Discover Guatemala, Honduras & El Salvador - 9 Days

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Guatemala. Your adventure begins in Antigua, Guatemala’s picturesque highland city surrounded by volcanoes. If you arrive early, perhaps head out for a walk through the cobblestone streets and brightly painted homes. Your trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel today. Afterward, ask your leader about their favourite Antigua restaurant, where you might enjoy getting to know your travel companions for the next week.

Start your day with a tuk-tuk tour through the city, stopping by the Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint, the Santa Clara ruins, a view of the Union Tank before having a refreshing drink by Central Park. Continue to the Calle del Arco, Iglesia la Merced and the NimPot Crafts Market to see the work of local artisans, then see the largest colonial-era fountain in Central America and finish at the altar of the local saint Maximón. Along the way, your guide will teach you about the city’s history, religion, myths, legends, conflicts and native people. After all that exploring, it’s time for a true taste of Guatemala at a workshop on corn and comal (traditional flat griddle for cooking). Learn about the tortilla-making process and its cultural importance before you eat what you make, accompanied by fresh guacamole, roasted chirmol (fresh vegetable salsa), chiltepe peppers, beans and cheese.

Eat a quick breakfast before leaving your accommodation around 7 am to beat the traffic. Sit back and relax as you drive towards the Guatemalan Honduran border. As you drive, your local leader may share a bit about daily life and teach you some handy Spanish to help you interact with locals on your trip. Depending on traffic and time spent at the border crossing, you’ll arrive in Copan sometime in the early afternoon. With plans to visit Copan’s famous ruins tomorrow, perhaps spend some time this afternoon taking in the palm-tree-lined Central Plaza from a café, sipping on top-tier Honduran coffee (if you don’t like it sweet, ask for sugar on the side).

Gear up for a morning exploring Copan’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins. Meet your local guide, who’ll share the history of the excavated ruins of this ancient Maya citadel and public square. Aside from being one of the most important areas of Maya society, the site is known for the intricately carved pillars inscribed with faces and glyphs. After your tour, enjoy free time in Copan. If you’re looking to kick back, visit the nearby natural hot springs for a mud soak, dip in the refreshing pools and included dinner. But if you’re up for more exploring, perhaps spend a colourful afternoon at the Macaw Mountain Park to learn about bird rescue and rehabilitation, or another archaeological site at the Temple of Rosalila.

Today, depart Honduras and head towards El Salvador. Enjoy the drive through Central America’s lush greenery, passing national parks, mountain peaks and even a volcano or two. Along the way, stop for lunch and refreshments. The journey will take you back into Guatemala before arriving in Santa Ana, El Salvador, so expect some layover time at the border crossings. Santa Ana is El Salvador's second-largest city and has some of the most well-preserved colonial architecture in the country. Tonight, why not head out for an evening stroll through the historic center and grab a bite.

Start the day with a hit of caffeine with a morning visit to El Molino El Carmen, a coffee plantation founded in 1930 that has been using a traditional method of processing coffee for four generations. Enjoy a tour of La Casona (the estate house) and the coffee mill, but don’t worry, you’ll be able to sample the coffee yourself along with a selection of pastries. Finish your visit with a picnic lunch and a bag of Ataco Gourmet coffee to take home. Your afternoon will be spent taking in the view of the scenic Ruta de las Flores. Known as the ‘flower route,’ enjoy the sights of green hillsides as you drive between the colourful villages of Ataco, Salcoatitan, Juayua and Nahuizalco, where you’ll wander through street art, coffee crops and plant nurseries. Tonight, perhaps enjoy an al fresco dinner in Santa Ana’s Old Town.

This morning, set off from Costa del Sol to San Salvador, stopping along the way at Joya de Ceren. Nicknamed the ‘Pompeii of the Americas,’ this UNESCO World Heritage site is a significant archaeological area. It contains the ruins of a 7th-century Maya farming town that appears frozen in time after being covered in ash from a volcanic eruption. Spend time exploring the site, then head towards San Salvador, where you’ll sit down to an included lunch with your group. After lunch, with your local leader as today’s guide, hear about how El Salvador’s religion, culture, cuisine and more are combined in its capital as you walk through the city centre. Along the way, stop by the UNESCO-listed El Rosario Church. Known for its unique brutalist architecture, it definitely stands out within San Salvador’s Historic District, but hold your breath because its interior is just as surprising.

Today is a free day in the quaint Costa Del Sol area. This spot is the perfect place to end your adventure, with six nearby beaches that boast gorgeous Pacific scenery. Grab a bite to eat at a local spot (your leader will have some great recommendations) or, if you feel like exploring, you can take a boat tour of the Estero Jaltepec. This 28-kilometre-long mangrove forest is home to many species of birds, mammals and aquatic wildlife, notably the yellow-naped amazon and great black hawk. Tonight, relax with your group and maybe find another local spot to cheers to a trip well-travelled.

There are no activities planned for your last day and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you would like to stay an extra couple of days and it's recommended that you do, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.