Tour

Antigua to San Jose
from USD 2405

Contiki Holidays

Tour Code: CA6AGSJ27
Vacation Type:
Brochure:
Duration: 20 Days
Countries: Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua

From Antigua’s volcano views to Costa Rica’s cloud forests, this 20-day trip keeps things simple. You’ll move through El Salvador and Nicaragua before reaching Costa Rica, mixing colonial cities, Pacific beaches, lakes, volcanoes and laid-back towns. There’s time for island life, local experiences and big outdoor moments, balanced with free days to explore how you want. Expect simple stays, a mix of local and private transport, and plenty of freedom to do things your way.



Antigua to San Jose Trip Map

Gold Seal Protection

  • Gold Seal Protection

Dining Summary

  • 2 Dinner (D)
  • 2 Breakfast (B)

Faqs

Mexico City: How can I purchase Free Time Add-Ons? You’ll now book and pay for your Free Time Add-Ons through WeTravel — a simple website link where you can browse all the FTAs, pick what you’re keen on, and pay directly by card, in any currency. You’ll get the link in your Welcome Email, usually 3–5 days before your trip starts. Once you’re in, it’s easy: check out the pics, descriptions and prices, add your chosen experiences to your cart, then check out online. You can book before your trip starts or while you’re on the road, up until each activity’s booking deadline.Missed the link? No stress. Your Trip Manager can share it with you on trip too.

Included Experience

  • Antigua Guatemala: Explore Antigua’s must-see spots with your Trip Manager, from Parque Central and the Catedral de San José ruins to the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. You’ll also see the iconic Arco de Santa Catalina, with Volcán de Agua stealing the background on a clear day.
  • Santa Ana: Get to know Santa Ana’s key sights, including the cathedral, Parque Libertad, Teatro Nacional, Palacio Municipal and Mercado Central. It’s a simple, useful intro to the city before you head off exploring your way.
  • Granada: Start at Parque Central, where Granada’s bright yellow cathedral sets the tone. Then wander towards Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced, with the option to climb the bell tower later for 360-degree views over the city and Lake Nicaragua.
  • : Wanna do your bit to help the planet while out on the road? This is your chance to help support the local ecosystem. As you work, you’ll learn all about the local trees, and the benefits that replanting them has for the ecosystem and the wildlife that lives here.

  • Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)
  • Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)
  • Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)
  • Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)
  • Hostal De Boca en Boca (Or Similar)
  • Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)
  • Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)
  • Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)
  • Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)
  • Viajero San José Hostel (Or Similar)
Day 1 Antigua

Welcome to Antigua! Meet your Trip Manager and fellow travellers and head out into town to grab dinner wherever you like.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Day 2 Antigua

Explore Antigua your way today. Wander the cobbled streets, check out churches and plazas, shop for local crafts, or find a cafe with a volcano view. There’ll also be the option to join a Pacaya hike, an Antigua bike ride and plantation visit, or the Acatenango overnight hike if you’re up for something bigger.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Day 3 Antigua

Another free day in Antigua. Keep exploring the city, take it slow in a cafe, or join an optional visit to the Native Chocolate Museum for a closer look at one of Guatemala’s best-known local flavours.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Central Hostal San Sebastian (Or Similar)

Day 4 Antigua To Santa Ana

Leave Antigua this morning and travel by private shuttle across the border into El Salvador, with mountain views and coffee-country scenery along the way.Once you arrive in Santa Ana, your Trip Manager will give you an orientation of the town. After that, the rest of the day will be free to relax, head out for dinner, or settle into your new surroundings.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 5 Santa Ana

Enjoy a free day in Santa Ana to explore your way — cathedral, central plaza, local eats, the lot. Feeling extra? Visit nearby lakes and hot springs, or take on the Ruta de las Flores.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Urban Nest Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 6 Santa Ana To La Libertad Region

Leave Santa Ana behind this morning and travel by private shuttle towards the coast, swapping city streets for sea views.The rest of the day is free to relax. This is your chance to slow things down a bit — whether that means pool time, ocean time, or both.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 7 La Libertad Region

Today's yours to enjoy La Libertad however you like. You can stretch out on the black-sand beaches, explore more of the coastline, or keep things easy and lean into the laid-back pace. If you’re keen to get in the water, there’ll also be the option to join a surf lesson with local instructors.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Lagarza Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 8 La Libertad Region To Leon Via La Union And Potosi

