Central America Sampler

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Antigua

Arrive in Guatemala City and continue on to Antigua, one hour’s drive through the spectacular mountains. There are no planned activities today so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Welcome meeting in the evening.

Day 2 Antigua

Get into the Latin Beat with an included a salsa lesson! Free day in Antigua to explore this charming colonial town rimmed by volcanos. Opt to climb an active volcano, visit the many museums and churches or simply enjoy the colourful Mayan culture from a shady spot in the central plaza. Once the third largest city in all of Spanish America, Antigua served as Guatemala's capital city for more than 200 years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. In 1979 UNESCO declared Antigua a World Heritage site, and Antigua today is a peaceful colonial city that is a pleasure to explore. Walk through quiet cobblestone streets past rebuilt stucco homes with heavy, beautifully carved wooden entrances.The point of reference for finding one's way around Antigua is the Central Park, and the place to be in the late afternoons/evenings. You can pick up a map from the tourist office located on the ground floor of the Palace of the Captains-General on the south side of the central park. Explore the museums, colonial buildings and soak up the atmosphere in this delightful city, one of the best-restored Spanish colonial cities in the world.Antigua has various specialties that make shopping here very worthwhile. Textiles sold here and in the nearby towns are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the more traditional back-strap loom. Jade, in carved statues and jewelry, is sold in several factories and shops in town and silver jewelry is sold in the better shops and also in a silver factory in nearby San Felipe de Jesus. The city also offers good buys in ceramics and antiques as well. For the museum and gallery buffs, one of the best in the Central America is found in the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. It houses colonial religious, contemporary Latin American and pre-Colombian art pieces. These form only part of the galleries and museums of the 5-star Hotel Santo Domingo, formerly a Dominican monastery.Antigua is a popular centre for Spanish study, and here you will find dozens of schools and a collection of students from around the globe. Because of the international population, there is no shortage of restaurants, bars and activities available in Antigua. You’d have to try very hard to get bored!There are also plenty of fun day trips available from Antigua, one of the most popular being a climb of still-smoking Pacaya Volcano.

Day 3-4 Juayua

We leave Antigua early in the morning in a private transfer to catch a bus in the heart of busy Guatemala to take us to El Salvador. Climbing through the mountains, we descend through banana plantations and increasing tropical heat until we reach the Guatemalan/El Salvadorian border at Valle Neuvo. Border formalities are casual and we continue on a short ride to the outskirts of Ahuachapan, a bustling commercial city. We flag down further transport to the city and there board a “chicken bus” for the hour long ride to Juayua.El Salvador has transcended its troubled past and now is a safe, friendly and welcoming country to visit. Juayua is one of the best examples of this friendliness. Don’t be surprised if someone asks to take your picture! Few residents even bother to lock there doors in this safe and secure city.Located in the cool, hilly region of El Salvador, Juayua is the source of a significant percentage of the country’s coffee exports. Included in our trip is a visit to a typical coffee finca (plantation). Juayua is also known for its weekend food fairs, the Cristo Negro or Black Christ in its colonial era cathedral and its generally laid back atmosphere.We have the opportunity to hike to nearby waterfalls, lounge at our hotel with gorgeous views of the surrounding hills or take a flight on a combat helicopter where cameras have replaced instruments of war.Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 180 km

Day 5-6 Suchitoto

We continue our exploration of El Salvador undiscovered as we travel from Juayua to Suchitoto via San Salvador. Nestled in the mountains of the north of the country, Suchitoto is perched on the edge of Lago Suchitlan, also known as Embalse Cerron Grande. There are a variety of hikes to local waterfalls, boat rides on the lake and the opportunity to enjoy bird watching. Or, if you like, you can just enjoy the laid back atmosphere of this colonial town. During the entire month of February Suchitoto hosts an International Art Festival.Estimated Travel Time: 4 hoursApproximate Distance: 130 km

