Central America Backpacking

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Tour Overview

This Central American adventure, starting in the Guatemalan city of Antigua and finishing in laid back California, delves deep into the local Mayan culture. It gets you off the beaten track and to those highlights you simply won't want to miss. Central America moves to its own beat and live music bars pulsate music you can't help but dance to, the scenery is diverse and the Mayan culture will draw you in with talk of sacrifice and pyramids. From the deserts and cacti forests of Baja Peninsula, Caribbean beaches and dense jungles filled with the chorus of Toucans and parrots, this holiday to Central America has it all. With included Spanish sessions to help you barter in colourful markets, order delicious cuisine and drinks and dig beneath the surface of the country. This tour has maximum bang for your buck!

• > Visit Guatemala, Belize, Mexico and USA
• > Walking tours in Ensenada, Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio, Loreto, La Paz, Mazatlan, Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mérida, Playa del Carmen, Caye Caulker, Rio Dulce
• > Entrance into Palenque & Tikal archaeological sites
• > Swim in the Caribbean waters in Playa del Carmen & Caye Caulker
• > Overnight ferry from Baja Peninsula to mainland Mexico
• > Full day Tequila excursion including tasting
• > Stargazing in the Baja desert
• > Pass the impressive cactus forest and boulder fields
• > Informal Spanish language sessions with tour leader
• > Sparkling Caribbean Sea and sprawling jungle
• > Agua Azul waterfalls
• > Shop until you drop in colourful markets
• > Return water taxi to Caye Caulker
• > Visit UNESCO world heritage sites
• > Scenic walks and hikes
• > Guided excursion to Chichen Itza

• > Tour leader: Services of a professional bilingual tour leader and local guides
• > Transport: All transport by BOLT (Buses or Local Transport)
• > Accommodation: All 31 nights included (18 x twin, 10 x twin/triple, 2 sleeper coaches & 1 multi share).
• > Wi-Fi: The majority of hotels/hostels have Wi-Fi available in rooms or common space.
• > Group size: 18 maximum

Our BOLT tours (Buses Or Local Transport) offer the same great TrekAmerica experience, but using the most appropriate and affordable style of travel for the countries we visit. You'll stay in a mix of hotels and hostels, with most nights on a twin or triple share basis. Buses, collectivos, taxis, ferries and overnight buses get you from A to B, so you get to see the best that these awesome countries have to offer whilst travelling the same way the locals do, with the help and security of your local tour leader.

• Various optional activities are available with a selection of the most popular listed below. All activities are arranged and paid locally with your tour leader. Please see the day by day itinerary for a full list of activities available each day.


• > Visit indigenous cave paintings US$65-$85
• > Trip to Isla Coronado US$65
• > Scuba diving US$140
• > Mexico City local tours US$14
• > Teotihuacan Pyramids US$28
• > Oaxaca archeological sites and tours US$25 each
• > Oaxaca city tour (3.5hrs) US$25
• > Sumidero Canyon boat tour (5hrs) US$24
• > Indigenous villages tour (5hrs) US$18
• > Rancho Nuevo Cave & Chiflon Waterfalls (11hrs) US$25
• > Cenotes and natural water parks US$109-$159
• > Ragamuffin boat snorkelling tour US$45
• > Caye Caulker crocodile cruise US$22
• > Kayaking US$10-15 per hour
• > La Finca hot springs US$35

Please note the closest airport to Antigua is Guatemala City. Please ensure you choose the correct airport name if booking your own flights.

Our range of 3 - 4 day Mini Adventures are just the ticket for extending your tour and experiencing North America's most incredible 'must see' highlights. Check out the following adventures relevant to this tour.

• LA & GRAND CANYON MINI

• > Tour Hollywood's highlights
  > Grand Canyon National Park
  > Experience Historic Route 66
  > Photo stop at the Hoover Dam
  > Limousine tour of Las Vegas
• > View Mini Adventure

• CALIFORNIA COAST MINI

• > California Coast and culture
  > Rugged Big Sur shoreline
  > Monterey bars and shopping
  > Santa Cruz's famous boardwalk
  > San Francisco skyline views
• > View Mini Adventure

If you are spending extra time in our gateway cities, you can now plan in advance by pre-booking unique city sightseeing day tours in addition to your TrekAmerica trip.

• LOS ANGELES

• All city day tours are operated by local experts who are dedicated to take you behind the scenes so you know it like a local! When booking your TrekAmerica trip, simply select your chosen city tour from the Tour Extras section on the online booking form.


• > View City Tours

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Local Payments:
Some meals included as per the itinerary with all other meals paid individually in local restaurants.

Budget approximately US$48 for border-crossing fees (additional fees may apply for air departures).

