Central America & the Caribbean Tours & Trips

633 Central America & the Caribbean trips. Tours from 240 tour companies. 1,757 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

633 Trips match your criteria (461 - 480 shown)

Walking In Costa Rica
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, California, Guanacaste, San José

Highlights

  • Visit San Jose
  • Explore Arenal Volcano and Diamante Waterfall , La Fortuna Waterfall
  • Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls, Bagaces and Dominical
  • Discover Buena Vista Mountain and Turrialba Volcano

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"CharlieTheTraveler’s itinerary is just perfect! They dedicate a lot of work to make your trip perfect. From choosing the most important activities to make them happen on time, is basically the option for any great trip. They help us during all the process with their personal concierges and travel agents, making this experience absolutely fabulous from the beginning until the day we were back home! We can highly recommend them!"

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Coral Islands SUP
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Paddleboard along the Southern Belize Barrier Reef
  • Experience the only lodge to lodge and island to island SUP and snorkel trip in Belize
  • Enjoy paddleboard skill sessions with Norm Hann,whohas personallylicencedand Paddle Canada Certified all the Belizean guides
  • A once in a lifetime chance to paddle with Norm Hann himself and bring your paddling skills to that next level
  • Norm will be in Belize with Island Expeditions and be the official lead Instructor and trip coordinator on select departures
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, 50 Plus, National Parks, High Adventure, Scuba Diving, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Our group had such an amazing time at Half Moon Caye Feb 4-10! So thankful to have had a wonderful trip before coronavirus shut things down. The guides were incredible and made the experience fun and educational. Ms Ann's cooking was excellent and she even let me help out in the kitchen one evening. There were a great variety of different activities, but I enjoyed snorkeling the most! Thanks for a great trip!"

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Highlights of Costa Rica
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • A canal safari along the pristine waterways of Tortuguero National Park reveals a stunning variety of tropical flora and fauna.
  • Enjoy splendid volcano views from the relaxing mineral springs of your Arenal resort!
  • Personalize your trip with the included guided adventure of your choice at Arenal.
  • Travelers love our resorts in Arenal and the wide range of activities available... So feel free to addd extra nights here – or at any of our fine resorts and lodges!
  • Manuel Antonio is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national parks... Let our expert naturalist guide reveal the many natural wonders of this pristine coastal reserve.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Delighted by the experience."

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Custom Designed Trip
Lodging level
lodgingLevelName
Physical level
N/A

Highlights

  • Fully customized trip based on preferences
  • Matched with a local specialist
  • From $200 per person per day
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Costa Rica: Wildlife Safari
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Canoe the winding waterways of Tortuguero National Park
  • Come face-to-face with injured toucans, sloths, and monkeys at a local conservation center
  • Tour the world-leading La Selva Biological Station in the rainforest
  • Spot howler and white-faced monkeys while rafting the Sarapiqui River
  • Experience a Costa Rican cooking class

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari

What travelers are saying

"Our trip started off with a lunch at Maya Gardens. We went to see the poultry in their pens while waiting for lunch, thinking it was a petting zoo. The poor birds did not have water or any indication that they ever had water. One of the turkeys was lying on it's side looking very sick. No one would give them water when I asked them to. The lunch was so awful I did not eat meat for the rest of the trip. I sent a video to Angela Bailey telling her this is not what we want to see when on a conservation trip and she acted like I was lying. Our guides were lazy and not caring about us. They took us to overpriced markets to get fleeced by the sellers there. At the anti-poaching farm tour, we had to walk over a bridge with wires on it, to keep wildlife in. One of our travelers, who was 65 years old, tripped over it and had to go to the hospital. No one warned her about the wires. Then, trying to get off the safari trucks, she was so very very sore and no guides helped her to get out of the truck. Completely appalling. The guides had very poor communication skills that worked for Discover Corps. I was forced to get vaccinated while in Kenya, because the laws changed while we were there. I asked if I could try to get out of the airport first and if I could not then get the vaccine. Discover Corps said "If you choose to do that, you are on your own". The conditions of medical in Kenya is not like the US and it was awful. The airport didn't even ask me for my vaccine card on the way out. DC could have worked with me on trying this first before forcing me to get this vaccine in a poor 3rd world country. Also, my vaccine card had the wrong date of birth and my name did not match what is on my passport. The doctor tried to get me to tip the nurse giving me the vaccine. The guides dropped us off curbside at the airport and left us there to navigate. I will NEVER use this company again. They did not have my back on anything that happened and Angela Bailey never contacted me to follow up about my experience after this trip was over."

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Clinic and Soup Kitchen – Volunteering in Costa Rica
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • To learn, first hand, about local communitychallenges and about the work of FIMR
  • To form a connection with FIRMC in order toraise awareness of this organization and thecommunity they serve
  • Have fun! Many travelers say volunteering is the highlight of their trip - we hope it is for youtoo!

