On a tour of Central America, you'll have the opportunity to explore jungle-clad ancient Mayan ruins, biodiverse rainforest, raging whitewater rivers, and crystal clear waters for snorkeling and sea kayaking. Climb to the top of the temple of the Jaguar in Tikal, Guatemala. Hike the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica'sManuel Antonio National Park listening to the call of howler monkeys and the squawk of scarlet macaws. Snorkel along the colorful coral reefs or kayak through crystal-waters to white sand cayes of Belize. Venture through the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. Adventure Life's Central America tours go the absolute best spots in Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico and Guatemala. Contact one of Adventure Life's Central America experts to help you find and plan the perfect tour.
Central Americans are united by a common religion (Roman Catholocism) and a common language (Spanish) and a common staple food (beans and rice). But search beyond the beans and rice, and you'll discover a plethora of rich culinary cultures dotted throughout the region. Adventure Life's Central America experts pick the top foodie tours:
Antigua Culinary Tour
Guatemala's unofficial cultural capital, Antigua, is a magnet for the country's finest chefs and restaurants. Take to the street for street eats, then go to the local market to buy ingredients for your cooking class.
Nicaragua Culinary Experience
Explore Leon and Granada as you rub shoulders with top-shelf chefs, learn how to prepare traditional fare, and taste your way through the best of Nicaragua.
Living Maya Experience in Belize
Convene with Mayan families, sample local delicacies and even learn how to make chocolate from a cocoa tree.
Best Central America & Mexico Small Ship Cruise Lines for 2024-2025
Ponant- theFrench flag carrier ensures great comfort onboard its premium ships. Bespoke, attentive, and excellent service make you feel like you're traveling on a private yacht. Each of Le Bellot's 92 guestrooms and suites has its balcony or patio that opens to a lush blanket of vegetation unlike any other in the world, from the Yucatan Peninsula to Belize and Guatemala in Central America & Mexico cruises.
UnCruise - features the Safari Voyager, its flagship in Central America, with 32 cabins and can accommodate 62 guests. It is intimate, cozy, and the perfect base for exploring. While small, it can handle open seas well and explore incredible islands and bays.
American Queen Voyages- has started its first Mexico and Yucatán Peninsula season, launching the renamed Ocean Voyager on Jan. 4, 2022, from Cozumel. Highlights visited include Campeche, Progreso, and Valladolid. The voyage consists of two nights at the Mayaland Hotel, a world-class jungle resort adjacent to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá.
Variety Cruises- the Greek-owned small ship company has announced new Panama Canal itineraries for this winter and 2023. Guests will also visit national parks searching for macaws, sloths, howler monkeys, and dolphins. A maximum of 49 guests can be accommodated in Panorama's 25 ocean-view cabins.
Star Clippers Americas - sails Costa Rica and Nicaragua and Panama and its famed canal, beginning November 2022. The 170-passenger Star Clipper offers seven to 14 days sailings for Panama Canal crossings.
Aurora Expeditions - anAustralian-owned adventure company that offers an intimate experience of the Panama Canal, with the support of expert staff and flexible, innovative itineraries onboard the 132 capacity Greg Mortimer.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.