57 days tour

Mexico To Panama Group (Or Vice Versa) Overland Tour

Mexico To Panama Group (Or Vice Versa) Overland Tour

This tour includes:

Guide

1 driver/guide is provided during ths tour.

Others

Services of your expedition leader/driver Transportation in custom-built Madventure overland trucks and use of all equipment Local transportation costs (if required) Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle Ferry tickets (when travelling together as a group) 56 breakfasts, 28 evening meals All accommodation costs (50% hotels, guest houses and hostels, 50% camping) National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle

Accommodation

You will spend 50% of the time on this expedition staying in local hotels, guest houses and hostels. The other 50% of the time you will be in your tent camping. Quite often we will wild camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our wild camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, on a remote beach, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot. From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry. At some of the campsites there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can sometimes rent yourself a private room at your own expense. When we are not camping (usually in cities) we always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get, good or bad. When staying in hotels, guest houses and hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of both sexes. There is usually an opportunity for anyone to upgrade to a single room or a superior room if they so wish. All accommodation upgrades are at your own expense.

Meals

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyoneโ€™s health and well-being. When we are camping we usually cook breakfast and the evening meal on the vehicle. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare. Occasionally we may prepare lunch on the vehicle when we are in remote areas. When staying in hotels (usually in cities) we always strive to provide you with one healthy, wholesome and plentiful meal every day, usually breakfast at the hotel. Lunches and evening meals are at your own expense when we stay in hotels. Local food is generally very cheap so if you are on a budget then eat what the locals eat. Western restaurants tend to be more expensive. When it comes to shopping and cooking while camping we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will do their own fresh food shopping, prepare the dayโ€™s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once every 10 days (depending on the group size). Fresh food is generally available daily so when we are camping we try to eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do cater to vegetarians but we do not cater to vegans or fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater to restrictive diets or individual likes and dislikes. Donโ€™t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice. Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook groupโ€™s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

Transport

We will be travelling in a purpose-built Madventure overland vehicle 100% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldnโ€™t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people. Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360ยฐ view of the surrounding scenery. Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe. Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to. There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board. We spend a lot of nights around the campfire so we take along good axes and saws for the times when we have to replenish our wood supply. We usually carry 400 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc. Our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook groupโ€™s breakfast and dinner food only. For personal food and drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use. Comfortable fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days. We carry a portable shower and shower tent so you can take a shower every day on this tour if you like, even when we are wild camping in remote areas. Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet and head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment at the hotels we stay at. We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we recommend you bring your own for general use.

Not included:

Optional

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only. Prices are shown in USD. MEXICO Teotihuacan ruins $5 Mexico City open top bus tour $15 Mexico City Anthropology Museum $5 Monte Alban ruins $5 Sumidero Canyon boat trip $15 Palenque Mayan ruins $10 Uxmal ruins $30 Chichen Itza ruins $35 Dos Ojos cenote swim $20 Tulum ruins $5 BELIZE Lamanai ruins boat excursion $60 Islands of Belize, per day (max. 3 days) $40 Belize Zoo animal sanctuary $15 GUATEMALA Tikal ruins $20 Lake Atitlan boat tour $20 EL SALVADOR Fishing trip, La Libertad $25 Surfing lessons, La Libertad (per hour) $20 Museum of Art, San Salvador $2 HONDURAS Copan ruins $15 Bay Islands, per day (max. 3 days) $40 Scuba diving, Bay Islands (per dive) $50 Lake Yojoa boat tour $20 NICARAGUA Volcano-boarding $35 Masaya volcano tour $25 COSTA RICA Rio Frio boat tour $60 Arenal Volcano National Park $15 Arenal volcano hike $50 Sloth watching tour $50 Cloudforest zip-line tour $70 Cloudforest suspension bridge trail $50 Manuel Antonio National Park $20 PANAMA Panama Canal full transit boat tour $270 Sailing trip from Panama to Colombia โ€“ 5 days $500

Flights

No flights included or expected during this tour.

