central america 6 week itinerary

6+ Week Central America Itinerary

29/9/2017

Got 6 weeks up your sleeve and want to see what Central America has to offer? You've come to the right place, our 6 week Central America itinerary packs a whole lot in.

For such a tiny part of the world, Central America is packed full of all kinds of natural beauty and great activities. From zip lining past sloths in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, to boarding down volcanoes in Nicaragua, to scuba-diving shipwrecks in Utila and snorkelling with whale sharks off Belize, Central America really has it all.

We have been through Central America twice now. We've gone North to South and then South to North and both times we've done loads of things and seen some truly amazing places.

Now to truly see and experience everything Central America has to offer we're recommend at least 2 months. However you can still see lots of places and visit multiple countries with less time as travel between countries is quick-ish (emphasis on the ish) due to the small size of them. If you don't have endless time then 6 weeks in Central America is definitely enough time to pack a whole lot in!

Now although Mexico is technically part of North America we're going to include it in this itinerary because it's an easy base to fly in and out of AND it's an awesome country with LOADS to see and do (you could easily spend months just in Mexico and only scratch the surface)

Without further ado, here is our 6 week Central America itinerary.

Itinerary

If heading Nth → Sth: Fly in to Mexico City or Cancun (usually via LA if you're coming from Australia/NZ) and fly home from Panama City or San Jose. If heading Sth → Nth then reverse the itinerary! This Itinerary could take you anywhere from 2 to 4 months.. Or even longer! This is an itinerary combining our two trips to the region. It is by no means exhaustive, but we hope it is helpful in planning your own little jaunt.

Mexico
- Yucatan Peninusla: (If flying in to Cancun)
  - Cancun
  - Isla Holbox
  - Playa Del Carmen
  - Isla Mujeres
  - Tulum
- Central Mex: (If flying in to Mexico City)
  - Mexico City
  - Oaxaca
  - San Cristobal
  - Palenque
  - Puerto Escondido (Only if surfing)
- All of Baja Mexico but further away, probably best to do on a separate trip unless you have loads of time

Belize
- Caye Caulker

Guatemala
- Flores (Tikal Ruins)
- Semuc Champey
- Lake Atitlan
- Antigua

El Salvador
- El Tunco

Honduras
- Utila (Only if scuba diving)

Nicaragua
- Leon
- Granada
- Corn Islands
- Isla Ometepe
- Popoyo (Only if surfing)
- San Juan Del Sur

Costa Rica
- Monteverde
- San Jose
- Manuel Antonio
- Nicoya Peninsula
  - Montezuma
  - Sata Teresa
- Corcovado National Park
- Puerto Viejo

Panama
- Bocas Del Toro
- San Blas Islands
- Panama City

Mexico

CANCUN

Where to stay:

Plenty of resort options (Didn't do one so cannot recommend specifics)
Hostel El Corazon (Really friendly, short walk to major bus terminal, but a bus trip to beach)

What to do:

International Airport - Good start/finish point
Super Touristy!
Great if you want a resort/all inclusive experience
Drink & party
Catch a ferry to Isla Mujeres from here!

ISLA MUJERES

Where to stay:

Poc-Na Hostel

What to do:

Rent a golf cart to explore island
Visit turtle sanctuary (not sure if real sanctuary...?)
Lunch at Mango Cafe (Pricey but delicious!)
Beach

ISLA HOLBOX

Where to stay:

Hosel Ida y Vuelta

What to do:

Beach
Street Food in Square at night (Tacos, Churros & Corn for 50c)
Swim with whale sharks (if in season)

PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Where to stay:

Plenty of options from hostel dorms up to high end resorts

What to do:

Party
Hire a car and visit Ik Kil Cenote & Chichen Itza (pictured)
Beach (but much better at other places along coast)

TULUM

Where to stay:

Tulum Bay

What to do:

Hire Bikes! (From Kellys)
Ride to Grand Cenote (150 peso entry per person)
Tulum Ruins (64 peso entry per person)
Beach

BELIZE

CAYE CAULKER

Where to Stay:

Jeremiah's Inn

What To Do:

Drinks at Lazy Lizards
Swim at The Split
Raggamuffin Tours
- Snorkelling Day Trip
- 2 Night Boat Trip

GUATEMALA

SEMUC CHAMPEY

Where to Stay:

Zephyr (more party party) or Utopia (more chill)

What To Do:

Visit Semuc Champey

FLORES (TIKAL RUINS)

Where to Stay:

Not sure sorry!

What To Do:

Visit Tikal Ruins!
Guided tour very worth it to learn all about the history!

LAKE ATITLAN (San Pedro)

Where to Stay:

Hostel Fe

What To Do:

Hike around the lake!
- Boat to San Marcus then walk to Santa Cruz, have a delicious lunch with a view at Cafe Isla Verde and boat back to San Pedro!
Hike to Indian Nose