Central America Encompassed

From south to north this tour spans six countries in seven weeks. Our journey begins in Costa Rica, its capital San Jose and the excellent national parks of Cahuita and Tortuguero on the Caribbean coastline. Then over to the Pacific side to the town of La Fortuna and the ever-active Volcano Arenal, a great place to do white water kayaking or rafting, wildlife spotting and trekking. We head into the mountains to Santa Elena to explore the Monteverde Cloud forest home to the colourful Quetzal bird, and then down to the coast to Quepos and Manual Antonio National Park a playground for monkeys and sloths. Crossing into Nicaragua and Honduras we visit the beaches of San Juan, the volcanic island of Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua, and Granada a colonial city full of colour and history. Then we cross into Guatemala and visit Antigua, and the area surrounding Lake Atitlan. At Finca Ixobel you can try horse riding, caving or river tubing and swimming in waterfalls. Then visit the great Mayan city of Tikal, before going to Belize to experience the Afro-Caribbean culture of Caye Caulker. Swimming with nurse sharks and rays is a favourite here. We then start a two week journey across Mexico beginning in Playa del Carmen and the tranquil island of Isla Mujeres. Passing through the Yucatan Peninsula we make our way across Mexico, learning about ancient civilisations who once ruled these lands; the Maya, Zapotecs and the Aztecs.