Central America overland

~ marks an estimate. Budgets are per day in US dollars. Check services and fares before setting out.

1. 01

   

   Antigua Guatemala

   Guatemala · Daily budget ~$59

   Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city formerly served as the colonial capital of Central America.

   Antigua Guatemala →to Guatemala City

   Bus~1 h 30 min~$8

2. 02

   

   Guatemala City

   Guatemala · Daily budget ~$58

   Guatemala City combines modern amenities with historic attractions. Zona 1 brings together the national palace, cathedral and central market.

   Guatemala City →to Flores

   Transport details are not recorded.

3. 03

   

   Flores

   Guatemala · Daily budget ~$49

   Flores combines red-roofed colonial buildings, cobbled lanes and a historic plaza. It is also a base for trips to Tikal and the wider Petén region.

   Flores →to Tikal

   Bus~2 h~$15

4. 04

   

   Tikal

   Guatemala · Daily budget ~$85

   Tikal's Maya temples rise through a jungle canopy, with buildings still awaiting discovery. Wooden stairways on some pyramids lead to views above the trees.

   Tikal →to Panajachel

   Transport details are not recorded.

5. 05

   

   Panajachel

   Guatemala · Daily budget ~$48

   Panajachel is a gateway to Lake Atitlán, with lodging, bars and restaurants around Calle Santander. Public lanchas connect travelers with indigenous villages along the lake.

   Panajachel →to San Pedro la Laguna

   Mixed transport~$4.92

6. 06

   

   San Pedro la Laguna

   Guatemala · Daily budget ~$42

   San Pedro la Laguna is a compact backpacker town on Lake Atitlán. Its walkable lakeside setting suits an unhurried stay.

   San Pedro la Laguna →to Caye Caulker

   Transport details are not recorded.

7. 07

   

   Caye Caulker

   Belize · Daily budget ~$70

   Caye Caulker offers a relaxed island stay close to Belize's barrier reef. Restaurants, bars and a backpacker following give its small settlement a sociable atmosphere.

   Caye Caulker →to San Ignacio

   Transport details are not recorded.

8. 08

   

   San Ignacio

   Belize · Daily budget ~$71

   San Ignacio and neighboring Santa Elena invite exploration on foot across Hawksworth Bridge. Burns Avenue gathers restaurants, shops and tour operators into a convenient town center.

   San Ignacio →to Ambergris Caye

   Transport details are not recorded.

9. 09

   

   Ambergris Caye

   Belize · Daily budget ~$137

   Island visitor destination containing San Pedro; not the US district with the same name.

   Ambergris Caye →to Placencia

   Transport details are not recorded.

10. 10

    

    Placencia

    Belize · Daily budget ~$109

    Placencia offers a relaxed Caribbean village base for snorkeling, diving and fishing. Its concrete Sidewalk links restaurants, bars and shops for easy evening strolls.

    Placencia →to Copán Ruinas

    Transport details are not recorded.

11. 11

    

    Copán Ruinas

    Honduras · Daily budget ~$46

    Copán Ruinas is a base for exploring Maya archaeology. The nearby ruins feature a hieroglyphic stairway and carved stone stelae.

    Copán Ruinas →to Útila

    Transport details are not recorded.

12. 12

    

    Útila

    Honduras · Daily budget ~$48

    Útila combines diving with a lively backpacker social scene. Evening gatherings are part of the island's appeal, particularly during high season.

    Útila →to Roatán

    Ferry~1 h 30 min~$55

13. 13

    

    Roatán

    Honduras · Daily budget ~$57

    Roatán is a Caribbean island shaped by an ancient coral reef. Scuba diving and snorkeling are central draws.

    Roatán →to Santa Ana

    Transport details are not recorded.

14. 14

    

    Santa Ana

    El Salvador · Daily budget ~$48

    Santa Ana sits in the heart of El Salvador's coffee country. Fincas cover the surrounding hills, linking the city with the agricultural landscape beyond it.

    Santa Ana →to Suchitoto

    Transport details are not recorded.

15. 15

    

    Suchitoto

    El Salvador · Daily budget ~$45

    Suchitoto pairs conserved colonial architecture with cobblestone streets. Its peaceful atmosphere invites a slower walking visit.

    Suchitoto →to San Salvador

    Bus~2 h~$3.50

16. 16

    

    San Salvador

    El Salvador · Daily budget ~$50

    San Salvador offers a cosmopolitan mix of restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Earthquakes have damaged much of its historic architecture, while districts such as Zona Rosa draw visitors to contemporary city life.

    San Salvador →to El Tunco

    Transport details are not recorded.

17. 17

    El Tunco

    El Salvador · Daily budget ~$54

    Rocky shores and surf breaks set the rhythm in El Tunco. Weekend nightlife draws local visitors, while weekdays are generally quieter.

    El Tunco →to León

    Transport details are not recorded.

18. 18

    

    León

    Nicaragua · Daily budget ~$44

    León's cathedral is a UNESCO-listed landmark. Its rooftop offers views toward the surrounding volcanoes.

