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David Landinez

Travel specialist

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020 7808 6783

Lead Price
From £4295pp
Duration
19 days & 17 nights
Itinerary Type
Group Tour
Holiday Type
General Interest
Tour Highlights

Splendours of Central America

Take in the natural and cultural wonders of Central America, from tropical landscapes and volcanoes to colonial heritage and superb Mayan cities. Your grand journey visits Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Gain insight into the colourful indigenous cultures, the civil wars that transformed the region, and the amazing engineering feat that is the Panama Canal.
Dates and prices

Itinerary

YEAR:
DAY 1: Fly to Panama City via the US
- +

Fly to Panama City via the US

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Panama City via the US. Transfer to the Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel for 3 nights. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
DAY 2: Panama City
- +

Panama City

Morning city tour, including the ruins of old Panama and the historic colonial district, where you can enjoy a welcome lunch. (B, L)

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
DAY 3: Panama Canal
- +

Panama Canal

Take a shared partial transit and cruise through the various locks of the Panama Canal. (B, L)

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
DAY 4: Fly to San José, Costa Rica
- +

Fly to San José, Costa Rica

Fly to Costa Rica’s capital and visit a coffee plantation on the slopes of the active Poás Volcano. Overnight at Hotel Presidente. (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Presidente - San Jose, Costa Rica
DAY 5: Monteverde
- +

Monteverde

Transfer to Monteverde and stay for 2 nights at the Monteverde Country Lodge or El Establo Mountain Hotel. Afternoon visit to the Selvatura’s butterfly garden and hanging walkways.  (B)

Accommodation: El Establo Mountain Hotel
DAY 6: Monteverde
- +

Monteverde

Visit the Monteverde cloud forest to see its rare flora and fauna and in the evening meet up with the family of one of the early local pioneers for a fascinating conversation. (B)

Accommodation: El Establo Mountain Hotel
DAY 7: Granada, Nicaragua
- +

Granada, Nicaragua

Full-day journey across the border into Nicaragua to the city of Granada, overlooking Lake Nicaragua (approx 7-8 hours). Stay 2 nights at Patio de Malinche Hotel (or similar). (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Patio del Malinche
DAY 8: Granada
- +

Granada

Morning tour of the colonial city, including the Franciscan convent. Take a boat ride through the canals formed by the small islands in the lake, which is the tenth largest lake in the world. Afternoon at leisure before your visit to the Masaya volcano to see its impressive fluorescent lava from its rim (subject to volcanic activity). (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Patio del Malinche
DAY 9: Fly to San Salvador, El Salvador - Suchitoto
- +

Fly to San Salvador, El Salvador - Suchitoto

Transfer to Managua and fly to San Salvador. Continue to the charming town of Suchitoto for 1 night at Casa 1800 Suchitoto. (B)

Accommodation: Casa 1800 Suchitoto
DAY 10: Route of the Flowers
- +

Route of the Flowers

Explore the cobbled streets of Suchitoto, then transfer to the archaeological site of Joya de Ceren, known as the ‘Pompeii of the Americas’. Later, explore cloud forest trails and enjoy spectacular volcano views en route to the picturesque Route of the Flowers. Overnight at Casa 1800 Ataco. (B, L)

Accommodation: Casa 1800 Ataco Boutique
DAY 11: Copán, Honduras
- +

Copán, Honduras

This morning, visit the traditional artisan town of Ataco and stop at Santa Ana en route to Honduras (approximately 10 hours). Stay at the Hotel Marina Copán for 2 nights. (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Marina Copán
DAY 12: Copán
- +

Copán

In the morning, tour the fascinating Mayan ruins of Copán with its intricate and well-preserved sculptures. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Marina Copán
DAY 13: Livingston, Guatemala
- +

Livingston, Guatemala

Cross into Guatemala and on to the Caribbean coast, visiting the impressive carved stelae at Quirigua en route (approx 6 hours). Take a 1.5-hour boat ride along the coast to the town of Livingston, with strong Garifuna culture. Stay overnight at the Hotel Villa Caribe. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Caribe
DAY 14: Flores
- +

Flores

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 2-night stay at the lakeside Villa Maya. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Maya
DAY 15: Tikal
- +

Tikal

Morning tour of Tikal, one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins, located in the heart of the jungle. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Maya
DAY 16: Fly to Guatemala City - Antigua
- +

Fly to Guatemala City - Antigua

Early morning flight to Guatemala City and transfer to colonial Antigua for 2 nights at Hotel Las Farolas or Hotel Cacique Real. Afternoon walking tour. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Las Farolas
DAY 17: Antigua
- +

Antigua

Today is a day at leisure or take optional excursions. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner in a colonial-style restaurant.  (B, D)

Accommodation: Hotel Las Farolas
DAY 18: Fly to London via the US
- +

Fly to London via the US

Transfer to Guatemala City and fly to London via the US, arriving the next day. (B)

DAY 19: Arrive London
- +

Arrive London

Arrive in London (N). 

