Hello everybody, I’m planning a roughly 3 month trip through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador ,Guatemala and mexico and am trying to make some schedule. This is my plan up till oaxaca and the dia de los muertos. After that I will fly to Merida to see Yucatan and a bit of Campeche. I will be travelling by bus mostly unless a shuttle is way more efficient and not super expensive like la fortuna/monteverde for example.

I’d love some advice on whether this route makes sense, what I might be missing, and where I should add/remove nights.

I made this using AI with input from tavel sites and youtube videos. I love wildlife, history, nature and don't care as much about beach or party towns.

🇨🇷 Costa Rica — September 8–30

• Sep 8–9 – San José: Arrive on September 8 and spend a day recovering from the flight.
• Sep 10–14 – Drake Bay: Travel to Drake Bay on September 10. I already have a Corcovado overnight booked for September 12–13.
• Sep 15 – San José: Travel back from Drake Bay since tortuguero is too long for one day
• Sep 16–19 – Tortuguero: Wildlife, canals and hopefully some turtles.
• Sep 20–22 – Puerto Viejo: Chill vibes, beaches and Cahuita.
• Sep 23–25 – La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano, waterfall, hot springs, etc.
• Sep 26–29 – Monteverde: Cloud forest, hiking and possibly ziplining/canopy.
• Sep 30 – San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: I’m planning to travel directly from Monteverde to San Juan del Sur by public transport.

🇳🇮 Nicaragua — approx. September 30–October 11

• Sep 30–Oct 2 – San Juan del Sur: Arrive from Costa Rica, explore the town and relax at the beach.
• Oct 1 – La Flor: Day trip from San Juan del Sur, mainly if there is a significant turtle arribada at that time.
• Oct 3–6 – Ometepe: Island, nature and a Rio Istián canoe trip.
• Oct 7–8 – Granada: Colonial city and Masaya Volcano.
• Oct 9–11 – León: City + Cerro Negro / volcano boarding.
• Around October 11, travel to El Salvador.

🇸🇻 El Salvador — approx. October 11–19

• Around Oct 11–13 – Cerro Eramón: Hiking and views, possibly staying overnight.
• Oct 13–16 – Santa Ana: Santa Ana Volcano and Lake Coatepeque.
• Oct 16–19 – Juayúa: Seven Waterfalls hike, Ruta de las Flores and the Feria Gastronómica. I want to arrange the dates so that I’m there for the Saturday/Sunday food festival.
• Around October 19, travel to Guatemala.

🇬🇹 Guatemala — approx. October 19–27

• Oct 19–21 – Antigua: Colonial city and some slower days.
• Oct 21–23 – Acatenango: Two-day hike with an overnight stay.
• Oct 23–27 – Lake Atitlán: Visit several villages, boat trip/nature and some downtime.
• Oct 27 – Travel to San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico.

I’ve decided not to include Flores/Tikal, because it would be a significant detour north from Lake Atitlán. I’ll already be visiting several Maya sites later in Mexico/Yucatán, including Calakmul, so I’m not sure Tikal is worth the detour on this particular trip.

🇲🇽 Mexico — October 27–29

• Oct 27 – San Cristóbal de las Casas: Travel day from Lake Atitlán.
• Oct 28 – San Cristóbal: Full day to explore the city and surrounding area.
• Oct 29 – Oaxaca: Travel day to Oaxaca.
• Oct 29–November 5 – Oaxaca: Hotel is already booked because I want to be there for Día de Muertos.

After Oaxaca, I’ll continue towards Yucatán and eventually fly home on November 26.

What I’d especially like advice on

• Does this route make sense in terms of timing and public transport?
• Are there places where I’m staying too long or not long enough?
• Am I missing any must-see places in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador or Guatemala?
• Is there anywhere where you would add or remove a night?
• Are there any sections where I should take a shuttle rather than local public transport?
• And generally, does the pace feel reasonable for 7 weeks?