Day 7 La Palma

Enjoy the journey as we make our way to La Palma. Nestled in El Salvador’s mountainous north, La Palma is known as one of the country's folk art centres. Take the afternoon to explore the many local art workshops or to hike one of the area's many trails.Estimated Travel Time: 3 hoursApproximate Distance: 60 km

Day 8-9 Copán

Leaving El Salvador, we enter Honduras and have an interesting journey to the charming town of Copán Ruinas.The Mayan ruins of Copán are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features. Visitors walk through grassy plazas filled with intricately carved and decorated monuments, statues and staircases. Huge carved faces stare at you from ancient walls and bring the place to life, causing renewed wonder at the mysterious disappearance of such a creative civilization.The colonial highland town of Copán Runias is a charming and relaxing place, with an almost-perfect climate. Enjoy the cooler evening temperatures before our decent to the coast tomorrow.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 100 km

Day 10-12 Roatan

After another full day of travel through the hills of Honduras, we arrive at the coast and ferry across to paradise. A SCUBA diving haven amidst what is part of the second largest barrier reef in the world, Roatan is a Caribbean-style island made famous for its marine treasures. Crystal blue waters invite swimming, diving, snorkeling, or simply relax on the white, sand beaches of the Bay Islands. You will also get a break from practicing Spanish because as a former British colony, many locals here speak English.Roatan is surrounded by over 100km (62 miles) of living, protected reef that is home to thousands of species of fantastically coloured fish and marine life. The beaches of the western end are some of the most beautiful in the world, with clear turquoise water, powdery white sand and swaying coconut palms. While many people spend their days immersed in the warm, blue Caribbean waters and enjoying excellent fresh seafood, you may also opt to venture into the hilly interior by bicycle or scooter. The botanical gardens offer relaxed walking amidst exotic plants and racing “Jesus Lizards”, a species of lizard that runs on its hind legs, even over water! In nearby Sandy Bay the Institute for Marine Sciences and the Roatan museum are definitely worth a visit.Estimated Travel Time: 9 hoursApproximate Distance: 400 km

Day 13-14 Tela

Travelling back to the mainland, we visit the tranquil, isolated beach village of Tela, noted for its beautiful sandy beaches and the unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture. Bird watching tours, kayaking and lounging on the beach are some of the attractive options during our stay here.Estimated Travel Time: 3 hoursApproximate Distance: 170 km

Day 15-16 Livingston

Continuing along the coast, we re-enter Guatemala in the north on our way to Livingston: the heart of the Guatemalan Garifuna culture that is nestled between the river and the Caribbean. We have a fun-filled day to take in this fascinating area and have a choice of many optional activities including a trip to a nearby waterfall or a snorkel off of some Belizean cayes.Estimated Travel Time: 7 hoursApproximate Distance: 490 km