Themes

Education / Learning, Volunteering & Community Service, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"If you are seeking an opportunity to get to know the countries and communities you are visiting on a deeper level, definitely partake in Give a Day Global! The teams both at Give A Day Global and at FIMRC were exceptionally helpful and welcoming, leading to my very special volunteer experience in Costa Rica."

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Teach Arts and Crafts – Volunteering in Costa Rica
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • To learn, first hand, about local communitychallenges and about the work of CreciendoJuntos
  • To form a connection with Crecindo Juntos inorder to raise awareness of this organizationand the community they serve
  • Have fun! Many travelers say volunteering isthe highlight of their trip - we hope it is for youtoo!

Themes

50 Plus, Education / Learning, Volunteering & Community Service, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"If you are seeking an opportunity to get to know the countries and communities you are visiting on a deeper level, definitely partake in Give a Day Global! The teams both at Give A Day Global and at FIMRC were exceptionally helpful and welcoming, leading to my very special volunteer experience in Costa Rica."

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Rose Parade and Panama Canal Cruise
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy an exclusive private viewing of the Rose Parade floats and the parade from reserved grandstand seats
  • Travel along the Southern California coast through Santa Barbara to Solvang and Pismo Beach
  • Enjoy an included guided tour of Hearst Castle
  • While cruising, visit ports in five countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia
  • Witness the Panama Canal transit in daylight

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Tour is advertised as an "active" tour. However, YMT sold the tours to seniors and others who were unable to walk more than 1/8 mile, unable to navigate stairs or had to walk with the aid of walkers. As a result, 80 percent of the "explorations" were to visitor centers, look out points, stores or washrooms, that were within 100 feet or less of the bus. This tour should be categorized as "relaxed". A big disappointment! The bus driver was friendly and accommodating and drove us safely from one site to another. He sold water to the guests in small bottles for $1 each. I think YMT should be more conscientious of the environment and at least offer bottle refills, especially since the guide practically demanded that each person drink one gallon of water per day. The tour guide was marginally knowledgeable about the area and spent too much time telling us about her private life and friends. She led one hike, but talked mostly about how the rains had changed the landscape. One day she left two guests at the hotel and wanted the people on the bus to take responsibility for not letting her know that people were missing. We were encouraged to find hikes to take on our own, which I felt compromised safety, especially when we had an hour or so to "explore" - there was no safety or backup plan, especially if something untoward happened on a hike. She opted out of taking us to the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon telling us that it was raining and we wouldn't be able to see anything. So a couple of us went to the site on our own and it was possibly one of the best experiences I had on the entire tour (and not a drop of rain!). I often felt bullied into purchasing lunches or meals "offered" by the guide, who made it sound like there were no other options. It was difficult to listen to her brag about how well she was doing and how happy everyone was, when many people were complaining that the tour was not what they expected - mostly because it was too active!!! The accommodations were mostly good - a couple of anomalies (one with a plugged sink and no hot water for a shower, another with a pervasive bad odor). The excursions offered at the time of booking were mostly unavailable later (except for the over-priced meals). Another disappointment because I booked the tour partly because of one of the excursions offered at the time of booking. I would not recommend this tour, because I don't think it is advertised correctly."

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Belize Active Adventure
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Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy the unique jungle atmosphere
  • Explore the caves, beaches and jungles
  • Enjoy the amazing view of Mayan Mountains of Belize
  • Adore the day by watching over 200 species of birds

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Local Immersion & Homestays, Birding, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"I worked with Garvey to plan my dream trip to Patagonia. It was a two-week trip, we started in Buenos Aires, took the Australis cruise through the Tierra del Fuego fjords, visited Torres del Paine staying at the Explora Lodge and ended the trip in Santiago. All of the guides that Garvey arranged for excursions were excellent. Garvey managed the travel logistics between the different locations so that our experience in South America was seamless. Overall Lost World Adventures was a great travel agent for us. I had worked with this company previously for a trip to visit Angel Falls in Venezuela and hike the Machu Picchu trail in Peru, which was also fantastic."

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Central America & the Caribbean Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
1,757  Reviews
See all Central America & the Caribbean tour reviews
Excellent
1,076
Great
264
Average
18
Disappointing
5
Terrible
8
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Discover Costa Rica review

This was our first Exodus trip, which, to be honest I viewed with some trepidation, as I walk with crutches, and so wondered how it would be. I cannot praise Exod...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Totally superb experience.

