Adventure through 5 countries in Central America

First stop on this itinerary is Panama City, the capital of.. you guessed it, Panama. We've arranged the first 2 nights for you, so all you have to do is drop your luggage at the coolest hostel in the city and start exploring. Check out the obvious sight, the Panama Canal and take a stroll along the waterfront. Panama City has plenty of cozy spots and historical sites, so the first 2 days will fly by, and before you know it, it's time to move on.

From Panama City you're embarking on the first bounty experience of this tour. And which one it is! The San Blas Islands are nothing less than magical. How does 4 days surrounded by white sand beaches, crystal clear water and delicious, fruity cocktails sound? Good? That's what we thought. Enjoy the chill vibes here and get your tan on before you're about to use your brain for a week. When your time on the San Blas islands end, you take the ferry back to the mainland and arrange your own transport (most likely by bus - it's the cheapest!) to Bocas del Toro.

¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? ¿Estás listo para aprender español? It's time to brush up your spanish skills. They will come in handy for the rest of this itinerary, so you might as well start with it. We've arranged a 1 week stay at a language school in beautiful Bocas del Toro. Besides being great for getting your Spanish up to speed, it's also located in the beautiful Bocas del Toro, wellknown for being a tropical paradise as well as hosting a vibrant nightlife. You have 7 days here before continuing to Costa Rica.

Take a local bus from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo, and do whatever you want here. We've included 3 nights in a really cool hostel, but you can opt in for more nights, if you want. There's some good adventure possibilities such as rafting or ziplining, so if you're up for some more adrenaline pumping activities, this is the place to be. The town usually attracts many backpackers so there's plenty of opportunities to get to know some new people while traveling this part on your own.

Find your own way from Puerto Viejo to San José (there is a direct bus going), and stay in the city for a night or two (we can help you book a cool hostel if you like). Next up is an 8 day adventure tour that takes you past some of the best spots in Costa Rica including La Fortuna and the small surf town Santa Teresa. You're traveling with other backpackers on this tour and accommodation is included in the price. A highlight on the tour is the visit to the Arenal volcano which is a spectacular sight.

After exploring Costa Rica, you'll be flying into the Mexican Caribbean and making your own way from Cancún down to Playa del Carmen, where the next group adventure begins. It doesn’t take long before you swap transit mode for beach bars, tacos and your first night out with the crew. Playa becomes the perfect warm-up for what’s ahead, whether you spend your days relaxing by the sea, exploring nearby cenotes or heading out to the ruins of Tulum. Then it’s time to leave Mexico behind and continue south toward Belize, where the pace of life slows right down and the real backpacker feel kicks in.

Caye Caulker is the kind of place where plans don't really matter. Sandy streets, reggae drifting out from beach bars and colourful wooden houses set the tone from the second you arrive. Days here are all about island life — snorkelling along the reef, spotting stingrays and nurse sharks, grabbing fresh seafood by the water or simply finding a hammock and staying there for hours with a nice book. There’s no rush, no dress code and definitely no pressure to do much at all. It’s the perfect break in the middle of the journey and one of those places you’ll wish you had “just one more day” in.

From Belize, the adventure heads deeper into Guatemala, where the landscapes, culture and atmosphere completely shift again. You’ll wander through the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal surrounded by thick jungle before travelling across the country to Rio Dulce, where boat rides and laidback Caribbean towns bring a totally different side of Guatemala to life. Further inland, Lake Atitlán delivers huge volcano views, colourful local villages and nights spent connecting with the people who call this place home. The journey wraps up in Antigua, a city filled with cobbled streets, rooftop bars and old colonial buildings backed by volcanoes in the distance. By the time the tour ends here, you’ve crossed five countries, experienced everything from tropical islands to jungle ruins and highland towns, and made countless of new friends!