10 Best Central America Tours: Mayan Ruins & Amazing Adventures

Central America is becoming a popular destination for people who want to have interesting and unique vacations. There’s a lot of diversity in Central America, the culture is rich, the food is delicious, and it’s not difficult to find quality accommodations. The majestic Mayan ruins are the most common reason for people to go to Central America, and there are also incredible colonial cities, a lot of biodiversities, amazing architecture, many sand islands to explore, and so much more. One of the best ways to enjoy everything Central America has to offer is to book one of the best Central America tours available.

The best tours to Central America provide many benefits you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of if you choose to go with independent travel. Guided tours allow you to explore a ton of territory in little time, which is great when you’re vacation days are counted. These tours provide a lot of value for your money and they make for a unique and memorable experience. They’re safer, they allow you to connect with other tourists, you get a lot of insight and information about the places you visit, and they’re very educational, not to mention fun! If you’re interested, we’ve narrowed down the options for you and we bring you the 10 best Central America tours to consider.

The Best Tours in Central America

Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins By G Adventures

This Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins tour is an amazing way to explore Central America. This 32-day tour will take you to 7 different countries where you’ll visit Mayan villages, amazing rainforests, clear Caribbean beaches, mighty ruins, connect with locals, and so much more. The tour is active and it’s perfect for budget-minded people because it offers a ton of value for your money. It includes accommodations in simple and clean hostels and hotels, private and public transport, and optional activities.

This is one of the best Central America tours and it will take you to so many different places, including Playa del Carmen, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Flores, Rio Dulce, Antigua, Guatemala, and the list goes on and on. You will be able to relax on the beach or go snorkeling or diving, you’ll visit sacred Mayan places, discover coastal towns and colonial towns, etc. This tour is packed with activities that will take you to some of the best Central American locations.

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Image: Antigua Guatemala in the best Central American tours

Mayan Encounter By G Adventures

The Mayan Encounter tour by G Adventures is another one of the best Central America tours you can find out there. This 12-day tour includes tourist-class accommodations in all locations, as well as private and public transport. You will be taken to Mayan ruins, white-sand beaches, and you’ll enjoy many adventures along the way. It starts in Antigua, Guatemala, then you’ll go through Belize, and the tour will end in Playa del Carmen, often included in the best Mexico tours.

In Guatemala, you will be taken to Rio Dulce where you’ll have a chance to explore, then to Flores so you can visit the Tikal Mayan ruins, then you’ll move on to Belize, where you’ll visit the Mayan cave Actun Tunichil Muknal in San Ignacio among other locations. Then, you’ll visit Caye Caulker, where a lot of different activities are ready for you, and your trip will end at Playa del Carmen where you’ll visit Tulúm and have a nice farewell dinner.

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Image: Chichen Itza in Mexico in many tours to Central America

Central American Journey By Intrepid Travel

The Central America Journey tour by Intrepid Travel is a great option for anyone who wants to explore Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This 17-day tour will take you to jungles, cloud forests, freshwater lakes, active volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and so much more. You will be able to enjoy the dramatic landscapes Central America has to offer and bond with fellow tourists as you discover different wonders. The tour includes accommodations in hotels and lodges, private and public transport, and meals.

The tour will begin by visiting Antigua, one of the things to do in Guatemala. Here, you’ll go to places such as the ChocoMuseo, take a plantation tour, and even have a salsa lesson. Then you’ll move to places like Copan, where you’ll enjoy some lovely natural hot springs, Suchitoto, where you’ll visit an archaeological site, and more. Then, you’ll go to San Miguel, El Cuco, Leon, Granada, Monteverde, and many other cities and locations!

Mayan Trail By G Adventures

If you’re all about exploring the Mayan ruins and colonial towns, the Mayan Trail tour by G Adventures is one of the top guided tours of Central America for that purpose. This 11-day tour includes tourist-class accommodations, private and public transport, and a wide variety of activities throughout. The tour will take you from Playa del Carmen in Mexico to Antigua in Guatemala.

At Playa del Carmen, you’ll take a guided tour of Chichén Itzá and then move on to Merida, where you can visit the ruins of Uxmal, swim in cenotes, visit the beach, or explore the city. Then, you’ll travel to Palenque where you’ll spend two nights in a jungle lodge and tour the Mayan ruins in the area as well as visit the Roberto Barrios waterfall. Next, you’ll go to San Cristóbal de las Casas and visit indigenous Mayan villages to learn about their unique way of life. And this is only a part of what you can do on this tour!

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Image: Swim in cenotes in Central American tours

Guatemala To Mexico By Intrepid Travel

The Guatemala to Mexico tour by Intrepid Travel will take you to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico so you can enjoy the sun, have a lot of fun, and immerse yourself in the culture of these wonderful places. It’s one of the best Central America tours because it provides a lot of value. This 12-day tour includes breakfast, private and public transport, comfortable accommodations, and a wide variety of activities.

The tour will begin in Antigua, Guatemala, where you’ll have a lot of fun visiting the ChocoMuseo and other spots. Then you’ll explore Rio Dulce and partake in great activities, such as boat rides, and you’ll taste the local flavors. Then you’ll stop by at Flores, a lovely township where you will learn to make traditional tortillas, interact with locals, and more. You’ll also visit Tikal National Park, visit San Ignacio, Bacalar, and many other great places.

