18 to 35s Epic Central America

Bienvenidos! Your adventure starts in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, Mexico City has plenty of museums, galleries and walkable streets to keep you busy. Maybe check out the Chapultepec area with its many museums, hop on one of the colourfully painted boats that cruise through the canal district of Xochimilco or head to the National Palace to see the murals of Diego Rivera. After your meeting tonight, you might want to seek out some tacos for dinner (try to place your order in Spanish)! If you want to explore the vibrant nightlife tonight, your trip leader will have the best recommendations.

Maybe grab some chilaquiles (a type of breakfast nachos) this morning, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the historic centre of the city. Mexico City can feel overwhelming due to its sheer size and volume of people, but your leader will know where to go. Along the way, visit our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva - an organisation tackling food scarcity and homelessness while promoting a sustainable food movement in Mexico. Walking makes you hungry, so it’s time to head on an included taco crawl and sample a couple of tacos from local street food vendors. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy – if you like art, the Frida Kahlo Museum is a must-see, and for all museum lovers, there's also the Museum of Anthropology or the Palace of Fine Art. Don’t forget to snack your way around the city too, munching on tostadas, tortas, and chicharrones.

Take a public bus to the smaller but no less beautiful city of Oaxaca (pronounced ‘wuh-haa-ka’). This colourful town in the south is full of colonial buildings, colourful arcades and busy markets. You’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings when you arrive. With two full days here, you’ll have heaps of time to explore the narrow, cobbled streets in the city, as well as the culture and natural beauty of the surrounding area. Indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec selling colourful woven blankets and shawls populate the markets – a great place to shop for textiles, as well as margarita flavours. Here, you’ll also find some tasty regional food specialties – everything from cactus fruit to spicy baked chilli and lime grasshoppers. Make sure you pick up a tejate (a maize and cinnamon-flavoured chocolate drink served cold).

The city (and state) of Oaxaca is yours to explore on this free day. Perhaps head to the mountaintop temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. Monte Alban was inhabited for 1500 years by the Olmec, Zapotec and Mixtec peoples and is an outstanding example of a pre-Columbian ceremonial centre. The settlement's terraces, dams, canals and pyramids were carved out of the mountain. You’d better have your camera ready because up here you can get a fantastic view across the three legs of the valley of Oaxaca. Alternatively, you could take a day tour of the nearby Mitla Ruins. Mitla (the Nahuatl word for ‘underworld’) is an important Zapotec archaeological site and was the main religious centre for the Zapotec people. For something more relaxing, drop by the springs of Hierve el Agua – a series of mineral pools and calcified waterfalls dotted on top of a mountain, providing sweeping views of the Mexican countryside.

Today is another free day in Oaxaca, but you’ll board an overnight bus later tonight to the mountain-top village of San Cristobal de las Casas. You’ve got today to bask in the colour and sights of Oaxaca, so why not test out your culinary skills at a cooking class. Otherwise, check out the artisan stores in the markets and around town, or head to the historic Templo de Santo Domingo – a grand stone church with a large forecourt.

This afternoon, say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Your leader will point out the main things to know on a leader-led orientation walk this morning. With its winding cobblestone streets snuggled in the Chiapas highlands, San Cristobal de las Casas has an old-world feel mixed with strong pre-Hispanic roots. After your walk, you’ll head to the colourful Santo Domingo textile market with your group – one of the best spots to shop for jewellery and clothing. After, maybe wander to a local cafe and check out their baked goods or try some pox (a traditional corn-based liquor, often flavoured with other ingredients).

There’s no alarm clock needed this morning as today is yours to explore San Cristobal de las Casas at your own leisure. Maybe take in the cobblestone streets and architecture, soaking up the old-world feel that’s mixed with strong, pre-Hispanic roots. If you're in the mood for adventure, maybe take a trip to Sumidero Canyon, where you can take a boat down the mighty Rio Grijalva. Or you might like to get things pumping with further exploration of the villages by mountain bike.

Take a local bus to the coast to spend the night in Campeche – a seaside town with photogenic streets lined with multi-coloured low-rise buildings. When you arrive, head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own. For dinner tonight, you’ll find good seafood almost anywhere, and some great local restaurants at Portales de San Martin.

