will find the Guatemalans to be some of the warmest and most colourful people in the World. Passing through the Guatemalan highlands we travel towards the Pan American Highway from where we will head down to Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlán. The drive down has simply stunning scenery, with breathtaking views of the lake and its three volcanoes - San Pedro, Atitlán and Toliman - all of which are over 3,000 metres high. A relaxing lakeside town, Panajachel is known to the locals as ‘Gringotenango' due to its popularity with foreigners and its hippie influence in the past. Rated by those who have seen it as one of the most beautiful and colourful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlán sits at a little over 1500 metres above sea level. Here you can take a boat tour to some of the many surrounding villages (optional) or possibly go for a swim in the lake.  Panajachel also has many restaurants and interesting bars lining the main street , where you can have a lakeside sunset drinks, listen to 60's music, and even eat some Asian food.

Day 21 to 22

Chichicastenango - Antigua

We now visit Guatemala's most famous market town, Chichicastenango. This village's population swells from approx. 1,000 to over 20,000 on market day (when we visit). The local indigenous people, mostly descendents of the K’iche’ (Quiché) Maya people, come down from the nearby hills to sell everything from kitchen pots and pans to live turkeys! Handicrafts, bags, jumpers and wall hangings are just a few of the bargains to be found here. After lunch we depart the market and continue to the former capital of Guatemala, Antigua.

Day 23 to 24

Copan Ruinas

On day 23 we leave Guatemala and cross into Honduras and the charming town of Copán Ruinas.  Within walking distance of the village is one of the best-kept and most intriguing of all the ancient Maya sites. See the intricately carved stelaes (carvings/statues) depicting the 16 rulers of this once magnificent and influential city, the spectacular staircase, ball courts and enormous main plaza. You can enjoy a trip up to hot springs surrounded by the lush vegetation of the surrounding hills, a horse-trek through the countryside, or a coffee tour of a local plantation. (optionals).

Day 25 to 27

Tela - La Ceiba - Roatan Island

From Copán Ruinas we take a bus through coffee growing districts to the industrial city of San Pedro Sula, where we change buses for the coastal town of Tela. We have time here to relax on the beach before moving on to La Ceiba for the trip by ferry across to Roatán, the largest of the beautiful sun-soaked Caribbean Bay Islands. Development on the island means there is plenty to do, but it is also easy to find a deserted beach lapped by warm Caribbean waters. Here you will find palm-fringed lagoons, turquoise water, friendly locals, lively nightlife and stunning underwater scenery, with some of the cheapest diving and snorkelling in the world! You can elect to swim with dolphins, a truly unforgettable experience, or get into the true Caribbean sprit with a sunset cruise! (optionals).

Day 28 to 32

Tegucigalpa - Leon (Nicaragua) - Granada

After a few days in Roatán, we return by ferry to the mainland to catch our express bus through the stunning Honduran countryside to Tegucigalpa (Teh-goo-si-gal-pa), the capital city of Honduras. The pace of life in Honduras only shifts up a gear in Tegucigalpa (or Tegus as it's thankfully called by the locals) where colourful chaos reigns eternal. Everything you imagine a Latin capital city to be, Tegus is charming, historic and framed perfectly by peaks on three sides. Crossing the border into Nicaragua, the lovely town of León with its colonial charm is our next stop. We have plenty of free time here to take a break in the shady gardens and plazas. This is an especially good place to buy leather work souvenirs. There are various museums, churches the cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitution to explore. The Templo Expiatorio also has a collection of catacombs which are worth seeing. After passing through the capital, Managua, and the tobacco growing regions, we arrive in Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Granada is one of the most characteristic and colourful colonial towns in Central America. Founded in 1524 at the foot of the Mombacho Volcano, this lovely town will remind many of its Spanish counterpart, due to its Moorish feel. Here there are many optional excursions to visit surrounding countryside, including a visit to the Masaya National Park, with its double-crested active volcano, and the Masaya handicraft markets nearby (great for buying hammocks). Alternatively, you can choose to go for a boat tour of the islands on the lake nearby, or a trek and/or zipline through the Mombacho Volcano Cloud Forest. With two free days in Granada you also have plenty of time to take a day trip into Managua to explore. After years of civil war and the devastating earthquake of 1972, the city centre was left in shambles. There are still buildings with huge cracks and weeds growing through them, the strange old Cathedral being one. However, this now peaceful city is in the process of rebuilding itself. The recently restored National Palace offers a fascinating tour into the past.

Day 33 to 35

Ometepe Island - San Jose (Costa Rica)

Travelling onwards, we cross the vast Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. This lake was once a large ocean bay, but seismic activity caused the land to rise, cutting it off from the sea. This has left the lake with fresh water sharks and other salt-water species. We take a boat to the unspoilt and tranquil island of Ometepe, located in the middle of the lake. This is the ‘true heart of Nicaragua,' and is the perfect place to escape from the fast-paced normalities of life. The name of the island means “between two hills” and was formed by the two volcanoes, Concepción and Madera. The fertile volcanic soil provides the local population with perfect farming conditions for the many crops grown. You may choose to hire a local guide and spend your free time touring the island and searching for ancient stone statues and petroglyphs which have been found all over the island. Those feeling athletic can go for volcano hikes or horseback riding on the black sand beach, while the less energetic can spend their time lying in hammocks, or taking a dip in the lake or the nearby freshwater spring.  Either way, you can be sure that Ometepe's beauty, tranquillity, and kind-hearted residents will make this a highlight of your trip. The capital city of Costa Rica is nestled in a fertile valley among coffee and sugar-cane farms on a high plateau. There is not much left of the colonial era architecture, due to the damage done by earthquakes, but it is certainly worth seeing the National Theatre, built in 1897. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to catch a performance whilst you're here. The Gold, Jade and National Museums are also particularly recommended for a visit.

Day 36 to 36

Depart San Jose

Our tour concludes after breakfast on day 36.