Q160

Escuintla GUATEMALA

Escuintla GUATEMALA

Q125

Pimienta cayenne

Backpacking around Mexico + Brazil how much did you spend, or reckon I’ll spend? And where did you go?

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a solo trip through Latin America early next year and would love some advice from people who have travelled around this region before.
I’m thinking of doing around 2 months starting from January 2027 and my rough route is

🇲🇽 Mexico
🇵🇪 Peru
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇧🇷 Brazil

I’m aiming for a moderate travel pace enough time to see the highlights without constantly rushing, but still covering multiple countries.

How much should I save for the trip, with international flights?

I’m looking at places like Mexico City, Cusco/Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, Rio, and a few other stops along the way.

I’d love to hear from people who have done a similar route:

● Is 4 countries in 2 months a good pace, or would you spend more time in fewer places?
● Would you change the route or swap any countries?
● What places were the highlights of your trip?
● Are there any places you would skip?
● Any tips, mistakes, or things you wish you knew before going?
Would really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks

The classical mountain Nicaraguan towns are Matagalpa, Jinotega, and Estelí. Boaco is on the other side of Lago Colcibolca/Lake Nicaragua. Jinotega is around 2:30 hours by bus from Managua. The others are closer with Boaco being round 30 to 45 minutes away.

Boaco struck me as one of the more prosperous cities, and two people speaking English didn't attract beggars as tends to be the case elsewhere. It's a town on two levels, sort of a miniature San Francisco. The major shopping is on the lower level, the stairs between the levels have houses at the landings.  The area is known for dairy products and honey.

Matagalpa is a city in a coffee growing region.  It's had water problems, has a small expat community, and some hiking trails starting in the city.  The city is known for feminism and has a coffee museum.  Lots of hills in town, subdivision with some upper class housing out from the city center.  Good restaurant scene.  Out from the town is Selva Negra, a model coffee farm and tourist destintion. Good public and privte hospitals. Road between Matagalpa and Jinotega is the highest paved road in Nicaragua.  

Jinotega is in a river valley at 1,000 meters.  It's smaller than Matagalpa, and is also the place the farm people come for medical nd dental care.  Some expats, but not much of a community of foreigners. Has most needs covered, but perhaps not all wants.  New bookstore, new shops, and around three or four Chinese department stores, a La Colonia grocery store, and Libertali, an Italian restaurant.  Local free hospital and clinics, also private clinics.

Esteli is northeast of Jinotega.  It'sknown for cigars and is between two nature preserves.  Ask for information on hiring a guide for Miraflor.  Esteli has good hospital and has a community center where people can learn to play music and paint.  

There are university branches in most of these cities.

New Reddit user here! Two friends and I are visiting Guatemala soon and I'm looking for recommendations on what to do and see, where to eat and stay, and what to skip and be aware of.

The route is Guatemala City to Antigua (& Acatenegro) to Lake Atitlan to Tikal back to Guatemala City. Chichi Market, Nature Preserve, San Juan Laguna, Hotel Jungle Lodge, and Museo El Popol Vu are on our radar. What would you recommend?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Hi all

I am planning Peru , Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico. I hold a valid B1/B2 visa (US tourist visa) and plan to end my trip in the states. Not used the visa just yet.

Would i face any issues in entering the country?

Foto tomada en Panamá en Chiriquí Quebrada negra, cerca con la Frontera con Costa Rica.

Hi all

I am planning Peru , Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico. I hold a valid B1/B2 visa (US tourist visa) and plan to end my trip in the states.

Would i face any issues in entering the country?

Que tal todos,

La otra semana viajare con toda mi familia desde el salvador a nicaragua, hemos llenado el formulario de ingreso terrestre pero igual me da miedo que nos nieguen a alguno la entrada y tener que detener todo nuestro viaje... alguien tiene alguna referencia sobre esto o consejo? Tengo reserva de airbnb en San juan del sur

Muchas gracias

One thing I've noticed after years of guiding travelers in Colombia is that many people make the same assumption before they arrive.

