Trip Overview
This 28 day overland tour journeys from Antigua to Panama City through Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
This trip visits Cap Suchitoto, a community project which helps to create cultural identity and unity within the community and teaches skills to support self-sufficiency.
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90% Highlights
Visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Antigua
Trek up Santa Ana volcano in Cerro Verde National Park
Overnight in the Dragoman supported community project at Suchitoto
Guided tour of the Mayan ruins of Copan
3 nights on the Caribbean island of Roatan to swim and relax
Farm tour or canyoning in Somoto, Nicaragua
2 nights to get to grips with the politics of Leon
Enjoy the charm of the old colonial architecture in Granada
Explore Masaya National Park and its dramatic volcano crater rim
Overnight and explore Lake Nicaragua's volcanic island of Ometepe
2 nights in La Fortuna with optional excursions to the mighty Arenal volcano
Boat trip to the cloud forests of Monteverde Forest Reserve
Visit the beaches and guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
Cross the Panamanian Chiriqui Highlands
Explore the Camino Real, the precursor to the Panama Canal
SHOW MORE HIGHLIGHTSBorder information: if joining in Antigua, you will most likely enter Guatemala at Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport (IATA code: GUA).
There will be an important group meeting at 18:00 at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.
The rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful colonial city and its dramatic surroundings, and to take part in some optional activities. Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in Antigua before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring Antigua.
In Antigua we will stay in a delightful colonial hotel.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Take a trek up to the famous active volcano of Pacaya near Antigua
Visit the old Jesuit church of Santo Domingo, an iconic building in Antigua and home to six fascinating museums
Learn all about the culture and history of Antigua at some of its museums, such as the Museum of Ancient Books and the Museum of Colonial Art
Visit a traditional coffee plantation in the cool hills surrounding Antigua
Participate in a local handicrafts workshop in a village near Antigua, learning traditional weaving, cooking, or woodworking skills
Today we will cross the border into El Salvador and drive to the stunning Cerro Verde National Park, where we will be surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanoes and countryside. In the morning we will have will take a guided trek up the nearby Santa Ana volcano (approximately 4 hours).
In Cerro Verde National Park we will camp with basic facilities.
Border information: Exit Guatemala at Ciudad Pedro de Alvarado, enter El Salvador at La Hachadura.
Estimated Drive Time - 9 hours (please note that all drive times given here are the approximate number of hours that the truck will be in motion only, and does not include any time taken for coffee or lunch stops, border crossings, photo stops, activities en route, comfort breaks, shopping stops, toilet stops, etc. The times given are approximate estimates only and whilst given with the best of intentions, the drive times are heavily dependent on traffic, road conditions, weather, police roadblocks, and many other factors - flexibility is essential on any overland trip!).
Daily Activities
Visit the spectacular volcanic landscape of Cerro Verde National Park, one of El Salvador's gems
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Trek up to the summit of Santa Ana, El Salvador's highest volcano in the heart of Cerro Verde National Park
After our trek up the volcano, we will take a short drive to the beautiful town of Suchitoto, where we will have a free afternoon to explore the town, with its cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, and to learn about the incredible work of the community centre in which we stay.
In Suchitoto we will stay in dormitory rooms at the Centro Arte Para La Paz community centre, which runs many programs for the local communities to build cultural identity, unity, teaching skills, self-sufficiency, environmental equality and a culture of peace.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
On Day 4 we will have a day to explore Suchitoto, have a guided walking tour of the town, head out on a sunset boat trip or take a day trip to San Salvador.
Daily Activities
Spend the night at the wonderful community centre of Centro Arte Para La Paz in Suchitoto, which runs many workshops and projects for the locals in the area
Border information: Exit El Salvador at Anguiatú, enter Guatemala at Anguiatú. Exit Guatemala at El Florido, enter Honduras at El Florido.
Today we will have a full day drive to return to Guatemala and then onwards to Honduras, arriving at the small village of Copán.
Estimated Drive Time - 8-9 hours.
On the following day we will have an included guided visit to the spectacular Mayan ruins of Copán, followed by a free afternoon to explore some of the other highlights in the area.
In Copán we will stay in a local hotel.
Daily Activities
Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent ancient Mayan ruins of Copán
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the Macaw Mountain Bird Sanctuary in Copán, home to many rescued birds such as macaws, toucans and kingfishers
Visit the beautiful old Mayan stone carvings of Los Sapos, with fantastic views over the town of Copán
Visit the Copán Butterfly Gardens, a serene garden bursting with tropical plants and dozens of moths and butterflies flitting about!
