Day 1-2 Arrive Panama City
Arrive in Panama City at any time. Spend the second day at leisure or partake in one of the many optional activities. Visit the world-famous Panama Canal, explore the old city and ruins or hit the market for souvenirs.
Day 3-4 Santa Clara
Head to the beautiful white-sand beaches of Santa Clara. During the week, this beach is the perfect model of tranquility, but things liven up over the weekend. Kayak, rent a bike, go horseback riding or lounge on the beach.
Day 5-7 Boquete
Our journey continues, taking us next to the mountain retreat of Boquete. A plethora of outdoor options await us here, including numerous hikes, white water rafting, and a coffee plantation tour.
Day 8-10 Bocas del Toro
Travel by bus and boat to arrive at the archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Our time here offers us plenty of opportunity for island hopping trips to any of the numerous top-notch beaches. Otherwise you are free to snorkel, scuba dive, or just relax on the beach.
Day 11-13 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Begin with an incredible bus ride over the Panama border to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca's white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. Several optional activities are available, including bike rentals, snorkelling, boat trips to Manzanillo and hiking through the Gandoca - Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.
Day 14-15 San José
Travel north through the beautiful Costa Rican countryside to the capital city, located in the central highlands. The next day is the arrival day for passengers on our Central American Journey and departure for those doing the Panama Experience. There are no planned activities today so go out and enjoy the city.
Day 16-17 La Fortuna / Arenal
La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano, is an excellent base for exploration. A night hike around the Volcano is an unforgettable adventure. Try a full day of whitewater rafting, go horseback riding, tour the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, or relax and soak in the Tabacón Resort hot springs.
Day 18-19 Monteverde
Travelling into the cool cloudforest and rainforests of Monteverde gives us a glimpse of the lush ecosystems of Costa Rica. Take time to bird watch, go horseback riding, mountain biking or soak up the mountain air on a trek over the cloudforest canopy.
Day 20-21 Ometepe, Nicaragua
Two towering volcanoes dominate the landscape on Ometepe, an island on Lake Nicaragua, which is also home to the unique fresh water lake shark. Take an optional hike up Maderas Volcano or just enjoy the beach and jungle swimming holes.
Day 22-24 Granada
Granada's colonial charm is complemented by the surrounding active volcanoes and lakes. Take easy day trips and hikes, a cruise on the lake or explore the city's markets and museums.
Day 25 Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Crossing into Honduras, explore the beautiful colonial buildings of the capital city, Tegucigalpa. Marvel at the massive cathedral in the historical centre, its altar decorated with gold and silver. Learn about the city's past as an important silver mining centre.
Day 26-28 Utila, The Bay Islands
A scuba diving haven amidst what is part of the second largest barrier reef in the world, Utila is a Caribbean-style island more kicked back than its larger neighbor, Roatan.
Day 29 Copán
Walk through grassy plazas filled with intricately carved and decorated monuments, statues and staircases at the unique Mayan ruins of Copán.
Day 30-31 Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua is the old capital of Guatemala and as the seat of the Spanish colonial government, was once the most important city in all of Central America. Enjoy the beautiful architecture of this UNESCO-designated, World Heritage Site. Take a mountain bike ride out into the countryside or explore the fascinating markets, shops and museums within the city.
Day 32-33 Chichicastenango/ Panajachel / Lake Atitlán
A visit to Guatemala would not be complete without a visit to the famous market of Chichicastenango. ‘Chichi,’ is an important trading centre for the local residents and provides a colourful up-close view of the daily life of the modern Maya.
Day 34-35 Antigua
You now have time for in-depth exploration of this picturesque town, surrounded by volcanoes. Textiles sold here are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the rarer back strap loom. Optional activities include a hike up the Pacaya Volcano, visiting Macadamia nut and coffee plantations, and salsa lessons.
Day 36-37 Río Dulce
Meaning “sweet river” in Spanish, Río Dulce is surrounded by dense jungle and lies on the banks of Lake Izabal. Take a lancha up the river to visit nearby hot springs, a banana plantation and the old Spanish fort.
Day 38-39 Flores
Our final stop in Guatemala is Flores, a picturesque town surrounded by Lake Petén Itzá. Soak up the laid-back attitude of Flores before our visit to Tikal, one of the largest and most incredible ruins in the Mayan world.
Day 40-41 San Ignacio
From the town of San Ignacio, opportunities abound for exploring Belize’s little known inland scenic beauty. With your free time here, you may choose to explore the area by foot, canoe or horse, take a caving trip, or visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Area and swim in its inviting pools and rivers.
Day 42-43 Caye Caulker
Go Slow is not only a traffic sign in Caye Caulker, it’s a way of life. An ideal spot to chill and enjoy the easy-going Caribbean vibe in a beachside bar, Caye Caulker also offers the chance to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Day 44-45 Playa del Carmen, Tulúm
Leaving Belize with its near constant sounds of reggae, we head north for our last night in Playa del Carmen, the de facto centre of the Mayan Riviera. This once sleepy village is quickly becoming a destination among sun worshippers worldwide. Spend your time here snorkelling among the mangroves, diving in underground caverns, or simply sipping on cool margaritas and catching some rays. The seaside Mayan ruins of Tulúm are a short trip down the coast and well worth the trip.
Day 46 Cancún
Today is departure day for passengers on the ‘Central American Journey’, and arrival day for passengers on the ‘Mexico Ancient Civilizations’ tour. No planned activities, so you may leave at any time.
Day 47-48 Playa del Carmen
A short trip down the coast brings us to this booming beach community. Once you see the sun set over the Caribbean as you sit under a palm frond palapa sipping a margarita, you’ll understand why Playa is one of the stars on the Mayan Riviera. Chill out on the beach or try parasailing, snorkelling or diving in underground caverns (cenotes).
Day 49-50 Mérida
After a stop at the Mayan ruin site of Chichen Itza - famous for its huge stepped pyramids and elaborate stone carvings — we make our way to Merida, the capital of the Yucatán State. Known as la ciudad blanca, the white city, Merida offers the ideal opportunity to learn about Mexico’s fascinating mix of cultural influences.
Day 51-52 Palenque
Leaving sunny Yucatán behind, we hit the highway and travel through the states of Campeche and Tabasco to the state of Chiapas, home of Palenque. One of the most beautiful Mayan sites in Mexico, Palenque is set in the Chiapas jungle and is rich with colourful, riotous wildlife and profuse flora.
Day 53-54 San Cristóbal de las Casas
Crossing into the highlands we make our way to the colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Known for its ties to the Zapatista revolution, San Cristóbal is also an architectural and cultural wonder. We have the option to take a trip to some of the outlying villages and learn how locals combine traditional beliefs and modern religion with intriguing results. Tours go into local homes to learn about day to day village life — an experience which should not be missed. Take a horse ride in the mountains or an optional day trip to Sumidero Canyon.
Day 55-57 Night Bus / Oaxaca
The colourful and lively markets and the impressive Zapotec ruins of Monte Alban are just two of many reasons to visit wonderful Oaxaca. An excellent spot to pick up handicrafts and souvenirs.
Day 58 Puebla
We board one of Mexico’s comfortable and often colourful buses for the drive to Puebla, famous for its hand-painted tiles, unique handicrafts, mouth-watering Mole Poblano sauce and rich colonial history.
Day 59-60 Mexico City
We arrive in Mexico City. The world’s largest metropolitan area is also home to several important art and ancient artifact museums. Not to be missed is the famous Aztec archaeological site of Teotihuacán. Depart Mexico City on Day 60, at any time.
Trip Overview
Canada