Volcano Trail: Waves & Local Ways By G Adventures

The Volcano Trail tour by G Adventures is one of the best ways to experience Central America. The tour will introduce you to breathtaking scenery and you’ll explore tropical rainforests, among many other things. This 17-day tour will take you through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The tour includes accommodations in simple hotel and hostels, as well as private and public transport.

The journey will begin in Antigua, Guatemala, where you’ll be able to enjoy natural hot springs in the jungle. Then, you’ll go to Copan and visit the ruins or go horseback riding to enjoy the hills. After that, you’ll go into El Salvador and explore Suchitoto. You’ll also visit Playa El Tunco, a relaxing beach where you’ll be able to lay back or take a surf lesson, visit a fish market nearby or go to the Tamanique waterfalls. These are only just a few of the activities this tour has to offer, so it has great value.

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Costa Rica and Panama Discovery By Intrepid Travel

The Costa Rica and Panama Discovery tour is another one of the best escorted tours to Central America. It’s a 13-day tour that’s focused on Costa Rica and Panama, so it’s a great way to explore these beautiful countries. The tour includes accommodations, private and public transport, and a variety of activities to enjoy. Your journey will begin in San Jose, Costa Rica and it will end in Panama City.

During your time in Costa Rica, you will visit places such as the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum, the Plaza de la Cultura, the Central Market of San Jose, the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca where you’ll go on a bike tour, visit Cahuita National Park, and so much more. Then you’ll go to Panama, where you’ll visit Bocas del Toro, Isla Colon, Cayo Coral where you’ll go snorkeling, and many other fun activities. It’s one of the best Central America tours because it provides a ton of value.

Image: Panama City in Central America

Real Central America By Intrepid Travel

The Real Central America tour by Intrepid Travel is one of the best ways to explore Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. This 16-day tour includes meals, private and public transport, comfortable accommodations, and a wide variety of activities that will make you have the time of your life. The tour will begin in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and end in Antigua, Guatemala.

With this tour, you’ll be able to visit Playa del Carmen where you can engage in a variety of water activities, you’ll taste local dishes, and even have an informal Spanish lesson. Then, you’ll move on to Tulum, where you can explore the Yucatan Peninsula, visit the Temple of the Frescoes, and go to archaeological sites as well. Next, you’ll say hello to Belize where you’ll explore Caye Caulker among other places, and you’ll finish the Journey in Guatemala, which also has a lot to offer.

Image: Playa del Carmen in Mexico

Central American Adventure By Intrepid Travel

The Central American Adventure tour by Intrepid Travel is a grand 33-day adventure and it’s easily one of the best tours to Central America. You’ll visit places like Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The tour includes comfortable accommodations, private and public transport, and meals, not to mention a great variety of activities to help you make great memories.

The tour will start in Playa del Carmen, and you’ll also visit places like Tulum, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Tikal, Rio Dulce, Antigua, Chichicastenango, San Jorge La Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Copan, Suchitoto, El Cuco, Leon, and so many other wonderful places where you’ll have incredible adventures and a lot of fun! This is one of those tours you simply can’t miss if you want to explore Central America the right way.

Cuba & Central America By Tucan Travel

Last but not least, we have the Cuba & Central America tour by Tucan Travel, and it’s another one of the best tours to Central America you can find. The tour will take you from Havana, Cuba, to Antigua, Guatemala and you’ll have 15 days full of fun and amazing adventures. The tour includes quality accommodations, flights, an English-speaking guide, meals, private transport, and a variety of additional services you can enjoy.

With this tour, you’ll be able to visit many wonderful places in Cuba, including Havana, the Revolution Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Bay of Pigs, explore Cienfuegos, and so much more, all favorite destinations included in the best Cuba tours. Then you’ll fly to Cancun from where you’ll reach Playa del Carmen, located in the Yucatan Peninsula Riviera Maya, and then you’ll be able to visit Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, and more.

Image: Cuba in the best tours to Central America

Final Words

Now that you know what the best Central America tours are, you can choose the one that fits your budget and your schedule the best. Guided tours provide many advantages. For one, they’re organized to perfection and they eliminate the prep work, which is super time-consuming. You won’t have to spend hours and hours researching or planning, and you won’t have to do any bookings yourself. With a tour, everything’s set for you and they provide the experience you’re looking for.

Another great thing about guided tours to Central America is that they offer a lot of comfort and safety. New locations can be a bit nerve-wracking to travelers, so when you’re traveling abroad, having a guide is the best way to enjoy all the highlights and avoid the dangerous areas.

But perhaps the most valuable thing about the best Central America tours is that they offer insider knowledge. Tour companies know their area very well and they hire locals to be your guides, so you’ll learn a lot about the locations and you’ll discover hidden gems you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Consider the 10 best escorted tours to Central America we’ve provided above and choose the right one for you!

about me: Angela Corrias
About the author

I'm Angela Corrias, an Italian journalist, photographer, and travel writer located in the heart of Italy's capital. Welcome to my website, your comprehensive source for your travels and expert guidance for crafting your dream travel experience.

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