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

DAY 1: Fly to Panama City via the US
- +

Fly to Panama City via the US

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Panama City via the US. Transfer to the Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel for 3 nights. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
DAY 2: Panama City
- +

Panama City

Morning city tour, including the ruins of old Panama and the historic colonial district, where you can enjoy a welcome lunch. (B, L)

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
DAY 3: Panama Canal
- +

Panama Canal

Take a shared partial transit and cruise through the various locks of the Panama Canal. (B, L)

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Panama Zen Hotel
DAY 4: Fly to San José, Costa Rica
- +

Fly to San José, Costa Rica

Fly to Costa Rica's capital and visit a coffee plantation on the slopes of the active Poás Volcano. Overnight at Hotel Presidente. (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Presidente - San Jose, Costa Rica
DAY 5: Monteverde
- +

Monteverde

Transfer to Monteverde and stay for 2 nights at the Monteverde Country Lodge or El Establo Mountain Hotel. Afternoon visit to the Selvatura's butterfly garden and hanging walkways. (B)

Accommodation: El Establo Mountain Hotel
DAY 6: Monteverde
- +

Monteverde

Visit the Monteverde cloud forest to see its rare flora and fauna and in the evening meet up with the family of one of the early local pioneers for a fascinating conversation. (B)

Accommodation: El Establo Mountain Hotel
DAY 7: Granada, Nicaragua
- +

Granada, Nicaragua

Full-day journey across the border into Nicaragua to the city of Granada, overlooking Lake Nicaragua (approx 7-8 hours). Stay 2 nights at Patio de Malinche Hotel (or similar). (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Patio del Malinche
DAY 8: Granada
- +

Granada

Morning tour of the colonial city, including the Franciscan convent. Take a boat ride through the canals formed by the small islands in the lake, which is the tenth largest lake in the world. Afternoon at leisure before your visit to the Masaya volcano to see its impressive fluorescent lava from its rim (subject to volcanic activity). (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Patio del Malinche
DAY 9: Fly to San Salvador, El Salvador - Suchitoto
- +

Fly to San Salvador, El Salvador - Suchitoto

Transfer to Managua and fly to San Salvador. Continue to the charming town of Suchitoto for 1 night at Casa 1800 Suchitoto. (B)

Accommodation: Casa 1800 Suchitoto
DAY 10: Route of the Flowers
- +

Route of the Flowers

Explore the cobbled streets of Suchitoto, then transfer to the archaeological site of Joya de Ceren, known as the 'Pompeii of the Americas'. Later, explore cloud forest trails and enjoy spectacular volcano views en route to the picturesque Route of the Flowers. Overnight at Casa 1800 Ataco. (B, L)

Accommodation: Casa 1800 Ataco Boutique
DAY 11: Copán, Honduras
- +

Copán, Honduras

This morning, visit the traditional artisan town of Ataco and stop at Santa Ana en route to Honduras (approximately 10 hours). Stay at the Hotel Marina Copán for 2 nights. (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Marina Copán
DAY 12: Copán
- +

Copán

In the morning, tour the fascinating Mayan ruins of Copán with its intricate and well-preserved sculptures. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Marina Copán
DAY 13: Livingston, Guatemala
- +

Livingston, Guatemala

Cross into Guatemala and on to the Caribbean coast, visiting the impressive carved stelae at Quirigua en route (approx 6 hours). Take a 1.5-hour boat ride along the coast to the town of Livingston, with strong Garifuna culture. Stay overnight at the Hotel Villa Caribe. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Caribe
DAY 14: Flores
- +

Flores

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 2-night stay at the lakeside Villa Maya. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Maya
DAY 15: Tikal
- +

Tikal

Morning tour of Tikal, one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins, located in the heart of the jungle. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Maya
DAY 16: Fly to Guatemala City - Antigua
- +

Fly to Guatemala City - Antigua

Early morning flight to Guatemala City and transfer to colonial Antigua for 2 nights at Hotel Las Farolas or Hotel Cacique Real. Afternoon walking tour. (B)

Accommodation: Hotel Las Farolas
DAY 17: Antigua
- +

Antigua

Today is a day at leisure or take optional excursions. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner in a colonial-style restaurant. (B, D)

Accommodation: Hotel Las Farolas
DAY 18: Fly to London via the US
- +

Fly to London via the US

Transfer to Guatemala City and fly to London via the US, arriving the next day. (B)

DAY 19: Arrive London
- +

Arrive London

Today arrive in London. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Sorry, this itinerary is not Available on the selected date
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The Cox & Kings signature experiences

  • Navigate through the locks of the Panama Canal
  • Spot wildlife in the cloud forest and meet with the family of one of the early pioneers at Monteverde
  • Boat ride on the Lake Nicaragua and see the molten lava of the active Masaya volcano
  • Explore colonial towns & fascinating Mayan ruins, including Tikal & Copán

Important information

Locally escorted tour
This tour is led in each country by an experienced local tour guide.
Standard tour
This tour includes some long road journeys and is based in 3- and 4-star hotels where rooms may vary. A flexible approach is recommended for travel in Central America.
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run. For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.
Higher activity level:
Higher-intensity activities, early starts, more uneven terrain and full-day excursions requiring good fitness and mobility

What's included

  • Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
  • 3- & 4-star accommodation
  • Flexible - extensions & flight upgrades available
  • International & internal flights
  • Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
  • Experienced local tour guide in each country
  • 17 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 1 dinner
  • Welcome lunch & a farewell dinner
  • Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
  • Porterage at airports

Is your preferred tour date fully booked?

Please call or submit an enquiry about late availability.

Private journey option: guideline prices

Low season from £6,195 | Guide price month: November

High season from £6,295 | Guide price months: January - March

Single supplement on request

Looking for a holiday that’s tailored to you?

You can take any group tour on a private basis, or have us create a holiday just for you – with your preferred dates, activities and accommodation.

Why not extend your tour?

Most Cox & Kings group tours include pre- or post-travel options for those wishing to explore further, for longer.
Genuinely small groups

Small groups promise a more personal touring experience. That’s why Cox & Kings maintains a maximum group size of 18 guests on most tours, and an average of just 14.

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Enjoy round-the-clock support – in person, over the phone and online. This is made possible by our well-travelled staff and unrivalled network of offices in destinations across the world.

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Experts since 1758

Cox & Kings is a name you can trust. We’ve been helping the curious traveller explore for more than 265 years – longer than any other travel company.

Make an enquiry

Inspired to visit Central America? Enquire online or contact one of our experienced Central America specialists.

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