Combine exciting adventure travel with a project placement and experience the best of Central America on an unforgettable adventure trip with Frontier through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Explore the legendary Mayan ruins set in dense rainforests and swim in azure waters off white sand beaches. Climb to the rim of active volcanoes, ride horseback down ancient mountain trails, snorkel and dive some of the world's best dive sites, zip-line through the canopies of lush jungles, and dance the night away in the best salsa clubs.
Check out our Central America Ethical Adventure Trail video
On an incredible journey of discovery through the countries of Latin America you will also have the chance to contribute to both the local community and environmental conservation, spending time helping at a wonderful school in Honduras.
What is so fantastic about this journey is that whilst travelling you will benefit from the leadership of a young, friendly, fun but also sensible and well-travelled guide who will take care of all the stress and organisation on the trip, whether it be recovering lost luggage, arranging bus tickets, booking hostels or extra activities, dealing with emergencies or even knowing the best places to go for a great night out! If you want to experience the beauty and adventure of Central America, travelling along with a young and friendly group of companions, without the hassle, then joining this Frontier Ethical Adventure Trail is the perfect solution!
Check out all the latest updates, videos, pictures and articles
from our Central America Trail on the Gap Year Blog:
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
• A unique view of this fascinating part of the world
• Discover local cultures and delicacies
• Immerse yourself in culture as you assist at a local community school
• Learn about the wildlife of this fascinating biodiversity hotspot
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Location |
Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica |
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Activities |
You could be:
Climbing volcanoes
Exploring ancient ruins
Horseback riding
Snorkelling and diving
Assisting in a local school |
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Transport |
Airport pickup and local transport between locations |
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Accommodation |
Varies - May include hostels, host families, camping and more! |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Equipment advice
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier t-shirt |
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In-country |
2 meals a day
Accommodation
Airport pick-up & drop-off (Subject to flight dates)
Ground transfers & internal travel
Local orientation and training
In-country emergency support
24-hour international HQ backup |
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
MEXICO
Mexico City: The adventure begins with a whirlwind tour of this leviathan of a city. You'll delve into a history as rich and colourful as any in the world, typified today in magnificent monuments such as the zócalo, the western hemisphere's largest cathedral, the Catedral Metropolitana, the museum of anthropology and, of course, the famous murals of Diego Rivera. You will have the opportunity to get to know the rest of your group. Group sizes range from 2- 12 participants.
Acapulco: Stay at this world famous hedonistic paradise with postcard beaches and exhilarating water sports on offer sun-worshippers flock to this exciting city. Add to this the fantastic nightlife, breath-taking scenery and gourmet food and you won’t want to leave!
San Cristobal: Ride horseback through the hills of the legendary Zapatista uprising and trawl markets for crafts inspired by the spirit of revolution. You'll discover how one small group of dedicated villagers brought the whole world's attention to the plight of indigenous Mexicans.
Palenque: Improve your language skills with some Spanish lessons with the locals, and then try your skills against a backdrop of live music as you sit down to a dinner feast. Find ancient ruins hidden in dense jungle and cool off in the clear waterfalls at Agua Azul.
GUATEMALA
Flores / Tikal: Watch the sun rise over Central America's most famous ruins which have towered over the jungle for thousands of years and learn about the ancient Mayan empire from an experienced local guide.
Chicicastenango: Kayak across the tranquil volcanic paradise of Lake Atitlan or explore the endless alleys of the most colourful indigenous market in Central America.
Antigua: Sip organic coffee at a roadside café as you take in the magnificence of this ancient UNESCO heritage city. Stand at the edge of Pacaya, Central America's most active volcano.
HONDURAS
Copán: Explore mighty Mayan ruins by day and rest your weary bones in warm thermal pools in the evening, before you set out to dance the night away in a hilltop disco.
San Pedro Sula: Based in a colourful and friendly nearby town surrounded by green mountains and tropical cloud forest, you will help out at a local school which aims to help the most disadvantaged children. You may be assisting in classes, leading your own, helping with after school activities and classes, or other duties around the school and within the community where many families are truly destitute. There will also be opportunity to venture into the nearby cloud forests or explore the traditional beach communities of the Caribbean coast at the weekend.
Útila: Central America's diving paradise is an island built solely around exploring the underwater world and is an ideal place to do your PADI dive training. You'll also go on a day trip to a perfect deserted island, finishing the day with a barbecue on the beach.
NICARAGUA
León: The echoes of revolution still hang in the air of this exciting city, where you can stroll cobblestone streets amidst murals depicting the heroes of the revolution. To learn more you can visit fascinating museums and art galleries with works found nowhere else on Earth. You can also go volcano-boarding, which is an adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster-ride down soft ash.
Granada: A magnificent colonial town, where tree-lined streets host musicians and entertainers of all sorts is the perfect jump-off point for your visit to the volcanic islands of Ometepe, situated in the middle of the luscious Lake Nicaragua.
Santa Elena: Soar through the jungle canopy on a zip-line tour and canopy walk, the perfect way to get up close and personal with the exotic creatures of the rainforest. You'll uncover the hidden mysteries of the rainforest with the help of friendly local people.
COSTA RICA
San José: Do some last minute shopping and eat your last gallo pinto before you fly home, alive with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime!*
*This is intended as a sample itinerary only and is subject to change.
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
You will be greeted at Mexico City Airport by your trail leader and escorted by bus to a local hostel where you will spend your first night. If you are arriving before the project start date you will meet at an agreed rendezvous point.
You will have a day in Mexico City to get a taste of the Latin American spirit to come. From there you will soon set off to the next destination on your exciting adventure, so be prepared to throw yourself into the experience once you arrive!
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
During the trail you will stay in basic but of course comfortable accommodation such as hostels, sleeping in mixed sex communal dorms or shared rooms, or homestays.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
You will be provided with two meals a day. These will include a variety of local cuisine from markets and food stalls as well as delights cooked up by yourself and other trail members – so don’t forget your recipe book! By using local produce and learning traditional cooking techniques you will be provided with an authentic Central American experience!
What Next? Apply Now!
BEAUTIFUL SUNRISES IN CENTRAL AMERICA
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29 Aug 2012
The Frontier Central America tour blazes a trail through 5 countries. It starts with t...
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PINATA'S IN CENTRAL AMERICA!
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1 Aug 2012
The highlight of week one definitely has to be the second day in San Cristobal. Beginning with a ...
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AN ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE AT MEXICAN WRESTLING GAME
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11 Jul 2012
My first week in Mexico was hot, cold, wet, dry and humid. The weather however helps to make this...
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A busy week in Guatemala!
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11 Aug 2011
It's been a busy week in Guatemala! First we arrived in Flores, which is a lovely island surr...
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My first Week in Mexico
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12 Jan 2011
It was really good to see three sides of Mexico, the hustle and bustle of the city, the chilled v...
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Travelling to the colonial city of Leon
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10 Nov 2010
Frontier Central America Trail has finally arrived in the beautiful colonial city of Leon after a...
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Mexico to San Cristobel
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12 Jul 2010
We arrived in Mexico City and crashed out at Hostel Moneda, right next to the city centre. After ...
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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
At each destination along the trail route there will be a range of activities for you to choose from, at extra cost. These could include watersports such as scuba diving, kayaking or jet skiing canopy zip lines, volcano boarding and horse riding, and Spanish lessons, to name but a few! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to use your newly acquired knowledge to explore these activities at local rates rather than paying tour company prices! If all this wasn't enough, our guides are always happy to advise you on where to go next! Perhaps travel down to South America, or stay on in one of these fascinating countries.