Today we will take a short drive to the town of San Pedro Sula and board a short local flight to Roatán, the largest of the famous tropical Bay Islands. On arrival we will transfer to the area of the West End Bay, where we base ourselves for our stay.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
On the following 2 days we will enjoy lots of free time to take part in the wealth of optional activities available on Roatán, and of course to relax and swim on the stunning Caribbean beaches here!
In Roatán we will stay in a local hotel near the beach.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Head out scuba diving to the beautiful coral reefs off the coast of Roatán
Rent sea kayaks to explore the magnificent Caribbean waters surrounding Roatán island
Go on a spectacular snorkelling trip around the highlights of Roatán, such as the Blue Channel and St. Anthony's Key
Head out on a guided tour of Roatán, seeing some of the most beautiful spots on the island and learning all about its history
Go out horse riding across the stunning island of Roatán, through its wonderful eco-system of cacti, palms and orchids
Today we will start early to transfer back to Roatán's airport and catch our flight back to the mainland, rejoining the Bus! We will then continue our journey east through Honduras to the beautiful countryside of Lake Yojoa
In Lake Yojoa we will camp for the night in the grounds of a lodge and brewery.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.
Today we will cross the border into Nicaragua, we will the head to the Somoto Canyon and stay in cabins near a village community.
In the morning we will have an included half day canyoning experience, or alternatively for those who wish a farm and village tour.
Aprroximate drive time - 364km / 8hrs
This morning we will enjoy our canyon tour and then drive to the university town of León.
Estimated Drive Time - 212km / 4hours.
On the following day we will have free time to explore the town's wonderful colonial architecture or to take part in the many optional activities available here.
In León we will stay in a centrally-located hotel.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit León's many museums and galleries, such as the world-class Ortiz-Gurdián art museum, the Gallery of Heros and Martyrs, and the Museum of Legends and Traditions
Enjoy a fun and unique trip out to 'sand board' down the ash slopes of the Cerro Negro volcano
Trek up the impressive active Telica volcano near León (please note that this is a fairly strenuous trek and you will need to be in good physical shape to participate - the trek usually takes about 6-7 hours)
Head to the fantastic modern visitor centre at the world-famous Flor de Caña rum factory
Visit the ancient ruins of León Viejo, the original settlement built by the Spanish before the town was moved in 1610
Head out on a horse riding trip in the stunning countryside near León, including views of the impossibly-circular crater of El Hoyo volcano and the beautiful Asososca lagoon
Today we will take a short drive to Nicaraguas's oldest city of Granada, a beautiful town which oozes with colonial charm! En route we will have an included visit to the traditional markets in the small town of Masaya, and witness the incredible active caldera of the nearby Masaya volcano (if its volcanic activity isn't too high).
Estimated Drive Time - 4-5 hours.
On the following day we will have free time to explore the historic streets of Granada's old town, or take part in some of the myriad of optional activities that are available here.
In Granada we will stay in a centrally-located hostel, which has a mixture of private and dormitory rooms.
Daily Activities
Visit the dramatic crater rim of the active Masaya volcano between León and Granada
Visit the traditional markets in Masaya village, famous for its local handicrafts
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit the incredible San Francisco Convent and Museum in Granada, the oldest building in Central America dating from 1585
Trek up the beautiful dormant volcano of Mombacho near to Granada, exploring its rugged terrain and dwarf forests
Learn about the cultivation of cocoa and its manufacture into chocolate at the Choco Museo in Granada
Take a boat or kayak trip around the beautiful Isletas de Granada, in search of the local birdlife and the magnificent views of the surrounding volcanoes
See a fascinating workshop in the village of San Juan de Oriente, demonstrating various local pottery-making techniques
This morning we drive to the small town of San Jorge on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, Central America's largest lake. Here we will board a ferry to the stunning volcanic island of Ometepe, where we base ourselves in the port village of Moyogalpa and enjoy free time to explore on arrival.
Estimated Drive Time - 2-3 hours.
On the following day we will have free time to explore and take part in optional activities such as the challenging trek to the summit of the Concepción volcano that dominates the island, or seeing some of the mysterious ancient petroglyphs that are dotted through the landscape.
