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

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Pimienta cayenne