Mexico combined entry & exit fee US$25 (Keep proof of payment)
Guatemala exit fee US$3
Belize exit fee US$20

Fees are subject to change. Please consult local embassies to confirm exact costs.

Important: You will need adequate travel insurance to join this trip. Download our insurance tips pdf for more information.

• Day: 1-2 Antigua & Rio Dulce, Guatemala

  Meaning "Sweet River', Rio Dulce is a melting pot of Caribbean charm and natural beauty. Hop on a tuk tuk to a hot spring or make a beeline for the local markets, where the food is to die for.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 breakfast included.
  
  Optional activities: La Finca hot springs US$35 | Visit to Livingston town (transfer and entrance) US$26

• Day: 3-4 Tikal Mayan Ruins & El Remate, Guatemala

  Say "adios" to Rio Dulce, making our way to El Remate, a sleepy typically Guatemalan village where it's so laid back, it's almost horizontal. Nearby lies Tikal National Park, a massive area containing some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Mayan civilization and the largest excavated site in the American Continent.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share

• Day: 5-6 Caye Caulker, Belize

  Take a bus and water taxi towards Caye Caulker, Belize. With a population of only 1,200 people, it has a cosy island appeal. Take off your shoes and dip your feet into the clear seas, and tuck into fresh local lobster.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share
  
  Optional activities: Ragamuffin boat snorkelling tour US$45 | Cave tubing US$87 (inc transfer and lunch) | Bike rental US$8 (full day) | Crocodile Cruise US$22 | Night fishing US$200 for 4 people | Kayaking US$10-15 per hour
  

• Day: 7-8 Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

  Playa del Carmen awaits, with a full day tomorrow to explore Tulum or visit Xcaret, an awesome natural park with tons of weird and wonderful wildlife and cenotes (underground caves).
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 x breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: Xcaret, Xel-Ha & Xplor natural water parks US$109-$159 each | Coba Ruins with cenote tour US$75
  

• Day: 9-10 Chichen Itza & Merida

  Leaving for Merida stopping en route to visit the fabled site of Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Continue to Valladolid, a bustling Mayan city where the townspeople still wear traditional Mayan clothing and buildings around the Main Plaza are pretty in pastel. Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan and there's always something going on in Merida - cheap eats, thriving markets and regular festivals ensure a full day of sights and sounds. This evening you board your bus for an overnight transfer to Palenque.
  Accommodation: 1 night Budget Lodging in twin share & 1 overnight sleeper coach, 1 breakfast included

• Day: 11 Palenque

  Pottery shards found during excavations show that people lived in Palenque as early as 300 B.C. Discover a rich history on an included guided tour around the enigmatic Palenque Archaeological site and ruins.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share

• Day: 12-14 San Cristobal

  Take a private transfer to San Cristobal with a stop at Agua Azul, a group of waterfalls which create beautiful natural ponds. Make sure you take your swimwear as there will be time for a refreshing dip. Popular with travellers for decades, picture-perfect San Cristobal is set in a highland valley surrounded by pine forest. Explore San Cristobal's cobbled streets and markets, soak up the unique ambience and share a traditional group meal of Tamales Chiapanecos, before hitting the local bars. Visit the Sumidero Canyon and indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula & Zinacantan. On the final evening in San Cristobal you take the overnight sleeper coach to Oaxaca.
  Accommodation: 2 nights Budget Lodging in twin share & 1 overnight sleeper coach, 2 breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: Sumidero Canyon boat tour (5hrs) US$24 | Indigenous villages tour (5hrs) US$18 | Horseback riding US$15 | Rancho Nuevo Cave & Chiflon Waterfalls (11hrs) US$25

• Day: 15-16 Oaxaca

  Join your tour leader for a guided walking tour through Oaxaca, a city famous for its arts and crafts. Buy souvenirs at a local market and slow the pace down by visiting some great archaeological sites - Mitla & Monte Alban are particularly beautiful.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 breakfast included
  
  Optional activities: Monte Alban archeological site US$25 | Mitla &Tule Tree archeological sites US$25 | Artisan villages & markets US$25 | Oaxaca city tour (3.5hrs) US$25

• Day: 17-18 Mexico City

  One of the largest cities on earth, there's plenty to keep you occupied for a couple of weeks, let alone 2 nights. Stop by the archaeological site of Teotihuacan; see an original Frida Kahlo painting at the Coyoacan art Museum or dance to world class DJs in one of the many regular club nights. Head off en-masse to "Salon Sol", a traditional place located downtown and enjoy snacks, drinks & live music.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share, 2 breakfasts included
  
  Optional activities: Chapultepec downtown tour US$14 | South tour to Tlalpan US$14 | Teotihuacan Pyramids US$28 | Anthropology Museum US$8