On Ometepe we will stay in a small local hotel.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Trek to the summit of the iconic Concepción volcano that dominates over the island of Ometepe (please note that this is a very strenuous trek that will only be possible for those with a high level of fitness and in good shape - the trek is over 1000m of ascent and descent on rugged terrain, and will take between 9-12 hours).
Trek up to the stunning San Ramón waterfall in the forests near Madera volcano
Learn about the fascinating history and geology of the island at the Ometepe Museum in Altagracia village
Freely explore the mysterious pre-Columbian petroglyphs scattered around the island Ometepe
Visit the mystical and serene emerald-green lagoon of Charco Verde
Border information: Exit Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas, enter Costa Rica at Peñas Blancas.
Today we will take an early morning ferry back to San Jorge and drive to La Fortuna in Costa Rica, a stunning town under the shadow of the mighty Arenal volcano.
Estimated Drive Time - 4-6 hours.
On the following day we will have a free day to take optional treks through the incredible surrounding volcanic landscapes or forest canopies, or get involved in many different adventure activities such as zip-lining, white-water rafting, and canyoning. La Fortuna is also famous for its outstanding hot springs, which we will have the opportunity to visit.
In La Fortuna we will stay in excellent cabanas outside of town.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Take a fantastic white-water rafting trip on the Balsa or Sarapiqui rivers near La Fortuna, some of the best rafting areas in Costa Rica
Head out for an evening at the spectacular volcanic hot springs complex of Baldi near La Fortuna
Explore the breathtaking forests and volcanic landscapes of La Fortuna on several mountain biking trails in the area
Take a intense canyoning trip into the rugged gorges of the jungles near Arenal, including several waterfall abseils
Learn all about the intricacies of Costa Rican cuisine on a cooking class in La Fortuna
Learn all about the plants, animals, traditions and agriculture of Costa Rica on a visit to the El Bosque Eco-Farm near La Fortuna
Explore the stunning countryside and lush forests of the Arenal region by foot, where there many excellent guided trekking options
Explore the magnificent countryside and waterfalls around the Arenal volcano by horseback
Today we will leave our overland vehicle behind and transfer by taxi and boat into the dense cloud forests and coffee plantations of Monteverde, a stunning area offering an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-4 hours.
On the following day we will have an included guided walk on the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest National Reserve, followed by a free afternoon to visit some of the town's highlights or enjoy some adventurous activities such as canyoning or horse riding.
In Monteverde we will stay in a local hotel.
Daily Activities
Take a guided trek to explore the stunning forest trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, learning all about the fascinating and beautiful ecosystem there
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Fly above the cloud forests and valleys of Monteverde on an exhilarating zip-lining course
Explore the incredible cloud forests of Monteverde at the tree-top level on a 3km canopy bridge circuit
Learn all about the cultivation and processing of the world-renowned coffee of Costa Rica at one of the many incredible coffee plantations near Monteverde
Head out to the cloud forests of the Santamarias Reserve to explore the area by night, when much of the elusive local wildlife comes out
Visit the fantastic Butterfly Gardens of Monteverde, and learn all about the abundant bug-life of Costa Rica's cloud forests
Learn about Costa Rica's spectacular amphibians at the Monteverde Frog Pond
Explore the magnificent Monteverde Orchid Gardens, home to over 400 species of orchids found in the region
Today we will continue by taxi to the small town of Tilarán, where we will rejoin our overland vehicle and drive to the spectacular beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast.
Estimated Drive Time - 5-6 hours.
On the following day we will have an included guided walk through some of the beautiful trails within park, learning all about its flora and fauna and immersing ourselves in the idyllic landscape. We will have free time in the afternoon to take part in some optional activities or relax on the wonderful beaches.
In Manuel Antonio we will stay in a hostel near the beach, with a mixture of private rooms and dormitories.
Daily Activities
Take a guided walk through the stunning trails of Manuel Antonio National Park, finishing at the world-class tropical beaches where you can swim and relax
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Explore the ocean on a catamaran sailing trip, heading out in search of dolphins, tropical fish and turtles and witnessing an unforgettable offshore sunset
Explore the mangroves of Manuel Antonio by boat or by kayak, in search of rainbow boas, crocodiles and various water birds
Head on an exhilarating guided jet ski trip on the Pacific Ocean near Manuel Antonio
Go on an incredible white-water rafting trip on the Naranjo and Savegre rivers near Manuel Antonio National Park
Take a paddle-boarding lesson to explore the secluded beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park
Join a scuba diving trip to explore the reefs and underwater volcanic rock formations in the oceans near Manuel Antonio
Try your hand at surfing on a short lesson in Manuel Antonio National Park
Border information: Exit Costa Rica at Paso Canoas, enter Panama at Paso Canoas.