Tavel to the city of Valladolid, known for its pastel-coloured buildings. On the way, visit the town of Becal, known as ‘the Hat Town’, where your group will meet with an artisan who weaves traditional jipi hats (named after the variety of palm used to make them). Learn about the history of jipi and how the palm bunches are hung out to dry, often in the backyards of local homes. Once dyed and dried, a skilled artisan braids the palm strands into beautiful hats, often working in a homemade cave – the cave's humidity makes the palm fibers easier to manipulate. After talking with the locals, you’ll carry onto Valladolid. When you arrive, visit a local market with your leader and enjoy a free evening to explore at your own pace.

Today is a free day to explore Valladolid and its surroundings. Maybe start the day with a morning walk around the city’s gorgeous streets, then visit one of the nearby cenotes – Xkeken, Samula, Nool-Ha and Suytun are all gorgeous natural swimming holes and you can spend your day lazing in the underground cave, with huge stalactites hanging above, swimming in the electric blue waters. Tonight, maybe ask your leader where the best spots for some local food are.

This morning see one of the new Seven Wonders of the World at Chichen Itza – considered the most important examples of the fusion of Maya and Toltec traditions in Yucatan. See the Caracol (a circular stellar observatory), the Great Ball Court (the largest field in Mesoamerica), the main sight in El Castillo (a step pyramid dominating the centre of the site) and many more historic ruins (don’t forget your camera!). For lunch, get to know a local family over a pibil feast in Piste (a traditional Maya style of cooking that involves wrapping food in banana leaves and barbecuing it underground). After, head to the Yokdzonot cenote for a swim. Surrounded by hanging vines, the cenote was developed by a group of local Maya women as a sustainable and communally owned source of employment for the local people. Later, continue to Playa del Carmen. Blessed with clear waters and gorgeous beaches, you can spend your time snorkelling among the mangroves or in underground caverns or strolling along the white sands of the playa (beach). Your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the city when you arrive. Tonight, maybe feast on seafood, kick back with your group and watch the waves with a margarita

The day is yours to explore - Playa del Carmen is the perfect spot to soak up some free time. Perhaps go for a walk through the town, relax on the beach or take the ferry across to Cozumel – this island is known for its reef diving. You’ll have another meeting tonight at 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you. After, head out with your leader for an included dinner at a local taquisa for tacos – make sure you order one with freshly caught fish! To improve your lingo, your leader will also conduct an informal Spanish lesson between bites, so that you can understand your burritos from your banos.

Today, you’ll hop on a local bus and travel along the Caribbean coast to Tulum, where it's all about that laidback life on the white sands of the Yucatan Peninsula. Head out on a leader-led orientation walk around Tulum and maybe visit a Maya site that’s full of hidden details – the Temple of the Frescoes. See how this walled city of ruins clings to a clifftop overlooking the ocean. Grab some cool photos before heading down to the beach for an optional swim with the ruins towering over you. Tonight, maybe kick back and watch the waves roll in at a beachside bar.

With a free day to relax in Tulum, you can settle into the laidback vibe this coastal city has to offer. Maybe rent a bike and cruise around the area on two wheels. The town is heaving with cool cafes and restaurants with many vegetarian and vegan options. There are also plenty of places to relax the mind and the body through yoga and meditation. Maybe you’d like to explore Dos Ojos (two eyes) – one of the area's most famous cenotes (natural sinkholes), this pair of connected caves is an underwater world full of stalagmites and stalactites. Tonight, maybe you’ll explore the vibrant nightlife of Tulum with your fellow travellers – check out a DJ set at a beach club or enjoy a live band.

Say adios to Mexico and hello to Belize. You’ll have a long travel day today, so grab a window seat if you can or get stuck into a good book. This is also the perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers a bit better! You’ll drive by local bus to the border, then carry on to Belize City. When you arrive, let the wind and the sea wake you right up after a big day of travel with a speedboat ride to the palm-fringed island of Caye Caulker.

Your time in Caye Caulker is all about taking it easy. It’s said that the pace of life is so slow here that it's almost backwards! If being underwater is your thing, maybe head out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the world's second-largest barrier reef. Snorkel among the colourful corals and see tropical fish, sharks and manta rays. You can also take daytrips to other nearby Cayes, as each island has its own charm. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America, which makes chatting with locals much easier here.

Today is another free day to take up any other optional activities you like, or to simply pull up a towel and relax on the beach with a book, a cocktail or some friends. If you’ve already been snorkelling, maybe continue your marine exploration with a manatee tour. Get a bit more active with kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding or take the chill route and just relax on the beach. This island's also great for food and is famed for its lobster and tasty street food. How about some grilled shrimp and a rum and coke made with the local fire-water.