• Day: 19 San Miguel de Allende

  Say 'hola' to San Miguel de Allende, a picturesque city with colonial architecture and enchanting cobblestone streets. The Plaza Principal called El Jardin is the town's focal point and the Neo-Gothic spires of the parroquia beside the Jardin provide the perfect landmark. If you want to brush up further on your Spanish, our informal session today helps you do just that.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share, 1 breakfast included

• Day: 20 Guanajuato

  Leave San Miguel de Allende early morning on your first class coach for Guanajuato, one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico with a maze of alleyways and a main street which runs beneath the city. Pay a visit to Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss), which is so narrow that lovers standing on each side of the alley can reach over and share a kiss!
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in multi share dorm

• Day: 21 Guadalajara

  Departing early you leave Guanajuato and depart for Guadalajara where you have a chance to stretch your legs with a walk around this fascinating city. Guadalajara, the birthplace of Mariachi music is also famous for its tasty tacos and your Tour Leader knows an excellent place to take you.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share, 1 breakfast included

• Day: 22 Full Day Tequila Excursion

  Tequila, whose name means "the place of cutting" or "the place of tributes" is the proud producer of the spirit both famous and infamous with good times. It's a beautiful place with stunning landscapes and streets and churches steeped in history. Learn all about the famous Tequila process for the blue agave and traditions, and of course partake in some tequila tasting!
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin or triple share

• Day: 23 Mazatlan

  Departing Guadalajara, you make your way towards Mazatlan, nicknamed 'place of deer', a thriving commercial seaport due to the nearby gold and silver mines. It is also the launching pad for the epic overnight crossing to the Baja Peninsula, a gem rarely discovered by international travellers.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share

• Day: 24 Overnight ferry to La Paz, Baja

  Explore Mazatlan's coastline on a boat tour or perhaps dip in for a scuba dive and stop by a local beach bar where you say goodbye to the sun, listen to Mexican music, and sip local drinks. Board the overnight ferry to the mainland and enjoy an included dinner on board. This epic crossing is a great way of maximising your time and showing you the Mexican peninsula which most travellers miss.
  Accommodation: Overnight ferry in twin share cabins, dinner included

• Day: 25 La Paz

  Viva La Paz! A true Mexican paradise, a visit to the Malecon (beachside promenade) is an absolute must. Hang with the locals and make sure you visit one of La Paz's many fascinating cantinas for a local beer. Perhaps use this opportunity to learn a little more Spanish with your fellow travellers.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share, 1 x breakfast included

• Day: 26-27 Loreto

  Pristine azul seas, playful dolphins and sparkling sunshine greet you as you roll into Loreto. With 250km of coastline and 14 islands, sailing, kayaking, diving and snorkeling all on the menu. If you prefer dry land, hiking, horseback riding and cave painting tours will keep you more than occupied.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share
  
  Optional activities: Islands of Loreto Marine Park US$85 | Cave painting US$85 | Trip to Isla Coronado US$65 | Mission de San Javier tour US$85 | Sea fishing US$360 per boat | Scuba diving US$140

• Day: 28 San Ignacio

  San Ignacio is a classic little Baja pueblo oasis in the Vizcaino desert, accessed by a sprawling cactus forest. Be sure to take the time to visit the main plaza in town to taste local Baja cuisine. Tonight, the desert provides the perfect setting for some high-definition stargazing.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share

• Day: 29-30 Guerrero Negro

  Guerrero Negro is the point of entry to the state of Baja California Sur offering small-town Baja charm & indigenous cave paintings.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share
  
  Optional activities: Guerrero Negro salt company tour US$10-$20 | Berrendos bird watching tour (3.5hrs) US$37-$50 | Visit indigenous cave paintings US$65-$75

• Day: 31 Ensenada

  En route to Ensenada pass by some of the most impressive cactus forests and boulder fields on the whole of Baja Peninsula. Ensenada boasts a stunning location on the Pacific coast, so why not pull up a seat for a sundowner and sample some of the famous local wines.
  Accommodation: Budget Lodging in twin share

• Day: 32 Tijuana & Los Angeles

  Leaving Mexico and Central America behind you reach Tijuana where you cross the border and into the North American sunshine state of California. Armed with another stamp in your passport, Los Angeles is as diverse as it is large and there is a wide array of choices available when your tour finishes upon arrival to the hotel.
  
  This tour ends at approximately 17:00 hrs. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.
  
  Why not BOLT on a 3 day mini adventure up to San Francisco, 4 day mini visiting the Grand Canyon, or join any one of our tours as regional specialists to explore North America using private transport.

Book Your Trip Online

You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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