Day 17-18 Flores / Tikal

We will take an included boat trip up the river to Lake Izobal, with an excellent chance to see wildlife and swim in some spectacular hot springs along the way. Continue north by bus to Flores, a charming little town located on an island on Lake Petén Itzá. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets, shop, or take a boat trip on the lake. Take a guided tour of the fascinating ruins of Tikal the following day and learn about the incredible Mayan history. Watch for the monkeys!It was to the Lake Petén Itzá region, that the descendants of the Maya of Chichén Itzá immigrated, moving here from Mexico several centuries after the collapse of the great Maya cities in the Yucatán. These descendants founded the city of Tayasal, on an island in Lake Petén Itzá, and lived there for about four hundred years, isolated and forgotten by the rest of the country, including the Spanish conquistadors. It was not until 1697 that this small city was finally conquered by a military expedition led by Martin de Ursúa, who stumbled upon the city by accident.The city of Tayasal was transformed into the city of Flores, officially founded by the Spanish in 1700. It remained an isolated area, relying on the subsistence farming of corn and beans, and the gathering of chicle (used in the manufacture of gum), from nearby trees. Despite the recent growth in Petén, Flores remains the same small island town, with narrow, cobble-stoned streets, small, brightly painted houses and friendly people. The island is now attached to the mainland by a causeway, but many of the local inhabitants still get around by cayuco, or dugout canoe. Flores remains one of the most scenic and charming towns in the Petén. It is particularly attractive to visitors because of Lake Petén Itzá, a large lake (12 km long and 3 km wide) offering all sorts of possibilities for fun, including swimming, boating, fishing and bird watching, as well as a small zoo and a nature preserve.The sheer scale of the ruins at Tikal may at first seem daunting. Even if you make it only to the main plaza, or spend an hour relaxing in deep contemplation, you certainly won’t be disappointed. The central area, with its five main temples, forms by far the most impressive section. If you start to explore beyond this you can wander endlessly into the maze of smaller structures and outlying complexes hidden in the jungle growth. If your energy levels are high enough to make it to the top of Temple lV, your senses won’t be unstimulated. Spectacular views of the surrounding jungle canopy will greet you from the top of the highest structure within the complex. Occasionally, you may spot toucans, macaws and other bright birds from this artificial perch within the greenery. Otherwise, you may simply marvel at the engineering and organizational skills needed to construct this city within the jungle. A local bilingual guide will explain the natural and artificial wonders of this site during our foray into Tikal.The rainy season in the Petén is generally from mid-May until early January. Be prepared to get wet. Make sure you have plastic bags to wrap around the items in your daypack while hiking, and bring a good (light) waterproof jacket. Also make sure that you have strong insect repellent. The dry season runs January until mid-May. During this time you need to make sure you have adequate sunscreen.While in Flores, we also have an optional tour where we can enter the home of a local woman in the small village of San Miguel and learn how to make a very Latin dish…tamales! Tamales are a staple in Guatemala and are served at weddings, birthday parties, and even for breakfast. This is an experience you will not forget!Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 300 km

Day 19 Rio Dulce

We continue to traverse the dense jungle of the Petén, and stop at Río Dulce, a small town on Lake Izabal and a port stop for boaters around the globe, on their way to/from Livingston and the Caribbean coast. Río Dulce is a popular destination for yachts cruising from the Lake to the Caribbean coast along the Río Dulce. There are plenty of opportunities for R & R aside from boating on Lake Izabal. There are optional tours in the area to view protected howler monkeys at dawn by kayak, or you may opt to horseback ride through a rubber plantation. Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 240 km

Day 20 Antigua

We end where we began our journey on this last day of our travel, and head back to Antigua by bus for one last night together.Estimated Travel Time: 7 hoursApproximate Distance: 250 km

Day 21 Depart Antigua

Depart Antigua at any time.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Hotels (20 nts).
Departure	Departs Fridays, monthly
DepEnd	Fri-Fri
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 10
Meals Included	No meals included.
StartFinish	ex Antigua, Guatemala
Testimonial	"A great adventure - provided insight into a part of the world not normally visited by tourists." - Coral Petzoldt travelled on El Salvador & Guatemala Loop
Transport	Bus, Van, Local bus, Boat, Ferry.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-02-22	2009-03-14	7+
2009-03-29	2009-04-18	7+
2009-04-26	2009-05-16	7+
2009-05-31	2009-06-20	7+
2009-06-28	2009-07-18	7+
2009-07-26	2009-08-15	7+
2009-08-30	2009-09-19	7+
2009-09-27	2009-10-17	7+
2009-10-25	2009-11-14	7+
2009-11-29	2009-12-19	7+
2009-12-27	2010-01-16	7+
2010-01-31	2010-02-20	7+
2010-02-28	2010-03-20	7+
2010-03-28	2010-04-17	7+
2010-04-25	2010-05-15	7+
2010-05-30	2010-06-19	7+
2010-06-28	2010-07-18	7+
2010-07-25	2010-08-14	7+
2010-08-29	2010-09-18	7+
2010-09-26	2010-10-16	7+
2010-10-31	2010-11-20	7+
2010-11-28	2010-12-18	7+
2010-12-26	2011-01-15	7+

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