Others

Personal travel insurance Personal spending money (ยฃ120 โ€“ ยฃ150 per week recommended) Visas (approximately ยฃ100 depending on nationality) Lunches and evening meals when in hotels, guest houses and hostels Lunches when camping Accommodation upgrades Entrance fees to optional sites and national parks Any optional activities and excursions International and domestic flights Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag and pillow Tips (USD $60 per crew member recommended)

Insurance

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour. You may be covered under your credit cardโ€™s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first. There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/madventure/. They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you. For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover โ€“ Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mexico To Panama Group (Or Vice Versa) Overland Tour

  • Day 1 Day 1-12: Mexico
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1-12: Mexico

      Our Central American tour starts in Mexico City, a busy metropolis where the ancient and modern worlds collide with a fantastic display of gorgeous plazas, tranquil canals, glorious palaces, historic museums and sublime restaurants. Ride the open-top bus for a couple of days and you will see all the highlights. 


      Please note that we depart Mexico City the day after the tour starts so if you would like more time here you should arrive a few days prior to departure.


      The ruins of Teotihuacan are our next stop and are mysterious relics of an ancient civilisation where we also find the worldโ€™s 3rd largest Pyramid.


      Cactus-filled valleys and wide open plains lead us to the charming city Oaxaca, a mixture of colonial glory and indigenous market-places. This world heritage site is crammed full of culture with wonderful museums, churches and markets. The surrounding area offers inspiring archaeology in the form of the Monte Alban Ruins, featuring pyramids, terraces, tombs, staircases and sculptures, all remnants of the ancient capital of the Zapotec culture.


      We now head for the Chiapas highlands and the Sumidero Canyon where you can take an exhilarating boat ride through the steep sided cliffs giving you the chance to pass by several waterfalls, enter caves and get close to some quite large crocodiles.


      The quaint town of San Cristobal de las Casas is close by and a real relic of the past. A day spent here wandering the cobbled streets offers us an insight into a real Mexican gem.


      After a short swim in the turquoise waters of Agua Azul we continue to Palenque, Mayan ruins set amongst lush jungle and perhaps the most beautiful of all the Mayan ruins in Mexico.


      We now head into the Yucatan Peninsula and visit the ruins of Uxmal, Chichen Itza and Tulum, 3 of Mexicoโ€™s most impressive Mayan relics.


      The Yucatan is also famous for its Cenotes and it is here that we visit Dos Ojos Cenote, 2 crystal-clear natural swimming holes that are part of the worldโ€™s longest underwater cave system.


      Our journey along the coast now takes us towards Belize.

  • Day 2 Day 13-18: Belize
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13-18: Belize

      At Orange River a boat trip through the jungle will afford you the opportunity to see crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, coati, howler monkeys and plenty of birds but the real adventure is arriving at the Lamanai ruins hidden in the dense jungle at the end of the boat journey.


      Belize City will be our next base where you have the option to explore the beautiful Caribbean-style island cayes just offshore. This is a fantastic spot for diving and fishing. Those who stay on the mainland can visit the close-by baboon sanctuary or just laze on the beach.


      Moving inland we find a wonderful sanctuary protecting the native jaguars, pumas, snakes, monkeys, crocodiles, tapirs and more.


      From here we continue towards Guatemala.

  • Day 3 Day 19-25: Guatemala
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 19-25: Guatemala

      We enter Guatemala in the lush lowland jungles where we can explore the once lost Mayan cities and pyramids of Tikal that lie hidden beneath the tree canopy.


      A winding route through the Central Highlands now leads us to Lake Atitlan, commonly referred to as the most beautiful lake in the world. The two volcanoes and numerous traditional villages that surround the lake are best explored by boats which traverse the lake daily. The colourful market town of Chichicastenango is also close by offering some bargain buys and interesting Mayan shrines.


      Continuing east we reach the charming town of Antigua. Cobbled streets, colonial architecture and friendly faces make this a great place to relax for a couple of nights. 


      From here we wind our way through coffee plantations to the pacific coast and El Salvador.

