Central America Tours
Central America tours reveal a mix of culture that dates back 4000 years and includes ancient Mayan heritage, laid-back Caribbean vibes and Spanish colonial history. Central America offers the perfect combination of culture and adventure, with the chance to enjoy adrenaline-fuelled activities amidst the spectacular landscapes.
- Central America Tours Collection
- About Central America
- Central America Highlights
- Central America Offers
Finding & Loading Tours
- 7 Nights - San Jose (Costa Rica) to Liberia
- Tour Only from £1,640
Glide through tree-lined waterways and relax in thermal pools, sample chocolate made from the world's best cacao and journey back in time with a native Quaker in Old Town Monteverde.
- 7 Nights - San Jose (Costa Rica) and Back
- Tour Only from £1,642
Glide along the canals of Tortuguero under the watchful eyes of colourful toucans and trek up the slopes of the Arenal Volcano-a family adventure in the Pura Vida playground.
Costa Rica Eco Adventure with Guanacaste
- 9 Nights - San Jose (Costa Rica) to Liberia
- Tour Only from £2,220
This is a locally hosted extension.
- 13 Nights - San Jose and Back
- Fly Tour from £2,499
In Costa Rica every road seems to lead to another waterfall, a coffee plantation, a volcano, a lush rainforest or a stunning tropical beach. Everywhere you look, you are greeted by smiling faces who are immensely proud to live in a country whose happy motto is ‘pura vida’ - pure life!
- 14 Nights - San Jose to Panama City
- Fly Tour from £2,549
A tangled jungle of eco-wonderland swathed in palm-fringed beaches and enchanting cloud forests - Costa Rica is perfect for those with an appreciation for the natural world. Our tour combines unforgettable wildlife-watching opportunities, typical coffee culture in San Jose, the colonial splendour of Panama City and the astonishing engineering marvel of the Panama Canal.
- 15 Nights - Mexico City to Cancun
- Fly Tour from £2,699
Emerald jungles, sapphire-blue waters and powdery white sands meet towering ancient temples and colonial towns in the captivating country of Mexico. But a trip here is just as much about its fascinating history and culture as its idyllic landscapes.
- 8 Nights - St Lucia and Back
- Fly Tour from £2,749
If you're looking for the ultimate Caribbean retreat, put St Lucia – a paradise isle where natural beauty abounds – right to the top of your list! Get away from it all as you relax on white-sand beaches and enjoy the excitement of a rainforest safari.
- 10 Nights - Havana and Back
- Fly Tour from £2,799
An island lost in time, Cuba is a decadent blend of romantic grandeur and off-beat Caribbean charm. Iconic 1950s automobiles parade through the seafront streets and rumba bars rub shoulders with centuries-old churches.
- 11 Nights - Havana to Cienfuegos
- Fly Tour from £2,799
An island lost in time, Cuba is a decadent blend of romantic grandeur and off-beat Caribbean charm. Iconic 1950s automobiles parade through the seafront streets and rumba bars rub shoulders with centuries-old churches.
- 15 Nights - Mexico to Chichen Itza
- Fly Tour from £3,199
Emerald jungles, sapphire-blue waters and powdery white sands meet towering ancient temples and colonial towns in the captivating country of Mexico. But a trip here is just as much about its fascinating history and culture as its idyllic landscapes.
Discover Central America
The Maya civilisations sprawled from Mexico to Honduras, leaving ruins across Central America where visitors can step back in time to a mysterious past with visits to lost temples, great ruined cities and pyramids hidden in the jungle.
The Mayan culture still persists today with over 6 million Maya carrying on the traditions and cultures of their ancestors. The Spanish conquistadors left their mark throughout Central America with atmospheric colonial cities, whilst African culture has influenced the Caribbean coast. Verdant rainforests, mist-shrouded volcanoes, secluded islands and white sandy beaches make Central America a holiday destination like no other.
Turquoise lagoons, fascinating caves, vivid green jungles and tumbling waterfalls combine to create a wealth of natural beauty. One of the world’s greatest engineering marvels, the Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and transitting the canal is an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Central America touring holidays are perfect for adventure lovers, with the opportunity to hike along the summits of rocky volcanoes to see boiling mud pools and crater lakes, snorkel among vibrant reefs in warm Caribbean waters and white-water raft along pristine rivers. Whale enthusiasts can observe grey whales, sea lions and bottlenose dolphins at close quarters in Mexico whilst Central America’s national parks are home to an array of wildlife including toucans, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys and leatherback turtles. For a more relaxing experience some tours feature visits to local rum distilleries or coffee plantations high up in the mountains.
Highlights of Central America
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