Leave island paradise behind today and return to Belize City by boat, before taking a local bus to San Ignacio via Belize’s capital, Belmopan. The local buses here are a little more basic than in Mexico, but this is a great opportunity to mix with Belizeans and get a feel for local life. Arrive in San Ignacio – a lively town that makes a solid base for exploring the surrounding fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls and Mayan ruins. After a leader-led orientation walk, your afternoon is free, so maybe visit the Chaa Creek butterfly garden to see the Belizean Blue butterfly or stop by a barbecue street food stall for a char-grilled chicken leg for dinner.

There’s heaps to do in San Ignacio, so your free day today has endless possibilities. The cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal is a living museum of Maya relics – you can wade through its waters until you reach the remains of 1100-year-old calcified skeletons. You might take a day tour to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve to visit waterfalls and swimming holes or float down the Macal River in canoes or tubes. If you prefer a slower pace, maybe take a trip to Xunantunich – an impressive ancient Maya city. Getting to the site is half the fun, as you'll need to take a hand-cranked ferry down the river. Back in San Ignacio tonight, maybe walk down Burns Avenue and join the locals for a chat in one of the many restaurants or street food stalls.

Today you’ll leave San Ignacio, cross the border and get dropped off at Tikal National Park – often referred to as the Maya Forest. Check in at your hotel before exploring the ruins of Tikal, which was one of the most powerful cities in ancient Maya civilisation. Pass through the lush jungle vegetation, and if you've got the energy, climb the tallest structure in Tikal, Temple IV, to take in the epic canopy views and grab some awesome photos. While you’re here, consider taking an optional guided tour to check out more of the area.

Head from the jungle to the lakeside town of Flores this morning. Here, there's time to grab some lunch and briefly explore the town. Then it's back to the private vehicle and you’re off to Rio Dulce! When you arrive, you’ll transfer to the hotel by boat. The easiest way to get back into town is also by boat, which can be organised through the hotel – or you can take a short walk through the jungle. Take some time to absorb the atmosphere of this laidback Caribbean town, which has a different vibe to the inland communities. A highlight for many guests is the Casa Natural – an open-air accommodation with screened-in rooms, shared bathrooms and a lounge looking out to the surrounding jungle.

This morning you’ll travel to Antigua. When you arrive, maybe stroll around the city and tuck into some tasty tamales (a local dish served in a corn husk or banana leaf) or pepian (a spiced meat stew of chicken, beef or pork). You'll find the best value food in the square next to the La Merced Church.

Travel by private vehicle to the famous market in Chichicastenango (nicknamed Chichi market). This is the most colourful market in the country. On Thursdays and Sundays, locals come from the surrounding villages to sell their wares and the streets come alive with stalls where you can stock up on cool trinkets. After visiting Chichi, head to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, where you'll check in to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll join your group for dinner at a local pupuseria – an eatery specialising in round corn cakes called pupusas, which are stuffed with a range of fillings like cheese, beans or meat.

This morning, make a trip to San Juan La Laguna to immerse yourself in Mayan village life. Visit a local midwife to learn about this traditional and sacred Maya art. Then visit the village's medicinal garden before a hands-on workshop where you'll learn about Mayan textile weaving and dyeing techniques. Hungry yet? Settle in for a home-cooked lunch with your hosts and chat about life in the village. This is the perfect way to really immerse yourself in local culture and get off the beaten track. In the afternoon, you’ll return to Panajachel and soak up the views of deep blue Lake Atitlan with a free evening.

After breakfast, hit the road back to Antigua – four nearby volcanoes dominate the horizon, creating a unique landscape. Join your leader on a walk to orientate yourself around this World Heritage-listed city that’s paved with cobblestones and full of leafy town squares and ornate churches. There are hushed museums and lively indigenous markets to explore here, or you could cycle the countryside and chase views of mountain peaks and deep valleys. If you're into salsa dancing – or if you'd just like to learn some moves – Antigua is the place to be! Many dancing schools offer hourly lessons, so maybe sign up and get moving. Tonight, why not bring out your new moves and dance the night away.

