28 days in Guatemala & Nicaragua Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Central America trip builder
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Fly
1
Antigua, Guatemala
— 3 nights
Fly
2
Peten, Guatemala
— 2 nights
Taxi to Flores, Shuttle to Izabal
3
Izabal, Guatemala
— 1 night
Ferry
4
Livingston, Guatemala
— 2 nights
Unknown
5
Big Corn Island, Nicaragua
— 1 day
Fly
6
El Castillo, Nicaragua
— 2 nights
+2
Bus to Ciudad Quesada, Foot to Barrio Lourdes, Bus to Isla de Ometepe
7
Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua
— 3 nights
Ferry to San Jorge, Bus to San Juan del Sur
8
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
— 5 nights
Drive
9
Leon, Nicaragua
— 5 nights
Fly

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Antigua, Guatemala — 3 nights

The former capital of Guatemala and a World Heritage Site, Antigua retains its colonial charm and remains one of the most visited destinations in the country.
You'll discover tucked-away gems like Cathedral de Santiago and Casa Popenoe. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Convento Santa Clara and Centro Cultural La Azotea. Explore Antigua's surroundings by going to Guatemala City (Catedral Metropolitana, National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, &more). The adventure continues: indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, contemplate the long history of Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande, delve into the distant past at Convento de las Capuchinas, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, read Antigua trip itinerary planner.

London, UK to Antigua is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time to Central Standard Time is minus 6 hours. When traveling from London in February, plan for much warmer days in Antigua, with highs around 28°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Peten.
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Historic Sites · Museums · Tours · Spas
Side Trips
Find places to stay Feb 22 — 25:

Peten, Guatemala — 2 nights

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Sun): don't miss a visit to Isla Principal Topoxte, pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral de Flores, and then delve into the distant past at Yaxha National Park. On the 27th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: look for all kinds of wild species at Cerro Biotope Cahui and then look for all kinds of wild species at Ixpanpajul Nature Park.

For traveler tips, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Peten attractions site.

Getting from Antigua to Peten by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of shuttle and taxi; or drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Izabal.
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Wildlife · Parks · Historic Sites
Side Trips
Find places to stay Feb 25 — 27:

Izabal, Guatemala — 1 night

On the 28th (Tue), step into the grandiose world of Castillo de San Felipe de Lara. Keep things going the next day: witness a stunning natural landmark at Hot Springs.

To see ratings, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Izabal trip itinerary maker app.

Getting from Peten to Izabal by combination of taxi and shuttle takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. February in Izabal sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to ride a ferry to Livingston.
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Nature · Parks · Historic Sites
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Find places to stay Feb 27 — Mar 1:
Highlights from your trip

Livingston, Guatemala — 2 nights

The largely Garifuna town of Livingston sits at the mouth of a river flowing out into the sea.
On the 2nd (Thu), take in the dramatic scenery at Seven Altars and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Blanca. Keep things going the next day: explore the activities along Rio Dulce.

For ratings, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, read our Livingston trip site.

Ride a ferry from Izabal to Livingston in 2 hours. When traveling from Izabal in March, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Livingston: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to travel to Big Corn Island.
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Parks · Nature · Beaches · Outdoors
Find places to stay Mar 1 — 3:

Big Corn Island, Nicaragua — 1 day

The larger of the two islands, Big Corn Island offers a laid-back atmosphere and tropical island scenery.
On the 4th (Sat), see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Big Corn Island vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Livingston to Big Corn Island. March in Big Corn Island sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 27°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can fly to El Castillo.
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Outdoors · Wildlife · Tours
Find places to stay Mar 4 — 5:
Highlights from your trip

El Castillo, Nicaragua — 2 nights

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sun): make a trip to Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepción and then stroll through Reserva Biologica Indio Maiz. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Mon): tour the pleasant surroundings at Reserva Silvestre Privada Montecristo.

Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your El Castillo trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

Getting from Big Corn Island to El Castillo by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to travel to Isla de Ometepe.
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Wildlife · Parks
Side Trip
Find places to stay Mar 4 — 6:

Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua — 3 nights

Isla de Ometepe may be small in size, but it boasts two large volcanoes that dominate its landscape and influence the local lifestyle.
Visiting Volcan Concepcion and Volcan Maderas will get you outdoors. Get a sense of the local culture at El Ceibo Museums and Museo Ometepe. There's much more to do: kick back and relax at Punta Jesus Maria, take in the dramatic scenery at Cascada de San Ramon, and explore the activities along Rio Istian.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Isla de Ometepe road trip site.

Getting from El Castillo to Isla de Ometepe by bus takes about 8.5 hours. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) to allow enough time to travel to San Juan del Sur.
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Parks · Nature · Beaches · Outdoors
Find places to stay Mar 6 — 9:

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua — 5 nights

Set in a crescent-shaped bay, San Juan del Sur has become known as a popular surfing spot and coastal holiday destination for Nicaraguan families and international visitors alike.
Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Popoyo Beach and Playa el Coco. Get in touch with nature at Playa Hermosa and La Flor Beach Natural Reserve. The adventure continues: relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers, don't miss a visit to Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia, get outside with Da' Flying Frog Extreme Adventure, and stroll through Playa Escameca.

To see photos, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the San Juan del Sur trip planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry and bus from Isla de Ometepe to San Juan del Sur takes 3 hours. In March, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Leon.
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Outdoors · Beaches · Parks · Adventure
Side Trip
Find places to stay Mar 9 — 14:

Leon, Nicaragua — 5 nights

A cultured and storied city, Leon attracts guests from all over the world, drawn to the second city's style, thriving intellectual life, and liveliness.
Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Church The Recollection and Museo Ruben Dario. Relax by the water at Playa Poneloya and Playa Las Penitas. Step out of Leon with an excursion to Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve in Las Penitas--about 38 minutes away. There's still lots to do: contemplate the geological forces at Telica Volcano, look for gifts at Buho Books, take an in-depth tour of Museum of Legends and Traditions (Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas), and see the interesting displays at Museo de la Revolucion.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Leon vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from San Juan del Sur to Leon takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Traveling from San Juan del Sur in March, you will find days in Leon are a bit warmer (41°C), and nights are about the same (27°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) early enough to fly back home.
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Parks · Nature · Beaches · Museums
Side Trip
Find places to stay Mar 14 — 19:

Guatemala travel guide

4.5
Landmarks · Volcanos · Ruins
Land of Eternal Spring
Offering a chance to discover a rich history, remarkable landscapes, and a vibrant culture, a holiday in Guatemala remains a great choice for a wide range of travelers. The heart of the Maya civilization, Guatemala boasts stunning ancient ruins and traditional villages that blend with the Spanish heritage of the colonial-era and its stately cathedrals and town halls. While the cities boast splendid architecture and cultural heritage, they make up a small percentage of the mountainous Guatemalan landscape. Adventurous travelers and nature lovers will have plenty of things to do in Guatemala, from boating on the rushing rivers and scenic lakes, to exploring caves, picturesque beaches, and lush national parks.
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Nicaragua travel guide

4.2
Churches · Volcanos · Specialty Museums
Still emerging as a major tourist destination, Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America, entices travelers with its rich history and remarkable natural beauty just waiting to be discovered. A holiday in Nicaragua allows you to explore a vibrant culture, scenic beaches, and plenty of spots off the beaten path. Majestic volcanoes, lakes, and forests offer numerous chances for exploration and exciting adventures, while major cities boast splendid colonial architecture. With access to coastlines on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, a vacation in Nicaragua appeals to those looking for thrilling surfing experiences, dramatic views, or a chance to spread out on a deserted tropical beach.
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