Central America

Educational Adventures on Central America Tours

Have you dreamed of trekking through the Central American rainforest or exploring the ruins of the ancient Mayan culture? What about learning the history of one of mankind’s greatest engineering achievements? You can do it all through one of our Central America tours.

Linking the continents of North America and South America, Central America comprises seven small, tropical countries. This is a land of unparalleled natural beauty, dramatic volcanoes, and national parks cloaked in the clouds. Our Central American tours offer you a wonderful opportunity to discover natural wonders, visit exciting cities, and learn about fascinating indigenous cultures. 

What to Expect on Our Central America Guided Tours 

Each of our small-group tours in Central America is unique, so no two experiences will be the same. Some of our most popular destinations include:

Natural Wonders

Get swept away in the cloud forests that cover areas in Honduras, Panama, and Costa Rica. Visit Lake Atitlan, a lake surrounded by three volcanoes in Guatemala. Explore the second-largest rainforest in Costa Rica. The natural world is at your fingertips. 

Fascinating History 

Travel back in time and learn about the Mayan civilization. Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are all home to Mayan ruins, including towering temples and grand pyramids. 

For more modern history, visit the Panama Canal, the vital structure connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Learn about the decade of toil and hardship that finally saw the canal completed against all odds.

Bustling Cities

Some of the most fascinating cities in the world are tucked away in Central America. Try tamales in the country of their birth in Guatemala City. Check out the museums in Panama City. Wander among historic and colorful barrios in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital. In every city, you will learn, experience, and meet the warm and friendly people of Central America. 

Cultural Insights

Traveling on our Central America tours brings a culturally immersive experience where you can discover diverse cultures, history, and traditions. As you prepare for one of our Central America travel tours, it’s important to approach each cultural experience with respect and an open mind, as it will allow you to appreciate the customs of new regions and enhance your travel experience. Here are some of the top cultural insights you might gain from our Central American tours:

• Mayan heritage: Whether you’re a solo traveler or exploring with a family, learning about Mayan heritage is one of the top cultural insights on our Central America group tours. The Mayans were an advanced civilization, predominantly in Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize, and our tours can take you to ancient Mayan ruins to gain a glimpse into how these people thrived during their reign. Popular examples are Tikal in Guatemala and Copán in Honduras.
• Colonial influence: To understand Central American culture, you must understand the impact colonial powers had on the region, particularly the Spanish. The Spanish colonized many indigenous communities in the area, and colonial history is now reflected in architecture, traditions, religion, and languages.
• Festivals and celebrations: What makes our Central America tours some of our most popular experiential learning programs is the ability to immerse yourself in the culture by partaking in local festivals and celebrations. From Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Guatemala to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), these are some of the vibrant and lively traditions you can witness. 

Local Cuisine

Central America travel is a great way to introduce your palette to new and authentic local cuisine. Central American cuisine is known for its spices and flavor, with many dishes containing regional staples like beans, corn, plantains, and rice. Each country has its own variations and specialties, and Central American tours allow you to taste these exciting dishes. Some specialty meals worth noting include:

• Pupusas: El Salvador is known for pupusas, which is a traditional Salvadoran dish and a national delicacy that features handmade corn tortillas filled with ingredients like refried beans, cheese, and loroco, an edible flower bud. Pupusas are typically served with a side of fermented cabbage slaw and tomato-based salsa. They are worth a try.
• Baleadas: Trying baleadas is a must when visiting Honduras. This popular street food consists of wheat flour tortillas filled with ingredients like sour cream, crumbled queso fresco, avocado, scrambled eggs, and various meats.
• Gallo Pinto: In Costa Rica and Nicaragua, make sure to try Gallo Pinto, which is a traditional breakfast dish made with rice and beans mixed with spices like cilantro, as well as onions, bell peppers, eggs, meat, and cheese.

Activities

On Central America group tours, you can partake in a wide range of exciting activities that allow you to immerse yourself in local geography and explore unique and diverse landscapes. Go zip-lining through the rainforests in Costa Rica, or try snorkeling off the tropical waters of Mexico. Other exciting activities on our Central America travel tours include hiking volcanoes, walking tours of bustling cities, and wine tasting.  

Our Favorite Central America Travel Tours

At Road Scholar, we offer over a dozen Central America tours, each led by an experienced guide. We keep our tour groups small and seek to provide a good balance of adventure and education so our guests can develop a deep understanding of the places they visit.

Here are a few of our top Central American tours:

The Maya and More: History and Culture of Copan, Tikal and Lamanai

This extended 15-day tour will take you through Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. Throughout this tour, you will step back in time and learn about the sophisticated art, architecture, and science of the Mayan civilization. You’ll see Mayan ruins, visit museums with exquisite Mayan collections, and visit local villages to learn about indigenous traditions and customs. 

The Best of Costa Rica: Exploring Natural Wonders

On this 12-day adventure, you’ll learn the true meaning of Pura Vida, the national motto of Costa Rica. This trip includes visits to a local coffee farm, walking tours of national parks, and seeing the country’s rainforest. You’ll explore volcanoes, eat a traditional dinner, search for crocodiles, and so much more. Find out why Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Find out why.

Grit and Glory: Exposing the Panama Canal

Less active than our other highlighted trips, Grit and Glory is a good option if you’re looking for Central American tours for seniors. Over six days, you’ll learn how the dream of the Panama Canal started with the Spanish, ended in disaster for the French, and finally saw completion under the United States. See the canal up close, take a fun boat ride, and visit a museum dedicated to the canal. If you want to see one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders, this tour is for you. 

Central America Is Calling Your Name

If you’ve always wanted to travel to Central America, take a look at all the Central America guided tours we offer. These trips have everything from rainforests to colorful cities and ancient ruins. Let us show you Central America like never before! We also encourage you to look at all our Latin America tours. 

Book your trip with Road Scholar today.