Today we will drive across the Panama border into the Chiriqui highlands, arriving at the town of Boquete.
Estimated Drive Time - 3-5 hours.
On the following day we will have a free day to take part in some of the many optional outdoor activities which the town is famous for, including the opportunity to take the strenuous trek to the 3,478m summit of Volcán Barú, the highest point in Panama.
In Boquete we will stay in a local hostel, with a mixture of private rooms and dormitories.
Daily Activities
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Head out on a tour of some of the fascinating coffee plantations around the Chiriqui Highlands near Boquete
Head out on an exhilarating white-water rafting expedition on the Chiriqui Viejo river near Boquete, one of the world's best rafting areas with 35 world-class runs to choose from
Trek up to the summit of Volcán Barú, at 3,478m the highest point in Panama - please note this is a strenuous trek and usually takes approximately 8-12 hours, so you will need to be in decent physical condition to participate
Take a dip in the excellent Caldera hot springs near Boquete
Head out on a quad bike tour of the mountains, forests and coffee plantations near Boquete (driver's licence required)
Go on a half-day rock climbing trip to the basalt cliffs near Boquete, one of Panama's best climbing destinations
Take a fascinating bird-watching trip into the Chiriqui Highlands, one of the most abundant areas of birdlife in the Americas
Enjoy a fantastic short canyoning trip through the gorges of Gualaca near Boquete
Trek the famous Quetzal Trail through the cloud forests of the Chiriqui Highlands, or trek to various waterfalls in the rainforest
Explore the spectacular Caldera Highlands around Boquete on horseback, riding through rainforests and local farms and coffee plantations
Head on an excellent 12-line zip-lining course through the cloud forests near Boquete
Today we will continue to Chagres National Park and explore the Grandfather of the Panama Canal: the Camino Real, a cobblestoned road from the Caribbean to the Pacific through the rainforests of Panama, established as the transport route of Gold and Silver by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th Century. The Camino Real was rediscovered only recently, and we will visit and stay overnight at a community, which worked together with researcher Christian Strassnig to identify the original route of the Camino Real in the jungle.
At Alajuela Lake we take a dugout boat to observe remains of the Camino Real at the lakeshore, then we arrive at the community and we are warmly welcomed by the people who are inspired with perspective of sustainable development through community tourism at the Camino Real. We have a typical Panamanian lunch and see then a presentation of authentic Panamanian folklore. In the morning we will undertake a hike the Camino Real, see the original cobblestone and be fascinated by stories of the mule trains, gold and pirates.
Estimated Drive Time - 6-7 hours.
After early morning coffee you can go for an optional bird-watching hike on a trail with plenty of tropical birds (free with local guides). At return to community we have a hearty breakfast. We will then take a hike on the trail. Afterwards it is time to say good-bye and we return by boat to our Overland Bus.
We will then drive to the Miraflores Visitor Centre at the world-famous Panama Canal, learning all about its controversial history and incredible role in shaping trade and world politics in the 20th century. After our included visit we will complete the drive to the capital, Panama City.
In Panama City we will stay in a local hotel in the Bella Vista district.
Estimated Drive Time - 2 hours.
Daily Activities
Visit the world-famous Panama Canal at the Miraflores Visitors' Centre, and learn all about the fascinating history of this controversial structure
We will have an included hike on the Camino Real, and a community based overnight stay, with all meals included.
These activities are not included in the itinerary, however they are available to book and/or payable locally.
Visit Panama City's Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the best collections of works by local artists in Panama
Visit the phenomenal Biodiversity Museum in Panama City, a striking and iconic building containing a wonderful celebration of the flora and fauna of Panama
See the Panama Canal Museum in the city centre, featuring excellent exhibits about the famous waterway
Border information: if you are finishing in Panama City, you will most likely exit Panama at Panama City Tocumen International Airport (IATA code: PTY).
Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Panama City. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact the Sales Team if you are interested in booking extra nights of accommodation in order to fully explore and take part in some of the optional activities listed below.
If you are continuing on to Cartagena with us, then your leader will assist you with airport transfers for your included flight - you will spend this night in a hotel in either Panama City or Cartagena (depending on the flight times and availability).
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