You have a free day in Antigua today, so why not explore the vibrant buildings and curved archways further, or hike around the puffing volcanoes of Pacaya, Agua and Jumaytepeque. The number one stop for any chocoholic should be the ChocoMuseo, where you’ll get a history lesson and, more excitingly, participate in a chocolate-making workshop. For those more interested in the other famous Central American bean, you can go on a coffee tour, visit the plantations, do some tastings and even buy some for the road. Tonight, you’ll have another meeting at 6 pm to meet your new fellow travellers.

Today will be an early start as you journey across the Guatemalan border to your next destination – Cerro Verde, El Salvador. From rolling hills to rolling Rs, watch the world go by from the comfort of your private vehicle as you travel through lush volcanic landscapes and endless mountain terrain while learning the local lingo from your leader in an informal Spanish lesson. Arrive in Cerro Verde in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Today is all about fuelling up with local favourites and getting outdoors! Maybe visit Santa Ana’s volcanic crater for spectacular views of Lake Coatepeque, Juayua and Izalco Volcano. Or, instead of admiring the view from the crater, why not take a dip in Lake Coatepeque. There are many ways to keep busy in one of El Salvador's most beautiful national parks. El Salvador is also home to pupusas (a flatbread made from cornmeal and often stuffed with fillings like cheese, fried pork or refried beans), and tonight, you’ll watch a pupusa-making demonstration, then try some for yourself. Yum!

This morning, you’ll continue south by private vehicle, passing through the capital of San Salvador on your way to San Miguel. Resting in the shadows of Chaparrastique, an active volcano sets the backdrop to this vibrant town. San Miguel has rebuilt itself into one of the country's largest and most populated cities since facing a severe earthquake in 1917. This afternoon, explore the city on foot, opt to take a swim at the Cuevas de Moncagua or find a good dinner spot to hole up with a few new travel buddies.

Say a quick hola and adios to Honduras as you cross through two borders to reach ‘the land of lakes and volcanoes’ – Nicaragua (or Nica, as it’s known locally). The drive will be well worth the ride as you’re welcomed into the artsy and sophisticated city of Leon. Why not refuel after your journey with some traditional Nicaraguan dishes like gallo pinto (this hearty combination of rice and beans is the national dish) or quesillo (corn tortillas filled with melted cheese, pickled onion and sour cream). Home to one of the oldest universities in Central America, Leon is considered a ‘college town’ and is known for its youthful, fun atmosphere and nightlife. Why not head out with the group tonight for an optional salsa class.

You’ll join your leader on an orientation walk around Leon this morning. Then, take some time to explore on your own, maybe checking out the Basilica de la Asuncion – Central America’s largest cathedral. Or, stop by the Museo Historico de la Revolucion for an insight into revolutionaries who fought hard for the freedom of their country. You might like to go volcano sandboarding (this is the only place in the world where you can do it) in the dunes. If you’re feeling peckish, why not fill up on a traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs and gallo pinto before heading to Granada – founded in 1524 and scattered with colourful architecture, this city sits on the banks of Lake Nicaragua and is surrounded by active volcanoes.

This morning, you’ll have breakfast with your group at Cafe de las Sonrisas – a local cafe run entirely by deaf people. The cafe's owner is aiming to bridge the gap and inspire other business owners to employ local people living with disabilities. Then, you’re free to explore Granada – maybe you’d like to take a guided tour of the city, visit the markets or wander the cobblestone streets, snapping photos of the colourful buildings. If you’re an adventure enthusiast, opt to hire a kayak and paddle around the islets of Lake Nicaragua, rent a bike and ride to Laguna De Apoyo (a 200-year-old lake set into a lush forest crater), or hike through the flora and fauna along the Mombacho Volcano Crater Trail. For a cultural insight into the heritage of the Nicaraguan people, the city of Masaya (or the ‘City of Flowers’) offers a variety of folkloric entertainment, from marimba music to street theatre. Tonight, maybe spend your evening along Calle la Calzada, where you can grab a drink at one of the many outdoor bars and watch the wandering performers bring the street to life.

This morning, travel by local bus to Rivas, where you'll transfer to San Jorge ferry port by taxi. Catch a ferry across Lake Nicaragua (the largest in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world) to the island of Ometepe and head to your hotel. The Hourglass-shaped island was formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua (Ometepe literally means two volcanoes in the Nahuatl language), and the deep jungle is home to wildlife such as Capuchin monkeys and parrots. Sit on the shore and watch fishermen return from a long day on the water with their catch or hike to a nearby waterfall.