Central America & the Caribbean Tours & Trips

630 Central America & the Caribbean trips. Tours from 240 tour companies. 1,743 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

629 Trips match your criteria (541 - 560 shown)

Mexico | Nature and Mayan Culture in the Yucatán Peninsula
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Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Visit such iconic Maya ruins as Chichén Itzá, Cobá, and Tulúm, as well as several lesser-known but equally impressive ruins.
  • Visit world-class protected areas, including Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve (known for its resident flamingo population and coastal crocodiles), and Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on the Caribbean coast near Tulúm.
  • Watch for wildlife and tropical birds, including parrots, trogons, hummingbirds, and rarer birds like the Hook-billed and Gray-headed Kites, Hawk Eagle, and the magnificent King Vulture.
  • Visit a mangrove swamp estuary in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
  • Stroll through the Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín Botanical Garden, established to protect Quintana Roo’s regional flora and fauna.
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"I have used Holbrook Travel multiple times for family private trips. They are wonderful. They are also responsible for the planning of several Road Scholar Trips, both intergenerational and adult, that I have attended. These trips are well planned and have great guides. I highly recommend them."

Trip dates & details
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Plant a Tree – 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 CostasVerdes
  • To form a connection with Costas Verdes 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

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."

Trip dates & details
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Tortuga Package
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Vacation / Holiday Package
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Daily surf lessons
  • Visit Nosara Wildlife Refuge
  • Experience an amazing Stand up Paddle board or Kayak

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Education / Learning, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"I just spent a wonderful week with the folks at Safari Surf School in Nosara, Costa Rica. From making arrangements to my actual time there, everything was perfect. The staff will make you feel like family and welcome you with open arms. Tim (the owner) is based in the US but don’t worry, you’re in more than capable hands. There’s a good reason these folks have been around since the late 90s. You’re going to have a blast!"

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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 $150 per person per day
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Quito to Rio, Andes & Pampas
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Group Tour
Lodging level
Camping
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Ecuador - 3-night Jungle Trip - includes accommodation and meals (op activities extra)
  • Peru - Chan Chan Ruins - entrance and guided tour, Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu - 4 days trek, meals & guide, Entrance to Machu Picchu with guide, Lake Titicaca boat to homestay
  • Bolivia - Andes mountain range, Llama, Alpaca and Vicuna, Altiplano
  • Argentina - Buenos Aires- 4 nights, Iguazu Falls
  • Brazil – night in Rio

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Overland Journeys

What travelers are saying

"Who said you can not enjoy a long Overland Safari? I had a wonderful time during the 7 month Trans Africa. Part of the West cost of Africa was a challenge which I will remember for a long time. The scenery and wildlife from Namibia onwards was breathtaking. The younger generation on the truck gave me the challenge to do things I always was to scared to do in my live. I did tandem skydiving, quad bike riding in the sand dunes, white water rafting on the Zambezi river, bungy jumping of the Victoria Bridge and the micro light flight over the Victoria Falls. Our driver Brian was excellent and a good mate. All in all I can recommend the tour to people who like something more exciting than a standard organised tour. A truly memorable experience of a lifetime."

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Customize Package in Costa Rica
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Vacation / Holiday Package
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Visit Nosara Wildlife Refuge
  • Daily opportunity for Yoga
  • Enjoy the Volunteer / Charitable and support the community with one of our local nonprofit partners!
  • Learn the lesson about the Surfing
  • Experience an amazing Stand Up Paddle board or Kayak

Themes

Family Friendly, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"I just spent a wonderful week with the folks at Safari Surf School in Nosara, Costa Rica. From making arrangements to my actual time there, everything was perfect. The staff will make you feel like family and welcome you with open arms. Tim (the owner) is based in the US but don’t worry, you’re in more than capable hands. There’s a good reason these folks have been around since the late 90s. You’re going to have a blast!"

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Guatemala - Eastern Slope Extension 2021
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Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

  • Resplendent Quetzal
  • Green-throated Mountaingem
  • Northern Tufted & Nutting’s Flycatchers
  • Unicolored & Azure-hooded Jays
  • Golden-cheeked
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Birding, National Parks, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"I have traveled on 20 different Rockjumper tours to all parts of the world. Every tour I have been on has ensured that cultural sites are included whenever possible. Their guides are fantastic. They are extremely knowledgeable about the birds of the habitat including their many calls. The guides are friendly with great personalities. Most are young and brimming with enthusiasm. Booking a tour with Rockjumper is easy and they offer many discount opportunities. The office staff quickly answer your questions and work extremely hard to make each tour run smoothly. They also offer Tailormade tours which will arrange a tour for you to anyplace your heart desires."

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DR Surf Tours
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Vacation / Holiday Package
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Dominican Republic
  • Enjoy surfing in various spots in Dominican Republic

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"If you want your surf trip to be regimented and have everything booked for you and ready to go then it is a good service for you. However if you are like me and like to have flexibility with your trip it is really not. We were charged much more for transportation and lodging than we would have been. Also when I stayed another night somewhere else before even paying for my trip they still made me pay for the night I didn't even use. Also the local place wouldn't let me do anything without them which made it a hassle trying to communicate back and forth to the states. Overall it really didn't do anything for me and just was a hassle and more $$. Live and learn. Trip was great but really didn't need to go through them."

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Best of Costa Rica’s National Parks
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Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Costa Rica's splendid National Parks: Corcovado, Arenal, and Monteverde.
  • Stay in luxury hotels, rainforest lodges, and hot springs resorts (with spa treatments).
  • Experience an exciting array of activities, including whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, a zip line “Aerial Canopy Tour,” and optional horseback riding.
  • Hike the lava flows of the famous Arenal Volcano.
  • View some of Costa Rica’s 12,000 plant varieties, 237 species of mammals, 850 species of birds, and more butterflies than Africa!

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, High Adventure, Women Only

What travelers are saying

"I always wanted to meet orangutans in the wild. Going with AW to Indonesia was the way to do it. We had great local guides, delicious food, and magical experiences. Everything was taken care of. The diverse group of women made the time even more enriching. I started as a solo traveler, but within a day I had 14 new friends. I can totally see traveling with AW again."

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Central America & the Caribbean Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
1,743  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.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 630 trips to Central America & the Caribbean and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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