Our Guide & tour leader-Johnny [Villalobos] made this trip the best we have experienced; with his expertise, knowledge & general manner. Superior to simi...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Discover Costa Rica

I would highly recommend this trip. The trip is very wildlife oriented, so if that is not your main interest, it may not be for you. However, I wouldn’t say that i...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Discover Costa Rica

This trip was one of the best holidays that my wife and I have ever taken. . Costa Rica is a beautiful country but the attention to detail provided by Exodus and t...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Discover costa rica

An excellent taster of the country. Well planned with good locations Meeting the owner michael Schnitzler of esquinas lodge. Such a wonderful work, he is passinate...

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Central America & the Caribbean Tour Selection Trips

  • The Caribbean is much more than beautiful beaches. Each island has its own culture and languages include English, Spanish, French and Dutch.
  • Outside of Costa Rica and perhaps Belize and Panama, Central America is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua are rich in history, culture, and natural beauty as well.
  • With some 7,000 islands in the Caribbean (many of them small) and nearly 30 island nations, it's best to pick cruises -- preferably small ship -- that visit a few at a time, or take a tour of one or two islands to get to know them in depth.
  • The biggest islands in the Caribbean -- and among the most popular -- are Hispaniola (shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. 
  • The Dominican Republic is best known for its beaches, but it also contains the Caribbean's highest mountain (Pico Duarte), which you can climb on a guided tour; is a top windsurfing destination; and offers hiking and mountain biking adventures. 
  • U.S. citizens can travel to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without carrying passports (though it's always wise to get one). 
  • Bermuda is often thought of as a Caribbean Island, but actually it's hundreds of miles north in the Atlantic Ocean, and can be quite chilly in winter. 

Additional details

Safety Tips in Central America 

When people think about Central America, many associate the region with violence, drugs and gang related misconduct. While there are crimes that go on in this region, many areas are very well protected for any traveler to visit. That said, Central America guided tours to the region are a highly recommended way to travel if you’re worried about safety. Most countries, though are, in fact, very safe whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or a group of friends.

Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Nicarargua are perhaps the safest (and generally more expensive) countries to travel to. Although there are some areas here and there where it is advised to not travel to, these countries are always seeing influxes of thousands of tourists every year looking to enjoy the wealth of wildlife, culture and food that is distinct than anywhere in the world. 

Other countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are more on the cautionary side. When traveling to these countries especially, the capital city is always a little more dangerous.

Guatemala, for example, is safer in areas outside of cities such as Antigua and Atitlan. For transportation in Guatemala, it is advised to use only uber and not local taxis or buses. Walking alone at night is not advised, nor is showing off your phone or other valuables when you walk. 

It is helpful to speak to locals about it. Many are very friendly and it’s always good to know which areas are unsafe and should be avoided when traveling in Central America

What Countries are in Central America 

Central America, sitting in between Columbia and Mexico, is an incredibly vibrant and exciting travel destination filled with biodiversity, culture and a mecca for marine life. It has a population of more than 42 million people. The following are countries classified as being a part of Central America:

  1. Guatemala

  2. Costa Rica

  3. El Salvador

  4. Belize

  5. Honduras

  6. Nicaragua 

  7. Panama

Packing List for Central America Travel 

Depending on what time of the year that you go, the packing list for Central America tours can differ. In general, however, these are the top 6 essentials to carry when traveling to any of the 7 countries:

  1. Swimwear: whether you are traveling to Lake Atitlan or the San Blas islands, swimming in either the pacific or caribbean waters is something to not miss out on.

  1. Secure backpack: this is helpful when walking around the towns and especially in market places where pickpocketing is expected. Make sure to always pack refillable water bottles, your phone with a downloaded offline map, sunglasses, sunscreen, wallet, bug spray and more. 

  1. Sneakers: motorbiking, hiking or exploring on foot is a must in Central America. The best places are the hidden gems tucked away by cobble pathways in small towns, views atop mountains and hilly streets that criss cross next to beaches that has the best, local restaurants and stores.

  1. Travel insurance: Other than your visa, this is the next most important thing. 

  1. Cash: All the countries have different currencies from one another and having cash ready, especially if you plan to visit marketplaces, is extremely useful. Make sure to withdraw before you leave as getting cash in Central America itself can be more expensive. 

  1. Stomach medicine: don’t underestimate the power of a bad stomach, and the likelihood at that. Anything from fresh fruits, vegetables, ice, street food and altitude sickness can ruin the itineraries in a trip, so it’s wise to pack tums, tylenol and pepto-bismol before you leave. 

Weather in the Caribbean

Caribbean weather is mostly hot and sunny all around. 27 degrees celsius is the average while in the southern islands, temperatures can soar to 38 degrees. The wet seasons typically experience rain in bursts no more than an hour from May to October. Cold winds from the north happen sometimes but are infrequent and rare.

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