El Salvador

This self-launched version of Gap360's Guatemala to Costa Rica Adventure takes you through the same five stunning Central American countries — Antigua's volcanic skyline, Mayan ruins at Copán, El Salvador's surf coast, Nicaragua's colonial cities and volcanic islands, and Costa Rica's cloud forests and adventure hotspots — at a fraction of the guided tour price. Swap the private group vehicle for chicken buses, shared shuttles and public ferries; replace the tour guide with local booking platforms and hostel noticeboards; and enjoy the same experiences with far more flexibility. All cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.

Travel Crew

~£560

A self-launched 8-day solo-friendly route through highland Guatemala and western El Salvador, following the same spine as Inter Tours' group itinerary — colonial Antigua, the Chichicastenango market and Lake Atitlán, the Mayan ruins of Tazumal and Joya de Cerén, the coffee fincas of Ataco, and the volcanoes and murals of San Salvador. Everything is booked independently: shuttle vans and public coaches, guesthouses instead of 4-star group hotels, and self-bookable day tours via GetYourGuide or local operators in place of the guided package. Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£635

A self-launched, independently-booked version of G Adventures' 62-day Mexico City to Panama City odyssey. Two months, seven countries, one epic overland route — Mexico City's street food and Roma/Condesa vibes, Oaxaca's markets, the Sumidero Canyon and Palenque ruins, Bacalar's lagoon, Chichén Itzá and Tulum, Belize's Caye Caulker snorkelling and San Ignacio caves, Tikal and Flores, Rio Dulce and Livingston, colonial Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Copán, El Salvador's surf coast, colonial León and Granada, Ometepe's volcanoes, Costa Rica's cloud forest and Caribbean beaches, and Panama's Bocas del Toro and San Blas Islands. All travel is by public bus, shuttle, ferry and shared boat; all accommodation is hostel/guesthouse/homestay level. Built for solo travellers comfortable organising their own logistics on the fly.

Travel Crew

~£2,662

A self-launched version of G Adventures' 17-day Volcano Trail through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. From the laid-back vibes and waves of the Pacific Coast to tropical rainforests alive with jungle melodies, follow the road less travelled between volcanoes, colonial towns, lake islands and cloud forests — moving mostly on public chicken buses, local shuttles, boats and ferries, and staying in simple multi-share hostels and guesthouses.

Travel Crew

~£640

Ditch the group tour price tag and explore four incredible Central American countries on your own terms. From the colonial streets of Antigua and volcanic landscapes of El Salvador, through the colourful cities of Nicaragua, to the cloud forests and jungles of Costa Rica — this self-guided route follows the same epic journey as Intrepid's Real Guatemala to Costa Rica tour, but using local buses, shared shuttles, ferries and budget accommodation to slash the cost dramatically. Expect volcanic craters, surf beaches, sloths in the canopy, cooking classes with indigenous communities and some of the most biodiverse landscapes on the planet. All bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct — no group leader required.

Travel Crew

~£785

Ditch the group tour price tag and explore four incredible Central American countries on your own terms. From the colonial streets of Antigua and volcanic landscapes of El Salvador, through the colourful cities of Nicaragua, to the cloud forests and jungles of Costa Rica — this self-launched route follows the same epic journey as Intrepid's Real Guatemala to Costa Rica tour, but using local buses, shared shuttles, ferries and budget accommodation to slash the cost dramatically. Expect volcanic craters, surf beaches, sloths in the canopy, cooking classes with indigenous communities and some of the most biodiverse landscapes on the planet. All bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct — no group leader required.

Travel Crew

~£785