Central America Tours

Highlights of Central America

• Costa Rica

  Costa Rica is a nature-lover’s paradise with landscapes ranging from pristine cloud forests, mangrove swamps and smouldering volcanoes to coffee plantations and beautiful beaches. Tortuguero National Park has a fascinating ecosystem with over 350 species of birds and mammals. Hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles and giant leatherbacks make their nests on the beaches here while the rainforest is home to howler monkeys, toucans, caimans and sloths. Manuel Antonio National Park’s trails offer the chance to see white-faced monkeys and the Costa Rican squirrel monkey which is only found here. Visitors can traverse the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest from hanging bridges or zipline through the canopy.

• Panama

  Dividing oceans and continents, Panama is best known for the amazing feat of engineering that is the Panama Canal which stretches 80km and connects the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. The country’s landscape includes clear turquoise seas, unspoiled cloud forests and colourful coral reefs, and its amazing biodiversity make it a birdwatcher’s paradise. Panama City is the most cosmopolitan capital city in Central America with shimmering skyscrapers and the futuristic BioMuseo which was designed by Frank Gehry. Learn about the thriving indigenous communities of the Kuna Indians in the remote San Blas islands and the Emberá tribes in the Chagres National Park.

• Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

  A wonderful display of ancient and natural wonders has been squeezed into Ecuador, one of the smallest countries in South America. The charming colonial town of Cuenca and the capital of Quito are steeped in history with red-roofed colonial houses, flower-filled plazas and a number of cathedrals. Cotopaxi National Park, located on the Avenue of Volcanoes is home to the highest active volcano in the world and the tranquil Quilotoa crater lake. The Andean villages perfectly showcase the colourful local culture including the handcrafted textiles, delightful fresh-seafood dishes and sprawling markets.

  The famous Galapagos Islands are located 1,000 km west of mainland Ecuador and are a magnet for wildlife lovers. These isolated, volcanic islands have a truly unique eco-system with many species that are not found anywhere else on Earth, including the giant tortoise and marine iguana. This pristine wildlife haven is famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution as it was here that Darwin noted that blue-footed boobies and finches were perfectly adapted to their environment.

• Nicaragua

  Discover Nicaragua’s extraordinary landscape of volcanoes, lakes, white sandy beaches and vast rainforests as well as its colourful colonial history. The elegant architecture of the colonial city of Granada includes a beautifully-preserved cathedral, enchanting mansions and the Convento de San Francisco which holds a collection of ancient stone carvings dating back over 1,000 years. Nicaragua is renowned for its delicious coffee and tours of rural plantations offer the chance to discover how coffee is produced.

• Guatemala

  As the birthplace of the ancient Maya, Guatemala’s culture and history dates back centuries, with indigenous Mayan people today still proudly maintaining their traditions and languages. Discover the Mayan pyramids of Tikal or see the architectural legacy left by the Spanish in colonial cities. The country’s natural beauty includes jungles teeming with wildlife, highland mountains and shimmering lakes dominated by volcanoes.

• The Caribbean

  Thousands of idyllic islands, reefs and cays make up the Caribbean with stunning landscapes of volcanic peaks, rainforests, lagoons and golden palm tree-fringed beaches. Each island has its own unique character; discover the revolutionary history of Cuba, the French atmosphere of Martinique and the glorious Bahamas with crystal-clear waters and colourful coral reefs. Relax with an exotic rum cocktail and enjoy the unhurried Caribbean tempo, or hike into the emerald rainforests for a more active adventure.

• Mexico

  Mexico is awash with history, from the ancient civilisations that built some of the world’s greatest monuments, to the Spanish conquistadors that left beautifully preserved colonial towns. The jungle-covered Yucatan Peninsula is dotted with ancient ruins including the Mayan pyramids and temples of Uxmal, Kabah and Chichen Itza. Mexico’s spectacular natural scenery encompasses tropical rainforests, cactus-strewn deserts, snow-capped volcanoes and dramatic waterfalls. Palm-fringed beaches line the 10,000km of coastline, including Acapulco’s natural horseshoe-shaped natural bay and Cancun’s powdery white sands and turquoise waters.