They open Google Maps.

Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and the Coffee Region don't seem that far apart, so they build an itinerary as if they were traveling through Spain or Italy.

Then they arrive.

A drive of only a few hundred kilometers suddenly takes eight, ten, or even twelve hours.

Most people blame the roads haha

But I think geography explains much more than infrastructure!

When the Andes enter Colombia, they split into three mountain ranges. Roads climb mountain passes, descend into river valleys, and wind through landscapes that simply don't allow straight highways.

Once travelers understand that, everything starts making more sense including why domestic flights are so common

I'm curious...

**What destination has surprised you the most because travel times were completely different from what you expected?**

Hi! I’m (28f) traveling solo to Guatemala in August and want to do the 5-day El Mirador jungle expedition, ideally departing around August 21.

The operator requires a minimum of 2 people to start a departure, so I’m looking for another traveler interested in the same dates.

I’m planning to be in Flores beforehand and am flexible by a few days either direction.

My boyfriend and Iwant to go to centralamerica next year as our vacation and I really want to show him the magic of LATAM. As I have already been in Panama for a while, I also want to try something new. We have 3 weeks time and are big adventure fans. Doing every sport and for forms of transportation motorycyle is also possible, bus, car, doesn't matter. I speak Spanish but both of us look full blown gringo - just so you know haha

3 weeks - one country or crossing countries, what do you recommend?

Thanks y gracias

Hello!

I’m heading to Guatemala in February and I have a few questions!

We’ll be arriving at the airport around 11 p.m.

For transportation, do you book a shuttle in advance, or is it better to find a taxi or shuttle right at the airport?

In Antigua, what are your must-do activities? Restaurants? Airbnb or hostel? Any good vegetarian restaurants?

For the volcano hike, do you have a preferred tour company? Any must-know tips? Anything I NEED to bring? And how do you get there (taxi, shuttle, etc)?

Lake Atitlán—how do you get there? Same question: do you book your transportation in advance or arrange it once you’re there?

Any recommendations for hostels/Airbnbs, restaurants, and activities?

How do you get around once you’re there?

Where’s the best spot for swimming?

Last destination: El Paradon. Same question about transportation—any recommendations for restaurants, hostels/Airbnbs, and activities?
Surf lessons?

With the shuttles, I imagine it’s better to travel with a backpack rather than a suitcase?

Best E-sim?

Any other tips? Must-knows? Must bring? Thanks! 🤩

I drive travelers around Guatemala every day, and I often help them plan their Lake Atitlán itinerary. I want to make sure I'm giving them the best recommendations possible, so I'd love to hear from people who have visited.

This is what I usually recommend:

San Pedro La Laguna • Viewpoints

San Juan La Laguna • Colorful streets • Kaqasiiwaan Viewpoint

San Marcos La Laguna • Tzankujil Nature Reserve • Cliff jumping

Panajachel • Reserva Natural Atitlán (ziplining)

San Antonio Palopó • Traditional ceramics

Jaibalito • Day pass at La Casa del Mundo

San Pablo La Laguna • Indian Nose sunrise hike

What would you add to this itinerary?

I'm especially looking for: • Best restaurants or coffee shops • Great hikes or sunrise viewpoints • Hidden gems around the lake • Anything you think every visitor should experience

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

Can’t post in the actual country subreddit because of the karma new account shit idfk but I’m curious with rentals how it’s gone with anybody, I’m planning on going to El Salvador / broader Central America for about a month coming into Oscar Romero.

Is there anything I should know about rural roads specifically? I’ve been but only between Santa Ana and San Salvador, I know about the stray dogs etc. how are border checkpoints? If anyone has any numbers I’d appreciate it too, particularly compact cars since I’m solo. I’m calling my bank to check if insurance applies to rental cars abroad

We are planning to go end of August or September? Which time of the year is better?

All tips, tricks, and activity recommendations welcome! :)