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Guatemala to Costa Rica: Racing across Central America

Our Central America small group tours follow a similar route to Celebrity Race Across the World 2025, giving you the chance to experience the same incredible destinations in depth.

Written by Carmel Hendry - Head of Product at Explore Worldwide
Published: 7 November 2025

 

As if we didn't talk about travel enough, the BBC's much-loved Celebrity Race Across the World has got us thinking about Central America, where the latest series takes place. The show is an exhilarating adventure, but let's be honest: it's all about racing through countries at lightning speed. That's the complete opposite of our small group tours! Sure, some days are faster paced, but our goal is to help you truly experience every place. 
 

Fresh from her adventures on our Central American Highlights trip, Head of Product Carmel Hendry talks to us about how it feels to traverse 5 countries in just 16 days:

 

"Although I work in travel, I am typically a very disorganised traveller, so it was only on my flight out from London that I really started to think about what I’d let myself in for – travelling 2000km in 16 days, through 5 different countries with 5 different currencies. Was I really prepared for this?!

First impressions of Central America

I didn’t let my lack of preparation worry me for too long, and from the moment that we met our fantastic tour leader, Miguel, I knew that he would take care of all the little logistical details, leaving us to concentrate on enjoying ourselves.

 

From the moment that we touched down in Guatemala City and drove across to Antigua Guatemala, I knew that I was going to like Central America.

 

The cobbled streets, intricate colonial churches and colourful buildings of Antigua were a common theme throughout many of the towns and cities that we visited on our journey, from tiny Copan and Suchitoto to the larger cities of Leon and Granada.

 

Pictured: Carmel at Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua

Our multi-country Central America trips:

 
Trip name: Duration: Countries visited:
Central American Highlights 16 days Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Central American Explorer 25 days Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hondruas, Nicaragua, Panama
Contrasts of Mexico 15 days Belize, Guatemala, Mexico

Exploring Guatemala: Living Mayan culture

The great thing about this trip is that each country has its own distinct character. In Guatemala, we were fascinated by the Mayan history and the strong presence that it still has within the country.

 

Witnessing a Mayan ceremony in Chichicastenango was one of my highlights of the trip – it is amazing how their Gods are still very much a big part of everyday life, and seeing this devotion in practice was something special.

 

Pictured: A market in Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Honduras highlights: Copan ruins and Maya mysteries

Going from Guatemala, where the Mayan culture is still very much a way of life in many communities, to the ancient ruins of Copan, Honduras, really put the historical site into perspective for us.

 

I found it much more interesting to visit having already seen how Mayan communities live nowadays, with all of the modern conveniences of the 21st Century. We were lucky to have the site pretty much to ourselves – something that would never happen in places like Chichen Itza (Mexico) or Machu Picchu (Peru) – which was amazing. 

 

Pictured: Mayan city ruins in Copan, Honduras

El Salvador escape: Birdwatching bliss

After entering El Salvador we put the Mayans behind us. The charming, cobbled town of Suchitoto is our next stop for two nights, with a visit to the ex-guerilla community of Cinquera. The small village established a grassroots tourism project that serves as a living museum of the country’s civil wartime ear, with the ex-guerrillas and their families acting as guides. 

 

Another fascinating part was bird-watching on the lake, which ticked a lot of boxes for the birders in the group. Luckily El Salvador’s national currency is the US dollar, so we were able to take a rest from the currency confusion for a few days!

 

Pictured: Birdlife in El Salvador

Nicaragua adventures: From volcanoes to revolution

Overall, I would say that Nicaragua was my favourite country throughout the tour. We met a real life guerrilla warrior in the Museo de la Revolucion in Leon, who told us some fascinating stories about the dictatorship and revolution in Nicaragua. I absolutely loved Leon and Granada, and the kayaking trip around Las Isletas on Lake Nicaragua was great fun, if a bit hot and sweaty! 

 

Both the museum visit and kayaking were optional activities, but they were totally worth it, as you gain an authentic insight into both Nicaragua's culture and nature.

Pictured: Kayaking around Las Isletas, Nicaragua

Who can join our Central America tours?

As well as multi-country Central America tours, we also operate Discovery, Wildlife, Cycling, Festivals, Family, Explore Upgraded and Food & Drink tours. Our tours are suitable for solo travellers, couples and friends alike, with a real range of ages and those who are travelling with us for the first time to our repeat Loyalists. Our family Central America tours are suitable for those travelling with children aged 7+ and also prove a big hit with teenagers, with plenty of adventure to seek out and embrace.

 

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do – find out more about our latest efforts, including why we're B Corp Certified.

Costa Rica wildlife and thrills: Rainforests and zip lines

I have been to Costa Rica before, but I love the rainforests and jungles, which always bring new experiences every time you go, and I always think that it’s incredible how the guides spot animals so hidden in the trees.

 

We saw amazing creatures from sloths and caimans to poison dart frogs and huge spiders. We would not have seen half the wildlife that we saw without their knowledge and eyesight. I also had the opportunity to do the classic Costa Rican activity of zip lining, which was amazing!

 

Even better were the toucans that we saw in the canopy as we waited for our turn on the wire, which was a welcome distraction from the heights!

 

Pictured: Sloth in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica – or is it Carmel zip lining?

Reflecting on an epic journey across Central America

At the end of the trip we finally had a bit of time to take everything in, and our adventures in the Mayan heartland of Guatemala seemed like an age ago when we were waiting in line at San Jose airport, getting ready to board the plane. Our amazing adventure through Central America was too short, but one day I will return…"

Take me to Carmel's trip

How a small group tour and Race Across the World compare

Don't just travel, Explore!

Whether you’re inspired by Race Across the World or simply want to uncover the magic of Central America, our small group tours let you dive deep into each country’s culture, history and landscapes for an unforgettable adventure.

 

With an average group size of 11, and guided by an expert tour leader, our tours promise authentic connections, local specialties and unique accommodation. Are you ready for it?

View all Central America tours

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