    León →to Granada

    Transport details are not recorded.

19. 19

    

    Granada

    Nicaragua · Daily budget ~$42

    Colorful colonial buildings and a long urban history give this city its character. Culture, nightlife and outdoor excursions make it a varied base for a longer stay.

    Granada →to San Juan del Sur

    Transport details are not recorded.

20. 20

    

    San Juan del Sur

    Nicaragua · Daily budget ~$51

    This Pacific beach town combines surfing excursions with lively evenings along the waterfront. Open-air cafes serve fresh seafood, while surrounding beaches give surfers plenty to explore.

    San Juan del Sur →to Isla de Ometepe

    Bus~$4.08

21. 21

    

    Isla de Ometepe

    Nicaragua · Daily budget ~$35

    Two volcanic peaks rise from Lake Nicaragua to form this island. Concepción and Maderas give the landscape its distinctive shape, echoed in a Nahuatl name meaning two mountains.

    Isla de Ometepe →to Little Corn Island

    Transport details are not recorded.

22. 22

    Little Corn Island

    Nicaragua · Daily budget ~$64

    This walkable island has no roads or motorized vehicles. A paved west-coast sidewalk gives way to narrow dirt paths through the leafy interior.

    Little Corn Island →to San José

    Transport details are not recorded.

23. 23

    San José

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$55

    Downtown San José brings together eclectic historic architecture along an accessible street grid. Walking tours offer a way to explore the city's built heritage.

    San José →to La Fortuna

    Bus~2 h~$6.29

24. 24

    

    La Fortuna

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$81

    La Fortuna is a gateway town for Arenal Volcano in northern Costa Rica. Hot springs, waterfalls, rafting and hiking shape the area's outdoor appeal.

    La Fortuna →to Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

    Transport details are not recorded.

25. 25

    

    Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$84

    Monteverde and Santa Elena offer cool highland cloud forests with distinct reserve habitats. The forests shelter quetzals, jaguars and ocelots.

    Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves →to Manuel Antonio National Park

    Transport details are not recorded.

26. 26

    

    Manuel Antonio National Park

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$93

    Manuel Antonio National Park pairs Pacific shoreline with dense tropical forest. Marked paths offer chances to see capuchin monkeys, sloths and coastal scenery.

    Manuel Antonio National Park →to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Transport details are not recorded.

27. 27

    

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$74

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca combines Afro-Caribbean heritage with rainforest scenery beside the sea. Surf and beach days anchor a stay in this backpacker destination.

    Puerto Viejo de Talamanca →to Cahuita

    Bus~30 min~$2.25

28. 28

    

    Cahuita

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$72

    Cahuita has contrasting beaches within walking distance of town. Playa Negra brings dark sand and beginner surf, while Playa Blanco lies within the national park.

    Cahuita →to Tortuguero

    Transport details are not recorded.

29. 29

    Tortuguero

    Costa Rica · Daily budget ~$90

    Tortuguero is a rainforest village reached by boat or plane. Its canals and nearby national park make wildlife watching central to a visit.

    Tortuguero →to Panama City

    Transport details are not recorded.

30. 30

    

    Panama City

    Panama · Daily budget ~$67

    Sleek skyscrapers share the city with historic neighborhoods. As the country's administrative and economic hub, it brings modern urban life alongside a long colonial past.

    Panama City →to Bocas del Toro

    Transport details are not recorded.

31. 31

    

    Bocas del Toro

    Panama · Daily budget ~$58

    Bocas Town mixes island life with a busy backpacker dining and bar scene. Waterfront nightlife and access to neighboring islands make it a convenient base for exploring the archipelago.

    Bocas del Toro →to Boquete

    Bus~5 h 30 min~$30

32. 32

    

    Boquete

    Panama · Daily budget ~$52

    This mountain river town sits in Panama's Chiriquí province. Coffee plantations and geisha coffee give visitors a distinctive reason to explore the surrounding highlands.

    Boquete →to Santa Catalina

    Transport details are not recorded.

33. 33

    Santa Catalina

    Panama · Daily budget ~$61

    This Pacific fishing village draws travelers for surfing, diving and access to Coiba National Marine Park. Its low-key atmosphere suits time by the sea and days focused on nature.

    Santa Catalina →to Portobelo

    Transport details are not recorded.

34. 34

    

    Portobelo

    Panama · Daily budget ~$61

    Colonial fortifications give this Caribbean harbor its historic character. Diving and views of cruising yachts add reasons to linger around the bay.

    Portobelo →to Lanquín

    Transport details are not recorded.

35. 35

    

    Lanquín

    Guatemala · Daily budget ~$46

    Lanquín is a warm valley base for visiting Semuc Champey. Hostels, caves and river tubing give travelers reasons to linger between onward journeys.

    Lanquín →to Semuc Champey

    Mixed transport~$4.26

36. 36

    

    Semuc Champey

    Guatemala · Daily budget ~$60

    Semuc Champey draws visitors to turquoise swimming pools and a demanding viewpoint trail. Nearby cave passages and river tubing add to the outdoor options.