  • Day 4 Day 26-29: El Salvador
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 26-29: El Salvador

      Crossing into this lively and perhaps most friendly of the Central American countries we follow the coastline and base ourselves at the beaches close to La Libertad where surfing and fishing are the order of the day.


      The once war-torn capital San Salvador is now a laid-back place where you have time to explore the museums and markets that make this such an interesting region of Central America.


      On our way out of San Salvador we will visit Suchitoto, a treasured colonial town and buzzing cultural centre, before heading towards Honduras.

  • Day 5 Day 30-38: Honduras
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 30-38: Honduras

      Known as the Paris of the Mayan World, our first destination is the magnificent ruins of Copan. This ancient Mayan city was well preserved after being swallowed up by the jungle and contains the longest known Mayan inscription with over 1250 hieroglyphics.


      We now head for the wonderful Bahia de Honduras where we base ourselves in the town of La Ceiba. From here you have the option of visiting the nearby Bay Islands where the diving is spectacular. White sandy beaches, coconut palms and gentle sea breezes typify these islands and the clear waters, rich reefs and intriguing underwater caves make this an idyllic location to undertake a scuba diving course. Those who choose to stay ashore can keep busy with jungle trekking and boat tours.


      Lake Yojoa is Honduras largest natural lake where you have the opportunity to hike to beautiful waterfalls and kayak through incredible caves.


      We now journey across Honduras en-route to the Nicaraguan border.

  • Day 6 Day 39-44: Nicaragua
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 39-44: Nicaragua

      The colonial town of Leon is our first stop and is the base camp to the worldโ€™s only volcano boarding tours. It is definitely a black run!


      Occupying the caldera of an extinct volcano Lake Apoyo is possibly one of the most beautiful lakes in the world where you have the opportunity to swim, kayak, hike and relax for a few days. From here you also have the opportunity to visit Volcan Masaya, one of Central Americaโ€™s most active volcanoes.


      Our last stop in Nicaragua is the charming town of Granada where you can spend the day wandering the cobbled streets of this colonial gem.


      On our way to Costa Rica we now hug the shores of the vast Lake Nicaragua, a freshwater lake full of saltwater fish that donโ€™t exist in any other lake in the world.

  • Day 7 Day 45-52: Costa Rica
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 45-52: Costa Rica

      In Los Chiles you have the opportunity to visit the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge and take a boat tour on the Rio Frio to look for the sloths, caiman, howler monkeys and the various species of birds that inhabit this lush area.


      From our base in La Fortuna you have the option of undertaking numerous wonderful excursions including volcano trekking, riding the sky-tram, rappelling, bungy jumping, horse riding and sloth watching.


      The pristine cloud-forests of Monteverde are our next stop where hanging bridges offer dramatic walks through the jungle canopy. For those seeking more adrenalin you can even go Sky Trekking and fly by zip-wire through the forest.


      Back down on the Pacific coast our last stop in Costa Rica is at the well-renowned Manuel Antonio beach area where you have the option of spending the day in the National Park with plenty of wildlife and pristine beaches on offer.


      From here we now continue our journey towards Panama.

  • Day 8 Day 53-57: Panama
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 53-57: Panama

      We head straight for the beach here in Panama and our first stop is at Playa Farallon, a palm-fringed white sand beach dotted with thatch umbrellas and divine seafood restaurants.


      On our way to Panama City we will cross over the Panama Canal, affectionately known as The Big Ditch! This engineering marvel is considered to be the worldโ€™s greatest shortcut and is something that has to be seen to be believed.


      Panama City is our final destination where you will find a modern capital with great restaurants, American style malls and a museum explaining the construction of the Panama canal. For something more historic take a walk through the Casco Viejo area where you will find a charming community of old churches, cobbled plazas and magnificent palaces, a cultural ending to an extraordinary road trip from Mexico to Panama!


      Please note that this tour ends after breakfast on the final day of the tour so you can make your onward travel arrangements accordingly.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 18 / Max: 80

Age range allowed for this experience.