Leaving the coast behind early this morning, you'll set off by private shuttle towards La Unión.From here, you’ll board a public boat across the Gulf of Fonseca, trading the road for a more scenic route between countries.On arrival in Nicaragua, we'll clear immigration in Potosi before continuing the journey by private shuttle bus.Later, you’ll arrive in León and check in at your accommodation. It's a big travel day, so the rest of the afternoon and evening will be free to relax or head out and explore.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 9 Leon

You’ll have the day free to explore León at your own pace. Visit the cathedral, wander the colourful streets, or head up to the cathedral rooftop for wide views over the city. If you’re after something more active, there’ll also be the option to take on the Cerro Negro volcano hiking and boarding adventure.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Poco a Poco Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 10 Leon To Granada

Time to travel by shuttle to Granada, arriving around midday.After check-in, the rest of the day will be free to explore Granada at your own pace. You can wander the colourful streets, relax in a cafe or plaza, or check out Cafe de las Sonrisas — a social enterprise spot with a great story behind it. There’ll also be the option to join an Isletas boat tour if you want to get out on the water.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hostal De Boca en Boca (Or Similar)

Day 11 Granada To Ometepe Via San Jorge

You’ll leave Granada this morning and travel by shuttle to San Jorge.From here, you’ll board the public ferry across to Ometepe, with lake and volcano views setting the scene on the way over.Once you arrive, a Local Guide will meet you and take you to your homestay. Settle in for the start of your island stay, with dinner included and a more local, day-to-day side of Ometepe ahead.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)

Day 12 Ometepe

A free day to experience Ometepe your way. If you’re up for a challenge, there’ll be the option to join a hiking experience and take on more of the island’s volcanic landscape.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Puesta Del Sol Homestay (Or Similar)

Day 13 Ometepe To San Juan Del Sur Via San Jorge

Leave Ometepe today and make your way back to the port, saying goodbye to island life as you head off towards the mainland.From here, you’ll board the ferry back to San Jorge before continuing by road.Later, we'll travel by private shuttle to San Juan del Sur and check in on arrival. The rest of the day will then be free to settle in and enjoy your first look at this easygoing beach town.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 14 San Juan Del Sur

Enjoy a free day to enjoy San Juan del Sur however you like. Keep it easy with beach time, cafes, and sunset views, or head out and explore more of the coastline. Plus, there's an option to join a scientific whale and dolphin boat tour if you want to get out on the water and see a different side of this part of Nicaragua.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Nalu Nalu Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 15 San Juan Del Sur To Monteverde

Today, we'll travel south by private shuttle, crossing the border into Costa Rica and heading for the cooler mountain air of Monteverde.By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Monteverde and settle into Santa Elena, the gateway to the cloud forest. The rest of the evening will be free to grab dinner, explore the town, and ease into your first taste of Costa Rica.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)

Day 16 Monteverde

You've got a few ways to take on the cloud forest today. Go big with an optional zipline through the treetops, keep it slower with a walk across the hanging bridges, or get involved in a tree-planting experience that gives back to the local environment. After dark, opt in for a guided night walk and see a different side of Monteverde.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Quetzal Inn (Or Similar)

Day 17 Monteverde To Arenal

Travel by shared shuttle, with a bus-boat-bus journey taking you from the cloud forest down towards your next stop.By early afternoon, you’ll arrive in La Fortuna, where rainforest scenery, waterfalls, trails, and plenty of adventure all come into play. Once you’ve settled in, there’ll also be the option to head to the Arenal Hot Springs later on.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 18 Arenal

You have the option to start the day with canyoneering for a proper adrenaline hit in the rainforest. Or, if you’re after something more grounded, you can join a nature walk and tortilla-making experience with the Solano-Oviedo family, with a closer look at local life and conservation efforts around Arenal.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero Arenal Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 19 Arenal To San Jose

Jump on a public bus and travel to San José with mountain views and small towns rolling by as you make your way into Costa Rica’s Central Valley.After arriving around late afternoon, we'll head straight to the hostel to check in. Later on, there’ll be the option to come together for a farewell dinner and round off the trip as a group.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero San José Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 20 San Jose

And just like that, 20 days of non-stop Central America's colours, culture and chaos has officially come to an end.

Duration: 1 Day

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